7mm STW Reloading Thread

Fire306

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2008
Messages
72
Well, we have our own STW section now, we might as well start our own 7mm STW reloading thread.

Let's see what favorites are out there.

Please include what firearm you are using, including barrel type , length and twist.
Also include info for brass, bullets, primers, powder, charge weights, OAL, etc.
If you have a chrono, let use know the speeds you are getting.

Don't forget, anyone reading this, hand loading can be dangerous if done improperly.
Please view loads listed and a guideline and treat any load you find listed as if it is too hot for your rifle, and safely build up loads for your own firearm.
**Just because someone is using the same firearm you are, does not automatically make their loads safe for your firearm**

Be safe!
 
Good job Fire! This thread type hadn't crossed my mind for some reason. Glad it did cross yours.

Gun: Remington 700 Sendero SF 7mmSTW, 26" barrel, 9.25" twist
Scope: Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20x50

Current favorite is:

Berger VLD 180gr bullets
75.5gr H1000
Federal Premium brass
Federal 215 primers

Seated to 3.858" C.O.L. (Which, as we all know varies from gun to gun ).

No chrono, yet....However, the Berger manual says I should be right around 2,775 fps.
 
Boy, since the STW first came out, some awesome powders have came down the pike, and for the longest time, I was a die hard RL22 user, and swore by it, even if it is temp sensitive. The H1000 has always been good, but when the RL 25 came on, that changed everything for me, except in one gun. My standard load is now,


82.0-rl25-145LRX
215 GM primer
A Square brass
COAL is 3.688. ( Remington Action )
Coal is 3.640 . ( Winchester Action )
1-9.5 twist
3440 fps

79.3 - RL22-140ct
215 GM primer
Winchester brass
Coal - 3.675
1-9.5 twist
3389 fps

81.5-RL25-140 partition
Winchester brass
215 GM primer
3.640 COAL
1-9 twist
3377 FPS

The formulas work for me, but were worked up to, not just assumed.
 
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Shooting a 24" bbl lh rem 700 with a (unknown brand) custom pipe on it
don't know the twist; don't care.. the pills spin just fine

using:
140 nos a-bond
82.0 grains rl25
win brass
215
seated to 3.650" oal.
My 26" bbl sendero was 3450 fps with this; I haven't bothered to chrono this rifle. I may eventually chrono it but a 100 fps loss (I expect less) for the shorter bbl still puts me at 150 fps over a 7 rem so what do I care?
I am still working with other loads but looking back at the records and re-proving lately has proven this to be the only combo in this rifle to be consistantly accurate assuming the rifle to be 100%. The rifle has has had a few minor problems but is pretty bulletproof now.
 
Savage 112 Factory 7STW 26' Factory tube 9.5 inch twist.

Remington Brass
CCI 250 Large Magnum Rifle Primers
82 Grns. H-1000
140 Grn Accu-bond
3290 FPS MV

Remington Brass
CCI 250 Large Magnum Rifle Primers
82 Grns. H-1000
140 Grn. Berger Hunting VLD
3300 FPS MV


Both shoot at basically same POI

I usually load a Berger in the tube since are loaded out past the magazine box length and put a couple of Accu-bonds in the mag box just in case I ever would need a quick follow up shot. Funny I have never had to have a follow up shot with the STW.
 
Winchester 70 Classic Sporter 26" factory Barrel
Ziess Conquest 4.5X14X 50mm

Winchester Brass
140 grain Nosler combined Technology Ballistic Silver tip
85.0 Grains Reloader 25
CCI 250 Magnum primer

150 Grain Nosler Ballistic Tip
82.0 Grains Reloader 25
Federal 215 Magnum primer
MV 3310FPS

175Gr Sierra Game King
79.0 grains Reloader 25
Federal 215 Magnum Primer

As mentioned by others, these loads have been worked up to and have shown no excessive pressure sign in my set up. :)

I really like the performance and velocity that comes with Reloader 25, but it will take some time to get the barrel clean after running 10 or 15 down range.

Last weekend I shot 34 rounds checking the accuracy of the Rapid retical set up on the new Zeiss scope, went back to shoot a 3/4" 100 yard group to finish.

The reloader powder seems dirty, but does not seem to harm accuracy for longer shooting sessions.

As far as performance on game, the 7STW does an exceptional job of sending 4 legged critters to meet there maker and really shines at 400+ yards.
 
Winchester 70 Classic Sporter 26" factory Barrel
Ziess Conquest 4.5X14X 50mm

Winchester Brass
140 grain Nosler combined Technology Ballistic Silver tip
85.0 Grains Reloader 25
CCI 250 Magnum primer

150 Grain Nosler Ballistic Tip
82.0 Grains Reloader 25
Federal 215 Magnum primer
MV 3310FPS

175Gr Sierra Game King
79.0 grains Reloader 25
Federal 215 Magnum Primer

As mentioned by others, these loads have been worked up to and have shown no excessive pressure sign in my set up. :)

I really like the performance and velocity that comes with Reloader 25, but it will take some time to get the barrel clean after running 10 or 15 down range.

