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Common uses: Hunting
| Type | rifle (centerfire) |
| Typical load | 120gr Federal Premium Vital-Shok Sierra GameKing BTSP-FN (P730A) |
| Muzzle velocity | 2700 fps |
| Muzzle energy | 1943 ft-lb |
| Stored G1 ballistic coefficient | 0.215 |
| Case length | 51.8 mm |
| Overall length | 2.55 in |
| Listed maximum pressure | 45000 PSI |
| Common twist rate | 1:9.5" |
| Range (yd) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Drop (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2700 | 1942 | -1.5 |
| 100 | 2290 | 1397 | 0 |
| 200 | 1919 | 981 | -5.2 |
| 300 | 1589 | 673 | -20 |
| 400 | 1315 | 460 | -48.7 |
| 500 | 1116 | 332 | -97.7 |
At 1,000 yards, 7-30 Waters (120gr at 2700 fps, 100 yd zero, standard conditions) has a modeled come-up of about 85.8 MOA / 24.9 MIL, retaining 749 fps (subsonic).
| Range (yd) | Velocity (fps) | State | Drop (in) | Elev (MOA) | Elev (MIL) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 | 1590 | Supersonic | -20.0 | 6.4 | 1.85 |
| 400 | 1315 | Transonic | -48.6 | 11.6 | 3.38 |
| 500 | 1116 | Transonic | -97.5 | 18.6 | 5.42 |
| 600 | 995 | Subsonic | -174.3 | 27.7 | 8.07 |
| 700 | 914 | Subsonic | -286.1 | 39.0 | 11.35 |
| 800 | 850 | Subsonic | -439.6 | 52.5 | 15.26 |
| 900 | 797 | Subsonic | -641.3 | 68.1 | 19.79 |
| 1000 | 749 | Subsonic | -898.0 | 85.8 | 24.95 |
Extended predictions beyond 500 yards are modeled from the same G1 engine — useful for initial DOPE, but outside the 500-yard manufacturer-table validation audit. Confirm with observed DOPE, especially near transonic.
A retained-energy reference only — not a shoot/don't-shoot distance. Real effective range depends on your accuracy, shot placement, bullet construction, and conditions. The ~1,000 ft-lb (deer-sized) and ~1,500 ft-lb (elk-sized) figures are commonly cited rules of thumb, not standards.
Published BCs depend on a reference drag model and stated velocity conditions. A source review does not independently measure a BC. Understanding BC sources
Your barrel, ammunition lot, and conditions will differ — always verify against the manufacturer's data and your own rifle.
The 7-30 Waters was conceived to modernize the traditional lever gun, giving tube-magazine rifles like the Winchester 94 a lighter 7mm bullet, higher velocity, and a noticeably flatter trajectory than the blunt, slow-loading .30-30. It delivers this with mild recoil and low working pressure suited to lever actions, making it a pleasant, effective deer and varmint cartridge at moderate ranges. Because tubular magazines require flat- or round-nose bullets for safety, its ballistic potential was historically limited, though modern flexible-tip loads have eased that constraint somewhat. It also carved out a following among Thompson/Center Contender handgun hunters, where its efficient case and 7mm bore make good use of short barrels. Never a mainstream success, it remains a specialty round with limited factory ammunition, prized mainly by lever-action and single-shot pistol enthusiasts.
Gun writer Ken Waters developed this cartridge in 1976 as a wildcat, necking the .30-30 Winchester case down to 7mm and reshaping the shoulder to gain velocity and a flatter trajectory than the parent round could offer. Winchester adopted it commercially in 1984, chambering it in the Model 94 lever-action, with Federal providing factory ammunition. Though the Model 94 chambering was produced only briefly and the cartridge never achieved wide popularity, Thompson/Center later chambered it in single-shot Contender pistols, where it found a lasting niche.
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