7mm RM/STW Loads w/ 168 Bergers

wildcat338 · #1 10-04-2007, 04:34 AM

Well I just picked up a box of Berger 168gr Match VLD's today and wanted to try them out in my 7mm Rem Mag and 7mm STW.

But the STW has a 1-12 Twist and the info on the Berger box say's 1-10 or faster so im thinking they wont work. But I just figure I'd put it out there for those of you who have much more experience then I with these bullets.

So I was just wondering if anyone had loads that I could try or point me in the right direction in getting some.

I tried the search function but I think im missing something because I cant get anything to show up. It just keeps telling me that " No matches found"

Any and all info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!!

shootinfool · #2 10-04-2007, 06:32 PM

The berger bullets have a "Recomendation" on them that say what twist works best. This is only a recomendation, it may be right, it may be wrong. I use these for my 7 mag and have had awsome results with them. My average shot group is .436(to date) and some as low as .302. I use the 7828ssc with 64.9 grains. I set my bullets about .004 into the lands and grooves of the barrel. This will work great if your gun has had smith work and been trued up. If not you may find better accuracy with a little bit of jump to the lands and grooves. This makes the overall length of the bullet very long and it may not fit in your mag, so that will need to be checked. I have also been told that the retumbo powder is a good one to use and is a favorite of the 7 mag shooters. The berger bullets may require a little more tweeking to find the sweet spot but it is well worth it. I do have some load data on all of the different powders, and if you want, you can shoot me a pm with the specific powder and I can send you back the info. I wish berger would hurry and get a load book out, but they say it is still in the works. If you send me your personal e-mail I can copy and paste it and send you all of the data that I have. Always willing to help and hear of others experience with these awsome bullets. Let me know how it goes.

wildcat338 · #3 10-04-2007, 09:39 PM

Shootinfool- PM Sent!!! Thanks!!!

johnnyk · #4 10-05-2007, 12:11 AM

I haven't tried the 168's yet, but they're in the mail...ordered them on the 1st...I have some IMR7828 I'm gonna try underneath "em and see what they'll do....JohnnyK.

linksmechanic · #5 10-05-2007, 12:43 AM

I shoot the 180's in a bone stock sendero sfII in 7rm that shoot's in the .2's all day long. By far the most consistent and accurate bullet I have ever used. I used 68.3 grains of retumbo, nosler brass, fed 215m primers. Bullet is seated lightly into the lands. The 180 is incredible. Carries alot of energy and velocity way out there. I would listen to bergers reccomendation on twist rates as there bullets have extremely long bearing surfaces as compared to other bullets in the same weight class. However you should not have much problems stabilizing the 168 in the stw especially w/ the velocity you will be getting. My 7rm has 9 1/4 twist and it stabilizes the 180s awsome so keep that in mind for your rm because it has a higher bc than the 168. Also my load is .3 grains over max so keep that in mind.

Sendero_Man · #6 10-05-2007, 02:37 PM

posted this pic before, but here is my 7mm Sendero with 71 grains Retumbo, 168 VLD. COL is 3.484, Win. brass and CCI LR mag primers.

wildcat338 · #7 10-06-2007, 12:16 AM

Hey Guys,

Thanks alot for all your help and recommendations its greatly appreciated.

Sendero Man- Please pardon my ignorance but your load data states you used a "CCI long range mag primer" is this a new primer ive never heard of it. Or did you mean "large rifle mag primer" I personally like the first one myself

Thanks Again everyone,

Dave