7mm TCU or .35 Rem for Deer?

[winman]

I have a Contender with a 10" 7mmTCU barrel and a 14" .35 Rem barrel. I used to use the 7 TCU for silhouette matches with really good success, but have never hunted with it.

I bought the .35 barrel specifically for deer hunting but have not hunted with it yet either. I was a little disappointed with published velocities out of handgun barrels for it.

I have been using an 8 3/8 inch model 29 for local whitetails in recent years and it does a really good job, a 250 gr cast bullet will just rip through the chest and take out both lungs every time. I have limited my shot selection to a max of 50 yards with the revolver.

I thought I would use the Contender this year but can't decide which barrel to use. In either case I would have to drill and tap the barrel for a scope. I have a T/C 3 power RP scope I would probably use even though I would actually prefer less power.

Should I go with the 7 TCU or the .35 Rem?  Thanks for your input.


         

[Keith L]

I will let others comment on the barrel to use (and I am sure you will get lots of advice), but if they are factory barrels the holes for scope mounting are under the rear sight.  Remove the rear sight and mount your base to the holes.

Have a great season hunting with your Contender!

[wallask]

I don't think that you will like the recoil of the .35 Rem. The 7TCU would be a lot more comfortable and with less strain on the Contender frame. The 7TCU can be loaded with bullets weighing from 100 to 175 grains.

[Tommyt]

I've hunted with my 7 TCU for a while I have taken both Hog & deer
I also keep my distance as close as possible but the woods really do it for me
I'm Fl. you don't get large open fields (at least I don't)
If you do your part the tcu works
Oh mine too is a 10"
Good luck
Tom

[Dezynco]

Either one will work fine if you keep your distances under 150-200 yards or so.  If I had both, I would probably choose the 35 Remington because of it's larger bullet (I wouldn't worry about the velocities).  It will kick harder though, so if you are comfortable and confident with the 7 TCU, by all means use it.  It would be better to use the 7mm TCU and have a clean kill than to "flinch" and miss or cripple a deer.

Either caliber will work fine at reasonable distances.

Remove the rear sight of your barrel, the scope base mounts in its place.

[Hopalong7]

Hunting season is pretty close, if you're already familiar with the 7TCU and haven't used the 35 much, go with the 7mm, even though the 35 has considerably more "smack-down".  Load up some 120BT's and you're ready to go.  GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt   

[Graybeard]

I'm always amazed at all the talk of recoil from the .35 Remington and have to wonder if folks talking such have actually ever fired one. I have extensively in fact using factory ammo and reloads always using 200 grain round nose bullets mostly from Remington and Hornady at full book max powder charges. Recoil is about the same as the 7-30 Waters. If that recoil level bothers you then you really shouldn't be messing with handguns for hunting.

I've used both rounds you ask about and like both. I really prefer the .35 in close for deer/hogs or even up to black bear size critters but would limit shots to about 150 yards with it. I do the same in my Marlin as well. But then I don't really consider the 7 TCU in a 10" to be much more than that say perhaps a 175 yard barrel. All my shots on deer with it have been well under 125 yards really but I've taken several deer with it and it works nicely on them.

So which? It really matters not both are excellent choices for deer. Just pick the one you like, remove that rear sight as mentioned and scope it up and have fun. If you do your part both barrels will do theirs.

[winman]

Thanks for all the responses. I should have known about the holes for a scope mount under the rear sight, maybe I just forgot. I still have my load data for the 7/TCU somewhere and know how it shoots so I'll probably use it. I have a scope and some Redfield rings, and should be able to find a base at the gun show this weekend. There's a dealer always there that specializes in T/C stuff. Time is getting short but I should be OK since I'm already familiar with the gun.  If not I have other stuff to use.

Thanks again.       

[Tommyt]

Like riding a bike
a Few shots
you'll be right back on it
Good Luck
Tom

[KYODE]

i love the 35rem. mine is converted to use a 303 british case for a rimmed version. a 180gr hornady ssp at 2150+ fps is pretty heavy recoil for me personally, but i don't find it extremely punishing unless shooting several rounds in target practice.

