300 STW ? anybody done or use one?

[pyroducksx3]

So I am just thinking here, I'm trying to figure out my build. I'm looking at hunting deer/elk/bear out to 1000. I want to keep the 1500 ft lbs at that range. Originally I was on the 338 rum/ edge but I have decided that those are way more power than I need/want. I then started looking at the 300 rum and 230 bergers, I really like this idea but still wonder if it's the best for me. I'm torn between the 300 rum and a 7 stw using 180 bergers, the 7 gets me there over the 1500 lbs and most of my shooting will be 600 and under but I kinda like the extra the 300 rum has. Then a crazy idea a 300 STW using either the 210 or 230 bergers. Does anybody have any thoughts, experience with this?

 

[Fiftydriver]

Its basically the 300 Jarrett. Good round but with the 300 RUM out there and as well as it works, I see no reason to go with the wildcat and there are ALOT of reasons to go with the RUM.

-More case capacity if wanted
-Do not have to load to red line pressures to get high performance
-Better with the heaviest bullet weights
-No belt to get in the way of a zero headspace set up
-Brass is easier to get for the RUM


I would just do the RUM.

 

[pyroducksx3]

Well I may have quickly answered my own question. I ran everything through my ballistic program and it falls closer to the 7 stw than the 300 rum. I think with the difficulty of wildcatting (not that it's a lot) I'd be better off with one or the other. Looks like it's gets me about 125+ lbs than the 7 STW but more drop and negligible sacrifice in wind correction, figured using 2850 fps with the 230 bergers G1 .711. This still might be an option as I was thinking the 7 would more fun to shoot, less recoil, and the 300 rum being more than enough gun for anything I want to do and the 300 Stw and good balance. It looks the 7 may be the best fit but I am still impresses by the ultra mag and also like the idea of a wildcat. I know I'll probably get some suggestion for the 7 rum, for some reason I'm hesitant but haven't counted that out either.

 

[pyroducksx3]

Kirby, you must have posted while I was replying to myself. I agree so would that same advise lean you away from the 7 stw and toward the 7 or 300 rum? I think I still like the 7 stw vs the rum because it appears to be more efficient. Looks like using 10+ grains more powder the rum only get slightly more velocity like 50-100 fps at most, with factors being the same.

 

[Fiftydriver]

I like the 7mm STW but there are a couple things to consider here. 1. For some reason brass can dry up and be **** near impossible to find for the 7mmSTW at times. I believe it is not long for the standard production list. I think it will always be made in a "seasonal run" but its becoming a dead stick. I think Remington bought the rights to the 7mm STW just to kill it to get ready for the release of the 7mm RUM. Just my opinion.

2. From a rifle builders stand point, the beltless case design is far superior. The reason is because the belted magnum cases have a wide range of belt thicknesses. This variation eliminates the possibility to fit the chamber as tightly as you would on say the RUM. The thin shoulder on the rum can easily be set back a thou or two for easy chambering, the solid belt on the STW cannot be moved and if it contacts the barrel solidly, you will get accuracy issues.

I had serious problems with the first couple STW rifles I built many years ago. Set them up, they shot great, send them to their customers and got calls back that their brass would not chamber. Seems from brand to brand and even lot to lot, headspace specs on the belted magnums can be up to 15 thou different which means if you set a barrel up for the shorter headspace, the longer brass will not even chamber!!!

Not a huge issue, you just chamber the rifles relatively loose by an accuracy minded smiths standards and then once you fireform your brass you then transfer headspace chores to the shoulder. Still, its just a bother which is not there with the 300 RUM.

Between the 7mm and 300 RUM. I would probably go with the 300 simply for longer barrel life. The 7mm RUM is a great chambering but its in the velocity range that the very best LR bullets may start to have problems with accuracy at its velocity potential. With the 160 gr Accubond, its full velocity with no problems but the 300 is better suited for heavier game because of its larger diameter and heavier bullets, plus longer barrel life. While I LOVE the big 7mms (obviously with my 7mm AM), I would probably still recommend the 300 RUM to you.

 

[pyroducksx3]

Well for Some reason I am in love with 300 RUM and was just looking for an excuse to overlook the practicality and the "appearance" of just the right balance of the 7 STW. I don't think there is a better excuse than than a recommendation from you. And thank you from the advise from a gun builders standpoint/experience. All I was looking at was pure ballistics and I wasn't aware of these other factors you brought up. Thank you again for the education

 

[Fiftydriver]

If you look at the balance of bore diameter and capacity, the 7mm STW and the 300 RUM are very similiar. Both are very easy to load for, not overly finicky either. Both work best with heavier bullet weights, both will have similiar barrel life.

