Author Topic: Opinion on tcu's 6,6.5 or 7 ???? (Read 1563 times)

SOUTHARK · « **on:** December 06, 2005, 10:30:05 AM »

I am thinking about ordering a rifle barrel for my contender and I would like something along the lines of a TCU ( I have tons of 223 brass). I can't decide which one...I will be using it for coyotes and some deer hunting. How do the tcu's perform on deer out of a rifle??? Thanks for your help.

Lone Star · « **Reply #1 on:** December 06, 2005, 03:07:42 PM »

These cartridges pick up a few hundred fps in a rifle barrel, enough to make a slight difference in performance on game. I'd recommend the 6.5 TCU for a single reason - in a rifle barrel it will duplicate 6.5 JDJ ballistics from a handgun. That round has an enviable reputation on deer with the 120-grain Speer bullet, which seems to be perfectly matched to the velocity of the JDJ round. The 6TCU is a bit light on deer, and finding the correct bullet for the 7TCU is a bit more difficult. The 6.5TCU in a rifle is a no-brainer.

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

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Gitzit · « **Reply #2 on:** December 07, 2005, 04:19:24 AM »

The key to good perfromance on game with any of the cartridges you mentioned is proper bullet selection. Due to the limited powder capacity of the 223 case some bullets cannot be pushed fast enough for optimal performance on game. I've had some miserable results on game with the 6.5 TCU but again that was my fault for poor bullet selection and that was also 20 years ago when bullet selection was much more limited. One round that I have experimented with this year is the new 6.8 Rem. I'm getting about 2800 fps (23" barrel) with a 110 gr Hornady VMax and am quite pleased with its performance on whitetails. So this is another option.

spenceinva · « **Reply #3 on:** December 07, 2005, 08:35:24 AM »

Gitzit, what type of powder and how much are you using to get the 2800 out of your 6.8? I bought one of these and am getting ready to play with it, would like a whitetail load.

Gitzit · « **Reply #4 on:** December 07, 2005, 10:03:59 AM »

29.0 gr of H322 and 30.4 gr of H335 work well for me with the 110 gr VMax. I would also like to try VihtaVuori N530 as there may be a potential for more velocity but haven't tried it yet. These are max loads and as always should be approached with caution.

jason280 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 07, 2005, 10:27:02 AM »

I've had pretty good luck with my 21" 7mm TCU so far, but I haven't actually taken it hunting yet. I put the gun together for my girlfriend to hunt with, as there is hardly any recoil.

As you know, the best thing about the TCU cartridges is the abundance of .223 brass. I would stay away from military brass, and stick with standard Winchester or Remington brass. I've used H335, H322, BL(C)-2, and RL-7 with 120gr bullets. The highest velocity has been with RL-7, around 2350fps before pressure got a little hot. I just bought a couple pounds of Vihta Vhouri N-133 and IMR4895 to try, and hopefully I can get a good accurate group at 2400fps. I really haven't pushed velocities much, as I have spent most of my time forming brass. Hower, that will soon change as I have plenty of formed brass to start loading.

As far as bullets, the best hunting bullet for 7mm TCU velocities are the 120gr Nosler BT and the Sierra 120gr spitzer. The Nosler has been more accurate out of my gun, and I've gotten some excellent groups with 140gr BTHP's. Of course, the 140's were all fireforming loads, but they were still pretty accurate.

My next TCU will be a 24" 6mm TCU, which will be my coyote/fun gun. You can safely load 58gr bullets to over 3000fps, and it should be a good cartridge out to 300 yards on varmints.

SOUTHARK · « **Reply #6 on:** December 08, 2005, 04:24:59 AM »

I am kinda leaning towards a 6 tcu , I'm thinking that a 85 grain bullet (Barnes or nosler) should do pretty good on deer. anybody tried this yet???

jason280 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 08, 2005, 05:28:49 AM »

All though I'm sure its been done, I just don't feel the 6mm TCU is an adequate cartridge for deer. Sure, you can kill deer with 85gr bullets, but there are much better options in the TCU family. The 7mm TCU with 120gr bullets comes to mind.

I have seen more than a few deer lost to 100gr bullets in .243's to place much faith in a cartridge over 3-400fps slower.

panman · « **Reply #8 on:** April 19, 2006, 02:43:49 AM »

Jason,if the 243 users put the bullits in thw boiler room their would,nt be any loss.Having said that i agree that a 85gr.bullit is to light for any big game ,BUT if they were loaded with a Nos.or other bullit that does not blow up then it MAY get the job done.Altho i REALLY dont recomend it,yne Eskamoes have been killing even the big bears with the small 2122,not meeee lol.Bullit selection and proper placement is the key for secc cess.
Sorry my bad on the spelling.pan.

panman · « **Reply #9 on:** April 20, 2006, 01:45:08 AM »

Sorry 222 on bears.pan.

contender hunter · « **Reply #10 on:** April 20, 2006, 03:21:45 AM »

the V-MAX bullet is strictly a varmit bullet isn't it ?? and would be to explosive on deer and probaly not penetrate the vitals!!! read hornadays write up on it , its a varmit bullet.

Cowboybart · « **Reply #11 on:** May 05, 2006, 05:53:03 PM »

My neighbor killed an Antelope this year w/ a 24" 6.5 TCU 100gr bullet. First shot drop the Pronghorn in his tracks at 320 yds. 4 minutes later the antleope gets up and starts walking toward us. At 176 yds the second bullet achored him. Next year he is gonna use a 120 gr bullet.