7 TCU with cast bullets

[walkswithsticks]

Got a chance to buy a 10" 7 TCU barrel with a set of dies for $200.  Doesn't sound too bad to me.
 
I am an old cast shooter and would like to know if there is any experience here.  My past experience with most calibers says I can use a heavy bullet pushed by small amounts of Unique, Red Dot, or such for good results under 1000 fps.  I recently did just that with a 10" 256 Win Mag  barrel which is a hoot to shoot.  It won't knock down much of a steel plate, but it makes a nice ping.
 
I am not familiar with the 7 TCU. What is the parent brass?  What is you favorite method of blowing it out?  Will there still be enough material at the mouth to bell the case slightly to facilitate loading cast?
 
Thanks,
Bill

[spinafish]

Its parent case is the .223.  You run the commerical .223 brass through the sizing die..load, then fireform.Its little brothers are the 6mmTCU, the 6.5 TCU and the .257 TCU (rarely seen these days).  From what I have read it does well with cast bullets. Its very similiar in performance with the 7-30 Waters..its performs just as well or better in shorter barrels(10-12") than the 7-30, the 7-30 gets in the nod in longer barrels.  Sounds like a deal..run with it and if you don't like it..post it on the GB classifieds and get your money back. I have a 6.5 TCU that is very accurate.

[spinafish]

http://shootingwithhobie.blogspot.com/2010/01/7mm-thompson-center-ugalde-tcu.html  here is some more info..Midsouth Shooters Supply has a Lee mold that is call a 7mm Soupcan that I have heard good reports from when used in the 7mmTCU.

[Elwood]

My "favorite" method of blowing out 7mm TCU brass is shooting cast bullets. I have had good results with the Lee 130 grain RN. and 2400. There used to be alot of silhouette shooters who used cast in their 7mm TCUs so there are a lot of information to be had in this combination. Remember to anneal your brass before opening those necks out to 7mm. Yes there is plenty of material to bell the mouth.

[streak]

Walkswithsticks,
Go to " The Frugal Outdoorsman" website and Junior Doughty has a great article on shooting the 7TCU and reloads for a TC 10" barrel! Good info and interesting
article.

[Three44s]

Like Rych-a-here:




http://www.castbullet.com/shooting/7tcu2.htm




Enjoy!!




Three 44s

[Junior1942]

Like Rych-a-here:




http://www.castbullet.com/shooting/7tcu2.htm




Enjoy!!




Three 44s

Now that deer season is over here in north Louisiana, it's time to try that 7mm Soupcan on a hog or a coyote. 

[stubshaft]

I shot the TCU for many years when I was shooting silly wett.  It is one of the most economical cartridges and efficient to shoot.  Brass is next to nothing since you can use 223 brass.  In order to form it I just run it through the expander die (22 to 7mm) in one pass then load it with a full power load and shoot it.  My favorite bullet was the 145gr RCBS.

[Ladobe]

Yep, with the TC/U's (like a lot of wildcats) just expand the neck, load and go shooting.   Will be so close to the same accuracy as after it's fireformed that you probably won't notice the difference.   Those I had in 10" were great for IHMSA, those that were custom 15" were the same for predator hunting.
 
If I had kept the 15" 30TCU I wouldn't have wasted so much time and effort trying to get a 30 Merrill for my Contenders.