Author Topic: 7mm tcu or 357 mag  (Read 824 times)

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Offline ted

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7mm tcu or 357 mag
« on: November 07, 2006, 02:26:09 PM »
I will be hunting in a hollow with lots of trees and will not get a shot past 80 yards (100 a small possibility) for deer this weekend and would like your opinion on which one you would use. The loads I am using are as follows..
 7 tcu 120 grain horady ssp 29 grains IMR 4895 MV = 1900 fps
 357 180 hornady xtp 15 grains Lil'Gun  MV = 1460 fps
 Both are out of a 10" contender.

Offline apollo

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Re: 7mm tcu or 357 mag
« Reply #1 on: November 08, 2006, 12:34:38 PM »
I would say flip a coin. I don't see one being better than the other in the conditions you will be in.

Offline xphunter

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Re: 7mm tcu or 357 mag
« Reply #2 on: November 09, 2006, 04:25:13 AM »
I would go with the TCU or it's longer range capability (possibly out to 100 yards).
Ernie
"If you think you are perfect, just try walking on water!"

Offline Slufoot

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Re: 7mm tcu or 357 mag
« Reply #3 on: November 09, 2006, 11:35:29 PM »
I have taken two deer with a Ruger SRM 357 Maximum with a 7.5" barrel. I used the same bullet and got almost the same velocity that you are getting in your 357 Magnum Contender.
I have also taken one deer with a 10" Contender chambered in 7TCU. I used the Nosler 120 grain Ballistic Tip bullet pushed to about 2000 fps.
From my experience on these three deer (which is very limited I know), if you put the bullet where it should go either one will do the job. I couldn't tell that one killed any better than the other. All three deer ran at least 50 yards before piling up. All three deer were hit in the chest cavity with no bones other than maybe ribs being hit.
Take the one you feel most confident with or rotate them, taking one one day and the other the next time you get to go.

Good Shooting!
Slufoot

Offline Mikey

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Re: 7mm tcu or 357 mag
« Reply #4 on: November 10, 2006, 02:35:41 AM »
Ted:  Slufoot has the best advice.  Take your pick, and good luck on your hunt.  Mikey.

Offline ted

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Re: 7mm tcu or 357 mag
« Reply #5 on: November 12, 2006, 02:16:45 PM »
To All,
  Thank you all for your advice. I just got back from hunting this weekend. I decided to go with the .357 as I already had it sighted in. Unfortunatlely, the deer didn't cooperate! I saw two on Saturday but, wans't able to get a clear shot off.Today, I didn't see a single deer. Just turkey and squirrels. There's always next year!