I posted my idea over on Savage Shooters but have not had any replys as of yet so I wish to submit my idea here for your input.

I have been thinking of getting a barrel chambered for 7MM TCU for one of my 10FPs. On further considreation I have come to change my mind for several reasons to having it chambered to 7MM Bench Rest.

First I would like to get to a velocity level close to 2600 - 2650 with a Nosler 140gr BT.
I would also like to be able to seat the bullet to obtain maximum case volume for powder.
I also would like to have a very stable & consistant case with a small rifle primer.

The TCU I believe would come close to the target velocity but has its drawbacks shch as a very small shoulder that can make reloading difficult. Also to function in the magazine the bullet will intrude into available powder space.

The BR will equally be able to obtain the target velocity and possibly a slight bit more. With its legnth, long seating bullets will still leave room in the magazine. One of the big pluses to me is that this case can be made from 6MM BR cases made by Norma, Lapua and Remington. The Norma & Lapua cases use a small flash hole and the Remington uses a .080 flash hole. Most BR Shooters say that the small flash hole (.065) provides a more consistant ingition of the powder and the short/fat powder column is more consistant also.

I will also be using lighter bullets for varmints and the 140s will be used for deer in my neck of the country. They run small by my standards as I am used to the Northern Species of Whitetail in Minnesota, Wisconsin & Michigan. These run @ 75 - 100+# larger than here. My first in MN was 286# field dressed and my largest was in MI at 305# dressed for the luggage rack. Here my largest was 168# dressed and most that I've seen are about the same or smaller.

The barrel will start out at 24" and may be trimmed back to 20 - 22" as velocity is checked and will be of a medium heavy contour with a .750 muzzle diameter.

My questions to all of you are if you have had any dealings with a 7MM BR and what are your feelings on this project, Post em up, I'll be reading. Thanks for your time, Flint54

Mornin Flint54. Sounds like a well thought out project i don't know much about the 7mm br. If that round is gonna do what you want then go for it it's nice to have sumptn a little diferent than others. Sounds like you did your homework so you shouldn't have too many surprizes Good Luck lets us no what you decide.

Not trying to change your mind on a 7 bore, but you may want to take a serious look at the 30BR. It would fit your specs and be a very accurate little bugger to boot. I haven seen data with bullets over 125 grains, but I would guess 2600-2700 with 150s might be possible. So far its only a agg beachrest round, but like the 22/6BR, I'm sure it won't be long until someone starts using it in the field.
Making brass would be a wash (TCU - BR) no matter what brass you wanted to use. Neck'm up to 30, fireform and your done. I would assume you can have one chambered in a "No Turn Neck" like the 6BR Norma .271"-.272" if you wanted.
Short fat rounds can be a a bear getting them to feed from a mag. It can be done, but takes some work. Ask any early WSSM owners or I can tell you about a few 308 based rounds in the Ackley configuration.
Over the winter I might stick one together just for kicks to give me something else to play with.

30 BR info

Well, just a thought.........................

Bill

BillPa,

Thanks for the input, believe it or not the 30BR was also on my list but it lost out due to person preferances toward that 7MM bullets that I have used in the past along with the .308s as far as varmint shooting. The 308s were just not up to my standards in accuracy or trajectory at the sub 120 gr range. The results that I have had with 110 - 120 gr bullets in 7MM in my TCU have been awsome. Sub MOA with no trouble and excellent results out to 250+ yards and some over 300 the 308s were MOA but very finicky. Also with a short/fat case as I will be working with the 7MMs are a bit longer and will assist in getting the rounds to feed easier. (IMO) I have a Ruger #3 that I've been thinking of re-barreling and teh 30BR may be just the ticket for this one, I'd venture to guess that a 22" would be about ideal for this one. Thanks for the input, Flint54

Hello Flint54,

Your best bet for reloading dies may well be Redding. They make dies for most benchrest chamberings, such as the 7mmBR. I think I'd also post the exact same question on www.benchrest.com Those guys are mostly benchrest shooters and gunsmiths. You'll probably find a wealth of information there on this chambering. I don't think very many of us here are going to be much help. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal