7STW with 168 Bergers and 160 Fail Safes, WOW

[7stw]

I have been working on a Sako 75, in 7STW for about a month now. Well I revisited a load that I tried when I first got it. 79.6- n170- 168 VLD @3.700 with fed 215. Groups at 100 were .380, and at 200, they shot a .977 with a "flier" and a .746. I have not chronograghed this load yet. Additionally, I have a stash of 160 Fail Safes. I shot 9 of these yesterday using 81 grains N170. the coal was not as long as the VLD's were. They were at 3.558. Groups at 100 were in the 3's and 4's. The last three I shot at 200. That group was .823. This gun has a definite preference to 160 class bullets. My other STW's prefer 140's and better yet, 150's. Just wanted to pass along some info to the STW lovers. So far so good with this one. I swear, these things shoot better than the 7 RUM. ( hope I didn't ruffle any feathers) AIM SMALL, MISS SMALL. gun)7STW.

 

[Derek M.]

Where are you finding a supply of 7stw brass?

 

[ODAVID]

7sTW CCan you share the twist in your barrel??

I can buy 250 7 stw brass of $150.00 shipping included my source. or 60.00 for 100.

if you can find them run 8 mm rem mag brass as a second choice.

Odavid

 

[7stw]

Where are you finding a supply of 7stw brass?

Derek M, I just ran into a fellow around Christmas that sold me 3boxes of federal premium ammo with 150 bear claws, 2 boxes of A Square with 160 sierras, and another box of A Square ( Remington brass) with 150 Schiroccos. And I have a stash of brass that bought as factory ammo years ago that is Winchester. And last but not least, I have 1 box of brass that I formed from a partial box of 8 mag ammo bought at a gun show. All total, I think I have about 180 pieces of brass, some in ammo, and some once fired, or pulled bullets. I bought that ammo from that fellow for $125.00. He had recently sold the gun( Winchester Sharpshooter stainless) Two of the A Square boxes are headstamped A Square, and the other is headstamped R-P. So for now I have a" comfortable" supply of STW brass. I know where there is two boxes of Winchester factory, 160 fail safes, ( they have my name on them) Take care, shoot straight, AIM SMALL, MISS SMALL, gun) 7STW.

 

[7stw]

7sTW CCan you share the twist in your barrel??

I can buy 250 7 stw brass of $150.00 shipping included my source. or 60.00 for 100.

if you can find them run 8 mm rem mag brass as a second choice.

Odavid

I have not actually rodded the barrel and measured it, but I believe it is 1 in 9.
7STW.lightbulb

 

[ODAVID]

Thank you thse is very helpful advice. I cannot believe how many individuals post loads and recommendation not knowing what the twist is. If you load with the different twist you get rotten results. Mine is 1 in 9.5 and likes 160 bullets the best I am wanting to try 180s. 140s are not near as tight groups no matter what I do.

Thanks again
ODAVID

 

[7stw]

Thank you thse is very helpful advice. I cannot believe how many individuals post loads and recommendation not knowing what the twist is. If you load with the different twist you get rotten results. Mine is 1 in 9.5 and likes 160 bullets the best I am wanting to try 180s. 140s are not near as tight groups no matter what I do.

Thanks again
ODAVID

What make is yours? custom? On this Sako, it is listed as 1 in 9. My Remys are also the same. This one just plain likes the heavier bullets. That is fine by me because I have a love affair with those 168's. I have a 7 mag 700P that does things with that bullet that you would not believe unless you saw the targets. Life is good! AIM SMALL, MISS SMALL.gun) 7 STW

 

[ODAVID]

29" KREIGER 1-9.5 TWIST ON A RUGER #1 VARMIT CONTOUR with muzzle brake. MINE LIKES SLOW POWDERS and long bullets. Soon I will commence load developement again on some bergers VLD. Neighhood does not like it but they need a vacation anyway.

Keep aiming small
ODAVID

 

[7stw]

29" KREIGER 1-9.5 TWIST ON A RUGER #1 VARMIT CONTOUR with muzzle brake. MINE LIKES SLOW POWDERS and long bullets. Soon I will commence load developement again on some bergers VLD. Neighhood does not like it but they need a vacation anyway.

