7-30 Waters VS 7 mm TCU

[miller64]

Without starting a huge fight, I am wanting to hear opinions on which would be the best for Whitetails and why.
Looking a 14" Contender Barrel.
According to the new Nosler #5 there seems to be very little difference in FPS in the lower weight bullets.
Shouldn't need anything over 140 gr for my hunting and think that a 120 bal tip could be ideal.
Needing help from those of you that have shot deer with either.
Avid reloader so ammo, no problem.
Thanks
Kris in OK

[Robert]

I have the 7TCU in a 10 inch, and since I just got a 7x30 in 16 inch, I am removing the scope and going back to rifle sights.  I know you were talking about the 14 ", but I just have to say that the 10" TCU is not only a pleasure to shoot, but it is amazing to carry with-out a scope with a sling.  I have heard people say dont bother with the shorter 7x30, for exactly the reason you stated, it just dosent deliver much more, however, I think my 16 " 7x30 has got way more power and flatter shooting.
  I'll save you a lot of trouble here....just get both.
The only shortcoming I have seen so far with my 7x30, is that it seems to have a way shorter throat, my TCU handles the 168 gr hardcast bullets better.

[longwinters]

I have not had the pleasure to shoot the 7tcu but have had quite a bit of experience with the 7-30 waters in the 14" barrel.  I can only say good things about it.  It was very accurate  and recoil was not bad at all.  I shot store bought ammo (I am sure you could do better with reloading, for sure on bullet choice). It shot groups @ 100 of about 1.5".  I think the  extra 1/2 inch was me not the pistol.   And I shot a 10 pt buck with it (eastern count) at about 70 yds . . . that ran about 40 yds. It is one of the few guns that I sold in order to get my Sako rifle and as much as I like my Sako I regret :cry:  getting rid of that pistol.

[Gman]

I have not shot a 7mm tcu and have not taken a deer with my 7/30 Waters, but I can tell you my 7/30 shoots extremely well and with a 130 grain bullet over 2000 fps should do the number on a whitetail.  I hope to find out this winter!

[PJ]

G-Man 130's should be going well over 2000 fps out of a 14" tube.I got 2248+ fps with 139gr S.P.'s.I got 2500+ fps with 120gr NBT's.H-322 and IMR4064 gave me the best groups and velocity.My hunting buddy get's about 2000 fps +/- with a 12" tube and 175gr bullets.

[B_Koes]

There is actually quite a bit of difference in horsepower from a 7 TCU to a 7-30 Waters.  The 7 -30 will hold significantly more powder than the TCU.  While I don't have my Contender reloading book in front of me, I suspect that you would actually see about 300fps more out of a 7-30 with a similarly sized barrel.  There will probably be less difference when fired out of a 10" barrel with considerably more muzzle blast from the 7-30 so I would tend to go with a 14" barrel.  As you mentioned, I believe that the 120gr ballistic tips are the optimal bullet for handgun hunting.

[TopGun]

I have a 7x30 but not a 7TCU. However, I do have a 6.5TCU and a 6.5JDJ. If one compares these similarities to your question, there is no comparison :? . Although I have killed white-tail with the TCU, the 6.5 is much more authoritative. Damage is greater, exit's are larger, and range/trajectory is much more forgiving if going for chucks :grin: . I admire the TCU, but love the JDJ and 7x30 waters. IMHO :eek: --the TCU's are perfect for what they were designed, but just OK in the field unless circumstances are perfect. Even with lighter constructed SSP bullet, I think we give up a lot with the TCU as a hunting round. Do I still use the TCU?--heck yeah, but I have to limit my shots. Good luck. I think you'll be happier as a hunting round with the Waters.

[Hawkeye]

I have two 7-30 Waters barrels. I have the super 14" with a custom break and I have the 12" Hunter model with factory break. Both are fitted with TC 2.5x7 scopes. My 14" likes the Hornady 120V-Max bullets with IMR4895 at 2200fps. It will also shot the 120grn Spire Point Hornady within an inch of the V-Max bullets. I have been getting an inch or less groups with the 120grn V-Max at 100yds. The 12" is a little lighter and I took two deer with it last fall. It shoots the 120grn V-Max in nice little groups of an inch and the 120grn Spire Points the same. It excells with the 139grn Hornady SST bullets loaded to right at max with IMR4895. I took both deer with the 139grn SST bullets. I have been shooting with some guys that have the 7TCU and they all wish they had the 7-30's due to the extra horsepower and down range power. I have tested the 12" barrel at 100, 200 and a little beyond. At 1.5" high at 100 yds it hits about 4" low at 200 and with that you can hold dead on out to 200 and knock a whitetail off it's feet.
I sold my 30-30 14" cause it wouldn't keep up with the 7-30 unless I was to rechamber it for an Ackley Improved. I looked at the 6TCU and the 7TCU but between my .223 and the 7-30, there is not much between that I can't do with them and if I need more horsepower I drag out the 309JDJ that is a rechambered 30-30 14" barrel. It shoots a 150grn Ballistic Tip at 2600fps and it a good deer gun out to 300yds.
Go with the 14" 7-30 and if you get tired of the length you can always have it cut to 12" and recrowned for about 50.00.
Where are you in OK?

Mike
Norman, OK

[dholepuncher]

i had two barrels one 21 inch 7-30 waters and one21 inch 7mm tcu. there was only about 100 to 120 fps difference in the two three different bullets. i would just assume have the one that was the easiest to load and cheapest. the only advantage the 7-30 waters has is if you do not reload then factory ammo is available. i killed a 110 pound doe at 140 yards with iron sites. it ran ten yards. it was a ten inch barrel. i would shoot what was friendly to me

[miller64]

Thanks for all the info and help.
Hawkeye, I am located in Purcell, just a little south of you.
Dholepuncher, guess you helped to make up my mind more than the rest.
Thanks again for selling me the barrel.
Thanks again for all the help, hopefully will post pictures of the kill this fall.
Kris

[Hawkeye]

Kris, if and when you get your barrel, give me a shout if you want to shoot together. I shoot at Tri City Gun Club south of Norman just off Hwy 9 and I-35. Would be about 20 min from Purcell. I shoot in the evenings and sometimes on Sun mornings. I have some extra brass and stuff for 7-30's to get you started. Some of it was given to me so I thought I would return a favor and help another.

Mike