Author Topic: First TCU need loads (Read 1743 times)

Moe · « **on:** February 10, 2003, 01:32:11 AM »

Got my first TCU, a 6mm, needs some favorite loads. Really I guess I need everyones favorite powder, I can work up my own loads. Got some tips on 4198! What's everyone using. 80gr or lighter bullets. Thanks. :shock:

HBL · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2003, 03:16:05 AM »

I'm not trying to hold back info., but the best thing for your gun and safety is to get information from the reloading manuals and work up a good, accurate load with proper head spacing.

What works well in my gun may not work well in yours. IMO, every gun is different and should be reloaded accordingly.

Good Luck,

HBL

rickyp · « **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2003, 03:24:01 AM »

if you dont have any reloading books, I can scan some of mine and try and send them to you just let me know

KYODE · « **Reply #3 on:** February 10, 2003, 05:31:43 AM »

:? ah ha, moe it is

the graybearded man had success with H335 also. there used to be a link here(old site)with the product test of a 6tcu fox ridge barrel. theres also a couple articles on the 6tcu at www.handgunhunt.com. danb had success with imr4198 in these articles.
i used to have good luck with 4198 in a 6x47 barrel i had. it liked 60gr sierra hp's and the 80gr sierra single shot pistol bullet.
just my opinion, but i don't think many bullets over 80gr in the small 6mm's will provide very good expansion. there are several 80gr'er's to pick from though, that should work on game up to deer. the sierra 80gr blitz is a good lookin bullet that i'm gonna try in my 6tcu. the sierra bullet technician told me it should work just about perfect on deer, out of the 6tcu. i know for sure the 80grsspb will work.
if'n i was gonna load varmint only loads, i'd look at the nosler 70gr bt, speer 70gr TNT, hornady 65gr V-max, sierra 60gr hp.
thats something really nice about the 6mm's, bullet choices are abundant. it almost makes it hard to choose just one.
Moe huh? the 6tcu let the cat out of the bag :-D

KYODE · « **Reply #4 on:** February 10, 2003, 05:43:05 AM »

oh yeah, the new hodgdon annual manual has data for the 6tcu handgun. but it only lists hodgdon powders(which i seem to use most of anyway). the new manual is cheap, and i guess they are gonna put it out yearly.
the hornady manual also has data. i can't remember if sierra does for sure, but i think so. the sierra bullet tech's are excellent to get recommendations from. just email them and get any info you want. :grin:

Moe · « **Reply #5 on:** February 28, 2003, 01:35:46 PM »

Finally shot it today. It was wonderful. I had been so concerned about getting a TCU for so long. I can't believe how much I like it. Even the fire form loads were accurate.

OLDMAN · « **Reply #6 on:** February 28, 2003, 02:42:49 PM »

Moe,
I got Billy Marrs 6MM TCU. I tried a number of powders and the last one was H4895. What a difference it made. I got great groups from the start. I then tried IMR 4895 as I heard that H 4895 and IMR 4895 were similar. Sure enough I got the same great groups. I also got 2000 rounds of Sierra 80 gr. bullets and I will stick with the 80 grainers for everything but deer. I will then use the 95 or the 105 gr Game King. But listen to the others about working up a load. My barrel is a 1:8 twist so it will shoot the 105's just fine. But I cannot use near the max load listed in the manuals. The cases begain to stick. But according to the Chrony I still get about the same FPS as the manuals say I should. I guess I could try a lot more powders but with the great groups I get I just do not want to change anything.

KYODE · « **Reply #7 on:** February 28, 2003, 03:33:33 PM »

i recently shot my super 14" 6tcu. i got great fireforming groups with start loads of h335 and 3 different 80 gr bullets. the rem 80gr plhp bulk bullet from midwayusa, sierra 80grblitz, and sierra 80gr single shot pistol bullet. :grin:
after walking the first three shots to the bullseye during sight in, the next three shots were all touching. i think this is gonna be a favorite. course it should be, since all 6mm's are my favorite shooters.

i think i'm gonna try some imr 4198 with sierra 60gr hp's, sierra 70gr blitzking, and speer 70gr tnt's next. hmmmm? may have to try that h4895 also. i have some on hand that i load in 7-08.
oldman, those 80 gr bullets should work great on deer. especially the sierra single shot bullet, and the 80gr blitz was also recommended by sierra technicians. they said it should be just about perfect in a 6tcu for deer. i like to have good expansion from a bullet.

SD Handgunner · « **Reply #8 on:** February 28, 2003, 03:58:49 PM »

I too have been loading for a 6mm T/CU. Mine is a Custom Virgin Valley Custom Guns 15" Stainless Barrel to which I have added a 3x12x Burris LER Handgun Scope. To date I have tried 55gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips, 80gr. Remington PLHP's, 80gr. Speer Spitzers and 80gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips. Powders have included H-4198SC, H-322, W-748 and H-335. So far I have obtained the best accuracy and velocity with H-335.

There are several sources of load info out there for the 6mm T/CU, Nosler, Sierra, Hodgdon, Speer, and Hornady (that I have seen). The maximum loads for this cartridge seem to vary quite a bit from manual to manual, so approach this with caution. My advice would be that regardless of what powder you end up using, consult the manual for the bullet you are using and pay attention to the Brass and Primers that were used for their data.

In my opinion this is a great little cartridge, and provides quite a bit of performance in a small package. I took a medium sized Whitetail Doe this past fall with my 6mm T/CU at 165 yards. It was a perfect broadside shot, and the bullet was placed right behind the near shoulder. I darn near lost that deer due to the 80gr. Remington PLHP leaving the muzzle at 2650 FPS not expanding. Both the entrance and exit holes through the chest were the same size, with just a small hole poked through the lungs. Since I have switched to the 80gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip as I have more faith in these bullets.

Good luck

Larry

OLDMAN · « **Reply #9 on:** February 28, 2003, 04:04:14 PM »

Kyode,
I think you are right about the 80 gr. Sierra are fine for deer. I find it hard to change my way of thinking about bullet weights. Every post I have read on this forum and all I have read elsewhere agree with you on this. I have this idea from the past that pistol bullets are made heavy because the FPS is low. I got PJ's 7X30 Waters in a trade for my .445 SM. The first thing I did was get 200 175 grain Sierra's and 200 Hornady 162's. They both work great for mining and logging operations. I put a 175 through a 73/4 inch live oak and the 175 lost 37 grains going through the live oak. Now that I have these heavy bullets Kyode what can I use them for other than the above mentioned uses. I will say this tho. I got better groups with the 175's than I did with the 139 gr. Bullets. PJ has a friend that also tried the 175's and he too got great groups. I have one manual that gives loads for 154 gr., 162 gr. and 175's.

Moe · « **Reply #10 on:** March 01, 2003, 03:24:27 AM »

I settled on H-4198 for powder due to my manual and an article I read about it. Seems to work fine. I did use H4895 for my fireform loads with 90 gr Speer bullets. They worked good and grouped well also. I just love this thing. Mine is a 12" VV barrel. I like the 12" tubes for better handling. It should be plenty for the critters I'm after. Don't have a Chrono so I don't know any velocitys.