I picked up a 7x30 Waters barrel today at a gun show. I have been looking over the Nosler section of my "Complete Reloading Guide" and it lists higher velosities with the 7mm TCU and a few less grains of powder. I knew the TCU was very efficient but I had no idea it would beat the larger case capacity of the Waters. This is looking at identical powder and barrel length. I all ready have a couple of TCUs so why did I buy the Waters?

What gives?

I like the Waters for the rimmed case. Never have looked into the T/CU's for that reason, but that surprises me.

Try different powders & maybe heavier bullets. I do not have a 7 TCU. I do not know the capability of that round. However, it is easy to get the 7-30 over 2400 with 120-125 gr bulets. I like the 7-30. I have had luck with 748.

The rim will be usefull in cold weather. Those little TCU cases can be tough to get a hold of. I did some more reading and the Waters and TCU run pretty even. The Waters may gain some ground with heavier bullets but from what I've read here most use a 120 grain.

My first 'Tender came with a .223 barrel and I really came to dislike it, extraction was a PITA. A rimmed case like the Waters will fall out on it's own if you tip the barrel up, unless you are running real hot. I use the Nosler Ballistic Tip 120's exclusively in the Waters, although the Hornady V-Max performs similarily, at handgun velocity, from what I've heard.

In 10" barrels they may be very close but in 14" the Waters will win the velocity race everytime. My 14" Waters will shoot 120gr VM's at 2500fps. The TCU w/ a 12" tube will go 2100-ish w/ the same 120's. The missing two inches from the TCU will not gain 400fps.

Looking at Nosler’s loading data for both of them using 14in tubes, they are pretty close. But IMHO, the 7-30 will still outperform the 7TCU just by a little. I think the 7-30 does better with heavier bullets but at the velocity you are looking at in a handgun I wouldn’t shoot anything over 139-140 and actually look really hard at Nosler’s 120 BT. I would say shoot the one that you can handle the best and go with it.

In a 14" with all things being equal the Waters should outrun the TCU.

Comparing Nosler's data with the 120 BT they are even. With RL #7 Nosler shows the TCU as being faster. I don't doubt the Waters can be loaded faster I was just shocked having never compared this data. Even if they are equal I will like the rim better. Nosler lists the fastest 120 grain bullet for the TCU at 2432 with RL #7. The fastest Nosler data for the Waters is 2475 with RL #12. That makes the Waters the clear winner at 43 fps faster.
I am sure they are both great and if this new barrel will shoot as well as my TCU I'll keep both.
I got the TCU for my daughter any ways, I just kind of fell in love with it.

I don’t doubt what your books state. LOL I must have a different edition. My book lists RL at 2432 fps and H332 (which was also the most accurate powder listed) at 2412 fps with the 120BT as the to performers out of the 7 TCU. Its next 5 powders are +/- 100 fps slower. With the 7-30 Waters and the 120 BT my books lists RL 12 at 2475 fps, AA2460 (which was also the most accurate powder listed) at 2443 fps, and N 135 at 2434 fps.

I know you have your book, but I thought you would like to see these as well. With all that being said, you also have to take under consideration what your barrel likes to be feed and I don’t think I have to tell you that. LOL I don’t think there is enough difference for any game animal to tell the difference. If I had my choice… I would be shooting the 7mmTCU!!!!!!!!!

Duane

TCMan I think we have the same book, the numbers are the same. I have tried the fast load with 322 and it was very accurate. I have been using the lightest load with RL 7 for my daughter it was best load in my gun but not by much several have can print one hole at 50 yards.
My daughter will not be using it this year as she will need more practice with a handgun. She will be using her .257 Roberts for another year.
I may take the little TCU out this season I have been shooting very well out to 200 yards with it, it shoots better than any of my rifles.

Hoo Yaa Elk... I think the 257 is a great round! Good luck to you daughter and you and we want to see pictures!!

BTW, from what I have been told my a couple of reps, the 7mm TCU is the most handloaded non production round in the US. They have considered making factory ammo for it but there are so many different applications for it they would have to come out with ½ dozen factory options.

Hhhmmm. Maybe 20 years ago when silhouette was super popular. I would have guessed the 6.5-284.

If you are comparing cartridges and the data shows that one is +/- 100fps from the other you may as well consider that nothing. Variations in barrel tolarances, twist rates, bullet bearing surface, powder lot, etc can EASILY make data swing 100fps.

But just looking at the basics of it with all other parts being equal...a cartridge with 35gr of capacity IS going to shoot a given projectile faster than one with 26gr of capacity. If you are handloading and thats not the case, you are either using the wrong propellant or running pressures way too high in the smaller case.

This principle appiles in all other cartridges that fit this small vs big situation.....308 vs 30-06, 30H vs 30-30, 6BR vs 243, etc.

This is not my data, it is listed in the Nosler manual.
I guess it depends on what the listed max pressure is for a given Cartridge.

Elk is right from his standpoint. RL 7, which I am guessing is his powder of choice, performs better in the TCU over the Waters. But with a 120 grain bullet, RL 7 doesn’t reach the full potential of the 7-30 Waters.

Elk, I would look at some other powders for the 7-30. It is hard to judge a rounds full potential and only look at one powder. To me that is like buying a 4X4 truck and not putting mud tires on it. LOL

I gerneraly find a load that looks good and try it. If it is OK I will stick with it to keep costs down I try to use powder that works in a few guns that way I have some on hand. In the case of the RL 7 I was looking for a mild load for my daughter and shot better than I could have hoped for. The drop at 200 yards is around 8 inches and I am sighted on at 100. I am not too worried about a few hundred feet a second. The H322 shot almost as well and is listed ~2400 fps but I loaded a bunch with RL 7 so that is what I will use.
I just got my dies in today for the Waters so I will be loading some for fireforming. I doubt I will get the Waters where I want it for for hunting season so I will be using the TCU and my FA 454.