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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!
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!