Lefty7mmstw
Well-Known Member
I got enough at the local joint at 38 dollars including tax(per 50) to shoot out two barrels, otherwise I'd sure think about it.
7mm STW Brotherhood - For those who shoot the 7mm Shooting Times Westerner
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Lefty7mmstw
Well-Known Member
Well, I finally got out with some 171 matchburners with retumbo, and it pretty well sucked too with no 5 shot group under 2 inches. 74 grains and 78 grains looked somewhat good, other than the pill flying for the exit in each group. I am pretty sure at this point that it's the bullet. I'm gonig to feed 'em to the 7rem with whatever I can get accuracy with and go back to 140 nosler ab with rl25 with the stw. Just over a hundred dollar mistake I guess.
I proved nothing was wrong with a 5 shot group under 1.5" with a boiling hot barrel after the last retumbo shot. Take out the first rl22 shot(the one shot over retumbo fouling) it was about an inch at 100 with a 140 sierra and rl22.
A QUOTE BY LAYNE SIMPSON....
"I still receive a good bit of mail from fans of the 7mm STW, but it has now lost a great deal of the momentum it once enjoyed. Remington stopped promoting it soon after introducing its own 7mm Ultra Mag, and not long after that the super-short magnums came along to steal even more of its thunder. Most companies no longer chamber standard-production rifles for it, and few writers (including this one) even bother to mention it anymore. But one thing is certain: The 7mm Shooting Times Westerner was a fun ride while it lasted."
I for one and it is clear from the many members of this brotherhood, that we are still riding the ride!!!!!!gun)-->--->--->--->--->--->---> (+)
"I still receive a good bit of mail from fans of the 7mm STW, but it has now lost a great deal of the momentum it once enjoyed. Remington stopped promoting it soon after introducing its own 7mm Ultra Mag, and not long after that the super-short magnums came along to steal even more of its thunder. Most companies no longer chamber standard-production rifles for it, and few writers (including this one) even bother to mention it anymore. But one thing is certain: The 7mm Shooting Times Westerner was a fun ride while it lasted."
I for one and it is clear from the many members of this brotherhood, that we are still riding the ride!!!!!!gun)-->--->--->--->--->--->---> (+)
Big Jake Duke
Well-Known Member
I can get 3300fps using H4350 and 168gr VLD's, but I know this may not be my best option. Am I looking for too much by wanting to see 3200+fps out of H1000 or Retumbo?
I'm using a Sako 75 Stainless, 26" barrel with a muzzle brake.[/QUOTE]
I have a 24" rem 700 and I could not get the velocities I wanted with it and H1000. I was able to get the velocities you are seeking with the 162 gr sst and IMR 7828.
I'm using a Sako 75 Stainless, 26" barrel with a muzzle brake.[/QUOTE]
I have a 24" rem 700 and I could not get the velocities I wanted with it and H1000. I was able to get the velocities you are seeking with the 162 gr sst and IMR 7828.
etisll40
Well-Known Member
The 7 STW is the 30-06 of the 7's, that's why it won't die. Most hunters will never need more than either. We just have to re load more.
Lefty7mmstw
Well-Known Member
I have a 24" rem 700 and I could not get the velocities I wanted with it and H1000. I was able to get the velocities you are seeking with the 162 gr sst and IMR 7828.[/QUOTE]
Anything over 3200 fps in a 26" barrel on a 160 is going to be rather high pressure. If you are getting 3300 out of 168's I'd bet you are near or over 75000 psi, especially using 4350 to do it. I wouldn't go that fast for a 7stw powder unless I was fireforming brass, and then the fastest I HAVE used is h4831.
I'd guess retumbo could net you 3200 with a 160 or 168 pretty accurately. rl25 may just suit you also. I've burned a bunch of rl25 with 140 accubonds in my 7 stw's.
My new rifle is a 24" (my sendero was a 26") and I notice the top speeds are 50 to 100 fps lower depending on the load. I can still eek out 3100 fps on a 175 class bullet, but the 140's are down to 3300 fps or so depending on powder.
etisll40
Well-Known Member
Your methodology makes sense. The STW is over bore to start with. One must always remember that. Few people have access to the kind of equipment to measure this and it's really important as barrel life, action and lug stability can be shortened and that's not worth it. The STW fits between the rem mag and the ultra mag. Most feel it is just a few fps faster than the 7 Dakota of which it is, but it's not an ultra mag. So don't push it to that limit is my thoughts. If you need more stopping power it's off to a 300 Weatherby in my opinion. The 7 STW is the ticket in 7mm. But it's still limited by bullet manufacturers making bullets to perform at the over bore level. They are out there, keep looking, your 7 STW will find one.
