New "Shooting Times" 7mmTCU loads

[Junior1942]

The new "Shooting Times," Feb 2009, pg 52, has an article by Layne Simpson on T-C Contender loads. The 7mmTCU loads look a little hot to me, i.e., 160 gr Sierra @ 1895 fps. . . .

[The Double D]

I don't normally buy rags, but I might have to look that one up. MY 7 TCU is on a XP100. Not sure the I would wanna fire that load in a TC. The TC likes to smash my knuckles with heavy loads but the XP is a pssy cat..

[Mugs]

Edition 5 sierra manual shows loads at 1950 fps. from a 14" TC.

[Junior1942]

Edition 5 sierra manual shows loads at 1950 fps. from a 14" TC.

With the Sierra 160 gr bullet?

[Mugs]

Yes Sierra 160grn.
Mugs

[lathesmith]

Edition 12 Speer manual shows a top speed of 1988 fps with their 160 grainer, using H322, fired from a 14" Contender barrel.
lathesmith

[Junior1942]

Anybody have a recent Hornady manual? What does it list for their 154 gr SP? The loads I'm using are supposedly near max but give only 1700 to 1800 fps.

[skeet1]

Junior,
The Hornady 6th edition lists two Max loads that go to 1900 fps. One is with 28.3 gr. of IMR 4895 and the other is 28.0 gr of AA2460.

[Mugs]

The Max. load that Sierra listed was with BL-C[2]. I looked in a current Hodgdon manual and they showed almost 3 grs. different for Max. both using Federal brass and BL-C[2]. If you are using reformed military brass I would guess theres a big difference in case capacity. Sounds like with top loads in the 7 TCU your on your own.
Mugs
IHMSA 5940L

[jhalcott]

I think you are on your own any time you tread on MAX loads. There are so many variables that a max load for one gun is over the top on another. A simple change in powder lot or brass make could spell disaster.

[Kraschenbirn]

What barrel length? I haven't read the article but I shot a 10" 7TCU for IHMSA Production Class for several years. My best load was the 154 gr Hornaday SP at 1800 fps (25.4 gr H4895/Fed. Cases/Fed SR primers) but a buddy shot the 162 gr Hornaday BTHP using H322 at around the same velocity without any sign of excessive pressure. Put either of those loads through a 14" barrel and I'm willing to bet they'll run close to 1900, or better.

Bill