Current status or desirability of 7mm TCU

[Kywoodwrkr]

What's the current thoughts on the 7mm TCU? (14" and carbine length barrels)
I'm going to be getting back into TC shooting and the 7mm TCU was always one of 'I want to try that round again' barrels.
I looked through the classifieds and don't see anyone looking for them nor do I see any for sale.
This question is to merely satisfy my own desire to know what the status of the caliber in question is.
Not looking for offers of any kind, buying nor selling, have one 14" barrel.
The 7mm TCU users used to always be a satisfied group of shooters and just want to know if that is still true.
Appreciate any contributing feedback.
Thanks.
DaveP   kywoodwrkr

[Old Syko]

The only way i know to answer this is to just state the fact that my present 7TCU and my 357Herrett are 2 barrels that you won't ever see for sale.  I have proven loads for both.  A good supply of components for both.  And absolutely no desire to do away something that works this well.

[MnMike]

The first Contender I shot was a 7TCU. I was so impressed at being able to hit something at 100 yards wit a pistol that I became a convert when I could afford to buy one.

However, when I did buy one, I chose the 7-30 Waters. It has a little more oomph and has factory brass available. It is a good shooting gun.

Whatever you choose - good luck,

mike

[Kywoodwrkr]

Old Syko,
Thanks very much for the feedback.
The feelings you express may be why I don't see any barrels for sale anymore.
Going to try cast and J bullets in the one I may be able to obtain.
Maybe if I'm lucky I'll find 2! :-)
Thanks again for the feedback. I guess I was hoping for your answer.

MnMike,
I have to say I was looking at the 7-30 Waters also.
Sad when one is limited by availability of funds!
Have a TCU available now so will go with it.
The popularity of the waters had me wondering if the TCU had lost following.
Guess I'll make both 7mm barrels a quest.

Thanks again to both of you for the positive feedback.
DaveP    kywoodwrkr

[22popnsplat]

The 7 tcu is still a great round for Silhouettes, but the sport is declining at least at the range i belong to .  I think many people are hesitant due to the fact that they cant just go out and buy loaded ammuniton or even the brass .that and the fact it may be a little light for hunting . It is one of the most accurate barrels I have though and i will hang on to mine . I do see them on ebay on a regular basis and they usually sell for a little less than top dollar .

[Ken ONeill]

I still have both a 10" and a 14" barrel. The 10" is now 27 years old (!), the 14" about a year younger. Where did the time go? I think the cartridge remains one of the best for Big Bore Metallic Silhouettes, but as stated above, that sport has unfortunately significantly declined in participation since the mid to late eighties. Mine are both great for that sport, when used with 154 Hornady spire points and H4895. Personally, though, although I realize that many whitetails and similar size game have been taken with the 7TCU (usually with 120 gr, bullets), the cartridge is a little too light for my own preference. I would bet that there are probably something more than 10X the barrels chambered in 7-30 Waters used in hunting these days than in 7TCU.

[neald]

Hello,
Here is my opinion, ( that and a buck will get you a cup of coffee most places).
 I have both , 7 tcu and 7-30 waters. I like both. I have not done the silhouette shooting.
 I have used the 7-30 for hunting. Has taken 3-4 deer in MO , bought it for my daughter to use as it is low recoil. The tcu I use to plink with, lower recoil and I enjoy shooting cartridges I have to reload for.
 Good luck with what ever you choose,if you reload you cant go wrong>

[jhalcott]

  I have a 10", 14" and the 21" 7tc/u barrels. I do not use the shortest one often BUT have killed crop damage deer with it. I use the 120 grain bullets for that. In the other 2 barrels I use a mix of cast and jacketed bullets. I HAVE killed ground hogs well over 250 yards with them. There is hardly any recoil with the 7tc/u ,making it IDEAL for beginning shooters.

[BCB]

“Bout 20 years ago I had the same decision to make.  I had a friend that had the TCU and the Waters was just sort of coming into its own in the Contender.  I was going for my first wildcat, at least a cartridge where I was going to form my own brass.  To form the TCU case, the inside of the 223 Remington case mouth/neck must be expanded 0.06”—to form the Waters case, the 30-30 Winchester case mouth/neck must be sized down a mere 0.024”.  So, the more metal is move—expanded or sized down—the more brass wear and the greater the chance for brass failure.  My friend did loose a few cases in his sizing process from .223 to TCU.  The reverse of going from 30-30 to 7-30 Waters is not as drastic, and I honestly can’t remember loosing any cases as the process is simple.  The case capacity of the Waters case is probably 30% more, so more slower-burning powder can be used for heavier bullets—less pressure, and greater velocity.  The Waters will outdo the TCU by several hundred feet per second depending on bullet weight.  The only advantage that I can see with the TCU is that it might be a bit more efficient in fps/grain of powder.  Ain’t gonna do the math on that as a few grains of powder really ain’t a big deal!!!  SO, that is why I own two 7-30 Waters barrels.  One I purchased just because I saw it at a gun shop and the price was O.K.  My original is a sub-M.O.A. shooter with Hornady 120 SSPSP bullets and the Lyman 287346 cast bullet.  I think I would pursue the Waters barrel if it was me—save a bit more money or look for a used one.  Good-luck…BCB

[Jim Stacy]

I use a 7TCU for short range deer hunting, 100 yards or less. It is pinpoint accurate with the Nosler 120BT. The bullet performs reasonably well at about 2000 and will kill deer nicely , if well paced. I also use it for target shooting,do not shoot silhouette any more but if I did I would have no problems with a 10" 7TCU. I am going to get a 135 cast bullet mold and play with that cast bullet some.If you think of the 7 TCU as a loud bow you would Be fine. I personally have no trouble with reasonable rang shots well placed.

[Kywoodwrkr]

Thanks again for all the, what I consider outstanding contributions.
From what I have read, I guess my process will be to continue working with the TCU barrel(14") I have and start looking into getting a 7-30 Waters carbine barrel.
I enjoy case forming so both satisfy that desire.
Also cast, so same bullet(s), may be used in both barrels.
Again, thanks for the answers-and new road map.
DaveP   kywoodwrkr

[Tommyt]

I believe that if the  round was commercially made it would out sell many many rounds
It would be IMHO the round that gun makers should look into
I guess that says I like mine alot