7mm STW loads

boomer68 · Jul 18, 2009

Just picked up a Winchester M70 Laredo in this caliber and looking for some load suggestions. I am thinking of trying the 160gr AB first. I have Retumbo, H1000, RL25, RL22, H4831 and 7828ssc.

DrMike · Jul 19, 2009

My hunting partner packs a 7mm STW with him. He uses 160 gr AB exclusively, and has taken moose, elk and mule deer with the round. It it very effective and well-behaved for the hand-loader. A maximum charge of H1000 would be just the ticket for this bullet. I think you'll love the cartridge.

rumshooter · Jul 19, 2009

congrats boomer, I think you will enjoy the STW as it is relatively simple to load for and quite forgiving. I have been shooting the STW for 11 years now and have never looked back as it is very versitle. It will shoot most bullets accurately enough for hunting but I was a little distraught over the 1-1/4 to 1 1/2 groups, at best. I picked up a box of 168 gr. VLD's and the first load shot went down to almost 3/4" @ 3014 fps avg for 10 shots. The load is 77 gr. of H1000, Fed 215M primers, Remington brass, but the COL is undefined as I began working on that when it was learned that the cartridges would not fit into the magazine. During the work up period the scope began losing its ability to track properly and hold its zero. This cartridge will effectively shoot any of the powders you listed here. The only caveat is that I did not get the opertunity to assess bullet perfomance on the elk, however, JD's milk jug test is intriguing enough to make me want to try it.

nomosendero · Jul 19, 2009

A gunsmith I know in North Central AR. has built alot of STW's, the round caught on with the locals & has a near cult following. Almost to a man they use H1000, I thought that was noteworthy. Most of those boys though use 140's.

Antelope_Sniper · Jul 19, 2009

I use the 160's with surplus powder. the guys at my range that use canister powder also like H1000 for the STW.

nodak7mm · Jul 19, 2009

I run 168 SMKs with RL25 with decent results, I can do an inch group with a stock sendero. A friend swears by H1000 in his and I have been meaning get a tin and get serious with that..

Another project in the wings....

Rod