2cents
2cents
My Sako 995 7stw is officially up for sale. I have 2 sets of Sako rings and a brand new Leupold VX3 4.5x14 CDS is mounted on it. The scope has 0 rounds under it. Will sell rifle alone or as a package with scope & rings. Any reasonable offer will be considered. PM me with any questions. - Bob
purpledragon
Well-Known Member
I am just replying to sacketts post to the quote by mr. simpson. I myself feel the the same way. The 7mm Shooting Times Westerner is my horse and I'll ride it till it drops dead,then pick up whats left thats any good and build another.........................
7stw
Well-Known Member
Well put Ed, and I couldn't have said it any better. The 7mm STW is the " crem de LE crem" in the seven mil.world. That being said, as Ed put it, it still has it's limitations. It can be driven faster, if you dare to, but we are still depending on the bullet to do it's job at the terminal end. We all love the seven mag. The STW is just about as much "overbore" that can be managed and made to shoot. Yeah, the Rum is marginally faster, but with a more substantial price. WAY,WAY less barrel life, finicky as all hell, and very rough on brass. Most people I know that have one that shoots, have down loaded it to get it to shoot, and now they are getting STW velocities. Go figure.
All in all, I love my STW's. They are in there on class, in some ways, and they are a finesse round, that in the right hands, will last a lifetime. Layne did it right, and to him, he has my thanks. I was one of the early buyers, and the rest is history.Long live the STW.
7stw
Well-Known Member
I have a 24" rem 700 and I could not get the velocities I wanted with it and H1000. I was able to get the velocities you are seeking with the 162 gr sst and IMR 7828.[/QUOTE]
Big Jake Duke, one of two things are going on here, either your chrono is off,( which I think really isn't the case), or you are running skyrocket high pressures when using the H4350 and 168's. As one gentleman to another, you are closer to burst pressure than you could ever imagine. The STW will throttle along quite happily at about 62000-65000, and will give amazing accuracy and incredible knock down power, with about any bullet weight you may choose. However, and respectfully so also, you are at or approaching 76-77000 psi at the trigger pull. Fast YES, safe NO NO !
I would recommend trying some RL25, H1000, or something in that burn rate. My hat goes to the RL25. The STW responds well to high load density loads, such as in the 79-82 grain area. Leaving a large air space above the powder opens up a secondary explosion effect, and that is nearly as destructive as a double charge.
Please be advised that I say these things in all due respect to you loading ability, but in all truth, H4350 is not a suitable powder for the STW. Good luck, and be SAFE.
Big Jake Duke, one of two things are going on here, either your chrono is off,( which I think really isn't the case), or you are running skyrocket high pressures when using the H4350 and 168's. As one gentleman to another, you are closer to burst pressure than you could ever imagine. The STW will throttle along quite happily at about 62000-65000, and will give amazing accuracy and incredible knock down power, with about any bullet weight you may choose. However, and respectfully so also, you are at or approaching 76-77000 psi at the trigger pull. Fast YES, safe NO NO !
I would recommend trying some RL25, H1000, or something in that burn rate. My hat goes to the RL25. The STW responds well to high load density loads, such as in the 79-82 grain area. Leaving a large air space above the powder opens up a secondary explosion effect, and that is nearly as destructive as a double charge.
Please be advised that I say these things in all due respect to you loading ability, but in all truth, H4350 is not a suitable powder for the STW. Good luck, and be SAFE.[/QUOTE]
I'll second what 7 says,Those loads scare me from here and as 7STW said I mean no disrespect at all but the 4350 is way to fast and Im sure your way past pushing the limit,
[/QUOTE]Big Jake Duke, one of two things are going on here, either your chrono is off,( which I think really isn't the case), or you are running skyrocket high pressures when using the H4350 and 168's. As one gentleman to another, you are closer to burst pressure than you could ever imagine. The STW will throttle along quite happily at about 62000-65000, and will give amazing accuracy and incredible knock down power, with about any bullet weight you may choose. However, and respectfully so also, you are at or approaching 76-77000 psi at the trigger pull. Fast YES, safe NO NO !
I would recommend trying some RL25, H1000, or something in that burn rate. My hat goes to the RL25. The STW responds well to high load density loads, such as in the 79-82 grain area. Leaving a large air space above the powder opens up a secondary explosion effect, and that is nearly as destructive as a double charge.
Please be advised that I say these things in all due respect to you loading ability, but in all truth, H4350 is not a suitable powder for the STW. Good luck, and be SAFE.[/QUOTE]
I'm going to jump in here. It was me who was loading using 4350, not Big Jake Dude. He was quoting one of my posts and it didn't show up as a quote.
If someone is getting flogged for using 4350, I don't want it directed to the wrong guy.
I simply tried the loads, and got great velocity and accuracy. The average velocity over the chrony was 3320fps. None of the cases had any pressure signs at all, no flattened primers, bolt lift was one finger, nothing. I know the load probably isn't something I will stick with, but it did work well. If the pressures were in the 75000-77000 range would there not have been signs showing up?
