6.5 tcu

[dogslayer]

I have a12" 7-30 waters barrel that I love plus a 221 fire ball and 30-30 .I now have an uncontrolable urge for a 12" 6.5 tcu. My question is, if I shoot 120gr bullets at 2100 fps from the 6.5 tcu and and same bullet weight and velocity from the 7-30 waters ,will the tcu have less felt recoil because of the smaller case head. I'm looking for a very light recoiling round the will kill deer and coyote out to at 100 to 150 yards and want smaller than 7mm. Thats my best excuse for a new barrel , please humor me, thanks

[Axehandle]

FWIW Gary Reeder's 6.5 Raptor is based on the 204 Ruger case.  Gives you a little more room for powder than the 223 based TCU..   Just a few grains makes a significant difference in the small case. 

[spinafish]

I have both chambering..but my 7-30 Waters is a carbine barrel and I shoot it with a shoulder stock.  I have a 14" 6.5TCU that is very sweet.  It is probably the most accurate barrel I own. I have not taken any game with it..but know it can be done.  I have been playing with the 130 Accubond in the 6.5 and it shows alot of promise.  My go to bullet has been the 120 Nosler BT, but the AB seems to hold together better.

[Hafast]

Recoil is a product of bullet weight, powder weight, and the velocity of the bullet. The size of the case head doesn't factor in.

[leadman]

Last fall I shot an antelope in Wyoming with my Contender in 6.5TCU. Range was 255 Yards, 120gr ballistic Tip, shot thru both front shoulders and exited.
My barrel is 14" including about a 2" muzzle brake, so effectively a 12" barrel. Also my most accurate barrel.

[Hopalong7]

     I've had both 7-30 and 6.5TCU in S-14 barrels and Yes, the recoil is less with the TCU....not by a whole lot...but enough for your excuse to get one.  Having better choices, including the 7-30, I've never employed my 6.5TCU for deer however.
Walt

[Fire Fox]

I have a 6.5 TCU in a 10 inch barrel and it works great with the 100 gr serria HP bullet for big hogs deer as well as two black bear. Several of the deer and hogs were at 150+ yds with complete penetration. I have found that the 120 gr bullets do not work as well as this bulletin this barrel length. the 100 gr Serria works great and expands very good over a stiff load of H322, H335, or H4895. this is because it was designed for the 264 Mag and was the only one that did not blow up on a fog bank. My mom used this barrel and loved it. It was her favorite caliber next to her 44 mag before her death 4 years ago. I now use it with the same bullet for everything with very little recoil. She has even dispatched a Nilghi with it using this load at 171 yards with one shot. Hope this helps and this my Mom's and my experience.