J E Custom
Well-Known Member
Wow. This thread does get read and responded to Quick.
I will try To answer some of the questions , If I miss some let me know.
First= the action was a falling block (High Wall 1885) this was to keep the overall length of
the rifle to a reasonable limit because of the 31" barrel.
The twist was to fast (1 in 9) for the velocities I wanted and I should have tried a 1 in 10 or
a 1 in 12 . Then maybe I would not over spin the 140 and blow the jackets in the barrel.
Also a gain twist would have probably worked better for the kind of velocities I was trying for
(4000 ft/sec).
I had plenty of free bore so pressures were reasonable even though loads were maximum.
My shooting temps range from 40o to 100o+ and the standard LR primers worked better.
Any temps colder than 40o and I kept the ammo In my pocket until shot time.
Accuracy was very good (Less than 3/4 MOA at distances up to 1100 yards and kills were
within inches of the POA at 800+ yards with the ballistic tip and the wound was very good
with 1 to 2" exit .
However at less than 3 or 400 yards the ballistic tip would almost cut a deer in half (The reason
I carried two different loads) . my close range load used partitions or A Frames.
Now that there are more bonded core bullets and monolithic bullets the velocity I wanted
might be achievable with the proper set up.
The 140s @ 3700 to 3800 ft/sec are the flattest thing I have ever seen but it all came with a cost,
Mainly barrel life. Somewhere between 300 and 400 rounds and the barrel was finished.
Even though I had issues with My combination of parts the 7 STW allways impressed me and
I have owned many since.
I have several 7mm rifles that have a larger case capacity, but find myself going to the STW
when I need a flat,accurate powerful 7mm.
By the way, the best powder I had at the time was H 5010. Now that there are lots more slow
burning powders and other componants the 7 STW should be impressive with the right setup.
J E CUSTOM
I will try To answer some of the questions , If I miss some let me know.
First= the action was a falling block (High Wall 1885) this was to keep the overall length of
the rifle to a reasonable limit because of the 31" barrel.
The twist was to fast (1 in 9) for the velocities I wanted and I should have tried a 1 in 10 or
a 1 in 12 . Then maybe I would not over spin the 140 and blow the jackets in the barrel.
Also a gain twist would have probably worked better for the kind of velocities I was trying for
(4000 ft/sec).
I had plenty of free bore so pressures were reasonable even though loads were maximum.
My shooting temps range from 40o to 100o+ and the standard LR primers worked better.
Any temps colder than 40o and I kept the ammo In my pocket until shot time.
Accuracy was very good (Less than 3/4 MOA at distances up to 1100 yards and kills were
within inches of the POA at 800+ yards with the ballistic tip and the wound was very good
with 1 to 2" exit .
However at less than 3 or 400 yards the ballistic tip would almost cut a deer in half (The reason
I carried two different loads) . my close range load used partitions or A Frames.
Now that there are more bonded core bullets and monolithic bullets the velocity I wanted
might be achievable with the proper set up.
The 140s @ 3700 to 3800 ft/sec are the flattest thing I have ever seen but it all came with a cost,
Mainly barrel life. Somewhere between 300 and 400 rounds and the barrel was finished.
Even though I had issues with My combination of parts the 7 STW allways impressed me and
I have owned many since.
I have several 7mm rifles that have a larger case capacity, but find myself going to the STW
when I need a flat,accurate powerful 7mm.
By the way, the best powder I had at the time was H 5010. Now that there are lots more slow
burning powders and other componants the 7 STW should be impressive with the right setup.
J E CUSTOM
