7mm STW Brotherhood - For those who shoot the 7mm Shooting Times Westerner

[41mag]

Not to change the subject too much, but a few pages back I noted a brief discussion on finding brass. This has also been on my mind as well. Not that I am running short, but I would like to maximize what I DO have on hand.

That said several years back when I was doing extensive testing in my 7mm RM I found that plenty of cases gave up the ghost way before I thought they should have. The biggest issue was expansion ahead of the belt. That said this has been weighing on my mind as I get ready to do similar testing with the STW.

I was wondering if the mag case collet die from Innovative Technologies would be a worth while investment, have any of you used one, and if so did it help with case life?
Innovative Technologies


I certainly don't mind spending the money on it if it gets me several more loads out of the cases I already have, but if it doesn't help out, then I would rather just buy an extra hundred cases and be done with it. It's about a toss up one or the other. Well sort of, from the prices I have seen on good STW cases lately it's more like another 50 rounds.

 

[WildRose]

Not to change the subject too much, but a few pages back I noted a brief discussion on finding brass. This has also been on my mind as well. Not that I am running short, but I would like to maximize what I DO have on hand.

That said several years back when I was doing extensive testing in my 7mm RM I found that plenty of cases gave up the ghost way before I thought they should have. The biggest issue was expansion ahead of the belt. That said this has been weighing on my mind as I get ready to do similar testing with the STW.

I was wondering if the mag case collet die from Innovative Technologies would be a worth while investment, have any of you used one, and if so did it help with case life?
Innovative Technologies


I certainly don't mind spending the money on it if it gets me several more loads out of the cases I already have, but if it doesn't help out, then I would rather just buy an extra hundred cases and be done with it. It's about a toss up one or the other. Well sort of, from the prices I have seen on good STW cases lately it's more like another 50 rounds.

I just use a standard full length sizing die (7mm Mag). I set it to just bump the shoulder and then back it off about .10 so as to not work the case at all below the shoulder. I loaded them very hot and still got great brass life out of them.

I've still got a couple of boxes of my original thousand I bought of the Winchester 140gr supremes that have shot extremely well in my first 7mm STW and have a couple of hundred other factory rounds that I'll run through the new one and then I'll probably just start loading with my redding competition neck die set for it.

The guy who taught me enough to get started in reloading was a 7mm Rem guy and this is how he did his and got very good life out of his Rem brass as did I.

 

[etisll40]

"The old man and his Hog" story is "priceless." I'm so happy for the guy. Great reading.

 

[Dano1]

Dan, it is a 1 in 9 twist. I have been wanting to build a 280 for a long time, and I'm on my way. The action I'm using is in awesome condition. My gunsmith is going to charge me 200 to cut, thread, install, and chamber it. Not bad.I'm just not sure what length to have it set at.

A 1-9" Twist is perfect. It should stabalize anything you would want to shoot out of It. A faster twist is more important the slower the bullet. Somtimes it's possible to overcome the twist defiency (sp?) with speed, but seeing as the .280 is a medium speed cartridge that the 1-9" twist should be perfect.

I actually was going to build a .280 AI some time back. I even had the donor rifle (a early 70"s Rem 700 ADL) set aside for it. I currently have 2 AI"s and had of other. It was supposed to be the end of my AI adddiction, until I got my 7 STW then I realized that I didn't need the .280, that is for now....

Cut the bbl to 26" finish length. That length is perfect and will add 100fps over a 24"bbl.

$200 is a good deal for that much work. I'm sure it'll be a shooter. I'd strongly consider the AI version it has about 7-8% case capacity increase over the .280 Rem. And with powders like H4350 or a tic slower, can be loaded almost 7mm Rem Mag velocitys.

Dan

 

[ButterBean]

A 1-9" Twist is perfect. It should stabalize anything you would want to shoot out of It. A faster twist is more important the slower the bullet. Somtimes it's possible to overcome the twist defiency (sp?) with speed, but seeing as the .280 is a medium speed cartridge that the 1-9" twist should be perfect.

I actually was going to build a .280 AI some time back. I even had the donor rifle (a early 70"s Rem 700 ADL) set aside for it. I currently have 2 AI"s and had of other. It was supposed to be the end of my AI adddiction, until I got my 7 STW then I realized that I didn't need the .280, that is for now....

Cut the bbl to 26" finish length. That length is perfect and will add 100fps over a 24"bbl.

$200 is a good deal for that much work. I'm sure it'll be a shooter. I'd strongly consider the AI version it has about 7-8% case capacity increase over the .280 Rem. And with powders like H4350 or a tic slower, can be loaded almost 7mm Rem Mag velocitys.

Dan

Dano, Im building a 280 for my cousin up in Indiana On a Winchester XTR action ( I think I may have twisted 7's arm a bit on his choice of action's) but you wont believe what I scored .......I wont say it out loud .......( XTR action 26" Obermeyer 5r tube and a rifle basixs trigger) cause I dont want to upset 7STW

 

[7stw]

Dano, Im building a 280 for my cousin up in Indiana On a Winchester XTR action ( I think I may have twisted 7's arm a bit on his choice of action's) but you wont believe what I scored .......I wont say it out loud .......( XTR action 26" Obermeyer 5r tube and a rifle basixs trigger) cause I dont want to upset 7STW

Clang!!!!!!! Did you all hear that? The golden horseshoe fell out of his arse agin!!!
And yeah, Butterbean gets the credit for the Winchester action. I was looking at two rifles, one of which was the winny. It is simply an awesome specimen, and will look awesome with the Brux barrel screwed into it. This is fun!!!

