What would be a good bullet for deer hunting with my 7mm TCU 12" bbl

i like the sierra 130 ssp..
havent shot a deer with mine yet,,but going to try this fall..
super accrate..in my barrel.
from what i've heard n' read should be great on deer.
buckweet

I used Nosler 120 gr BT on two deer and worked great.

"...what some have heard & read" should always be taken with a grain of salt.

But I'll tell what what I have actually experienced in the field.

You have to be careful with the Sierra 7mm 130 grain SSP. It is a wonderful bullet in top-end loads in a 7-30, 7 BR, etc but has a velocity/performance window that is narrower than the 120 grain Ballistic Tip or Hornady 120 grain SSP. I have used all 3 on deer and had excellent results. But from a 12" TCU, I'd stick to the 120s or else make certain that the loads are top-end and that the range doesn't greatly exceed 100 yards.

The 7 TCU is a fine medium-range deer caliber and will serve you well. But a proper choice of projectile is paramount to success. Even Sierra mentions that the performance of their bullet in the 10" TCU ranges on borderline -- and your 12" won't be that much faster.

[ 07-20-2002, 18:37: Message edited by: Bobby Tomek ]

I don't have any experiance with the 7mmTCU. I checked the Sierra manual and they say the most effective muzzle velocity for expansion for the 130 sspb is 2100 to 2500fps. Optimum range for deer is 50 to 175 yards. I was using it in my lone Eagle[7mm/08]. At about 2700fps and it was showing signs of blowing up. 3" exit hole on soft tisue.I relized I was pushing it to fast. For the 7mm TCU Sierria shows 130 max at 1950fps in a 10" and max at 2100fps in the 14". You may be border line on the slow side in the 12". The 130 may punch a 7mm hole in and a 7mm hole out. Hope this helps. Lone Hunter

Bobby..thank's....i have a super14 7mmtcu on its way here,,plus a bunch of sierra 120's like you was talking about..
that should get my speed up too par,

buckweet

Bobby pretty much hit the nail on the head about the Sierra 130's. The first deer I shot with my 14" 7 TCU I was using my accuracy load, didn't have enough steam behind it to make it expand correctly. If my shot would have been over 100 yards with the round at the time I would have had problems. The first deer I shot with the lower end velocity round bruised the heart I think more than it damaged it, the shot was about 50 yards and did not leave much of a hole for a blood trail.
After this incident I worked up to close to a max load asper a combination of Sierra and AA manuals.I used AA powder but strived to get Sierra's velocity to get more reliable expansion. This is one reason I like Sierra's manual as they give you both, an accuracy load and a hunting load. So far on their hunting load velocity, I have had real good luck and have not lost any game. One thing on some of the calibers in a SSP round I have used I have noticed is they don't damage, (bloodshot meat) as much as a rifle does. Almost as Elmer used to say about a cast bullet, "you can eat right up to the hole".
Jeff

jeff...my barrel should be here anyday..which AA powder are you using ?? im using AA2230 in my 10'' 7mmTCU.
Buckweet

Buckweet-
The Sierra 120 grain spitzer is NOT going to work well for you in the TCU as far as hunting is concerned. The Hornady 120 grain Single Shot Pistol and 120 grain Ballistic are the two 120s that will do the trick for you.

buckweet, I have been using AA 2015BR. But as the above mentioned for hunting applications I would strive for highest velocity possible in your hunting rounds out of the 10" barrel. If I remember correctly WW 748 was working pretty well for me when I was shooting the 10" barrels. I bought a case of the AA 2200 when it first came out. I am shooting it some, but I seem to be getting a lot of carbon that I am having a problem of getting out of the barrel.
As far as the 2230, it will take me a while to shoot up the 16 pounds of the 2200 that I have left. If you can keep your groups at 3-4" at a hundred yards and the velocity up I would say would be a workable load.
Shot placement is still the most critical part of the hunt. The Sierra 130 SSP is the only bullet I have used for deer hunting, but that is in my application and when I call the shot. If I can't get a decent broadside shot I usually hold off and try to get a better angle when using a hand gun.
The only thing on some of these lighter bullets in the 7 TCU is that they could be wayyyyy off the lands. I have personally only seen one factory 7 TCU barrel that the 130 would touch the lands. This might be somthing to look at also? But I think overall you should have pretty good luck with most loads. It just takes a little tinkering to get it there.
Jeff

