7MM STW vs 28 Nosler

[dougduey]

I ended up buying a Cooper model 52 in 7mm STW. I really enjoy the gun & it has been doing its job well. My gun is on the light side so recoil is sort of stiff, but who notices that when shooting at game? I just use a Past recoil pad when at the range. I have been able to find all the brass that I will ever need, & now Hornady is producing it so probably never have to worry about finding it again? I have tried most all the major brands of bullets & the gun seems to shoot most well, & at times its hard to pick a "best" it shoots so well? I do wish I could of tried the 28 but none of my friends own one!

Put a brake on it. The recoil is like my 243 and I can stay on target and see my bullet impacts.
Also, watch Shooters Pro Shop. They are Nosler's clearing house. They have 7 STW brass (and bullets) on closeout or blems for a great price. I stocked up on it big time the last time they had it in stock

 

[Cinchy]

I have HOARDED over 600 rds of brass so I think I will be good at my age. I`m shooting Sierra game changers right now, but will probably go back to 168 gr. Barnes long range when I`ve shot all the game changers on the game I want to test them on. I know a brake would tame it down but I have other rifles to shoot on my does hunts etc. but might consider it after season closes?

 

[338edge]

Tagging in!

 

[338edge]

How many reloads are guys getting out of the nosler brass with the STW?

 

[MudRunner2005]

I was having the same problem choosing? After talking with Bartlein Barrels I've
decided to look at something else?
Basically he said big boom small hole and you are going to have problems!
It can't be helped slowed a little but not stopped. Barrels are expensive!

Either should get over 1,000 rounds of barrel life before degrading to a very noticeable point, if the barrel was treated right, and not shot hot, given proper cooling time, or long shot strings at the range.

Might not seem like a lot, but 1,000 rounds of STW or .28 Nosler is a lot. Some folks have reported over 1,250-1,500 rounds out of their STW's.

 

[MudRunner2005]

How many reloads are guys getting out of the nosler brass with the STW?

I've got some with 5-6 reloads on them, and I don't load light... Primer pockets are still good, necks are still good, everything is still looking good.

The trick with belted magnums, is on the first firing, don't jack the powder charge way up there. Start low, so the cases have lower pressures when stretching to fit the chamber. Then neck-size your brass from there on out, until you get resistance and you have to FL size them once. Then back to neck-sizing.

 

[338edge]

Thanks on that!

 

[dougduey]

I've got some with 5-6 reloads on them, and I don't load light... Primer pockets are still good, necks are still good, everything is still looking good.

The trick with belted magnums, is on the first firing, don't jack the powder charge way up there. Start low, so the cases have lower pressures when stretching to fit the chamber. Then neck-size your brass from there on out, until you get resistance and you have to FL size them once. Then back to neck-sizing.

Hey Mud,
What do you do if you're all done with load development and need to use virgin brass? Do you just fireform or use a moderate load that you know is accurate before you jump up to the hotter loads? Just curious.
Also, I have my FL die set to just bump the shoulder back instead of total FL resizing. That, and I have a body die that I'll use first and then neck size after. I get good results either way

 

[Cinchy]

ve got some with 5-6 reloads on them, and I don't load light... Primer pockets are still good, necks are still good, everything is still looking good.

Do you anneal the brass at all to get 5-6 reloads on them? I try to keep a couple 100 on the same number of firings, so have not reached that many times loaded on any of my brass.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The 2 are close in powder capacity so performance will be similar. The 28 is a more modern case design with very high quality factory brass and no belt issues. The 28 and 30 nosler have been very popular builds the last few years for me for a very good reason. They are great designs. They will be around for a long time. Not saying there is a thing wrong with the STW, it can do the same job. So far as brass life with the 28, that depends on how hard you run it. But if your not maxing it out and loosening primer pockets, brass sized properly with a FL sizing die just does not wear out. 50 cases will wear out your barrel.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Hey Mud,
What do you do if you're all done with load development and need to use virgin brass? Do you just fireform or use a moderate load that you know is accurate before you jump up to the hotter loads? Just curious.
Also, I have my FL die set to just bump the shoulder back instead of total FL resizing. That, and I have a body die that I'll use first and then neck size after. I get good results either way

This is not a rule of thumb, but typically, with fresh brass, I start about a 1/2 grain low... This is just personal conjecture.

Do you anneal the brass at all to get 5-6 reloads on them? I try to keep a couple 100 on the same number of firings, so have not reached that many times loaded on any of my brass.

I haven't annealed any of mine. I would love to have an annealing machine, but I don't have one currently. I also try to keep about 50-100 or so on the same number of firings, but some have more than others. I keep track of that on the labels. I had some Federal brass that only got 3 firings on it before it started giving me case/head separations, but the Nosler brass has lasted 5-6 firings without any issues, thus far. Can't guarantee how many it will last in your rifle, that's dependent on how you load, and lots of other factors, but in mine, the Nosler brass has been great. I haven't been able to shoot much in the last couple years due to work and moving. Prior to that, I was shooting every weekend.

 

[etisll40]

7rm and 7 stw are keepers, all noslers are a fad and will likely never have sold as many rifles as the 7rm and 7stw. I'll bet you see another 7mm before long... lol

7rm
7ultra mag
7stw
7 lazzaroni
7weatherby
7x57
28 nosler
7wsm
7saum

The list goes on, only 2 will dominate over the long run.

Probably best bet just get a 7rm it's still a great cartridge. I have 2 7stw's though!

 

[jshepherd61]

7rm and 7 stw are keepers, all noslers are a fad and will likely never have sold as many rifles as the 7rm and 7stw. I'll bet you see another 7mm before long... lol

7rm
7ultra mag
7stw
7 lazzaroni
7weatherby
7x57
28 nosler
7wsm
7saum

The list goes on, only 2 will dominate over the long run.

Probably best bet just get a 7rm it's still a great cartridge. I have 2 7stw's though!

Been playing with a 7-378 Weatherby! Yes about the same on barrels as my STW and 7 RUM

 

[MudRunner2005]

I don't know... The .28 Nosler is becoming VERY popular thanks to Browning offering it with modern twist barrels. It was slacking off back when Nosler brass was hard to find, but now that ADG has stepped up and will be releasing .28 Nosler brass this year, that will be a HUGE step to securing its future. When more than one company starts making brass and ammo for something fairly new, that tends to help a lot with its popularity, because it makes brass more available to more people. Especially if the ADG brass is going to be cheaper than the Nosler stuff, but just as good, or better in quality.