Slower powders for 7x30 Waters in 14" Contender?

[ShooterAZ]

Guys,

I have been casting and loading for my T/C for a couple of months. I'm working on loads for the Lyman 287346 boolit, and have been using most of the powders shown in the Lyman manual...SR4759, AA5744, IMR3031, etc. I'm getting better accuracy with 3031 than the other two. I'm wondering what I could expect with a bit slower powder... say IMR4895, AA2520, or 748? My alloy is #2, and lube is 2500, boolits sized to .285.

I realize the shorter barrel may be more efficient with the faster powders, but accuracy so far has been mediocre(compared to jacketed). My best loads with j-bullets have been with AA2520. What say you? Any other suggestion?

[Rocky Raab]

As has been shown a bazillion times, forget that old myth about short barrels and fast powders. The wonderful 7-30 Waters hums right along with powders in the 4895 to 4320 general area. In ANY barrel length.

[felix]

Rocky is absolutely correct. Shorter the barrel, the better the odds for best accuracy, always. This is a vibration problem first and foremost. Ignition problems and/or a boolit's fit will ruin accuracy and is entirely independent of barrel style or length. ... felix

[ShooterAZ]

That is exactly what I wanted to hear guys...Thank you! I think my boolit fit is fine, zero leading/shiny bore so far. I loaded up 20 ea. with 29 gr IMR4895 and 32 gr AA2520 and will test hopefully on Friday. This barrel has given me superb accuracy with j-bullets, as in 38x40 at the long range silhouette range (seems like a couple always get away!). I will keep working at it and I will report back.

[UBER7MM]

I'm a believer in 4895 / 4064 in a 7mm rifle cast load. Should work well in your 7x30 Waters. Please post your results for us.

[TCTex]

Rocky and Felix and !00% IMHO!!! I have had several conversations with powder manufactures on this subject. Even TC has told me that the top preforming powders in rifles will be you top preforming powders in the short gun counterparts.


I had a great conversation with a TC Tech about 6 years ago about cast bullets in the 7-30 Waters. He told me the best powder he found for his load was AA2460. I know every barrel is a rule unto itself. However, I just wanted to threw it out there. (The only reason I haven't tried it is simple because I don't have any. LOL)


I am using the 130gr Soup Can in my 7-30 and if I find anything that works I will let you know.


Good luck and please keep us updated to your progress!!


Duane

[**oneshot**]

The only problem/not really a problem that I had with slower powder was muzzle flash with certain powders. As far as accuracy and velocity, there really was no difference from rifle to pistol. Taking barrel length velocity loss of course.

[marshall623]

I had good results with H 322 with cast in a 14" waters. 4064 is what I run with 130 Jacketed loads now ,never really considered it with cast , Mine shot great with 4759 and never looked back. The boolits I shoot in the waters are 130 lee's and 160 Lymans. I may load a few with 4064 to try.

[Mark85304]

Where you shooting pistol silhouette?


That is exactly what I wanted to hear guys...Thank you! I think my boolit fit is fine, zero leading/shiny bore so far. I loaded up 20 ea. with 29 gr IMR4895 and 32 gr AA2520 and will test hopefully on Friday. This barrel has given me superb accuracy with j-bullets, as in 38x40 at the long range silhouette range (seems like a couple always get away!). I will keep working at it and I will report back.

[ShooterAZ]

Nice avatar Mark! Most of my shooting has been up here, but I have been down to Ben Avery several times. We just got a new range here in Flag, but no organized silhouette yet. I'm looking forward to them getting better organized and putting together a program.