Hello everyone
Has anyone ever used a 7mmTCU on Mule deer? My girlfriend has decided to maybe use
a handgun on a mule deer hunt with me this fall and she won't try the 375JDJ.(I can't see
why not Haha) so the only option is the 7mmTCU and she enjoys using this gun so it's a
good thing. If anyone has used it succesfully I like to know what load you are using. I'm
presently using the same load I've used for antelope in Montana with Hornady 120 grain
bullets.
Thanks for now
Mike

Mike, you may want to post your question on the Single Shot Pistol forum. You might get an answer there. The only thing that I know for sure is that the 7MM TCU was specifically designed and developed for the Contender so my guess would be that it would be just fine for mule deer, using the right bullet of course. Slim

Mikehjd,

I have shot the 7mm TCU a bit but have never used this round on mule deer. I have however used the 7mm BR on mulies and have had extremely good luck with this round on deer as long as shots are held under 200 yards.

I use the 120 gr Ballistic Tip and would choose this bullet over all others for these calibers to be used on deer and pronghorn simply because they expand very well at the 2000-2500 fps velocity these rounds will generate yet they are constructed with a tougher bullet jacket then reqular conventional bullets such as Speer, Sierra and yes Hornady. I love Hornady bullets for varmint hunting and extreme range target shooting with their V-Max and A-Max line of bullets, but I have witnessed first hand the Hornady interlock bullets fail to penetrate even on deer size targets. In fact the Ballistic Tip will penetrate at least as deep and usually deeper then the Interlock bullets. Do some penetration tests and see for your self.

I will piss off alot of hunters with this comment but I have seen to many examples to believe other wise. Of course if you like Hornady bullets for big game hunting go for it, I do not. My concern is that if your girlfriend wants to get into handgun hunting, I wouldn't risk a bad experience on a Hornady bullet. Could ruin her for hunting in the future.

About your 375 JDJ, I know a few women that can and do shoot this round very well. I have found that its usually the male shooter that says this thing kicks like hell and that a woman shouldn't try it. If given proper instruction and taught good shooting form, the 375 JDJ is easy to shoot, even for a lady.

One question, if you live in Canada, how is it that you can hunt with a T/C Contender as this isn't legal up there?

Good Hunting!!

50

I agree that the 120 grain Ballistic Tip is the way to go here. I've used them on a number of deer in various 7mm cartridges and have always been satisfied with the penetration and expansion. But if the bullet you mentioned is actually the Hornady 120 grain Single SHot Pistol bullet, then you'll get good results as well (be sure it is not simply the Hornady 120 grain Spire Point, for it WILL NOT expand sufficiently at 7mm TCU velocities).

Just be certain she gets in plenty of practice and keeps the range reasonable short -- and you'll be in good shape.

I would also concur with the 120 B.T.. My other advice would be to keep the range under 150 yards, especially if it is a big mulie. With rangefinders you could fudge it out further. Had a bad experience with a large mulie and the 7mm TCU in the late 80's-one was bullet performance and the other one was not knowing the range. Have dropped several other mulies with this cartridge with no problems, but they were small 3x3's and 4x4's. My 2 cents.

xphunter

Thanks for the replys guys
In response to Fiftydriver: I agree I can not hunt with my
contender here in Canada. That's why I have to go visit my
friendly neighbors to the South. I'm fortunate to live not to far
from the USA border so I usualy go to Montana for antelope and this year
am going to Wyoming for mule deer. My antelope hunts have been on my own
on private land and this mule hunt is the same so it's not overly expensive.
As for the 375JDJ, I don't think my girlfriend will try it. A few of my friends tried
it and only took one or two shots cursing me for having such a beast so that
kind of scared her off that one. I think it depends on the individual because I've
let big guys try it and not like it and I've ley scrawny guys try it who liked it.
I love it. I have a 30-30 barrel that I want to rechamber to 309JDJ when the
funds become available.
Mike

I have killed muledeer with my 7-30 waters with no problems.I dont think there is alot of difference.I will be hunting with my 6.5 tcu this year should be plenty of gun.