10" 7mm TCU for deer

[Junior1942]

Just scored a 10" 7mm TCU bull barrel from thcenterdave.  Thanks, Dave!  I have a 14" 7mm TCU, but IMHO it's too unwieldly for thicket deer hunting.  In it, I shoot the 154 gr Hornady SP w/Varget for tackdriver accuracy.  But I think Varget might be too slow for the 10" barrel.  Also, I want to try the 174 gr Hornady RN for 100 yd or less deer in the 10" barrel.  Suitable powders on hand = surplus 4895, Varget, H4198, and maybe even Lil'Gun......  Thoughts?

[Graycg]

I used to hunt with a 10 inch 7 TCU and I only used the 120 grain SS pistol bullets from hornady, I was always concerned that the 139 and above bullets would not expand at the TCU short barreled velocities, the 154s will not get out of that barrel very fast, and I belive that hornady recommends those bullets for velocities significantly higher than what you can get in the TCU.  1680, 4198, BLC2 and H322 are good choices.

regards,
 Graycg

[Preacherman]

I used 322 with 120 gr Nosler ballistic tips did a fine job on deer.I just got a 7mmtcu in 14" going to try in on whitetails.Probably not this year need a scope its also in line behind my 6.8,44mag,and a 30 Herrett.
Preacherman

[Junior1942]

I think either the 175 Hornady Interlock or the 175 Nosler Partition @ 1550 fps will work fine on 100 yd max deer with side-on shots only.  If fact, I believe both bullets will expand nicely and go through & through.  Both bullets are designed for frontal expansion and rear solidity for punching through.  We shall see!  If the deer cooperate, that is. . . .

[Junior1942]

Took the new 10" 7mm TCU w/Burris 2x20 scope to the deer thickets this morning.  Saw no deer but did see a coon, which I didn't shoot.  The pistol in this configuration is a dandy thicket pistol.  It's easy to raise and aim, and it's easy to find a target in a thicket with the 2x scope.  It's light, too.  I like it!!

I'm using the 175 gr Hornady RN @ 1585 fps which Hornady's tech man says won't expand "much" at 1585 fps.  Recoil is just past mild with this load which is great for my carpal tunnel right wrist--read that "recoil sensitive right wrist."

If the 175 RN doesn't actually expand enough to suit me in the field, I'll hollow point it with my Forster tool.  I'm back to the thickets in the morning.

[Junior1942]

I decided to use my Forster tool and hollow point my loaded rounds.  They now have neat 1/6" wide x .100" deep hollow points.  I've had the Forster tool and the 1/16" hollow point accessory for many years.  While the mini-lathe tool is a dandy, I never liked the hollow point accessory due to off-center hollow points.  Well . . . if I ever had the instructions I lost them many years ago.  About an hour ago I gave up on the hollow point accessory and put it and the tool away.  Then I wondered if the Forster web site had instructions.  They do. See http://www.forsterproducts.com

If a fellow follows their web pdf instructions and practices a little, he can drill perfect hollow points.  There's no doubt but that I'll get expansion now.