7 nm STW loads

Gilly · #1 07-07-2018, 02:25 PM

I’ve worked up a load with the 140 grain nosler ballistic tips and it shoots great however I wanna take this rig for an upcoming elk hunt and I don’t think that bullet is upto the task. The nosler accubond seems to be the same bc and sd. Would a simple switch to this bullet be the answer for elk ? I also have some 139grain hornady interlocks which I don’t think will hold together as well either. It shoots the ballistic tips into .3 if inch and I hate to switch but I feel I need something a little stouter for elk. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with these mentioned bullets on elk ? Will they fail on shoulder shots is the big concern. Or should I be looking towards heavier 160 -175 grainers for elk in this cartridge? Any andvice or load from the STW Owners is appreciated.

Thanks

Gilly

DiabeticKripple · #2 07-07-2018, 02:27 PM

I would think the 140’s would be great for elk, especially at STW velocities.

MountainTi · #3 07-07-2018, 02:42 PM

There is no way I would consider using a ballistic tip on an elk, especially at those speeds.
In a 7mm stw, and for elk, a 160 partition would be more than suitable

elkhunter11 · #4 07-07-2018, 02:51 PM

I have been shooting the 7mmstw for over 30 years, and I have taken several dozen big game animals with the cartridge. While the 140gr Ballistic Tip and Accubond work great for deer sized game, the 140-150gr TTSX is my favorite bullet for this cartridge, and it is now the only bullet that I load for my current rifle. All of my 7mmstw rifles shoot the TTSX accurately, and it expands well at 7mmstw velocity, and it smashes through bone.

YYC338 · #5 07-07-2018, 06:22 PM

My vote would be for the 150gr TTSX. Hard to beat at those velocities if your rifle shoots them well.

Powder monkey · #6 07-07-2018, 09:35 PM

If it were me I would go up to a 160 accubond. I haven't shot one with these bullets myself but they just simply crumple elk at "normal ranges.
Also,the ones that I know work are 180 bergers,and 175 game kings.

Salavee · #7 07-07-2018, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powder monkey

If it were me I would go up to a 160 accubond. I haven't shot one with these bullets myself but they just simply crumple elk at "normal ranges.
Also,the ones that I know work are 180 bergers,and 175 game kings.

I used a 7 STW exclusively for 15 or so years and can certainly vouch for a 160 Accubond. They did it all.

58thecat · #8 07-08-2018, 08:13 AM

When I had mine I ran 140gr Barnes X....other conventional bullets acted like a varmint bullet especially if I touched bone....man that thing sure burnt the powder....a beauty mule deer ran up a coulee out into a butte 200 yards...touched off a Texas heart shot....the little pill ran the entire length of the deer and exited out the shoulder...when I found him in the scope he was piled up...what a beauty of a buck

Good luck load developing...range time was felt the next day

elkhunter11 · #9 07-08-2018, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 58thecat

When I had mine I ran 140gr Barnes X....other conventional bullets acted like a varmint bullet especially if I touched bone....man that thing sure burnt the powder....a beauty mule deer ran up a coulee out into a butte 200 yards...touched off a Texas heart shot....the little pill ran the entire length of the deer and exited out the shoulder...when I found him in the scope he was piled up...what a beauty of a buck

Good luck load developing...range time was felt the next day

What rifle did you own? I find all of my 7mmstw rifles pleasant to shoot, but all have McMillan stocks with Decellerator pads.

Jayhad · #10 07-08-2018, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

What rifle did you own? I find all of my 7mmstw rifles pleasant to shoot, but all have McMillan stocks with Decellerator pads.

I had a Remington factory 7mm STW Sendero in the late 90's when Remington was dipping their toes in the calibre. It was unmanageable, I didn't have a brake on it but it was mind numbing to shoot after 3 shoots. I had many try and after a round or two they responded with no thanks.

I now have a 7mm STW custom build in an MDT Chassis with a ATRS brake and this thing recoils less than my 7mm08. I can drop 60 rounds out of this one no problem,

elkhunter11 · #11 07-08-2018, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayhad

I had a Remington factory 7mm STW Sendero in the late 90's when Remington was dipping their toes in the calibre. It was unmanageable, I didn't have a brake on it but it was mind numbing to shoot after 3 shoots. I had many try and after a round or two they responded with no thanks.

I now have a 7mm STW custom build in an MDT Chassis with a ATRS brake and this thing recoils less than my 7mm08. I can drop 60 rounds out of this one no problem,

A Sendero unmanageable? Mind numbing? You must be very recoil sensitive if a heavy rifle like a Sendero bothers you that much in 7mmstw.

YYC338 · #12 07-08-2018, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

A Sendero unmanageable? Mind numbing? You must be very recoil sensitive if a heavy rifle like a Sendero bothers you that much in 7mmstw.

The parent cartridge - 8mm Remington Mag, had a bad reputation for recoil when it was introduced. Nowadays with stout handloads, proper stock design and quality recoil pads, it's not too bad to shoot.

elkhunter11 · #13 07-08-2018, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YYC338

The parent cartridge - 8mm Remington Mag, had a bad reputation for recoil when it was introduced. Nowadays with stout handloads, proper stock design and quality recoil pads, it's not too bad to shoot.

I owned an 8mmremmag, definitely more recoil, and my 338x8mm remmag a bit more yet, but the 7mmstw, is not in their class recoil wise. The 7mmstw with 140-150gr bullets is comparable to a 300winmag shooting 150- 165gr bullets recoil wise. I actually gave up on the 300RUM, and went back to the 7mmstw, because it produces so much less recoil.

Gilly · #14 07-08-2018, 11:58 AM

Anyone ever try the 160 grain federal premium trophy bonded tip loads?

elkhunter11 · #15 07-08-2018, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilly

Anyone ever try the 160 grain federal premium trophy bonded tip loads?

With a muzzle velocity of only 3100fps, why shoot a 7mmstw? I can get that velocity with a 7mmremmag.

newdrenalin · #16 07-08-2018, 12:43 PM

I have a custom 7mm STW built on a Rem 700. Shoots 160gr Accubonds at 1/2" but I have yet to try it on game.

58thecat · #17 07-08-2018, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

What rifle did you own? I find all of my 7mmstw rifles pleasant to shoot, but all have McMillan stocks with Decellerator pads.

Mine was a custom built on a Winchester action, 26 inch barrel, no break dropped into a McMillan stock, I ran her hot and she bucked like a mule and after about 10 rounds down the pipe at the range I had enough, thank god she was accurate and only needed a few shots prior to season to verify point of impact. This was back in The 90's prior to the round getting commercialized.

Gilly · #18 07-08-2018, 01:33 PM

This one is custom pre 64 win all blueprinted and trued up with a new bobby hart barrel and a brake. Dropped into a custom stock with a new nightforce on it. The groups at 600 yards confirm this rifles capability. This was a late friends rifle for 25 years and he left me load data. I have other rifles that will thump elk to. But this one has sentiment.

Gilly

Gilly · #19 07-09-2018, 08:10 AM

Gonna go with the 160 accubonds in this one