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

[SFR292]

Nice graphs but every barrel and chamber is going to act different depending on the throat length and actual barrel constriction. Another thing to take into account is the rifling cuts (shape) and number of rifling (5 in my case).
Have you ever graphed anything with Retumbo? We chrono'd some 190 VLDs in a 300 WM we built with a 28" barrel and were able to push them to 3200 (3192 actual average) without any pressure issues with the retumbo.
I had PTG change the reamer dimensions around a bit and base the throat around the 168 berger's.

 

[7stw]

Nice graphs but every barrel and chamber is going to act different depending on the throat length and actual barrel constriction. Another thing to take into account is the rifling cuts (shape) and number of rifling (5 in my case).
Have you ever graphed anything with Retumbo? We chrono'd some 190 VLDs in a 300 WM we built with a 28" barrel and were able to push them to 3200 (3192 actual average) without any pressure issues with the retumbo.
I had PTG change the reamer dimensions around a bit and base the throat around the 168 berger's.

Ben, what advantage do you see in a 5R barrel. The Brux I am using on my 280 is a 5R, but I'm really not up on the advantages of it yet, but will find out soon. Less friction, more bite on the bullet due to larger engraving? Thoughts?

 

[WapitiBob]

Ben, I sent you a PM.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

Hey Lefty, wow, those charts re amazing! Am I reading 72,000 kpsi on that fourth chart? And that is with the Winchester factory ammo too, right? That chart does make you wonder about the need for a longer or shorter barrel huh?
How do you go about getting a strain gage, and what do you plug it into to read it? That stuff seems interesting to me! Thanks for the post!

My brother in law had purchased a pressure trace system as he was having a hard time finding loading data for his 338 rum back in '04. I simply bought a guage from him and had it installed back in the summer of '04.

A good thing to remember here is that I didn't have any reference ammo for the rifle so we used the win factory load as a comparison. It was by far the stiffest pressure wise by the normal means; bolt lift, marks on the brass, etc., but was a totally functional load that seemed about "topped out".

btw. you need a laptop computer for the system he had; I wouldn't doubt that a "pad" of some sort may be compatible with current models.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

Nice graphs but every barrel and chamber is going to act different depending on the throat length and actual barrel constriction. Another thing to take into account is the rifling cuts (shape) and number of rifling (5 in my case).
Have you ever graphed anything with Retumbo? We chrono'd some 190 VLDs in a 300 WM we built with a 28" barrel and were able to push them to 3200 (3192 actual average) without any pressure issues with the retumbo.
I had PTG change the reamer dimensions around a bit and base the throat around the 168 berger's.

Retumbo wasn't (and still really isn't) on my radar( I've got a 8# keg but don't shoot it in any rifle I own); if I'm not mistaken at the time retumbo either wasn't even around or was new enough data wasn't out yet.
Rl25 was similar; it didn't exist in any book, but I got some on a whim on sale and worked up a load for it.
This rifle had a standard rem chamber/bbl. with about a 3.800" length to the lands and about 1,000 shots on it at the time. It also had a mild tight spot half-way down the barrel; if you look at the graphs it is rather evident.

 

[USMC91]

USMC91, first of all, Welcome to " The Brotherhood"! I think you will find the H1000 to be very forgiving, and very stable too. It seems as though you don't get high pressure spikes as much with the H1000. What bullet are you shooting, and how long are you expected shots?
I'm glad to hear that your gun shoots well. Some of those rifles were a little rough around the edges when they first came out, and it seems like they usd a chisel plow to cut the riflings into the barrels. Obviously, yours wasn't one of them! Sounds like you got a good one! Just don't let her get to hot, and three shot, or maybe a series of TWO shot groups are fine. Take care, and good luck!

Thanks, i am shooting berger 168 gr vld. So far i have shot out to 900 yrds. I am going to go as far as i can on targets, on animals it will depend on the situation!

 

[7stw]

Thanks, i am shooting berger 168 gr vld. So far i have shot out to 900 yrds. I am going to go as far as i can on targets, on animals it will depend on the situation!

