Need 7mm TCU cast bullet load data (pistol/shotgun powders)

[wellfedirishman]

Folks,

I am looking for some 7mm TCU cast bullet load data. This is for a 130 grain cast bullet, no gas check, in a 14" Contender barrel.

I'd like something relatively slow (1000-1300 fps) for plinking. I was thinking of starting out with 8 grains of Unique or Green Dot (as I have a keg of Green Dot available).

I googled and searched this site, and didn't find anything using faster pistol powders. I don't want rifle loads or full bore silhouette loads that require gas checks. This is just for punching paper and ringing a gong at 100-200 yards.

Does anyone have any tested data that they care to share? Thanks :)

[quilbilly]

I have never used anything but 4198 and 4895 in either my 7mm TCU for my carbine or pistol but have begun thinking along your track recently when I saw a thread mentioning loads of Bullseye in the 223. When time allows this week I will start with 4 gr of Bullseye in a couple rounds and chronograph them and go from there. Theoretically this should be an MV of about 1000 in my 12" Contender.

[Jon K]

Never tried it with out GC........but 8 gr Unique works great.

Jon

[bobthenailer]

I have some loading data from the , Compleat Reloading Manual For The Contender for the 7 TCU in the Lyman section . But no loads are under 1,500 fps with a 135 gr Lyman bullet #287346 .
H-110-- 14.4 --1,676 fps
SR 4759 -- 15.5--1,735 fps
IMR 4227--15.5--1,740 fps
IMR 4198--17.5--1,752 fps
RX7 ------18.0----1,516 fps
FROM A 14" BARREL
A light bulb just went on ! I reviewed some of my old test load data for the 7 TCU and found that i also had luck with 8.0 gr of unique with the RCBS 145 gr and the SAECO 160gr cast bullets,with gc installed.
A gc is not needed , it may shoot well without one , but ide do my intial testing with them and then test without to see if accuracy is affected .

[wellfedirishman]

Thanks guys for the helpful answers.

OK, I got some good results today with Trailboss:

Load: RCBS 146 grain bullet with JPW lube, no gas check, Wolf Small Rifle Primer.
Conditions: overcast, windy, about 60 degrees F.
Gun: 14" Contender with 2x Millet handgun scope.

7.5 grains Trailboss: 1165-1185 fps average, 15 shots in < 1" group at 25 yards, all shots touching. Shoots great, this load has very low recoil and same trajectory as 22LR. Same load shoots approximately a 3 inch group at 100 yards with some flyers, in windy conditions. This group might be improved with higher magnification scope or a rifle scope.

8.5 grain Trailboss (full case): 1250-1270 fps average, with some higher and lower velocities. Shot a 2" group at 50 yards, busts shotgun clays easily with 1 shot. Seems to have more high/lows than the 7.5 grain load. May be due to the slightly compressed nature of this load. Try 8.0 grains instead.

I did not get acceptable accuracy with Green Dot loads (8.5 gr), shots were in a 3 inch circle at 25 yards.

Usual disclaimer: these results were for my gun. Yours may differ. Use at your own risk.

Trailboss is probably my favorite powder now. I use it for cowboy shooting (357, 44, 45) and 30-30 and 45-70 loads. This powder and lube combination left the barrel nice and clean.

[marshall623]

I shoot IHMSA with mine I also shoot the 130 lee , 8gr. unique was one of my loads . It shot very well I tried without the checks on a couple but no luck with that . I've used IMR4198 I believe 19 gr. also but my standard load is now 16gr 4759 with the 130 lee & 160 lyman. I shoot a 2 load system 130 for chic & pigs 160 for turk & Rams.

[canyon-ghost]

Bob the nailer is right on, I use 15.8 grains of SR-4759 with 135 grain gas checked. It isn't weak, just moderate to 200 yards. Yes, with a scope. This is out of a 10" barrel though.

Ron

[DLH]

Has anyone ever tried Alliant HERCO in the 7 TCU? I have been trying unique, but have MANY pounds of HERCO from trap shooting. I have been using 8 gr of Unique for a 130g GC cast bullet