STW update

[Elkman]

As I left the range (my back yard) after shooting I was thinking about my past experiences with developing semi-accurate loads for a particular rifle. Sometimes they come easy, as has been posted here. Other times they are harder. Easiest one was my .300 Win Mag the first load of 70 gr. of 4350 shot under 1/2 inch and when I moved up a few grains it stayed there. That was 41 years ago. My smallest 3 shot group I believe is around .280, it continues to do well each and every year. I have been finalizing loads in the STW and have a little bit to go but I thought my findings so far would be interesting to share. This rifle has to be one of the most picky on the planet. It has always shot the 160 TSX ( best at .281) well, but because I have not been satisified with its stellar performance on game I have been shopping around for a replacement. I started with the 160 AB and then this fall started testing the 175 PT. I fired a 4 shot (I think I am forgetting to breath between the 4th and fifth shot) group today that measured .360, 3 of these shots went into the same hole. This was with 77 gr of H-1000 and Nosler case. I have numerous 3 shot 1" groups with the H-1000 and the 175 but 77 is the magic number. Now if I use H-1000 behind the 160 AB I can get tiny little 2.5 to 3 inch groups. But change over to 72 grains of RL-19 in the Nosler case and those groups reduce in size to 1" and the best so far is .426. The really interesting part is that the 175 grain PT's hit 1 inch higher than do the 160's. As I said I still need to determine if the 160 grain load shoots better in a Remington or Nosler case, and the same with the TSX load however I might save a little money and trade the TSX's away for more PT's. All groups were shot at 118 yards and converted to 100 yards and CCI 250 primers were used after no difference in group size was found using Hornady match magnum primers. AOL for all Nosler bullets is 3.640
I thought this might interest some of you !!!!

 

[Kodiak]

This is the kinds stuff I live for :grin: :grin:


Thanks, Jim

 

[FOTIS]

That is good stuff to know.

Some combinations just plain work.

 

[gerry]

Glad it's working out for you. It is hard to imagine better long range moose/elk medicne than a 175 gr Pt @ 3000+ fps. To me the 7mm STW makes the most sense with a 160 gr or heavier bullet anyway. Had a chance once at a new Rem 700 KS lefty at a decent price, should have bought it.

 

[jmad_81]

There must be something in the air this fall, I have a STW that is about to be done here in the next few weeks. I also am looking at shooting the 160 AB. I have read that a lot of guys are having good luck with 7828, H1000, and Retumbo.

How long of a barrel does yours have, and what kind of speeds are you getting?

 

[SJB358]

Great shooting Bill. That 7STW just might be ready for next Fall... Sure would hate to see that danged old 300 Win Mag replaced though! :lol:

 

[DrMike]

The 7 STW is a great cartridge. My hunting partner has taken quite a few head of game (moose, elk, mule deer, whitetail and grizzly) with this cartridge. I've worked up loads for a surprising number of rifles chambered in 7 STW. 160 grain ABs have always performed well for me, but I'd surely be happy if it were my rifle and I was using 175 grain PTs. Sounds as if you are doing very well with this rifle, Bill.

 

[SJB358]

I like those 175 PTs. I kinda hope they shoot well outta my old 7RM. After I get it restocked and scoped it should be another go to rifle again. It shoots 160's and 175s pretty well, just never tried the 175 PT in it. Scotty

 

[Elkman]

I believe that the process also took to long because of my bull head attempt to find a load using H-1000. My most accurate loads with the TSX were with it and I was determined to find a load using it for the AB's. That of course did not work nor did H-4831, RL-22, H-4350. I did not by a lb. of RL-19 or the Nosler cases until late this summer. (scotty kept on me about the RL-Powders) I used all of those powders and three different primers and two different cases. I also found that the 162 gr Hornady and the AB shoot at the same 100 yard point of aim in this rifle. That will reduce the practice costs a little. I also replaced the tupperware stock a few weeks ago and she now sports a H-S precision, with the alumimum bedding. All in all quite a learning experience for an old man and I hope someone here can also get something out of it.! I almost sold that rifle twice. I have orderd more Nosler cases and 175 PT's as I have almost used all of my earlier purchase in testing. I really do think that I have a great elk load and I am much more comfortable with the AB and PT than the other choices. Thanks all for the comments

