nakneker
Gold $$ Contributor
Cool rifle!
7mm TCU
- Thread starter 300_whisper
- Start date
Yes and to some of us still is! I took .223 and expanded the neck to .284 (7MM) many years ago. I felt it was time to make some new brass. The problem is I can not find the expander die to open the mouth of the .223. My question is twofold, Where can I find a expander die to open the .223 to .284? I did open the mouth of a couple cases by useing the expander dies that you would normally use to reload but was concerned if I could have a stuck case or damage the die. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
If I remember correctly, just run the 223 brass through 7TCU size die.
Best I remember I did it in two steps, first used 6 mm expander then 7 mm expander
If you're reloading any wildcat cartridges you should have a stuck case removal tool
You can asssemble the necessary components easily.
1/4" drill bit, a socket, a hex wrench, and a 1/4-20 tap, and a 1/4-20 hex bolt
www.midwayusa.com
The 7mm is truly an optimum projectile
You can asssemble the necessary components easily.
1/4" drill bit, a socket, a hex wrench, and a 1/4-20 tap, and a 1/4-20 hex bolt
Hornady Stuck Case Remover
The Hornady Stuck Case Remover is designed to easily extract the most stubborn case from a standard sizer die without damaging the die. The simple...
www.midwayusa.com
The 7mm is truly an optimum projectile
Last edited:
HandgunHTR
Gold $$ Contributor
Depending on what sizer die you have, you can just get a tapered expanded and run it up past the expander (without FL sizing) to open the neck up. I use a Hornady die and it works great.
Most 7mm TCU dies come with a tapered expander that was meant for sizing necks up to 7mm. As for lubing, it's recommended. Either with q-tip or small nylon brush with case lube. Obviously, not a lot of lube, but do every case for consistency.
It is not necessary to size in two steps. In fact, it isn't recommended as all you are doing is prematurely overworking the brass. But, if you anneal, it won't matter. It works.
It is not necessary to size in two steps. In fact, it isn't recommended as all you are doing is prematurely overworking the brass. But, if you anneal, it won't matter. It works.
A late friend of mine had a SSK 14" 7mm JDJ #2. The 2 stood for TO MUCH CARTRIDGE for a T/C Contender. My friend had two Easy Open frames that the SSK barrel would unlock and eject the fired cartridge case. He sent the barrel back to SSK who installed a heavier barrel lug/bolt spring. The barrel would still try to unlock, causing asymmetric case stretching at the web.If you're reloading any wildcat cartridges you should have a stuck case removal tool
You can asssemble the necessary components easily.
1/4" drill bit, a socket, a hex wrench, and a 1/4-20 tap, and a 1/4-20 hex bolt
View attachment 1462670Hornady Stuck Case Remover
The Hornady Stuck Case Remover is designed to easily extract the most stubborn case from a standard sizer die without damaging the die. The simple...
The 7mm is truly an optimum projectile
The load data was supplied by SSK. My friend was still two or three grains below listed max. Loading the 7mm JDJ #2 cartridge to a safe operating pressure in a Contender was at the same muzzle velocity as the 7-30 Waters, of which my friend had a T/C 14" barrel for comparison.
The 7mm JDJ #2 cartridge case capacity is similar to the 7-08 Rem, which T/C never offered that high of a chamber pressure cartridge chambering for a Contender, only with the latter, and much more robust frames of the G2 and Encore. The T/C Contender is safe if cartridge chamber pressure does not exceed 40,000 psi.
I agree with your concerns and was struck with awe at the recommendations of load data offered for the 7mm JDJ #2 by SSK and similarily by the suggested loads by Don Bower for the 7 Super Bower.
I've been shooting contenders for 40 years and to sugggest a 7-08 be fired in one was absurd to me.
It is the exagerrated Ackley design applied to the case design that allows such application.
No other 7 mm Ackley design has a 0.46" shoulder only 1.65" from breech face, that's pretty parallel for case walls!
Careful loading and an understanding of pressures is required, as is true with reloading any ammunition especially wildcats!
Spent themorning at the range yesterday working with an Encore barrel in 357/44 Bain and Davis and was thoroughly impressed with it's performance.
I've been shooting contenders for 40 years and to sugggest a 7-08 be fired in one was absurd to me.
It is the exagerrated Ackley design applied to the case design that allows such application.
No other 7 mm Ackley design has a 0.46" shoulder only 1.65" from breech face, that's pretty parallel for case walls!
Careful loading and an understanding of pressures is required, as is true with reloading any ammunition especially wildcats!
Spent themorning at the range yesterday working with an Encore barrel in 357/44 Bain and Davis and was thoroughly impressed with it's performance.
Wes Ugalde was my uncle & was the smartest man i have ever known.
I have been loading for the 7TCU since the late 80s. My dad already had the Contender pistol and my mom asked me to recommend a barrel for his birthday. I suggested the 7TCU and she bought me the dies to load for it so win-win. He retired soon after and he left me all of his gun stuff when they moved back to New England from Texas. I started loading 145 grain Speers over H335 from the Speer #11 manual which has a max charge listed as 30.5gn. I don't remember what my load was but it was over 30gn and damn hot but very accurate. I shot what I believe to be my best group ever out of any gun with that setup. I also won a case of beer with it by out shooting a guy with his brand new Rem700 30-06. Speer and I both have come to our senses and they reduced the max load of H335 for 145s to 28gn in their #12 manual, my current load is 26.6gn. At about 1 MOA it's not as accurate as my original load but then again neither am I.
Old Navy
Gold $$ Contributor
The last two sentences are important.
Thank you soo much for the kind words, I have a pile of builds in mind, one is duplicating the nicest 7mm TCU XP100 pistol i used to hold when i was a kid, would love to post a pic of it here.
Love the 7TCU, still have my Super-14 Contender barrel in the safe.
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