7TCU rifle

[Freezer]

  I bought a Rem 7 with a custom barrel chambered in 7TCU.  Does anyone here shoot 7TCU in a rifle.  I'll be using it as a blacktail deer weapon and possibly small black bear.  I'm starting to research 140 gr bulets for it.  I'm expecting velosities of 2200 to 2500fps.  Any suggestions

[40inarow]

I used a 7TCU in my Contender pistol in IHMSA competition and got to like the cartridge alot. So I got a custom 23" rifle barrel and stocks and made a rifle out of it. This rifle is so sweet, super light and so much fun to shoot.

I tried different bullet weights in IHMSA and found, to my surprise, that the 140 Sierras shot flatter than lighter bullet weights, also Sierras. It must have to do with the 140s having a higher ballistic coefficient or possibly it was a more efficient load combination.

In Sierras manual, they advise against using the bullet in the 7TCU due to being concerned about expansion performance at lower velocities. However, in the Nosler manual, they recommend the Ballistic Tips in the 7TCU handgun. As I recall, they say the Ballistic Tips will perform down to 1700 or 1800 fps. Given that, I loaded the 140 gr BTs for hunting. So far, I have shot but one buck with it last fall in Texas, south of Uvalde. One shot at 70 yards, not a heavy buck, a broadside shot. Still, it blew right through. Buck ran 35 yards and dropped.

I'll tell you the biggest problem I had with it. I load 100 rounds at a time. So I brought my box to the deer camp. You would think 100 rounds would be enough for a deer hunt. My mistake was showing off my new rig to my buddies. Out in front of our camphouse is a hill with rocks all over. These guys with 7mags and whatnot started shooting my rifle at rocks. They couldn't believe how sweet this gun is to shoot. And, they were drilling these rocks ! They shot smaller and smaller rocks farther and farther away till I was down to 10 rounds. I was afraid I was going to run out of ammo ! So my advice is, whatever bullets you use, load up a bunch, cause your partners are going to want to shoot your gun.

[Freezer]

    Now that's what I wanted to hear, I'm not alone in the rifle world with this one   I picked up some 145gr Sierra spbt yesterday to experament with.  The best load data I could find suggested 26.5-27gr of H322 should give ne the best results.  I believe what you say about your buddies and will need to fire form some more brass.  I have about 120 pieces right  now but can see how I'll need more.  My deer hunting partner has a Weatherby moumtian rifle in 7mag.  I made the mistake of taking one shot with it, fool me once....  I decided I like this man too much to see him suffer so I sold him a BLR in 7-08   Please come to the reloading section and share your load data.  I hope to get to the range with my son in the next week or so to try it out.

[Slamfire]

H-322 was a good powder in my 16" Contender. I used 130 Speers and 125 Hornadys to good effect on small desert mulies in CA. I thought I was getting about 2000 fps. The data is around here somewhere, I'll see if I can find it.

[40inarow]

H322 is one of the classic powders to use in the 7TCU. I have not used it because when I started shooting it I had large quantities of H335 and 748 on hand. Both 335 and 748 work well. As far as charge weights, the 7TCU is a forgiving round, it shoots well with max loads, but I tried loading it down, then way down for shorter distances and it shot well anyway. It is not hard to find a good load.

[6.5BR]

Story reminds of of long ago, my TC super 14, by FAR outshot what all the guys at my buddy's deer camp had done at 100 yds!  5 in an inch or better!  Some fixed scope from 2-5x or so.

One deer, 30 yds, 140 ballistic tip, fireforming load, about 2000 mv, will do 2200 formed, and 2400 with 120gr.  Did get some expansion but I might use 120-130's to help expansion.  SWEET round, deadly, very accurate.

If using a 140, test them for expansion i.e. water filled jugs at ranges you will hunt at.

[Freezer]

    Had the 7TCU to the range last week for some load work up.  It puts a 145 gr Game King out at 2500fps using 26.5 grs of H322 and holds one ragged hole  I got a keeper. 

[40inarow]

Here's a late post. Hopefully it is not so late that it will be missed.

I was reading Gregor Woods' excellent book "Rifles for Africa", which is fascinating reading for anyone who hunts game anywhere with a rifle, or anything else.

 His discussion of Barnes X-bullets on pages 119 and 120 mention how effective the X-bullets work and the key piece of information is quote "Barnes X-bullets are heat treated to produce reliable expansion at velocities as low as 1600 fps even in very light bodied animals. Furthermore, they are very accurate."

I have never used the Barnes bullet, but Gregor Woods has experience that I can only dream about. I intend to give them a try in my 7TCU.

As a side note, get this book, it's published by Safari Press. It's one of the very best I have seen.

[Freezer]

  Thanks 40, it's not too late.  My son has been working up loads for it using H 322.  He has a 145 gr Sierra bullet (Game King?) going 2500fps with sub MOA.  I think with a placed shot I shouldn't have a problem with Black Bear at 150 yrds.
   I'll have him try the Barns X bullets.  Does he mention his load data and would you please PM me, I'm not into boomers and I won't be in Africa any time soon.