7mm TCU

[TC260]

I tried a couple searches but didn't turn up much. My question is, is a 7mm TCU a reasonable round to use for HP silhouette? I know there are better choices but I ran accross a 7mm tcu rifle on gunbroker a while back that had been built on an XP-100 action and had a silhouette style stock and target scope on it. I was going to bid on it but forgot to and the guy never relisted it. So that one got away but occasionally I see 7 tcu rifles come up for sale and I like to get one since it's one of my favorite rounds in a handgun.

There aren't any HP ranges near me so the chances of actually getting to use it is unlikely but I have a 300yrd range where I was going to build some swingers to play around with.

[Joaquin B]

I used a TC Contender in 7mm TCU for IHMSA competition many moons ago, when I lived in San Antonio, TX. It is a great cartridge foe H P HANDGUN silhouette, but anemic for the rifle game. The only person I ever met who used one for rifle silhouette was the late Frank Beginski of Mesa, AZ. He did well with it on C, P & T, but left MANY rams standing. The 7 TCU is less powerful than the 7 BR, which I used for a while before regaining my senses and going to a better cartridge. Just my $0.02.

[cslcAl]

TC260, I had a 7TCU back in the 80's. I had fun shooting it but lost many rams. Al

[lone ringer]

I tried a couple searches but didn't turn up much. My question is, is a 7mm TCU a reasonable round to use for HP silhouette? I know there are better choices but I ran accross a 7mm tcu rifle on gunbroker a while back that had been built on an XP-100 action and had a silhouette style stock and target scope on it. I was going to bid on it but forgot to and the guy never relisted it. So that one got away but occasionally I see 7 tcu rifles come up for sale and I like to get one since it's one of my favorite rounds in a handgun.

There aren't any HP ranges near me so the chances of actually getting to use it is unlikely but I have a 300yrd range where I was going to build some swingers to play around with.

The 7mmTCU is a great cartridge for reduced ranges. I have one almost exactly like the one you described built in the 1980's on a Rem XP-100 action, chrome moly reverse taper Douglas barrel 1-8 twist with a fiberglass Ralph Corral stock that is pretty similar to early Anschutz stocks and Canjar LP trigger.
I use it some times at 200 meter pistol ranges to shoot their 1/2 size targets with reduced loads or cast bullets but have not shot those kind of matches for several years.
If you twist my arm hard enough I may sell it to you, the main problem for me is to figure out how to ship it if I sell it since California laws are very restrictive in regards to shipping to others even ones with FFL's. Send me a PM or email to tony.telloatgmaildotcom if you are interested or want to know more about 7mm TCU rifles.

[Jerry G]

There were some people from salt lake that shot TCUs for HP. They did loose many rams but they did well on the rest of the animals.

[edgehit]

It's ok to 300 yds. I had a rifle built in 7 TCU, but Im rechambering it to 260 or 7 IHMSA (oh to be different!)

My observation is that the small case is finicky. Not much case volume so it quickly pressures up. A 1/2gr powder increase would have brass flowing into the ejection plunger hole. so you really have to control powder charges for safety and accuracy. My rifle did have a 1/2gr sweet spot where I got moa accuracy around 28gr powder. But the velocity never got above 2300fps with 120s, 2150 with 162s. Leverevolution and VV 540 worked best. Powder charges started to compress around 29gr.

But easy shooting. The barrel heats up slowly. I did take every ram that I could hit in the butt. Shoulder hits were problematic.

[pjs]

My boy uses a TCU and with 175 MK it is as reliable on rams as the 168s out of my 7-08. One or two dingers a year at most. 27 grains of imr 4895 for rams gives 2200fps. Amazing performance for such a small case and excellent barrel life. There is a big difference between the 168 and 175 bullets as far a knockdown on the rams. It was noticeably "weak" on the rams before we went to 175s. You need a 9" twist or faster for the 175 MK.
Pete

[edgehit]

Interesting tip on 175's.

[edgehit]

And what's the ram holdover? I'm at 19 min with 162gr A-max

[pjs]

Joe,
It's 18 minutes from chickens to rams but he is using a different load out to turkeys. He shoots 140s @ 2000fps (20gr 4198) which are slower that the ram loads. I should load up the light loads but it shoots so darn good that there seems to be no need. The reason that it is loaded so light is that when he started shooting he was just a little feller and I didn't want him to be bothered by recoil. Now he is a big SOB! I'll make his next rifle a .458!
Interesting you mention the IHMSA as that is what I use. About 12% less case capacity than the 7-08 and still more case than is probably needed with a 7mm. I've been thinking about trying a .250 Savage necked up to 7mm next time. I picked up a 6.5 TCU reamer off of ebay a while back and I may make a plinker with it just to try it out. I'm pretty sure it will be a bit of a disappointment on rams but it will be fun to play with.
Pete

[Snake]

The 7TCU with 175's always worked on rams...no worse than anything else. Its problem is its finicky nature and the fact that its best at the ragged end of pressure. The accuracy boys also claim it violates the 1st principle of an accuracy cartridge...it stacks powder much more vertically versus horizontally. A bunch of folks still tried it.
Another shooter and I went one better and use the PPC case opened up to 7mm with a 40 degree shoulder....we used 28.5 grs of 2460 powder with a 175 yielded 2350fps from a shilen 9 twist 24" barrel. Around 29-30 grs blew primers. The 150 sierra chrono'd consistently at 2475fps...again on that ragged edge. Recoil was very mild...akin to rimfire. It was still a pain and held no real charm other than novelty...although it was superbly accurate (sub MOA)...besides PPC cases are 1.00 ea and then you lose a few opening them up and then there's fireforming
I still have the reamer...do I hear any offers? McAlice?

[Heavybarrell]

pjs,
If you build the 6.5 TCU how about posting some results? I bought a set of 6.5 TCU dies at a gun auction and have been kicking around about a build myself. I love the 6.5 bullet and thought a TCU might be fun to play around with.

[edgehit]

You might try some Leverevolution in your TCU. I get upwards of 2200 fps with the 162 A-Max using 28.2 gr powder. I worked up the loads in last summers 100+ deg heat. Pressure signs showed up around 30gr powder. So I'm well below max load. I also shoot 120's with the same powder charge and they loaf along at 2275 fps. I noted that when the case gets full and the load compresses theres all kinds of accuracy and velocity weirdness. In the end, the tiny case is finicky and there just isn't much neck to hold onto a boat tailed VLD bullet.

[pjs]

Butch,
I'm hoping to be shooting it this season. If you need the reamer for your rifle let me know and I'll bring it to Ridgway. I'd cut the chamber for you if I could but crossing the border with your gun is a no-no.
Pete

[Heavybarrell]

Thanks Pete, I'm pretty sure Ted (Gunsmith) has a reamer but if not I'll get with you. Thanks again, see ya in Ridgway.
Butch