7X30 Waters 20 Rounds Ammunition Hornady 120 Grain FTX

Gunwriter Ken Waters, working with Federal, created the 7X30 Waters in 1984. Based on the 30-30 case necked down, the 7X30 Waters uses a lighter, smaller diameter bullet to create higher velocity--and thus better downrange performance--than was possible in existing cartridges for traditional tubular-magazine lever action rifles. With a 120-grain 7mm bullet at 2700 fps the 7X30 Waters accomplishes this...but the public didn't seem to care, apparently wishing the "30-30 niche" to be left alone. Or perhaps the reality is that the niche of the tubular-magazine lever action is shrinking. It's impossible to say, but while the 7X30 Waters is an effective deer cartridge with greater range than its parent 30-30, it did not catch on and is no longer chambered. That said, its small cadre of fans remain loyal. — Craig Boddington