 

[7stw]

Dano, 41 mag, Wild Rose, Butterbean,

That is two votes so far on the 26 length. It is now at 27 inches, but is designed to be reduced by 1/2 inch on both ends, to finish at 26. I was going to AT LEAST go 24 inches, but was undecided as to whether to cut it to 24, or to finish it at 26.
I am going with a standard 280 case, no AI. I don't want to fool with fire forming, and special dies or whatever. I have a light to carry 7 mag, and Dano' I love ANYTHING seven millimeter. ( go figure). The #4 contour is plenty stiff enough, and I'm sure she's gonna be a shooter. I had one years ago, and it shot like a house on fire. This gun is going to be for areas that the don't need the extra power, so I think the standard 280 will be just fine. So, that being said, will 26 inch be ok, or too long?
Man, I love this group, and this thread..thanks guys.

 

[Dano1]

Dano, Im building a 280 for my cousin up in Indiana On a Winchester XTR action ( I think I may have twisted 7's arm a bit on his choice of action's) but you wont believe what I scored .......I wont say it out loud .......( XTR action 26" Obermeyer 5r tube and a rifle basixs trigger) cause I dont want to upset 7STW

Dang, That would be great. I've only owned 2 Winchester bolt actions, a 670 in a .243 win, which is what I started hunting with, and a .223 WSSM. I would definately like to build on a Win action in the future.

I'm a little jealous of your cousin!

Dan

 

[ButterBean]

Dang, That would be great. I've only owned 2 Winchester bolt actions, a 670 in a .243 win, which is what I started hunting with, and a .223 WSSM. I would definately like to build on a Win action in the future.

I'm a little jealous of your cousin!

Dan

Im really kinda hoping he changes his mind and dont want it

 

[Dano1]

Dano, 41 mag, Wild Rose, Butterbean,

That is two votes so far on the 26 length. It is now at 27 inches, but is designed to be reduced by 1/2 inch on both ends, to finish at 26. I was going to AT LEAST go 24 inches, but was undecided as to whether to cut it to 24, or to finish it at 26.
I am going with a standard 280 case, no AI. I don't want to fool with fire forming, and special dies or whatever. I have a light to carry 7 mag, and Dano' I love ANYTHING seven millimeter. ( go figure). The #4 contour is plenty stiff enough, and I'm sure she's gonna be a shooter. I had one years ago, and it shot like a house on fire. This gun is going to be for areas that the don't need the extra power, so I think the standard 280 will be just fine. So, that being said, will 26 inch be ok, or too long?
Man, I love this group, and this thread..thanks guys.

Ok, .280 Remington it is, in that case a 24"bbl would be awesome and I would suggest loading with Superformance, H4831, H4350, or RL-19. Need a faster powder for the shorter bbl. Sounds like a really good carry rifle and you'd be good for off hand shots.

Dan

 

[7stw]

Ok, .280 Remington it is, in that case a 24"bbl would be awesome and I would suggest loading with Superformance, H4831, H4350, or RL-19. Need a faster powder for the shorter bbl. Sounds like a really good carry rifle and you'd be good for off hand shots.

Dan

Dano, BTW, the action I am using is from a 670, 30-06. I bought it for 349.00. This gun I believe was a closet queen.
My first 280 was a 22 inch barrel, and I always wished it was 24. My uncle built one from a 721 Remington action, that thing is awesome. I wouldn't have a problem going 26, or maybe even 25. The rifle has a blind magazine, and I may let it stay a blind magazine. They are stiffer at least.
But yeah, I know what you are saying about the off hand shots. There are two long action , non magnum cartridges that really are the cream of the crop, and that would be a 25-06, and a 280. I now have a 25-06, with a lifpttle coaching from " the Bean", and I love it. Now I'm going to build this 280' and just want to make the right decisions. Once it's cut, well, that's what you get! Thanks buddy!

Bob.

 

[Dano1]

Im really kinda hoping he changes his mind and dont want it

yeah, no kidding! Good luck with that!

 

[ButterBean]

Dano, BTW, the action I am using is from a 670, 30-06. I bought it for 349.00. This gun I believe was a closet queen.
My first 280 was a 22 inch barrel, and I always wished it was 24. My uncle built one from a 721 Remington action, that thing is awesome. I wouldn't have a problem going 26, or maybe even 25. The rifle has a blind magazine, and I may let it stay a blind magazine. They are stiffer at least.
But yeah, I know what you are saying about the off hand shots. There are two long action , non magnum cartridges that really are the cream of the crop, and that would be a 25-06, and a 280. I now have a 25-06, with a lifpttle coaching from " the Bean", and I love it. Now I'm going to build this 280' and just want to make the right decisions. Once it's cut, well, that's what you get! Thanks buddy!

Bob.

Did I hear somebody say 25-06 ?

 

[Dano1]

Did I hear somebody say 25-06 ?

I had a Rem 700 ADL once in a .25-06, Bought it off a guy that was hard up for money for $250 about 14yrs ago. Sold it and wished I kept it. It's another one of those I wish I had back!