7mm TCU deer load

[Random 8]

I will likely be using my 7TCU Contender for a special antlerless hunt this year. Until now, this has been a silhouette and range toy barrel. Honestly I'm still learning this caliber and gun, and haven't put it through enough paces to really have a feel for what it will do.

I presently have: W748 and BL-C2 as short list powders for the cartridge. I also have H335, IMR 4064 and R15 which may be suitable, but little data exists for these. I think the IMR and R 15 are probably too slow.

Bullets I have Speer 130 BTSP, Speer 145 BTSP, and can probably source Hor 139SP and Hor 139 SST. The 139 SST was very accurate when I tested a small sample.

My ranges would likely be 100 yards and under. The ballistics of this cartridge are not stellar, so I don't think I wish to push it farther on game. The barrel seems to shoot almost anything I've tried accurately, so I'm not concerned about working up a "good enough" deer load for my purpose. I would simply shoot the .44 mag barrel with factory ammo, but due to the nature of this hunt, I'll feel better with optics and the ability to make a precision shot to CNS if the scenario is appropriate. The .44 barrel does not have optics, so this option would be out.

Two fold question. 1: Pet loads. W748 has served me well in this barrel, and data is present for my bullet weights. BL-C seems to have slightly better velocities. Who has experience with these?
2: Expansion. Are my bullet options likely to expand below 2000fps? 2k is about the maximum velocity I'll be able to attain.

If anybody has any of the discontinued Hornady FP 7-30 bullets, I'd offer a generous trade for 20 or so!

 

[troy fairweather]

The speer btsp have a pretty think jacket compared to say hot cors or other bullets which should work good at tcu velocity. I'd use the 130 Speer.

 

[Random 8]

The speer btsp have a pretty think jacket compared to say hot cors or other bullets which should work good at tcu velocity. I'd use the 130 Speer.

Interestingly, the Hodg data I have isn't pushing the 130s significantly faster than a 150 grain bullet. I think the Hodgdon data is conservative Vs the Hornady data I have. Unfortunately the Hornady data does not list a 130 or 145 grain bullet so I'd be off-book. Tempted to try the 145 for this reason, but they do kick more! I agree the 130 as fast as I can push it would probably be the best answer, but if I can't push it much faster than the 145....and I also know 139 SSTs like to come apart at rifle speeds and I have data here...I hate decisions, makes fun stuff feel like work!

 

[troy fairweather]

You got any 120s there often like a varmint bullet but if there soft point is think there fine on deer.

 

[adcoch1]

Sst projectiles seem to work in other calibers when reduced velocity is needed for a deer cartridge, so I'd look at those. But mine is speculation, never had the pleasure of playing with a 7tcu...

 

[Random 8]

You got any 120s there often like a varmint bullet but if there soft point is think there fine on deer.

Even the internet seems to be out of them. I do have some 120 Vmax, but no, just no. I shot a wolf with one from my .280 Rem some years ago, and it acted like a 55 vmax .223 does on coyotes. I use them presently to turn long distance crows raiding the neighbors laying duck pen into pink mist.

 

[troy fairweather]

I'll see what I got, think I have some vmax and some other soft points. It maybe worth shooting some wet newspaper at 100 yards and see what the bullets do.

 

[Captcurt]

You got any 120s there often like a varmint bullet but if there soft point is think there fine on deer.

I concur. I used 120gr BallisticTips over 28gr of IMR 4895. Took 2 does at ranges of 35 and 45 yards. Neither went over 20 yards. Velocity was a little over 1900fps and both bullets left a good wound channel with complete pass thru.

 

[2ndtimer]

I never tried my 7TCU on deer, but had very good accuracy and velocity with W748 and Accurate 2460 powders. If I were going to try one on deer, I would try to locate some Nosler 120 gr Ballistic Tips, as Captcurt recommended. I think the solid base design would help it penetrate, while the Ballistic Tip would give good expansion. I have read where people have used that bullet with good results in 7mm-08 rifles for a milder recoiling load for younger or smaller hunters.

 

[troy fairweather]

I think I have some old nosler solid base 120s, I'll ding them out tomorrow.

 

[Random 8]

I did try a couple of the 130 and 145 Speers on some naughty squash from the garden today. They certainly do expand. I think I'll be well enough served with either of those.

 

[Random 8]

Update on the 130 Speer BTSP load. I'm using Hornady data (interpolated). The charge weight for 120 and 139 are basically the same. Appears the limiting factor is case capacity here. I tried both W748 and BL-C2. As predicted, both produced good accuracy. I can't distinguish between the 2. The BL-C2 produced some impressive muzzle flash from my 10"bull barrel. I stuck with the BL-C2 load as I have a random 1lb can of it to utilize and the neighbor's kids will get a kick out of the fireballs with any leftover ammo I use up after deer season. Both loads showed signs of expansion through a wet phone book to 100 yards and grouped within 2" fired from a dodgy rest and a 4X optic. Ran them right up to max charge (heavily compressed) with no pressure signs.

 

[P Flados]

My 10" 7 TCU gets a Lee cast bullet (mine drops at 128 gr) with powder coat and gas check over a case full of WC 844 (milsurp H335) for IHMSA use.

I do not like to compress ball powder much at all, around 102% fill is my max. With max fill set for 102% for my bullet at my AOL, Quickload puts H335 at the top of the list for velocity. 748 is about 80 fps slower and BLC-2 is about 170 fps below H335. Load data (see below) puts them closer together, but H335 does even better if I limit it to 100% fill (where I ended up after ladder testing with my batch of WC 844).

There is some good 7TCU data. Here is a link to a summary.
https://shootersreference.com/reloadingdata/7-mm-tcu-thompson-center-ugalde/

I got the WC 844 to use in both 223 and 7TCU. I have burned at least 12 lbs so far. My last order was for multiple 8# jugs. As best I can tell, the stuff at the link below is WC 844. $175 delivered for 8# is not bad at all. FYI, it has been going "IN" and "OUT" of stock so you may have to watch it for a while if you want to get some.
https://americanreloading.com/reloading-rifle-powder/4144-223-rifle-powder-no-6-demil-8-lbs.html