Ok, I am enroute to the post office to pick up a 14" 7mm TCU barrel in the morning.
It is just as easy to come home by way of the range so what could I load up a few rounds tonight to test in my 10" and 14" barrels.
I have some Hornady SSPs and WC680, WC844,WC846, WC852F (that is 1680, 2230, Ball-C and H380 equivalents).

I can carry a base and scope and mount them at the range.

Who has some ideas that I can test and likely find a load to use Friday to convert on the hoof to in the freezer?

Any load suggestions appreciated.

LouisB

Oh and since Hornady dropped the SSP (I think this is what I read), what bullet should I use because my existing supply is very limited and testing will (may) use up a bunch.

FINALLY cooled off enough to hunt in TN!

[ 11-27-2003, 07:25: Message edited by: TCLouis ]

TCLouis: FYI the Hornady 7mm 120 V-Max and the Hornady 7mm 120 SSP are one and the same. Had the ballistic tech at Hornady cut two V-Max's in half vertically from the most recent run. He sent them to me as proof. They indeed have the interlock ring. So just order some 7mm 120 gr. V-Max's

I can't rember my loads off the top of my head now, as I tend to burn H-322 in my 7-tcu now, but 1680 will give good results with 120gr and less, and 2230 tends to be more flexable as to bullet weight. When I first was loading for my tcu, I liked 2230 the best from your list of powders.

TCLouis where in Middle Tennessee do you live Thanks Jess

Pistoljess

I live about half way between Franklin and Columbia east of the interstate (Bethesda area).

Shot almost 100 rounds thru it today and am finally sneaking up on a load, right as it got too dark to shoot any more. Of course several looked promising up close (25 yds) and went haywaire at 85 yards (across the neighbors field to a suitible backstop). I have to cut a couple of trees so I can shoot 100 at home range!

LouisB

Coupla more tests friday and then it is hunting time!

TCLouis,
30gr BLC-2 under a Nosler 120gr BT, or the Sierra 120gr softpoint(flatbase) does as well as I can, from my 10" 7mm TCU. Velocity runs about 2000-2100fps. >>>>>>>>Bug.

Bug
After all testing was complete and I loaded some rounds to hunt with, I found I had 8 bullets left out of the 132 I started this experiment with.

On a lark I tried BLC-2 and it was more accurate than the 3031 load I had settled on, but POI was 3 inches high and about 2 1/2 to the right and there was not enough bullets to change sights and shoot in! Also seem to be higher performer (my test method) than other loads also! Only the chrono will know for sure and that will be AFTER season!

I have 200 V-Max's that should arrive tomorrow so will test them this weekend.
Then a week with no season, a week of muzzleloader and then 3 weeks of pistol season (TWRA calls it GAM (Gun, Archery, Muzzleloader)).

LouisB