Author Topic: 7mm TCU as a deer round? (Read 1531 times)

Frog123 · « **on:** February 25, 2003, 09:09:26 PM »

Just got my 10" contender barrel in the other day and couldn't wait to make it go "bang" I looked around and found some load data for the components that I had on hand. I fixed up some loads of using fire formed .223 win brass with a 150 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip being pushed by a starting load of 20 gr's of Reloader # 7. This seemed like a good starting load as I have hopes of hunting with this round. What got to me though was one reference to the TCU described it as being quote "marginal for deer" end quote. I know this is a respectable round for sillywets but what about for deer? I plan on keeping my shots inside the 100 yd mark, preferably around 75 to 80yds over food plots. What do you think? Any comments or suggestions appreciated... Thanks all!!

Frog

:gulp:

VA Jim · « **Reply #1 on:** February 26, 2003, 01:13:50 AM »

The 7tcu will do all you need to do. I've taken deer with mine using reloader 7 and nosler 120gr. I'm getting 1in. groups at 100yds. with these loads. I'd stick with the 120 to 130gr. bullets for hunting.

Graycg · « **Reply #2 on:** February 26, 2003, 04:36:01 AM »

VA Jim is dead on,
Use 120-130 grain bullets, especially the ones designed for single shot pistols and practise, practise, practise. You'll take home the veniso if you hit where you aim and keep ranges reasonable.

good luck,
Graycg

Old Syko · « **Reply #3 on:** February 26, 2003, 07:46:05 AM »

Now before you go makin up your mind that the 120 grainers are the only way to go, you might want to know that not all 7TCUs will shoot the darn things. I have one that loves the 139gr. Hornadys over H322 with CCI 400 primers. The 100 to 120gr. slugs all seem to shoot shotgun patterns from this barrel. The 139s average 3/4 moa. To top it off, I've recently been shooting some 160gr. mag tips over the same powder that holds just under 1 1/4".

As far as taking deer, my son just took one quartering away at just under 200yd. The slug exited the right shoulder, taking the majority of the shoulder with it. This was with the 139 I mention above. He and I both have taken our share of deer and coyotes with this caliber and are yet to recover a slug.

Graycg · « **Reply #4 on:** February 26, 2003, 08:10:35 AM »

I'll go along with old syko about heavier bullets being more accurate in some barrels, but I have my doubts about them expanding very well in deer sized game. Most 139/140s are designed for the velocities of the 7x57 and faster rounds, you are no where near those velocities in a 10 inch contender, do your homework on the bullets and make sure they will expand at the velocities that you are working with.
His comments bear that out to some extent, shot a deer at 200 yards and didn't recover the bullet. That doesn't surprise me much because I doubt that that bullet expanded much at all, may have acted just like a FMJ. I'd rather have a 2 inch group with a bullet that will do the job than a sub moa one that will put a pencil hole through and through.

Not meaning to be contrary, just trying to save you from a long blood trail.

regards,
Graycg

Sharps-Nut · « **Reply #5 on:** February 26, 2003, 09:06:22 AM »

I bought a 10" 7mm tcu barrel at a show with dies for a good price and like you was thinking deer slayer. I quickly snached up some sierra outlet store 120 grain soft point and come up with a good 1" sandbag group. I felt deer season was a done thing, but since it was a month and a half away I posted this same question you posted right here. Now I dont know if the 120 sierra softpoints would have worked but the advice of matching a bullet that would expand to the velocities obtained seemed "very" logical. I bought a box of nosler 120 gr bt and made a load. I did not like the thought of wasting a entire box so I stopped at a solid 1-1/2" group at the best velocities I could safely obtain and went to the woods. I can tell you year one on a fat doe at 50 yards was great. She jumped ran small circle to where she started looked around then fell over grave yard dead. This shot was place right in the pump station and the damage was very good. I am not sure if I would take a longer shot than 100 yards but out to there it is wonderful. Good luck from a recent 7mm tcu convert, you will enjoy it.

Tommyt · « **Reply #6 on:** February 26, 2003, 03:24:46 PM »

Hope to make it up to the woods in the next 2 weeks and if so i'll post the pics of what a 139gr. Hornady WILL DO to a hog
I have done it before on both deer and hog
a good deer bullet is 120 ssp honrady
But lately I have been useing the 139's
Here is a pic of before and after with a ssp but this one is a 7/30 round :gun4:

geronimo.tn · « **Reply #7 on:** February 27, 2003, 05:48:44 PM »

Hey, the 7 TCU is a great round. I've had a 10", Super 14" and 21" carbine. The 10" had too much muzzleblast to suit me for deer hunting. The optimum barrel is the 14" and mine did well with the 120 gr. Nosler BT's. Never lost a deer shot with one.
If you like your 10", I'd try the 120's and go for it.