7 mm tcu

[brian923]

i also believe that it is a .223 case necked up to fit a 7 mm bullet. does anyone know any more? what are the ballistics like and how long can it be loaded to,o.a.l.)? is it very accurate? thanks guys, brian.

 

[Kodiak99317]

The 7mm TCU, like the rest of the TCU family, is based on a necked up and fireformed .223 Remington case. By far the most popular of Wes Ugalde's wildcats, the 7mm TCU has dominated the "production" category of both NRA and IHMSA silhouette competition. This should come as no surprise, since the 7mm TCU has virtually everything going for it. It is superbly accurate, and not at all finicky to load for. Its parent cases are readily,and cheaply) available, and case forming is a snap. It delivers reliable knockdown on the 200 meter rams without undue recoil. In short, it is exactly what is required for the silhouette game. The 7mm TCU is the most widely used,and still the winningest) cartridge in the "production" class today. Cases for the TCUs are formed by opening up the case necks on .223 Remington cases with a tapered expander. This is best accomplished with new, unfired brass. Frequently, .223 cases that have been reloaded a few times before forming will split at the neck during the expanding process. This can be minimized by using new cases, or by annealing older cases before attempting to expand the case mouths. The initial firing will blow the shoulders and body out to its final TCU dimensions. Once cases are formed, we strongly recommend neck sizing only, unless chambering becomes difficult. Contenders perform best when headspace is held to an absolute minimum, so great care must be taken to avoid setting the shoulder back during resizing. This simple step will extend case life, increase accuracy, and ensure reliable ignition. Silhouette shooters will find that the 140 grain Spitzer or Spitzer Boat Tail are outstanding performers for everything out to the rams. The heavier 160 grain Hollow Point or Spitzer Boat Tail will provide greater momentum for reliable knockdown on the heavier, tougher rams. Sierra produces a .284" diameter 130 grain Single Shot Pistol bullet specifically for cartridges like the 7mm TCU. Even with these lightweight, thinly jacketed bullets, the TCU is at its best on deer sized game when used in barrels not shorter than 14 inches. Although the 10 inch barrels can be just as accurate as the longer barrels, they sacrifice enough velocity to make reliable expansion somewhat questionable. Within these limitations, the 7mm TCU can be a reliable performer on deer, as long as shots are placed precisely.

Via Sierra Manual...

OAL 2.475 to 2.600" and velocities from 1600 to 2300 fps, depending on bullet used.

 

[MrK.]

What Kodiak said is all true. I love my 7mm T/CU 14in contender. It is extremely accurate. I have had it since the early 1980s. I quit shooting it for a while as the 2X Leupold I had on it was not working with my old eyes anymore. I recently picked up a 4X Burris and I am back at 'em. I have won more than a couple cases of beer betting buddies that I could outshoot their deer rifles with it. It loosely approximates a 30-30 ballistically. I shoot a 145 grain Speer spitzer at at right around 2000fps,H335, WSR primer, Win brass). I have never shot silhouette with it but hitting an 8in gong at 300 yds off a bench is automatic. I have killed several deer with it the farthest being about 150yds. Took a 40 pound pig with it yesterday from 50yds. You can also form cases from 204 Ruger brass. From what I can find the listed on the net, the COL is 2.575in. My actual COL is 2.622in which is a short jump to the lands. I always thought it would make a fun light carbine round.

 

[ljc300]

I've had my 7TCU Contender with the 14" bbl with the Thompson 4x fixed power scope for over 25 yrs, I like loading light bullets,120 gr or less) to go fast and have gotten great accuracy with them. I believe IMR4895 was the powder that worked best. I also like wowing freinds with it: off the bench I was hitting shotshells at 100 yds,not every time, but about 50% of the time). It's quite an amazing weapon..

 

[RickB]

Unless you are either using a Contender,which can not handle a BR size case head safely)or are using an existing small bolt face action there is no real reason to use a 7mm TCU. The reason is that it requires reforming and fire forming.The brass is rather on the weak side. Now that you can purchase BR brass without having to reform it from .308 cases,a PITA).

Lapua 6mm BR cases have a stronger and more durable primer pocket than Remington 7mm BR cases. There are small dimensional differences between the two and so most reamers are made to fit one or the other. All you have to do to make 7mm BR cases from 6mm BR Lapua brass is to neck it up. The 7mm BR has slightly greater case capacity than the 7mm TCU and is simply a better cartridge in my opinion unless one of the specific reasons for using a TCU is present.

Both cartridges are capable of good accuracy in a properly put together rifle and are mild recoiling.