I have an extra Contender frame in the gun safe that's getting lonely. I think I would like to get a carbine barrel for it. I had a factory 7-30 Waters 21" barrel once and wasn't too impressed. So this time I'd like to go to one of the custom people, probably VVCG or Dave Van Horn (nice price!) I'd like to have something that could double as a medium range groundhog rifle as well as a short range (less than 100 yards) deer rifle. I'm leaning toward a 7TCU because I have the dies, brass, etc., as well as three great pistol barrels in this caliber. What do you all suggest?

The 7TCU sounds like a winner to me! Other great candidates are the 6 or 6.5TCU.

I would recommend VVG or On Target Technologies. OTT barrels are priced similar to DVH but you will not have the concern regarding quality......

Somewhere I have an old article and the author said the carbine barrel and 335 made the 7 mm TCU what it should be.
Heck one write-up from the Sierra(?) manual has Milek's son shooting 200 yards in early bullet "tests" with the 7mm TCU in XP100 so It seems like the perfect candidate!

Bunch of shooting with low noise, high performance . . . . Sounds like FUN to me.

'Sides you already have the dies

LouisB

I'm voting for the 7TCU as well! As a matter of fact I am already working in that direction as well. I wanted to have one ready for last years gun season but it wasn't meant to be. I will be prepared this year.

As a side note if you find the 7TCU is just a little light for your wishes there are a couple of good options to rechamber to.
Rich Jake

I have a 18 inch 25-225 improved / 257 JDJ from Van Horn which is a one-holer. The dies are expensive. It would be considered more of a varmint caliber, but I used it to take a deer last year at around 250 yards.
That said, it's tough to argue against everyone who suggested the 7mm TCU.

Wow, sounds like we have a consensus on the 7TCU. Now how long should I have it made? Should I specify the twist rate? If so which one? Thanks again! I'm leaning toward Mike Sirois or Dave Van Horn because of the $$$ but wouldn't rule out VVCG if I could be convinced.

I would like to know if it was the accuracy or something else that put you off the 7-30 Waters. Nothing wrong with the 7mm TCU (I have a factory 21") but the 7-30 does better so far as velocity goes and so far accuracy is running neck and neck.

Dave Van Horn does good work. Of course you need to be absolutely sure that you have all barrel specifications in writing along with your $100 downpayment. He does have better turn around time than most others seem to (better than Bullberry for sure). But, he is a bit older than many and had a sick spell this past year which delayed some work (for good reason).

A new barrel, no matter what it is, is ALWAYS a good thing.

Pat,

Greetings! I have that 15" Van Horn barrel in 7TCU that we discussed, if you want to borrow it and try out his workmanship before ordering.
I will say up front that it is both accurate and excellent in all other regards

Let me know, and I can send it out your way by way of Emily sometime.

Clerko,
There you go...cant beat that. Well I guess you could. You should ask Sean to lend you that photogenic freeze dried meadow pig and his digital camera..you could post some pics.
Good Luck,
Dave

I've got one of the original factory, 1 forearm screw 7mm TCU 21 inch barrels that I bought in 1986. I've never encountered any problems with it, it is finely accurate and before my chrony bit the dust used to show just about 2500 fps with 120 grain bullets. Many times I thought about sending it out to be rechambered for the newest 7mm wildcat, but never could do it. This barrel is just so mild mannered and shoots so well. I think you're right on track with the TCU.

regards,
graycg

graycg

just about 2500 fps with 120 grain bullets

By any chance do you remember what load gave you that results?

Rich Jake