Well, in that case, I think you should have a good success with the VLD ,168's. I must admit, I have found them to be very accurate, and I have shot them in one of my other STW's. I just went another way as far as the bullet I shoot when hunting. You will probably find the H1000 to be the cats meow. Shoot and enjoy!!gun)

 

[ButterBean]

Well, in that case, I think you should have a good success with the VLD ,168's. I must admit, I have found them to be very accurate, and I have shot them in one of my other STW's. I just went another way as far as the bullet I shoot when hunting. You will probably find the H1000 to be the cats meow. Shoot and enjoy!!gun)

Yep I agree

 

[USMC91]

Well, in that case, I think you should have a good success with the VLD ,168's. I must admit, I have found them to be very accurate, and I have shot them in one of my other STW's. I just went another way as far as the bullet I shoot when hunting. You will probably find the H1000 to be the cats meow. Shoot and enjoy!!gun)

What bullets do you shoot for hunting?

 

[ButterBean]

What bullets do you shoot for hunting?

91, There are alot of great bullets on the market but as of last hunting season the Barnes TSX and TTSX are awesome in the stw and The Nosler 140 C/T is an awesome bullet not putting the Berger down as they shoot great but my experiance with them on deer was unsatisfactory to me Thats just my personal experiance with them

 

[USMC91]

91, There are alot of great bullets on the market but as of last hunting season the Barnes TSX and TTSX are awesome in the stw and The Nosler 140 C/T is an awesome bullet not putting the Berger down as they shoot great but my experiance with them on deer was unsatisfactory to me Thats just my personal experiance with them

The majority of my hunting is mule deer and elk. I need the heavier grain bullet. I am more than willing to try other bullets. That is why i am on this sight, you guys have alot of knowledge and experience with this rifle!

 

[SFR292]

Ben, what advantage do you see in a 5R barrel. The Brux I am using on my 280 is a 5R, but I'm really not up on the advantages of it yet, but will find out soon. Less friction, more bite on the bullet due to larger engraving? Thoughts?

I only have one gun right now with the 5r barrel on it and I typically get about 75-100fps faster than what most people get with a similar barrel in 6r. I also built a 22-250 AI with a 4r and it didn't really show any benefit.
One thing I have noticed is copper fouling is minimal. I shoot my 5r in 308 win and I typically get 180-220rds between any fouling having accuracy issues. I shoot 168 SMK chrono'd at 2885 with a SD of 4, yes 4 and I'm running a 1:12 22inch barrel. I'm not sure what I've done to get the loads that consistent other than I switched to using IMR 8208 XBR.
When you talk to John Krieger about 5r (both of my barrels with 5r are his) he claims that you get the stabilization of listed twist rate, or next faster twist rate without the loss in velocities. The shape of the rifling is the bigger benefit, it has lessened angles from the bore which gather less copper of the bullet to minimize fouling as well as smooth out the pressure wave which ultimately leads to more consistent barrel harmonics. The only thing I can tell you for sure is the copper fouling and the higher velocities.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Ok, went to the range today......First shot with the Sendero and my handloads with the 7STW and 180gr Berger Hunting VLD's...First load set I shot was the 75.5gr of H1000 @ 3.858" COL. I loaded 6 for 2 3-shot groups. I was zero doped for Nosler 168gr Custom Comps, but I guess the extra velocity from the hotter loads was enough to send these bullseye on the first shot. Then 2 groups of ragged holes overlapping. I am seriously impressed. I don't know what to do with the other boxes of Custom Comp 168's, etc.... Hahaha! I forgot to take pics of the groups, but with the 9.25" twist barrel loves that load.

Had my first case separation today....Bolt wouldn't open. Had to tP it backwards with a hammer. Scared me at first, but once I got it ejected I felt better.

 

[marioq]

Maybe I'll take the customs and use them for my break in when I finally get my gun..... If that ever happens!!!! Dang smith ****ed me off Saturday. Went to bring my reamer to him at his shop, it was closed inside of his "normal" business hours. So I texted him and not reply.... Anyone want to convert a Win model 70 to an STW. Got a brand new Brux Barrel, new stock. I have the reamer.... hahahhaah I am just not impressed....
But, that being said, I do need to break the barrel in so those may work, or I'll load my own...

Hearing your surprise with the accuracy, makes me want my gun faster!!!!! hahahaah keep shooting!!!!