Author Topic: Kinda off topic 6.5 TCU 'rifle' questions.... (Read 933 times)

Bric · « **on:** July 23, 2005, 01:30:45 PM »

Hi all....

Been lurking awhile and was hoping that someone could help. I came here seeking help/advice being that this is 'your' shooting discipline and you guys are the experts on the TC guns and TCU calibers.

I am looking to rebarrel a new Savage rifle in 223 cal. I was seriously looking at switching it to 6.5 TCU. I am in need of a walking hunter/lite target rifle. Shooting target out to 300yds. and PA Whitetail are my intentions.

From what I've read here about the loadings you use in your TC products, this cartridge seems like it would be very successful in a rifle with a barrel length of approx. 22-24" using the heavier bullets. IIRC the heavier 6.5 bullets are moving approx. 17-1800 fps in a 10" or 14" TC firearm. What could I realistically expect from a 22-24" barrel?? 2400 fps would be a good working velocity to shoot for, is it feasible without any adverse effects like brass or barrel trouble? Or would this project just be a waste of time??

I have a ton of 223 brass, the donor rifle, a good stock, and powder already to make this work. All I need is a barrel, heaspace guage, bullets , and dies. It would be a semi cheap conversion for me to a caliber that may fit my needs. In addition I have 5 grandsons with another on the way and I'll soon need to consider their beginning shooting needs. Light recoil and accuracy should be a plus with the 6.5 TCU.

Anyway, any help/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for looking!!

Brian

fyrepowrx · « **Reply #1 on:** July 24, 2005, 03:18:26 AM »

Here is an excellent article with info on the 6.5 TCU in carbine barrels...

http://www.handgunhunt.com/tech/t15/index.html

at one time, i had both a 6.5 TCU & a 7TCU...didnt really need both & sold off the 6.5, but it did shoot fairly well, i had decided to keep the 7 because there is a larger bullet selection available, but it did make for a nice low-recoil carbine. Hope this info helps...

bubbaokie · « **Reply #2 on:** July 24, 2005, 05:03:47 AM »

I just had a Rem 600 switch-barrel done. One barrel is a 20 Tactical and the other is a 6.5 TCU. Both are Lilja barrels and finished at 22". The 20 tactical shoots GREAT and is mean on coyotes and PD's. I just put the 6.5 TCU barrel on it Friday and loaded about 20 rounds to try out. I haven't had time to shoot it yet. I used AA2015 and Sierra 85 grain HP's to start with. I am thinkig it will be a great little round.
Also do you have any loads, etc.? This is just a load I came up with to start on, as I didn't have any data.

Bric · « **Reply #3 on:** July 24, 2005, 10:13:54 AM »

Thanks for the replies guys!! And thanks for that link to the great article!!

Right now I don't have any loading data, I'm just trying to get a game plan for this rifle. Would love to hear how that new switchbarrel rifle works in 6.5 for ya though. Please keep me posted.

The direction I am headed with the 6.5 bullet is if you can keep the velocity at 2400+ fps and a 140-ish bullet with a BC of close/above .5, you should be able to harness the benefits of the 6.5. The 6.5 Swede is hard to beat. That's the goal. Get the 6.5 TCU in that area safely and functionally.

The 7mm TCU is my back up round. I have read that it is known for 'great' accuracy. But I am in need of a dual purpose rifle. I haven't seen enough info/data on this cartridge 'yet'. I would be worried about low velocity with the heavier rounds.

I'm trying for a 300 yd. target shooter / sub-200 yd. PA whitetail gun. One of these 2 rounds looks to be my best bet. Any and all info is appreciated guys!! Any more replies would be welcome!

Brian
:grin:

fyrepowrx · « **Reply #4 on:** July 24, 2005, 12:02:09 PM »

Dont think you could go wrong with the 6.5, with the TCU's a bit short on case capacity, the 6.5 bullets will have a higher sectional density than the same bullet weight in a 7mm, and that might be handy on the bigger deer you guys have in the North...i shoot those scrawny 100 pounders around here so it didnt matter much to me when i was picking between the 6.5 & the 7... If you do plan on having your gun built up, you'll probably want to specify that you want the chamber throat cut to hold 140's seated out..thats a long bullet...depending on the action you have, you might find 140's seated way out a bit long for some magazine boxes, and if you seat 'em deep you start eating up the case capacity which is already low...somthin' to consider...