Author Topic: Ever shoot out a 7 TCU or any other contender barrel ?  (Read 628 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Old Syko

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2263
  • Gender: Male
Ever shoot out a 7 TCU or any other contender barrel ?
« on: December 01, 2010, 10:49:46 AM »
My present 14" 7 TCU barrel has had a throat like a giraffe since it was new but now has more freebore  than it used to.  Lost some of my records about a year ago to water damage so I can't be sure of how many rounds this thing has used up but I know it is in excess of 4000.  Put 230 through it since Friday.  Most rounds have been 139 grain bullets over H322 powder and just a bit below max cause that is what it likes.  Still shoots the same groups as always with no adjustments to bullet seating depth but I just wonder how long it will be before I have to replace it.  I went through 2 other barrels before I got this one that made me happy.  So how long do you think I have or am I just being premature?

Offline Junior1942

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1157
  • Gender: Male
    • The Frugal Outdoorsman
Re: Ever shoot out a 7 TCU or any other contender barrel ?
« Reply #1 on: December 01, 2010, 11:17:35 AM »
My present 14" 7 TCU barrel has had a throat like a giraffe since it was new but now has more freebore  than it used to.  Lost some of my records about a year ago to water damage so I can't be sure of how many rounds this thing has used up but I know it is in excess of 4000.  Put 230 through it since Friday.  Most rounds have been 139 grain bullets over H322 powder and just a bit below max cause that is what it likes.  Still shoots the same groups as always with no adjustments to bullet seating depth but I just wonder how long it will be before I have to replace it.  I went through 2 other barrels before I got this one that made me happy.  So how long do you think I have or am I just being premature?
My exact same barrel probably has 10,000 mostly 154 Hornady SP bullets through it, and I can't tell any difference in accuracy since day #1 back in 1976.  I haven't looked at the throat, but why worry about it?  However, I tend to load mid-range level.

Offline Elwood

  • Trade Count: (3)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 269
Re: Ever shoot out a 7 TCU or any other contender barrel ?
« Reply #2 on: December 01, 2010, 01:08:15 PM »
A 7mmTCU is not a overbore barrel burner.
Stop worrying and enjoy what you have.
Elwood
Vae Victis