I'm thinking about working up a 7-30 equivalent load in a 7x57 or 7mm-08 for training a first-time hunter who is a little recoil-sensitive.

So this is for anyone who's used the 7-30 on whitetails or sika: do you prefer the 120 Partition at 2600-2700 fps or the 140 Hornady flat nose a couple hundred fps slower? Which has gentler recoil and which performs better on deer?

JOhn

John

I use the 7x30 Waters in a T/C here in South Africa, and can recommend it � for the smaller species (I consider Impala sized game � up to 200lbs � as max.) where ranges do not exceed 120 yards.
I would without doubt go with the 140gr option, but not Nosler Bal.tips, they will break-up.
All the ones I used did. A 139-145gr bullet at 2200-2250fps gives complete penetration and works great.

Bush baby

I doubt the difference in recoil between the two you mentioned would be noticeable. Just tell the new shooter that you have the lightest recoiling load available and leave it at that. If it's not on their mind, they can't be affected by it.

As for on-deer performance, I'm sure you'll be pleased with either. When in doubt, go with the heavier bullet.

RSY

I use 120 grain BT's, they have worked fine for me. Both deer killed with it were hit broadside, not through shoulder, matbe this is why bullets the bullet break up others have reported did not occur.

Logically lighter bullets have lower recoil, but I doubt it will be noticed with the loads you are talking about.

I just traded for a 7x30 carbine barrel for my contender, and am looking forward to seeing velocity gain over my pistol barrel.

I have taken three blacktail deer from 40 to 200 yards with the 140 NBTs from my Contender handgun with 14" barrel with good results. They expand reliably at the lower velocity which is a plus in my book.

I tried the 120gr nosler solid base flat noses in my 7x57. I think from memory I went down to 38gr of VVN140 (ie approx 2gr lower than the Nosler book start load)I have to say I noticed very little recoil reduction allthough it was accurate. I never used it on deer as the group was out laterally. I'm sure up to 100yards or so it would do very well broadside but I would have thought a standard 130gr speer at start load would be a more conventional and better choice - I seem to remember Ray saying this was excellent in 7x57.

I use the 7-30 Waters in a 12" Contender my load is 120gr Nosler BT with 38.3gr of WW748 a CCI BR2 Primer at 2350fps this round will shoot 1/2 groups at 100yds. I have shot deer out to 175yds. This is a great little cartridge