Ballistically, they are similiar. When each drives bullets of similiar sectional density, they will both produce similiar velocity results.

where the 300 stands alone is terminally, the heavier, larger diameter bullets just have more authority on big game at longer ranges then the 7mm. If your only hunting deer, this is a moot point, either would be PLENTY for your needs, but if you plan on shooting past 1000 yards or hunt elk past 800 yards, the 300 will give you an advantage if your shot lands a bit on the fringes of the vitals.

 

[pyroducksx3]

I agree with you and the majority of the hunting with this rifle will be deer. However I do get out about every other year to hunt elk and am looking to do more of it. The other reasons you brought up are very appropriate as well, brass and chambers. My biggest reason for looking at the 7 stw w/ 180's vs the 300 rum w/ 230 was recoil but I'm guessing between both of these being braked properly there might not be much of a noticeable difference between the two (?)

 

[Dano1]

I just picked up a rediculously good deal on a old Custom 7 STW on a old Remington 700 action. It has a 28" (w-brake) Sendero contour barrel. While it isn't Kirby's Painkiller Brake, it is a Vias. I am in the Load development stage with this one and Shooting the 180g Bergers, this rifle has no recoil. I've shot both Braked and Brake-less .300 Ultras and the Brake is a welcome relief to the recoil, especially in a sporter tapered bbl.

I am working with the 180g bergers and accuracy so far is right around an inch. Thats with seating so I can extract a loaded case out of the action with out pulling the bolt. I need to seat closer this next go around.

Dan

 

[Lyons7STW]

As biased as I am, I bow to the wisdom of Kirby. I don't think the stw would disapoint though. Gotta love this stage of a build when the options are open! Makes me wanna start a new one.

 

[baldhunter]

Should be about the same as a 300 Weatherby.

 

[Fiftydriver]

There is no bad choice between these two. For heavier game, the 300 is better but the 7mm is adequate as long as you know its limits. Its not like the 300 is HEAD and SHOULDERS above the 7mm STW in performance but it is a noticable step up in terminal performance.

Recoil wise.....

With a good brake, it will not be an issue with either of these. IF your going without a brake, the 7mm will certainly be much more comfortable to shoot.

Barrel life, they would be nearly identical and would really depend more on how the rifle is used them what its chambered for.

 

[Trickymissfit]

So I am just thinking here, I'm trying to figure out my build. I'm looking at hunting deer/elk/bear out to 1000. I want to keep the 1500 ft lbs at that range. Originally I was on the 338 rum/ edge but I have decided that those are way more power than I need/want. I then started looking at the 300 rum and 230 bergers, I really like this idea but still wonder if it's the best for me. I'm torn between the 300 rum and a 7 stw using 180 bergers, the 7 gets me there over the 1500 lbs and most of my shooting will be 600 and under but I kinda like the extra the 300 rum has. Then a crazy idea a 300 STW using either the 210 or 230 bergers. Does anybody have any thoughts, experience with this?

a .300 Jarrette is pretty much the samething as a .300 Ackley, and both are pretty much the samething as a .300 Weatherby without the double radius shoulders. For a hunting rifle, I'd go with the Weatherby everytime. But for long range paper punching, I'd go with the .300 Ackley.
gary

 

[pyroducksx3]

There is no bad choice between these two. For heavier game, the 300 is better but the 7mm is adequate as long as you know its limits. Its not like the 300 is HEAD and SHOULDERS above the 7mm STW in performance but it is a noticable step up in terminal performance.

Recoil wise.....

With a good brake, it will not be an issue with either of these. IF your going without a brake, the 7mm will certainly be much more comfortable to shoot.

Barrel life, they would be nearly identical and would really depend more on how the rifle is used them what its chambered for.

I like the points you brought up about the brass with the 7 stw and having to build it with a loose chamber. I am not completely decided yet but am leaning toward the 300 rum, I have always liked the lapua and still entertain some thoughts of doing a 300-338 lapua improved but Im not sure I would really see benifit with it over the 300 rum? Either way this rifle will have a muzzlebreak. Looking at the painkiller, musclebreak, or DE break. All shooting will be hunt scenario based. So slow fire letting the barrel cool stuff like that. I have heard of some off the longrange rifle hunting/tactical matching starting now and am interested in them, maybe will try to do a couple.