6.5mm TCU

6.5mm TCU

Historical Notes:

Designed by Wes Ugalde for use in his Thompson Center Contender. This cartridge was initially developed for use in Metallic Silhouette Competition but has found considerable success as a varmint handgun chambering.

General Comments:

The 6.5mm TCU is easily converted from commercial 223 cases by simply running a tapered expander through the case neck. Fireforming is accomplished with a slightly reduced load. The finished case is exactly reminiscent of the Ackley line of Improved cartridges and features just about the same body taper and exactly the same shoulder angle. Due to the larger neck diameter, compared to the parent case, case neck length is increased and provides adequate purchase to properly secure the larger, longer bullets. Silhouette shooters have found that this cartridge is marginal for topping the distant ram target; some hits do not result in a felled target. For this reason popularity has been limited in that sport. The 6.5mm TCU does, however, provide excellent varmint results with comparatively mild recoil. Many good bullets are available for that purpose.

Source: Cartridges of the World

6.5mm TCU Reloading Data
Bullet (grs.)	Powder / (grs.)	MV	ME	Source
85 Sierra	A2015BR / 28.0	2577	1250	Accurate (14" barrel)
100 Sierra	A2230 / 28.0	2402	1280	Accurate (14" barrel)
100 Hornady SP	RL-7 / 24.6	2200	1075	Hornady (10" barrel)
100 Hornady SP	H322 / 28.0	2200	1075	Hornady (10" barrel)
120 Sierra	A2520 / 28.0	2198	1285	Accurate (14" barrel)
129 Hornady SP	W748 / 29.5	2050	1545	Hornady (10" barrel)
140 Hornady HPBT	A2520 / 26.5	2075	1335	Accurate (14" barrel)
140 Hornady SP/HPBT	IMR-3031 / 25.1	1950	1180	Hornady (10" barrel)
140 Hornady SP/HPBT	W748 / 28.0	1950	1180	Hornady (10" barrel)
160 Hornady RN	A2520 / 26.5	1952	1350	Accurate (14" barrel)
100 Hornady	W296 / 11.0	1600	565	Hornady

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