I have several Sako's and have grow up shooting several other Sako's, they always seem to respond and shoot best when loaded hot. (usually over published max loads) They shoot these loads without pressure signs showing up. (yes, they can be loaded up to the point of pressure showing itself)
There are several loads listed using 4350 in the STW. Hornady's manual only lists it in use up to 120gr bullets. The reloading data on Hodgdon's site shows loads up to 150gr bullets, and pressures in the 53900 range, and on Loaddata.com there is loads using up to 175gr bullets and loads using160gr bullet loads in the 62000 pressure range.
I'm not trying to argue, I'm just curious as to why so many loads listed but so many people say that 4350 is too fast for the STW. I am always eager to learn more about reloading and shooting so input is welcome.
Edit: Also has anyone tried Hybrid 100V? I have it to, just haven't loaded any yet.
I would recommend trying some RL25, H1000, or something in that burn rate. My hat goes to the RL25. The STW responds well to high load density loads, such as in the 79-82 grain area. Leaving a large air space above the powder opens up a secondary explosion effect, and that is nearly as destructive as a double charge.
Please be advised that I say these things in all due respect to you loading ability, but in all truth, H4350 is not a suitable powder for the STW. Good luck, and be SAFE.[/QUOTE]
I'm going to jump in here. It was me who was loading using 4350, not Big Jake Dude. He was quoting one of my posts and it didn't show up as a quote.
If someone is getting flogged for using 4350, I don't want it directed to the wrong guy.
I simply tried the loads, and got great velocity and accuracy. The average velocity over the chrony was 3320fps. None of the cases had any pressure signs at all, no flattened primers, bolt lift was one finger, nothing. I know the load probably isn't something I will stick with, but it did work well. If the pressures were in the 75000-77000 range would there not have been signs showing up?
I have several Sako's and have grow up shooting several other Sako's, they always seem to respond and shoot best when loaded hot. (usually over published max loads) They shoot these loads without pressure signs showing up. (yes, they can be loaded up to the point of pressure showing itself)
There are several loads listed using 4350 in the STW. Hornady's manual only lists it in use up to 120gr bullets. The reloading data on Hodgdon's site shows loads up to 150gr bullets, and pressures in the 53900 range, and on Loaddata.com there is loads using up to 175gr bullets and loads using160gr bullet loads in the 62000 pressure range.
I'm not trying to argue, I'm just curious as to why so many loads listed but so many people say that 4350 is too fast for the STW. I am always eager to learn more about reloading and shooting so input is welcome.
Edit: Also has anyone tried Hybrid 100V? I have it to, just haven't loaded any yet.
Lefty7mmstw
Well-Known Member
I simply tried the loads, and got great velocity and accuracy. The average velocity over the chrony was 3320fps. None of the cases had any pressure signs at all, no flattened primers, bolt lift was one finger, nothing. I know the load probably isn't something I will stick with, but it did work well. If the pressures were in the 75000-77000 range would there not have been signs showing up?
loaded any yet.[/QUOTE]
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In a word no.
The stw will not show extreme pressure signs until it is in proof range. I had a guage on my last rem (a sendero) and it would easily do 75,000 psi without crying a bit. Low taper and rather sharp shoulder combined with a pretty strong case make it a rather tough hombre and able to take pressure without jammimg the gun. Read on though as I don't advise over-pressure.
Primers are all about headspace-- they aren't reliable for the most part as pressure indicators. greater headspace = flatter primers. If cratered or blown you know you'd better go to church and thank someone, otherwise they aren't of much use. Pockets will eventually loosen from stout loads, but even that is debatable since softer brass will often loosen some on the first firing.
The biggest problem is the actions will eventually stress fatigue(think airplane structural fatigue from compressing/de-compressing during flight) from overloads and either you will set your headspace back(ruined gun) or shear the lugs and eat the bolt. I'd rather not have either happen.
loaded any yet.[/QUOTE]
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In a word no.
The stw will not show extreme pressure signs until it is in proof range. I had a guage on my last rem (a sendero) and it would easily do 75,000 psi without crying a bit. Low taper and rather sharp shoulder combined with a pretty strong case make it a rather tough hombre and able to take pressure without jammimg the gun. Read on though as I don't advise over-pressure.
Primers are all about headspace-- they aren't reliable for the most part as pressure indicators. greater headspace = flatter primers. If cratered or blown you know you'd better go to church and thank someone, otherwise they aren't of much use. Pockets will eventually loosen from stout loads, but even that is debatable since softer brass will often loosen some on the first firing.
The biggest problem is the actions will eventually stress fatigue(think airplane structural fatigue from compressing/de-compressing during flight) from overloads and either you will set your headspace back(ruined gun) or shear the lugs and eat the bolt. I'd rather not have either happen.
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