6.5 TCU for deer/pig hunting.

[leadman]

I used my 6.5TCU in Wyoming in Sept while hunting with Xphunter for antelope. My barrel is 14" including the muzzle brake. I loaded the 120gr nosler ballistic Tip with 26grs. of 748, velocity is 2,050 fps. I have a 2X7 burris with the ballistic plex.
I shot and antelope at 255 yards thru the front shoulder blades. The bullet went thru the bones and exited, antelope expired in short order. Impact velocity was probably less than 1,600 fps.

I think you will do well with this bullet. I shot the Remington 140gr Core lokt bullets at shale here in Arizona at 100 yards and they barely expanded. Think they would not expand at all on game.

[Fire Fox]

I have a 6.5 TCU in an 18 in barrel and use the 120 gr nos ballistic tip for most things ( deer and Hogs) and the 120 gr speer for larger game with great results. I have used this rifle for many years on deer, hogs, and Black bear with great results. I use 27.7 gr of H4895 and WW brass  with federal regular small rifle primers. This load does 2400 fps from my 18 in barrel with great results. Hope this helps.

[Ak-one-shot]

Hi Fire Fox,
      Currently I have settled on W 748 with the Nosler Ballistic Tip. and It shoots great.  Recoil is very mild, my eye surgeon was happy, and I'm quite happy with accuracy.
      I will try H4895, and see how the accuracy is.  That is a powder I have not tried, as the W748 worked so well.
       Thank you for the information on the animals you have taken. Spring black bear is just a couple months away and I will consider taking my little Contender Carbine as we get out in the spring.
       

Ak-one-shot

Frozen in Alaska

[sixshot]

I've taken one muley & one black bear with the 6.5 TCU, the bear was taken with the 120 gr Sierra at about 160 yds, one shot. I've also taken thousands of steel targets with that old XP100 that Skip Talbot built for me back in the late 70's.
 
Dick

[Ak-one-shot]

This TC Carbine has been a lot of fun for me to shoot and develop loads for. It is so mild I originally had misgivings about whether it would cleanly take game. I usually shoot a 9.3X62 Mauser, so this is a pipsqueek in comparison.

Thank you for the information.

Ak-one-shot   

[leadman]

I had the good fortune to have Xphunter take me along on an antelope hunt in Wyoming in 2010. I took my Contender in 6.5TCU along, 14" barrel includes a 1 1/2" muzzle brake. Shot an antelope at 255 yards thru the front shoulders, it only went a little ways. I was using the Nosler 120gr BT with 748 powder. The bullet exited the far shoulder with about a 1 1/2" hole.
I can only get just under 2,100 fps with the short barrel so impact velocity was around 1,600 fps.
 
I do not full length size my brass every time. I do check that I still have clearance between the case and the breech with a feeler gauge. I set the oal so the bullet is just at the rifling. This works good with my gun and I can usually hold 2" or less at 200 yards.
I tried 140s in my gun but there is not enough velocity to make them expand even when fired into dirt at 50 yards. Accuracy was good though, at least up to 100 yards.
 
Enjoy your hunt.

[Ak-one-shot]

Thank you Leadman,
         I have been neck sizing only after fire forming my brass. Shooting the Contender carbine, I have been getting MOA
with the Nosler 120 gr. BT. Thank you for the suggestion.
         My grandson enjoys this rifle as much if not more than I do.  Hopefully after I get the snow cleared from the driveway in the next day or so, I can get to the range and shoot some more.

Soveling and snow blowing in Alaska

[Fire Fox]

Hey Ledman good to hear about the 120 gr working at that velocity. I have a 10 inch in 6.5 TCU also and I have been using the 100 gr serria HP on deer and hog with great results and complete penetration. This bullet was chosen because of the short barrel and gets 2235 fps with good penetration, expansion, and great accuracy. I use 28.5 gr of H4895 powder. Just trying to help and hope this helps you.