When I used a rifle for hunting I used Sierra bullets always with great success. Rarely did I get the perfect mushroom that everyone looks for. But as has been said before, "at what point in the death of the animal, did the bullet fail." They make an excellent product. For what it's worth. Slim

Geeze, i always liked the Sierra 130SSP. It has always been really accurate with AA2015 and has been killer on woodchucks!

I am surprised that the velocity envelope is so high with this bullet, Sierra actually recommended it to me for shootin outta my 10" 7TCU

I guess i am gonna have to switch to the Hornady if i ever go after a deer with this round...... Woodchucks dont seem to mind if it isnt expanding!

[ 07-21-2002, 18:45: Message edited by: mssmagnum ]

mssmagnum-
Sierra recommended it to you because it really is their only bullet that will work for hunting deer-sized game in your 10" TCU. Yes, it will work, but it does have more stringent limitations than the 120 grain Ballistic Tip or Hornady 120 grain SSP. I just wanted to point that out.

The Sierra 130 grain SSP is THE most accurate bullet from my 7mm Bullberry carbine, and it exits the 20 1/8" barrel at 2509 fps. I have also used it in the 7BR at around 2350 fps, and there, too, it performs as well as a bullet can possibly do. And it's not too shabby from a 14" TCU either, but in shorter versions, you simply have to restrict your range a bit more than with the Hornady 120 SSP or the 120 grain Ballistic Tip.

The 7mm/120 grain BT will expand down to 1650 fps, and the Hornady (#22811, not the lead-tipped #2811) will open up at 1550-1575 fps. (The #2811 will open down to 1650 fps.) Reliable expansion with the Sierra 130 grain SSP tapers off at around 1750 fps. I've shot a ton of the aforementioned bullets into assorted medium for expansion testing and always do a brief field autopsy on game to assess performance. Terminal ballistics & forensics happen to be interests of mine, and they certainly go hand-in-hand with my hobby of hunting.

Slim, I have used Sierra bullets in just about every rifle I have ever had. I would say that the only time I didn't use Sierra in my rifles would have been when shooting factory ammo. Never once did I have a problem.

Mike, have you used your 10" on deer? I have killed a lot of p-dogs with a Sierra 150 BTSPT, an I really think it would kill a deer also. But would I use it if I had the choice, nope. When I got my first 7 TCU and went down to Sierra's plant I told the guy what I was doing and he seemed to think that the 130 SSP was the only bullet that would work in a handgun that Sierra made. I took his word for it, I still have not shot all of them that I purchased that day.
I talked to Carroll Pilant in the lab and he told me that the only difference in the hunt load and the accuracy load was that the hunt load went to a max on FPS with acceptable accuracy.
The SSP bullets were designed for a certain window of velocity. If you want to see explosive shoot one out of a 7 mag, then it is about as good as a varmint bullet gets. I think one thing we will all agree on and that is each one of the factory TC barrels is going to react a little different in this caliber.
I have enough of these 7 mm Sierra 130's to last me a long time, so I don't see myself switching to another bullet. I will continue to push them as fast as safley possible when I use them to hunt with though.
It's kind of funny that you made me look at a manual. 10" 7 TCU
accuracy load 1850
hunting load 1950
Do you think the animal or target new the difference of 100 FPS?
Jeff

Bobby Tomek I well be checking the velocity on my 12" Bellm 7mm TCU this next weekend. With my 2 loads I think I should be around 2200 fps with a 120gr Nosler BT. Load 1 26.5gr of Reloader 7 Load 2 27.9gr of Vihtavuorioy N133. I well post the velocity.

