A buddy wants some help working up a good elk-hunting load for his 7mm STW. Will also shoot some whitetails. I'm thinking two different loads. What bullet/powder do you guys like. Didn't see anything in the Reloading Depot on this cartridge. He wants something that will carry plenty of energy out to 400-500 yards. My Lyman manual lists every powder and most bullets, but no recommendations. I'm gonna take the time to work up something strong but what do you guys use?
Re: 7mm STW
for big shit, i like the 160 TSX out of my 7 RM and 7WSM, but the 7STW may have enough horsepower to make the 175 TSX sing IF it has a true 1-9" twist. my 7STW was a Sendero, so it diddn't go elk hunting with me. too heavy.
for whitetails, the 120 TSX works and the 150 should as well, but i haven't used the 150 so... but any bullet that can withstand the 7 STW impact velocities at 75 yards (always possible when hunting whitetails) should do it, BUT it takes pretty solid bullet to do that. the STW is hard on bullets. i've used nosler partitions and some shed the front clear down to the partition. no biggie except the front half is now in your food supply. you will get massive damage using a lightly constructed bullet on whitetails @ 7STW velocity.
my two cents.
for big shit, i like the 160 TSX out of my 7 RM and 7WSM, but the 7STW may have enough horsepower to make the 175 TSX sing IF it has a true 1-9" twist. my 7STW was a Sendero, so it diddn't go elk hunting with me. too heavy.
for whitetails, the 120 TSX works and the 150 should as well, but i haven't used the 150 so... but any bullet that can withstand the 7 STW impact velocities at 75 yards (always possible when hunting whitetails) should do it, BUT it takes pretty solid bullet to do that. the STW is hard on bullets. i've used nosler partitions and some shed the front clear down to the partition. no biggie except the front half is now in your food supply. you will get massive damage using a lightly constructed bullet on whitetails @ 7STW velocity.
my two cents.
Re: 7mm STW
You can't go wrong with any of the bonded bullets or the solid copper hunting bullets (Barnes TSX) for elk. I like the Hornady Interbonds.
I'd also stick with a slow powders like H1000 or IMR 7828 and mag primers. These will give you the best velocity. Just work up to a load near max that the rifle likes, and use that. It's plenty of gun for whatever you hunt.
You can't go wrong with any of the bonded bullets or the solid copper hunting bullets (Barnes TSX) for elk. I like the Hornady Interbonds.
I'd also stick with a slow powders like H1000 or IMR 7828 and mag primers. These will give you the best velocity. Just work up to a load near max that the rifle likes, and use that. It's plenty of gun for whatever you hunt.
Re: 7mm STW
I've been hunting with a 162 grain hornady spire point for 12 years, Deer, elk and
antelope and bear. Nothing has ever run off. One elk made it 30 yards. 80 grains
of h1000.
I've been hunting with a 162 grain hornady spire point for 12 years, Deer, elk and
antelope and bear. Nothing has ever run off. One elk made it 30 yards. 80 grains
of h1000.
Re: 7mm STW
Another good bullet is the Nosler Accubond 160gr. I have loaded with Reloader 25. Have taken mulies, elk and large Canadian whitetails.
Another good bullet is the Nosler Accubond 160gr. I have loaded with Reloader 25. Have taken mulies, elk and large Canadian whitetails.
Re: 7mm STW
My 7 STW liked 139gr Hornady Interbonds with 75.5 grains of N165 VihtaVuori, and Fed 215 primers. I took 3 elk, several deer and antelope with that set up. It shot flat and hit hard.
My 7 STW liked 139gr Hornady Interbonds with 75.5 grains of N165 VihtaVuori, and Fed 215 primers. I took 3 elk, several deer and antelope with that set up. It shot flat and hit hard.
