Got to thinking (it's usually where the R-WEST & $$$ parting company procedure starts) earlier this year about something a little different.

I'd gotten the missus a Rem Model 7 in 223 last year. It was the "Youth" Model (she's 5' tall, and the shorter length of pull makes it easier to reach the trigger and stuff) with the puky 'Walnut' stained hardwood stock. She wasn't impressed with its appearance, so, it sat in the corner for a while. Not wanting to see a rifle neglected, and having enough other 223's, I pondered what to do with it. Small boltface, short magazine box, etc.., what can you do with that? My eye happened to catch a glimpse of some 7TCU brass poking out from the clutter on the loading bench, and 'voila', on comes the light. A necked up 223, why not?

Called the guys at ER Shaw (I know all the Krieger, Shilen, Hart, et al, "barrel snobs" are cringing, but, Shaw's done a pile of top notch, prompt, economical work for me over the years), ordered a stainless barrel contoured to match the original Model 7 barrel, and had them chamber/fit it for me. Got a full size (sorry Mrs. R-WEST, you had your chance) factory Remington synthetic stock for $80.00, stuck it on there and she was ready to go.

After initial testing, I've been most impressed with the horsepower this thing generates, especially from that little case. With 28 AA2015 or 29.5 AA2230-C and 130 Sierras or Speers, I'm getting 2500 - 2550 FPS, and enough groups in the 3/4" and under range to know it'll be a winner. Almost no recoil, and, if a 130 grain bullet from a 7TCU Contender at 2,150 FPS is considered adequate for deer, I'm guessing another 400 FPS won't increase his life expectancy any.

Got some 120 Barnes X's on the way. Should be able to get 2,600 out of them, I'd think.

As noted, load development is very preliminary. Just started a series with R-12 (from my carefully hoarded stash now that it's been discontinued by Alliant); wonder how R-10, H322, Benchmark, etc.. will work. Can't get enough Varget in there to do anything velocity-wise, although it did provide a cloverleaf group for me.

I'm sure other guys have done the same, or similar, things; just wanted to share. The thing is a blast (actually, very little blast ) to shoot. Neat, light, handy, kinda cute, actually (hmmm, that doesn't sound so good. How about "cute, in a MANLY way"). If I could figure out how to get pictures in here, I'd post some.

R-WEST

R-West, I have a T/C contender carbine with the 7mmTCU 21" barrel. With 30 grains of 2230 it chronographed the 140 grain win. ballistic-silvertips(lubralox-coated) at 2365 ft/sec and their OAL is 2.75 inches. That's supposed to be one grain over max for the standard non-coated ballistic-tip. I have some 140 grain nosler-partitions at a moderate 2113 ft/sec that were handloaded for me but don't know the recipe and their OAL is only 2.5 inches. They both kill deer very well. My nephew was thinking about converting his .223 bolt-action to 7TCU but the blocked magazine "as is" will only accomadate the 2.5 inch OALs. The mechanical ejector(CRF) would have to be set back too for the 2.75 inch OALs.

I have a 21" Contender barrel in 7mm TCU. Very efficient. 130 grain Sierra SSP at 2460 fps.

I've tried several powders and I think that 2600 fps is a bit optimistic. If you do get that let us know how. I'm interested.

I have a Win 70 223Win that I had Bullbeery rebarrel in 6TCU. It has a 20" barrel with 1in12" twist. It will do 3250fps w/60gr, 3100fps s/70gr and 2950 w/80gr SP. That 1000 ft.pounds at 200yds.

Hobie - I'm shooting (pun) for 2600 FPS with 120 grainers. I'm getting 2500 - 2550 with 130's, so, it shouldn't be too hard to do. I got some 120 Hornady HP's and 120 Nosler SB's to try out, in addition to the 120 X's.

Loaded up a batch of the 120 "X"'s last nite - WOW are they long!! They're longer than the 130 Sierras and Speers. Now, depending on whether or not the blizzard they're calling for shows this weekend, I may have a chance to try them out.

R-WEST

Which powder are using to get that velocity?

Hobie - 28 A2015BR gives 2500 +/-; 28.5 shows 2550 w/130 Speer Flat Base Spitzers. 29.5 A2230-C shows 2500 with the same bullets, but, the accuracy isn't quite as good as it is with 2015. I'm playing around with different primers, and waiting for the weather to clear enough to try them again.

R-WEST

Finally got back here. Thanks.

As much H322 that you can get in the case with a Nosler 120 BT works for me.

Dan - Hodgdon is showing really low load weights for H322, so, I'm curious what load you're using and velocities you've gotten. Tried 25 grains of H322 yesterday with 130 grain bullets, and only got around 2150 FPS. Really low, considering what I'm getting with A2015 and 2230-C.

Also tried 29 A2460 with the 130 grain Speer spitzer, and got 2470 (avg of 5 shots at 45 degrees F) FPS.

I'm just beginning load development with the 120's; I have a batch loaded up, just haven't gotten around to shooting them yet.

R-WEST

[ 11-25-2002, 23:06: Message edited by: R-WEST ]