I agree with what everyone said, especially KYODE. I think the 30-30AI is about as good as it gets IMHO.

You could get a factory 30-30AI barrel from Midway if you hurry, still shoot factory 30-30 cartridges, save your brass instead of throwing it away and get into handloading one of the best cartridges around. Ask Santa for a Rock Chucker press!

I've gotten some strange looks from un-informed sports store personnel when asking for the 7-30 Waters ammo. It's a fine cartridge, I just prefer the 30-30AI. The recoil on the 30-30AI is less than the 30-30 or 7-30 Waters also.

Beauty of the contender is he can buy both or all three if you go the 30-30AI route....I have all 3 and each has it's niche. 30-30 for cast bullet shooting, 30-30 AI for hunting and "let's see how hot we can get" play and 7x30 for all around. Actually the 30-30 AI just gets the 30-30 into the 7x30 ballistics world, because with factory ammo, the 7x30 is way out ahead of the 30-30.

best of luck to him,
regards,
graycg

30-30 , YOU CAN FIND AMMO ANYWHERE AND THEY SHOT GREAT !

Now why couldn't ya'll stick to the original question?
I have been to the Midway site twice and so far have NOT yielded to temptation on the 30-30 AI.

I could not justify owning the Herretts, the 30-30 and going out and buying an AI barrel. Now you have convinced me that is foolish for me to keep the 200 bucks when it would yield a 30-30 AI that it is not a replacement, but rather a supplemental barrel that I just have to have to live a normal life!

Newt ordered a G2 frame today and he thanks all of you for your prompt advice.


Thanx to All
LouisB

TCLouis,
I have them both in Super 14� barrels. It would be difficult to say which is the best. I used to shoot Hornady Single Shot Pistol bullets from each. 130�s in the 30-30 and 120�s in the Waters. Both were M.O.A. at 100 yards with the Waters having a slight edge at greater distances as far as accuracy goes. I don�t know if either of these bullets is still available. There is a much greater selection of bullets for the 30 caliber. Both shoot cast bullets well also, but the Waters again has the edge with the Lyman 287346 bullet, although the 30-30 is no slouch with the Lyman 311041. Brass for both is easy to find�it is the 30-30 brass of course�Fireform for the Waters. BUT, I probably do shoot the Waters more today since they have both become mostly cast bullet shooters. Either one will do the job. Good-luck�BCB

.30-30
More bullet choices
Factory ammo everywhere

7-30
Flatter shooting (higher velocity)
Less recoil

For me the choice was simple, I have .30-30 rifles and reload for them so going with the .30 is a no-brainer. I prefer the 10 inch barrel size in most Contender calibers and one in 7-30 would be one sweet setup. No bad decision here.

A friend/coworker is getting ready to enter the TC Contender world.

He called me and asked a simple question, "7X30 Waters or 30-30, Which would you recommend?"

What about you out there that have shot both?

i'd also add the 30-30 ackley improved to the list. midway has em in TC factory barrels for $199, last i seen. Lee makes inexpensive dies in the limited production line.

probably pop a deer or two with mine again this november.