Bobby, i wasnt pickin on you! I was just makin an observation out loud! LOL!

jsh, I have never used the Sierra or Hornady on a deer. I attempted to use both a time or two but the deer never were in agreement to test the bullet!

I will say that my observations are that,

The Hornady lead tipped bullet blows bigger holes in chucks than the Sierra. I have a pic on the link below of a chuck shot with the Hornady, put i nice golf ball sized exit hole in him! The Sierra 130SSP works better than the Sierra 120 rifle bullets on chucks.

I am not into deer huntin but if i ever go again with the 7, i believe that i will use the new Hornady acetate tipped bullet....

mssmagnum-
I didn't think you were picking on me. I just reiterated a few things because it can get really confusing with what does and doesn't work when it comes to bullets for handgun hunting. And I wanted to share what has been the case in my experiences...

Bobby, I know what you mean... I have always noticed the wound difference between the lead tip Hornady and the Sierra. A woodchuck is not much of a test of big game bullets but you do see a difference.

Thanks for the info....

Mike-

Now I can breathe a sigh of relief...

Now I know that I am not the only one who assesses a bullet's performance by examining the wound channels. We're sane, right? On second thought, don't answer that...

Paul-
That should make a fine load for you. And being a Bellm barrel, I know you'll have no problems with accuracy.

Can't wait to hear the results...

Bobby,

Checkin out wound channels, you should have seen the one that a buddy of mine shot last night! He is using a Berger 175 VLD Moly outta his Sendero. He hit a chuck at approx 450 yards and just about took the hide off of it! LOL! I was amazed!! I shot 2 with my Sendero, one at 250 and another at 560-575 and my 190 Matchkings just punched through. I believe that his Bergers are expanding on chucks!! UNBELIEVABLE!!

Needless to say that i worked up a load today for some Berger 190 JHPBT. LOL! I cant have him blowin up all the chucks!

Looks like my rifle likes em

Mike-

VERY nice group...

I have only worked the the Bergers a tiny bit and never got to try them on game. But I think I'll have to get more and get a little more serious about them. All reports I have heard indicated dramatic performance on varmints. Maybe some of these Texas coyotes will "volunteer" to cooperate for some expansion testing LOL!

Bobby, That rifle is a real killer! When it shoots a group like that (or the one below) i get, well, er, ah, EXCITED!! LOL! I hope to perforate a chuck tomorrow night with these bullets. If i do, i will post pics of the terminal performance!

Mike that is a good group!
The last time I was at the range there were a few if us admiring some nice groups, about like what you have here. A fellow walked up and looked and said " what is so good about them? you didnt even hit the bullseye". LOL The older gent that had shot them just about busted a blood vessel. Good shooting Mike.
Jeff

jsh,

THANKS!! The Sendero and those 190 Bergers accounted for 4 chucks tonight, from about 250 to 600 yards! I posted the pics at the link below if you are interested.....

I REALLY like this gun!!

Bobby Tomek I tested it today load 1. 25.2gr of reloader #7 2356fps .44 group at 100yds. Load 2 27.9gr of Vihtavuori N133 2290fps .56 group at 100yds. I will be using load 1. as my hunting load and that Bellm barrel shoots great

[ 07-29-2002, 11:09: Message edited by: Paul Dustin ]

What about a 30 TCU???

I have never seen anything about a 30 caliber in the TCU series. Is there something similar that has been in existance?

Paul Dustin, SORRY! This is the 2nd time i have hijacked your thread.....

Mike-
A .30/223 was used on the very early handgun silhouette circuit, and several more appeared thereafter. But they sort of faded into the sunset.

For the life of me, I can't remember the name that went with the cartridge, but there are definitely reamers out there somewhere as it has been done before. It would basically duplicate the Herrett's performance, which isn't too shabby as far as I am concerned.

Paul-
That's some nice shooting...and it sounds like you already have your hunting loads.

Good luck,
Bobby