I have an XP chambered in 7 TCU that is getting long in the throat and I don't like to shake the gun to keep the bullet tip from hitting the back of the chamber while loading during a match. I was thinking about having the current chamber reamed out to something larger and then switching to a 308 size Model 7 bolt. I know the current chamber is shorted than a 7 BR and could have it reamed to 7 INT but was wondering if there was some in between 7mm cartridge. I have had several 7 INT guns in the past so wouldn't mind going that route but also like the smaller 7 BR to save powder and get same results. An in between cartridge would clean up my old chamber. What was the 7 Laser? Might still be too short if it was based upon the 7 BR. Any ideas?

As of 1807 on 9/12/18
I guess I should have looked in my load manual to see the case dimensions of the 7 TCU to see what was needed to clean up the chamber. Next best cartridge is the 7 IHMSA.
Guess that is what I will plan for over the winter. I like the 7 IHMSA so it will allow me to keep my current barrel with just a rechamber job.

If it's going to involve a gunsmith, why don't you just have a new 7TCU chamber cut on your old barrel? Gunsmith unscrews barrel, reams chamber a bit deeper (maybe .100"), cuts off an equal amount of threads, headspaces your barrel back into the action. I think that's fairly common among benchrest guys who don't want to toss a good barrel just because the breech end rifling is getting a little worn. You keep all your brass, dies, bolt, etc.

Rich, Actually I'm thinking of just having a smith ream out the chamber to 7 INT. That will clean up the TCU chamber and maybe make a nice clean throat too. When loading the TCU at matches about 1/2 the time the bullet nose will hit the back of the chamber while loading and I have to shake the gun to get the nose to go into the TCU chamber. Also tried to use fingers to push cartridge into TCU chamber and that works about 1/2 the time. Going to the 7 INT will make the chamber much bigger and cartridges should slide in with no resistance. Just getting picky in my old age!!!!!

Ken Waters' brainchild the 7-30 Waters

Preferred 7-30 loads in 10" barrel?

130 gr. bullet + 33.0 gr. IMR 4064 = 2200 FPS
consider a super 14 Bbl for +100 FPS
interesting read:
10" - http://www.castbullet.com/shooting/7tcu2.htm
14" - http://www.castbullet.com/shooting/7tcu.htm
in my opinion, more shooters have been lured to the contender by witnessing the performance of the 7-30 Waters cartridge in a handgun than any other cartridge.
Thank you, sir

Since you have an XP. Why not try the 7-08?

The 7/08 would make an excellent choice. I've been shooting mine for almost 8 years now. It is a tac driver, to say the least. I use a reduced load to manage recoil and I think that you might find that this would work very well for you.

7mm Super Bower
http://www.retro.co.za/gundex/articles/ ... curacy.pdf

One sweet shooter!
Surprisingly mild pressures as indicated by spent primers and manageable recoil using the rifle platform