[Lone Star]

If you use the 7 TCU on deer, don't use your silhouette loads.  Out of the 10" barrel the lighter bullets will perform much better - the heavyweights may not expand well.  120-grain Nosler BTips or 110-grain TNT Speers will work great launched at ~2100 fps in that short barrel.  These are for deer, not moose.

I prefer the .35 Remington in a 14" T/C myself.  The factory loads are great, both the 200 and the 150.  If you use factory ammo I'd use the 150, which gives deep expansion, higher velocity and lower recoil.  For handloads it is difficult to find the 150s, but I load them to 2330 fps and outstanding performance.  The 200 Corelokt can be safely loaded to 2000 fps and is hard to fault.  Recoil is subjective, but Pachmayr grips help a lot as does the extra weight of a scope.



.

[EdK]

While some argue you a good hunter should be able to get the job done with a 22, I think there is a world of difference between those two. Velocities in the 35 run close to 2000fps. Are really you doing any better than that with the 10" TCU? Then look at the difference in size & weight of the slug.

Another thing is 225-250lb deer are common around here. Iron-clad? No, but of decent size compared to much of the country. I like the extra power of the 35.

[winman]

If you use the 7 TCU on deer, don't use your silhouette loads.  Out of the 10" barrel the lighter bullets will perform much better - the heavyweights may not expand well.  120-grain Nosler BTips or 110-grain TNT Speers will work great launched at ~2100 fps in that short barrel.  These are for deer, not moose.

I prefer the .35 Remington in a 14" T/C myself.  The factory loads are great, both the 200 and the 150.  If you use factory ammo I'd use the 150, which gives deep expansion, higher velocity and lower recoil.  For handloads it is difficult to find the 150s, but I load them to 2330 fps and outstanding performance.  The 200 Corelokt can be safely loaded to 2000 fps and is hard to fault.  Recoil is subjective, but Pachmayr grips help a lot as does the extra weight of a scope.

Actually my silhouette load was a 120 grain bullet (lighter than most) with 22 grains of 4198. I would probably stay with that since I'm already familiar with it.

I have Pachmayr grips and fore end on it. I'll probably use the 7MM, I can get it set up quicker and it sounds like it will do the job.

Thanks again to all. 

[C A Plater]

My 14" .35 Remington barrel gets around 1850 fps with a 200 grain Sierra and over 2000 from a rifle.  That makes about 1500 ft/lb of muzzle energy where my 6.5tcu with a 120 grain @ 2000fps produces maybe 1100 ft/lbs.  I suspect the 7mm numbers would be close to the 6.5.  The recoil is more of course with that .35 but no where near the discomfort factor of a .44 Magnum barrel.  Both will do the job.

[Ladobe]

IMO your confidence in your ability to make well placed shots in a hunting situation with either of them is far more important than which of these catridges you are shooting since they both will cleanly kill deer within their own limitations. 

Neither are handcannons so recoil should not be an issue to someone who already shoots a Model 29, and neither is hard on a Contender frame as someone suggested.

Only other suggestion is next year don't wait until the last minute to get with the program pard if you are going to use something for hunting you haven't used for it before.   Confidence comes from lots of practice with and knowing the exact abilities of the firearm/load you will be hunting with... and your abilities shooting it.

Luck, and have a great hunt.

[Old Syko]

Only other suggestion is next year don't wait until the last minute to get with the program pard if you are going to use something for hunting you haven't used for it before.   Confidence comes from lots of practice with and knowing the exact abilities of the firearm/load you will be hunting with... and your abilities shooting it.

Excellent statement!  I totally agree.

I've used both and either work well if you're familiar with the gun and it's performance.  If not it doesn't matter what you use.

[winman]

Quote:

'Only other suggestion is next year don't wait until the last minute to get with the program pard if you are going to use something for hunting you haven't used for it before.   Confidence comes from lots of practice with and knowing the exact abilities of the firearm/load you will be hunting with... and your abilities shooting it.'

Hey guys, I fully understand and totally agree. If for some reason I can't get this setup working to my satisfaction I am well prepared to go afield with any of about six different firearms I have used successfully for deer in the past. I just thought since I have the gun, the scope, and the loads already worked up this might be something else to try this time around.

Thanks for the comments.