Last weekend I shot 34 rounds checking the accuracy of the Rapid retical set up on the new Zeiss scope, went back to shoot a 3/4" 100 yard group to finish.

The reloader powder seems dirty, but does not seem to harm accuracy for longer shooting sessions.

As far as performance on game, the 7STW does an exceptional job of sending 4 legged critters to meet there maker and really shines at 400+ yards.

284nut, first of all, I like your screen name, as I am a 284 " Nut " myself. I noticed you are using the RL25' across the board as far as weights go. The RL 25 has really caught on with a few members on this forum, and everyones answer seems to be the same, ie, less pressure, more velocity, and low ES, SD. But I will second your opinion on the powder being dirty. It don't take long to foul the barrel. If you clean it at the range, it cleans up pretty decent, but if you wait til you get home, or the next day, well, have fun with that. I use Butches Bore Shine, and it does a pretty good job.
I used to be a die hard RL22 man, with my STW's, but when the 25 showed up I tried it, and couldn't believe the difference. I finally switched all of them to it, and havent looked back. Nice load info, and welcome to the Brotherhood!
 
284nut, first of all, I like your screen name, as I am a 284 " Nut " myself. I noticed you are using the RL25' across the board as far as weights go. The RL 25 has really caught on with a few members on this forum, and everyones answer seems to be the same, ie, less pressure, more velocity, and low ES, SD. But I will second your opinion on the powder being dirty. It don't take long to foul the barrel. If you clean it at the range, it cleans up pretty decent, but if you wait til you get home, or the next day, well, have fun with that. I use Butches Bore Shine, and it does a pretty good job.
I used to be a die hard RL22 man, with my STW's, but when the 25 showed up I tried it, and couldn't believe the difference. I finally switched all of them to it, and havent looked back. Nice load info, and welcome to the Brotherhood!

I do enjoy shooting paper with the STW, but my lord do I love to see and hear contact on flesh. Thanks for the info on the Butches Bore shine, I will definitely give it a try.

Has anybody used the Combined technology bullets on bigger framed animals?? I have used them for Coues whitetail and some 200# Mule deer with great success, but have not shot any elk sized game with them.

Anybody have any feedback to share?
 
I do enjoy shooting paper with the STW, but my lord do I love to see and hear contact on flesh. Thanks for the info on the Butches Bore shine, I will definitely give it a try.

Has anybody used the Combined technology bullets on bigger framed animals?? I have used them for Coues whitetail and some 200# Mule deer with great success, but have not shot any elk sized game with them.

Anybody have any feedback to share?

284, I have not used anything bigger then the 140 CT, which I call ' greased lightening". They are absolutely deer lightening, and will put em down right NOW, but sometimes they wreak havoc inside, but usually, no tracking necessary. Neck shots are DRT, heart shots the same, but at times they will come unglued if you hit TOO much bone.

I had a 300 SAUM that loved the 168 grainers, but I didn't get to harvest anything with them.
My bullet of choice right now is the 145 LRX Barnes bullet. Put 82 grains of RL 25 underneath it, and lite it with a 215 GM, @ 3.688, and it yields 3440 fps. I shot a doe this past fall at about 300 yards, which was facing me. The bullet traverse ALL the way through her, exited. DRT. Hit her in left front shoulder, bullet smashed it, and kept going. Incredible wound channel. It looked like a mini high speed boat propellor went through her. ( no tracking needed there either). :D
 
I'd love to try some 25 if anyone m ews where I might be able to pick some up online. Also, looking for 8lb kegs of Varget, if anyone stumbles on those.

Thanks.
 
THIS IS ANOTHER MUST SUBSCRIBE THREAD.

I would encourage everyone posting to please share chronograph fps as well as their barrel length cause it does make a difference when comparing your results with other Guns

Thanks to all previous and future posters.
odavid
 
THIS IS ANOTHER MUST SUBSCRIBE THREAD.

I would encourage everyone posting to please share chronograph fps as well as their barrel length cause it does make a difference when comparing your results with other Guns

Thanks to all previous and future posters.
odavid

I have only chronographed one of my pet loads to date:

150 Grain Nosler Ballistic tip
Winchester Brass
82.0 Grains Reloader 25
Federal 215 Primer
3310 FPS @ Muzzle
es= 9fps in a 5 shot string


I need to do the same with the 140 and 175 varieties, but time has not been on my side lately.

I will update soon.
 
My rifle started life as a Mdl 70 Black Shadow from Walmart chambered in 7 Rem Mag. My smith already had a reamer (from his own build) and charged me $50.00 to pull the barrel and rechamber it.
It does have a 26 inch barrel.
My load is:

Nosler Brass
Fed 215
88 grs WC872
160 Partition
OAL of 3.590. Severely limited on oal due to magazine.
Clocks 3320 FPS w an ES of 15 for 5 rounds

With a 162 Hornady the same load clocked 3400.

I've got a full can of RL25 but have seen no reason to try it.
 
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