Keep aiming small
ODAVID

Two awesome choices, Kreiger, and 29 inches. That thing must scream. You probably would benefit with n170 as well. Retumbo too! I have been averting muzzle brakes. My 300 RUM sendero sometimes rattles me a little, but I think I have gotten used to it. But I know the day will come that in order for me to continue shooting flame throwers, I will have to invest in one. My STW's and lighter mags don't bother me at this point. The closest thing I have to a brake, is a BOSS on my .270 A-Bolt. It doesn't even need a brake, but I guess it is for tuning more than recoil. Enjoy that toy, it sound awesome, and in a awesome caliber too! AIM SMALL,MISS SMALL. lightbulb 7STW.

 

[Dano1]

7 STW,

I just finished puting my 7stw together, now I'm waiting on a good day to get it out to start shooting.

I'm still wanting to shoot the 180g Berger VLDs, just got a second box. Looks like I'm going to try US869 First as it looks the most promising.

Here's a photo of my long range hammer:



Dan

 

[ODAVID]

Dan, can you share some details on the hammer??? and load combinations you will start with as well as possible max loading data.

THANKS FOR SHARING
ODAVID

 

[Dano1]

You Bet!

I've already started loading the test loads. I don't have any details with me as to cartridge OAL, But Starting Loads are going to be 86g of US869 and Goiing up to 89g as a Prospective max. There isn't any Data for US869 and 180g Bergers. So I have to experiment on my own. Due to the Slow nature of it, I'm guessing that 88g (As Hodgdon's Max for a 175g Partition) may be conservative. We'll see.

I contacted Berger and Walt sent me some data. I'm Guessing that he was using Quick Load to extrapolate the data. Quickload may not have a Profile for US 869. Hodgdon does have some data as well for the 7STW and this propellant. I can forward the PDF File from Hodgdons and Walt's data as well if you want.

I'm shooting these bullets Single shot and seated out to the Lands. They look like little missles. I'll probablly develop a lighter load d I can use it as a repeater as well. But First things first.

I'll let you know how they shoot.

Dan

 

[Dano1]

OOPS,

Forgot the Hammer info. I'm not sure of the Builder or the Barrel Manufacturer. I found this rifle at a local gun shop in this configuration with the scope for $450.00. Here's the original set up. It came with a Brand new Harris Bi-pod as well.





It has a 1-9" Sendero Taper 27" bbl, plus the Vias Muzzle brake. It's a Remington 700 with a 5 digit serial number. According to Remington it is a 1st year 700 BDL and had the Cut out on the top of the rear bridge of the receiver like the 721 & 722. So the Action is 50yrs old this year. It's been fully accurized and has 100% contact on the lugs. Trigger has been worked over and is set at 3lbs. It also has a pinned oversized recoil lug.

When I found it it hadn't been shot for a very long time. All metal parts were covered with a Varnish from evaporated solvent or oil. All metal and bluing is perfect, except for the bolt handle. I'm guessing that whomever had it, didn't hand load and couldn't afford to shoot it. Then they wanted to "up grade" and pawned it off. They didn't know what they had.....

I threw together a load using 160g Sierra Gamekings and 76g of IMR7828 (I had some on hand) and got it on paper. I then shot it for group and shot a 3/4" (5 shot) group. Just a generic load.

This rifle has some serious potential. I was really fortunate to have found it, and at such a great deal

 

[7stw]

7 STW,

I just finished puting my 7stw together, now I'm waiting on a good day to get it out to start shooting.

I'm still wanting to shoot the 180g Berger VLDs, just got a second box. Looks like I'm going to try US869 First as it looks the most promising.

Here's a photo of my long range hammer:

View attachment 6588

Dan

Dano1, that rig looks like it is ready for business now. I am assuming that is a HS precision stock. I have four long actions, and 1 short action that I swap back and forth between two short action Remys. I have never shot us869. I have not even heard much about til' recently. My guess is it must be similar to H870. take care and let me know how the" Hammer " shoots. I have no doubt as to it,s ability. Mine ALWAYS amaze me. AIM SMALL, MISS SMALL. lightbulb 7 STW.