Author Topic: Which whitetail bullet for 7 TCU (Read 865 times)

flabbydan · « **on:** May 06, 2005, 01:42:47 PM »

I've got a ten inch Contender barrel on the way from eBay. I was wondering if anyone could suggest a good bullet for deer hunting. How do the Sierra 130 grain ssp bullet and the Hornady 120 grain ssp compare? What about the 120 Ballistic Tip? I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks!
Dan

Tad Houston · « **Reply #1 on:** May 06, 2005, 03:00:45 PM »

I would have to say the 120 gr. Hornady or nosler, which ever it likes best.

fyrepowrx · « **Reply #2 on:** May 07, 2005, 01:16:50 PM »

Tad is right...my 21" 7TCU carbine does extremely well with the Hornady 120 SSP. my 14" 7TCU seems to like both, as does my 10" 7mm Supermag, which is fairly similar in performance to the TCU.

flabbydan · « **Reply #3 on:** May 08, 2005, 03:09:23 PM »

Thanks for the replies. Is there any significant difference in performance between the Hornady "tipped" bullet and the regular point? Also, which powder(s) do you guys like?

Tad Houston · « **Reply #4 on:** May 08, 2005, 04:46:27 PM »

The "tipped" bullets expand at lower velocities. Regular tipped bullets for rifles do not expand enough for pistol velocities, but from what i understand single shot pistol (SSP) bullets are constucted of lighter jackets and softer cores so they will perform at pistol velocities. I like the accuracy of the tipped bullets though, and they seem to work great on medium game at pistol velocities.

jhalcott · « **Reply #5 on:** May 08, 2005, 05:07:48 PM »

Hey Dan, I've tried both in my 7t/cu's ,and other bullets also. The 130 ssp work ok in my 14" The 120 grainers work better in the carbine and the 10" and are almost as good as 130's in the 14".168 grain CAST bullets work great also!! Bum a few of every bullet you can and see what the barrel likes. WW 748 is a good powder to start with,so are H322 & H335. There aren't too many bad powders for the 7TC/u.

SandWedge · « **Reply #6 on:** May 10, 2005, 07:30:49 PM »

Hi Dan:

I posed that question back to several manufacturers not so long ago but for a 14" 7mm TCU barrel.

Hornady recommended their 120 grn. V-MAX which (per their rep) is the same bullet as the discontinued SSP.

Speer recommended their Speer 130 gr. Spitzer BT (#1624). Per Speer's technical rep, the SPBT has a thin jacket and is designed to expand at the modest 7mm TCU velocities. I would note that Speer wins hands down the customer service award. I highly recommend sending them questions about their bullets.

I didn't get a reply from all the firms polled - so I of course went out and purchased several boxes of bullets only from Speer and Hornady.

Good Luck!

Brian

ted · « **Reply #7 on:** May 11, 2005, 12:14:50 PM »

I got great rep service from speer too. i use the speer 130 bt for silhouettes. it also has the benefit of having a .411 BC! I used the 120 gr. hornady ssp for deer unfortunately, the deer didn't cooperate so I can't tell you how it performed on deer!

flabbydan · « **Reply #8 on:** May 11, 2005, 05:42:33 PM »

Ted,
Do you use the 130's on the rams, too? I'm just curious. Thanks.
Dan

ted · « **Reply #9 on:** May 12, 2005, 04:34:04 AM »

Dan,
Yes, I do use them on the rams. The range I shoot on has the auto reset targets and theis bullet reliably brings them down. I have had a few ringers though and might go with the same powder charge (I am using 26 gr. imr-4895 with this bullet) and a 140 grain bullet this season .