I'm considering having a 7TCU barrel rechambered to 7-30 Waters. Does any one out there have a one In a single shot set up? For that matter Does any one out there, have it in any style Carbine or Rifle? What's your opinion of it's performance?
Rich Jake

Not exactly, but I should have a 7mm GNR 20" bull barrel in a few weeks. Which is a super improved 7-30 waters. I will let you know how it works out.

Rich, I'm three for three on whitetails last season with my Bullberry prepared carbine. It is a 21" full bull configuration which adds considerable heft to the rifle. Shoots great with the 139 and 120 grain Hornady pills ahead of W748. Cannot say enough good about Fred's barrelwork and stocks!
Oh yeah, all the bucks were one shot kills at 100+ yards and would not hesitate to try shots out to 200.
Bill

Bill
My barrel is a T/C Custom shop barrel. So far it hasn't been the greatest. That's why I'm considering the rechamber. I think with a couple of changes maybe it will work out ok. Thanks for the info.
Rich Jake

Rich, I'll be the first to tell you that my successes last year were extraordinary to say the least! I usually take one or two bucks at most but let me "brag" just a bit more and tell of the spike that I was fortunate to take with my 10" 7mm\TCU.
Brought him down at around 90 yards with a 120 grain ballistic tip, can't recall what powder at the moment and the lack of chronograph has me relying on manual's posted velocities (around 1950 fps). The bullet traveled lengthwise of the deer entering behind its fifth rib and coming to rest under the skin on the off shoulder. The little fella traveled no more than ten yards. This was my first handgun kill and I'm now hooked.
I have posted a couple of time on other forums about the inherent accuracy of this round...your's is the first encounter that I've had that has proven to be less than desireable.
My barrel has the standard factory chamber, ie too long throat, but if I seat the 120 grainers WAY out they group really well, usually just over an inch at 100yds. The first time I tried it at that yardage I was burning the last two rounds at a target that I had been shooting an accurized AR at and I almost fell over when I went to retrieve it. I couldn't wait to get home to load more exactly like those that produced a 3/4" center to center!
At any rate I'll dig up the load info in the a.m. if you'd like to try it...its pretty warm as I recall so work up to it

Bill
If you don't mind digging it out & posting it,I would be glad to look at it. I really would rather get it working as is, instead of a rechamber. I guess what I'm really interested in is the OAL. I think that's what is going to make or break this barrel.
Rich Jake

[ 08-24-2002, 18:49: Message edited by: Rich Jake ]

Rich, my notes show C.O.A.L at 2.630 with a case length of 1.740.. The bullet is probably barely extending into the case, but I haven't had any problems carrying them loosely in my pockets. Even at this length they still do not engage the rifling of my barrel.Using a charge of 28 grains of win 748 with plain ole Lake City mil brass (which this barrel seems to prefer)this will no doubt boost the velocities above published data levels so be careful.
Let us know how it works out, I would think that your TCU carbine would make an excellent shooter.
I hope the little woman doesn't find out but my little 10"er($100 online purchase) shoots as well and better than some of my custom rigs. I have a Fox Ridge 6mm\TCU that does well and a VVCG in.300-221 that may find a new home if I don't "figger out" what I'm obviously doing wrong with it.

Thanks for the info I will give it another try as soon as it gets back from T/C. There were a couple of other problems to deal with as well. What's your problem with your 300/221? I have a SSK 300 whisper & had a T/C whisper before that. Maybe I can help you out.
Rich Jake

Rich, I have a 16" T/C 7x30 stainless. It does okay out to about 130yds. It's killed every deer I've pointed it at but shot placement helps a great deal as It's not a bulldozer. Average accuracy (1.5") with my loads is all it will do but that works for me. Recoil is very mild and factory 7x30 brass is longer than fireformed 30-30 and it lasts longer for me. I neck size only, against other's better judgement, but the brass lives longer. I guess as a testament to it, I still have it after 6yrs. mvm

pshooter
I'm considering a rechamber in an effort to get rid of the old T/C throat. I think the the 7-30 will be long enough to accomplish that. If I do do it, I probably will have the barrel lapped(one way or another), & recrowned. If it don't shoot then. I don't know what I'll do.
Rich Jake

I think re-chambering by some good gunsmith (winkwink)will probably make it a shooter. Alot of people have won alot of shoots with that round. Good luck. mvm

PShooter
Like I said I want ot try everything that I can first. I only want to resort to the rechamber after I've tried everything.
Rich Jake

Rich I sent you a rather lengthy personal message concerning my .300-221 thanks in advance for any help. Good luck with your carbine &mm TCU or 7-30W you have a win win situation in my book! Bill

Bill
you have a PM. Sorry for the wrong name.
Rich Jake

Bill
I sent a reply to your last Message.
Rich Jake

Rich,

I have factory TC barrels in both 7mm TCU and 7-30 Waters. With 120 grain bullets I get 2400 fps from the TCU and 2700 from the 7-30 factory ammo. Both of mine are very accurate despite the usual long factory throat. I'd be interested to hear how you are loading the TCU to see if we can find anything that will enable you to load ammo that will perform and save you the cost of rechambering. However, if you do or have rechambered you will have a good cartridge, fully the equal of any of this class cartridge.

Barent
I had a couple of problems with the barrel from the start. I won't go into it all to save time. I have tried a couple of different bullets in the barrel. My barrel seems to like Sierra 130 SSP & AA2015. The last time out, It was raining so I wasn't able to chronograph some of the loads that I did, but got some better results as far as groups are concerned. I have some more loaded with different OAL. I will try to chronograph them on Monday. I also loaded some other powders with the 130 Sierra's. So after I get out there & test them I'll let you guys know my results. If I get good enough results I'll leave it as is. If not I will probably rechamber to 7-30 Waters & get rid of that long T/C throat.
Rich Jake

Rich,

I use the 130 SSP and 120 SSP with the same load and get very good groups, despite the throat. I'd be interested in hearing the FPS with your load.

If you're going to switch, are you interested in going to the 7mm Bellm or maybe the 7-30 Waters Improved? My thought is that if I was switching anyway that I might as well go for the most performance. BUT if you just want improved accuracy and the ability to load to TCU performance level, the 7-30 is probably the best choice.

Hobie
I had more problems than just getting it shoot well. I have sent it back to Foxridge requesting a refund for that Barrel. I don't know where it will go from here. I did consider the 7mm Bellm as I have the 308 Version & it shoots good, but I was thinking if I end up rechambering it I would go to the Standard 7-30 Waters. I wasn't really looking for a drastic change. I just wanted something long enough to get rid of that long throat. I think the 7-30 would be just the right thing in this case.
Rich Jake