[ShootnStr8]

I had an opportunity to try out a new load on whitetail deer this year out of my Contender equipped with a Super 14 7-30 Waters barrel. I used a 139 Hornady SST driven with 35.2 grains of W748 which is an exceptionally accurate load in my barrel. The best groups are 3/8 of an inch at 100 yards and 1.5 at 200.

I shot a medium size doe (125 pounds) that was quartering towards me at about 40 yards. The bullet broke the shoulder and created about a 2 inch wound channel through the lungs, liver, stomach (chock full of grass) and small intestines. The heart was missed. It was getting dark but I did spend a fair amount of time and effort in an unsuccessful attempt to find the bullet. I could not find an exit hole and I'm sure there wasn't one. I suspect the bullet stopped in the intestines somewhere. The deer ran about 25 yards on 3 legs before expiring.

The overall pentetration and wound channel size of the 139 SST was similar to what I found testing using wet newspaper at the range. During that test the bullet expanded to about .45 inches and retained 80% of its weight.

On the same day of the hunt, a friend took a similar shot on a same sized doe with a .270 rifle using 140 BTs. The distance was also about 40 yards. The pentetration was about the same and his bullet didn't exit either but the doe dropped in its tracks. The hydrostatic shocks he gets out of that load is fierce. His deer always go down instantly.

Good hunting!

ShootnStr8

 

[Joe Kool]

Primer

What primer did you use? I've found that accuracy with loads using 748 can often go from great to poor with a change of primer. It's important to list what primer is used in any load. Did you chronograph this load, just wondering what the velocity is? Sounds like a great load with a bullet that will expand at contender velocities. I like to use 140 gr. bullets over 120 gr. bullets, I think they kill better. 8)

 

[ShootnStr8]

Primer

Joe,

Sorry about forgetting the primer. I'm using CCI 200s. According to my Pro Chrono, the bullet is moving around 2150 in the summer time. I suspect less in the 25 degree weather we have been having here (I've got to use the chrono more in cold weather). I can get another 100 fps and good (but not as good) accuracy by using a max load of IMR 4064 but the load was a little new for me to use this year. I'm sighted in for the W748 load and I can use the same zero with 100 grainers for varmints.

Blessings!

ShootnStr8

 

[Joe Kool]

Thanks

ShootnStr8, thanks for the info. Good hunting! Joe :grin:

 

[PJ]

7-30 Waters and 139 Hornady SST Field Repor

Hey,that's great I'm glad the 7x30 worked for you keep us informed of your shooting and hunting.

 

[contender hunter]

Has anyone kiied any deer with the nosler 140 gr. ballistic tip in the 7x30 , I was thinking it might be a little tougher and get more penetration than the 120 gr. , just wondering if there is going to be much expansion as it might be made for 7 mm velocitys??

 

[longwinters]

I always thought a 120 BT would be a great bullet out of the 7-30. Good velocity, a tougher bullet than the heavier BT's and known for good accuracy. Plus a smidge less recoil than the heavier bullets. I figured to use it this coming year.

Long

 

[contender hunter]

I am always afraid the 120 gr's will blow up on a shoulder shot and not penetrate, isn't there anyone out there that has any experience with the 140 gr. ballistic tip in the waters??

 

[longwinters]

No experience as of yet in a Contender, but one of my boys used the 120's out of his 7m-08 and had excellent penetration with 1/2 dollar exit holes on whitetail and antelope. No blow ups.

Long

 

[klong]

I shot a 140 lbs whitetail this year with the 7x30 Waters in a 14" barrel using 120 Nos.BT. The deer was broadside at around 50 yards. The bullet broke a rib going in and passed through the deer. Off side exit wounds was about the size of a quarter. Deer ran about 35 to 50 yards before falling. The 120 BT chronos at 2400 fps.

 

[Hawkeye]

I have two 7-30 Waters that I shoot all of the time. The first whitetail I took with my Hunter model was with the 139grn SST at 80 yds. Nice 120lb buck. Nice wound channel and 2" exit after hitting a rib. Dropped right there.
The second with my 7-30 Waters using a 120grn BT and a 14" barrel was a 100 lb doe. Hit quartering away. Took out both lungs and broke off side shoulder. Found pcs of it in the front shoulder. Dropped within 10 yds.

The last deer I took after Thanksgiving was with my 7mm-08 and a 120grn Bt. I wanted to see how they worked from the 7-08. This buck humped up and fell. Nasty wound channel and exit.

I like them for pistol velocities. I also shoot them in the my 260 XP, 6.5 Rem Mag and my 309JDJ.

Mike

 

[bspeckchaser]

Have not tried the Hornady SST yet, but am well pleased with my 7-30 and 120 BT's. All kills have been instant! Ranges have varied from 75 to 120 yds . Gun has the 14" hunter barrel. FPS is about 2425.

Just acquired a 309 JDJ barrel and will be testing the 165 Bal tips in it for next year.

 

[ourway77]

My 7-30 Coyote barrel like W-748 also, 120 grain bullets Killed this doe with it