 

[Kodiak]

I believe that the process also took to long because of my bull head attempt to find a load using H-1000. My most accurate loads with the TSX were with it and I was determined to find a load using it for the AB's. That of course did not work nor did H-4831, RL-22, H-4350. I did not by a lb. of RL-19 or the Nosler cases until late this summer. (scotty kept on me about the RL-Powders) I used all of those powders and three different primers and two different cases. I also found that the 162 gr Hornady and the AB shoot at the same 100 yard point of aim in this rifle. That will reduce the practice costs a little. I also replaced the tupperware stock a few weeks ago and she now sports a H-S precision, with the alumimum bedding. All in all quite a learning experience for an old man and I hope someone here can also get something out of it.! I almost sold that rifle twice. I have orderd more Nosler cases and 175 PT's as I have almost used all of my earlier purchase in testing. I really do think that I have a great elk load and I am much more comfortable with the AB and PT than the other choices. Thanks all for the comments

What is it I always say? oh yeah,

NOSLERS; REAL . ACCURATE . BULLETS

 

[Ridge_Runner]

my stw likes 140's in front of H-1000, 86 gr. for 3550 fps
for the 160 AccuBond 95 gr of wc872 for 3340 fps
These are stout loads
I like the wc872 though its temp sensative the barrel doesn't heat up nearly as fast as with the H-1000 loads.
RR

 

[SJB358]

my stw likes 140's in front of H-1000, 86 gr. for 3550 fps
for the 160 AccuBond 95 gr of wc872 for 3340 fps
These are stout loads
I like the wc872 though its temp sensative the barrel doesn't heat up nearly as fast as with the H-1000 loads.
RR

Is WC872 the same thing as H870? Scotty

 

[Ridge_Runner]

my stw likes 140's in front of H-1000, 86 gr. for 3550 fps
for the 160 AccuBond 95 gr of wc872 for 3340 fps
These are stout loads
I like the wc872 though its temp sensative the barrel doesn't heat up nearly as fast as with the H-1000 loads.
RR

Is WC872 the same thing as H870? Scotty

not quite, you start with H870 data and work up to max, its the powder used in the 20MM vulcan cannon.
RR

 

[SJB358]

my stw likes 140's in front of H-1000, 86 gr. for 3550 fps
for the 160 AccuBond 95 gr of wc872 for 3340 fps
These are stout loads
I like the wc872 though its temp sensative the barrel doesn't heat up nearly as fast as with the H-1000 loads.
RR

Is WC872 the same thing as H870? Scotty

not quite, you start with H870 data and work up to max, its the powder used in the 20MM vulcan cannon.
RR

Roger, makes sense. Scotty

 

[Elkman]

I have a couple of targets to share which show how powder/bullet/case combinations can make or break a load . These are from the STW, all were shot with the 160 grain PT, with Nosler cases. The left one shows a load of 81 gr. H-1000. The top right one is with 71 grains of RL-19, and the lower right is with 71 gr. of Rl-19

View attachment DSCN2701.JPG

These are all shot with the 175 PT The left one shows a load of 76 gr of H-1000, top right is 71 gr. of RL-19 and the bottom right is also 77 gr of H-1000. The bottom right is a 4 shot group. My range is 118 yards for topography reasons so group size is adjusted to 100 yards.

The rifle loves RL-19 using the 160 AB, but will not shoot the 175 Pt, it likes H-1000 for the PT. The smallest group I have ever shot was with the 160 TSX, using H-1000.

As you can see I use top quality components for targets. I will clean up my act a little, now that I can post pictures.


View attachment DSCN2700.JPG

 

[jmad_81]

Those are some pretty dang nice groups! Should put the hurt on something.

 

[DrMike]

Fascinating results, Bill. The 175 Partition still packs quite a wallop when launched at the velocities you are seeing with your STW. My hunting partner shoots 160 grain ABs exclusively, and he has definitely put the hurt on quite a variety of big game. The 7STW is an impressive round, made all the more impressive with a quality bullet.