can a 7-30 waters just be rechambered to 7mmste. i looked at the specs in COTW and it looks like it would work. Anyone done it?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I do believe that Layne Simpson invented the 7mm STE using the .307 Win necked down to 7mm.
The cartridge OAL for the 7mm STE is 2.0150" and it has a 40* shoulder angle and is virtually untapered. Almost like an Ackley Improved case. The 7-30 Waters is a necked down, blown out .30-30 case that has a 2.040" COAL with a 15* 18' shoulder angle. The 7-30 Waters will hold 64 gr of water, and the 7mm STE will hold 82 gr of water. Big difference. The only thing that the two share is a rim diameter of .5060", and the fact they were both intended to be used in leverguns. I suppose that you could rechamber the Waters to the STE, but I would be concerned about exceeding pressures. If your 7-30 is in a standard M1894, not a Big Bore version with the beefed up receiver, then I definitely WOULD NOT rechamber it. If it is in a Marlin 336 or '95, then I might try it, but would be very careful working up loads. Just my $.02, FWIW.

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Thanks for the reply. I think I may just go for the 7-30 imp.

Moxgrove -

I just uploaded to our website a set of comparitive drawings - the 7ste, 7-30, 7-30 imp 28, 7-30 imp 40deg.

www.gmdr.com/levern/7ste-730improveds.jpg

I'm not sure if I'd bother with the improved version... in that out of the box, the 7-30 other than lacking a sharp shoulder angle is basically an improved cartridge (in lack of body taper) - and going to either the 28deg or 40deg improved versions, one only picks up 2 grs of capacity... I'm not sure that makes the cost/bother of a chamber reamer, new non-standard dies sets etc worth it.

W/re going to the STE - then one is getting something back for the expense: about a 25% increase in capacity (ie, 2 grs more than the proven 7-08). Pressure is going to be a concern/problem. Using a very modern receiver (2001 or later 336) and loading carefully, walking the loads up until one sees pressure signs (and backing down a bit from there), one could end up with a *very* effective hunting tool.

do shoot straight,
greg
www.gmdr.com

What is different about the post '01 336 recievers that allow them to handle higher pressure?

Also, and this might make a few people nervous, the STE can be chambered in a 94 or older 336 safely, you just can't load it to advertised pressure. This will mean some independant load developement, and I wouldn't recomend having another gun that can handle the high pressure to make sure you don't get confused, but other than that, nothing inherantly wrong with the idea.

The 7-30 has a smaller diameter body and a lower working pressure. Both increase the thrust the case exerts on the breech and its lock-up. Not all actions are designed for the thrust of the larger cartridge. Take care.