Hey guys,
I've not loaded for this cartridge before. I hope to take a doe and at least one hog this fall with a TC contender, 10" barrel. The new Sierra Manual suggests a hunting load of 34.9 grains IMR 4895 when using 130gr SSP bullets. Any one have experience with this combo or a favorite load with this cartridge.
Thanks
GWB

Try H-335, work up a load from Hodgdon's manual with sierras 130ssp bullet. My son and I have taken numerous deer with this bullet from 30 yards to 130 yards and it performed great at all these distances. We have not recovered any bullets, they have all been pass throughs with exit holes the size of a quarter even the one shot at 30 yards through both shoulders. We are using a 14" and a 16" barrel. There is only 30fps difference between the 14" and the 16" barrels.
Albert

Here is the load I use. It shoots under MOA in my Contender with a 14" barrel using the 130 gr. SSP Sierra bullet: W-748:35.5 grs.

Good Hunting,

Bob

That sierra load and bullet shoot great out of my contender. I've been at the range on windy days and for some reason I've shot better with the pistol than some of my rifles. I think one of the virtues of the contender is a stiff, short barrel that is not "swayed" into accuracy problems with different loads like a rifle barrel can be. My 7-30 waters shoots many many loads very very well. Unlike rifle loads I think you'll find that what people post here for good loads in their contender PROBABLY WILL SHOOT GOOD IN YOURS!! The contender has been a fun gun to shoot up excess 7mm bullets that didn't shoot good in my 7mm mag!! Even bullets up to 160 grains seem to shoot just fine out at 100 yds!!

I have a 10" 7-30 waters barrel and have found that it shoots very well with ww748 and hornady 120 gr. v-max bullet # 22810. Hornady says that this is the same bullet that they used to sell under there single shoot pistol bullet line. check out this link also. http://www.handgunhunt.com/feature/s14/index.html web page

I think the 7-30 waters should be classified as "an inherently accurate cartridge". You will get all kinds of combinations that shoot well in the Waters barrel. I really liked IMR4895, until I went to IMR4064 - then I really fell in love. the actual charge is up to you. (This is with the 120 grain V-max)

Thanks guys for all the input. I've got loads worked up for all my rifles. However I thought I would try add a little zest by shooting pistols this fall. I have 14" barrles in44mag, 6 X 45, 30-30 and 10" 7-30 barrell for my contender. I have the good fortune that I can shoot all the hogs I want so,I thought I'd spice things up a bit.