My favorite LR cartridge is 7STW-What's yours

[johnnyk]

Hum, my absolute go-to rifle? I'd probably grab my 6.5-284 Norma. Like Greyfox noted, with 140's stoked to 3000fps+, it's a proven killer. Personally, I've only taken deer with it to 750yds, but it's ez a 1k deer rifle.
I also shoot the .300WM w/208gn (preparing to start load development on the 212gn ELD) @ 3000fps+. It definitely carries the mail to 1k+.
My latest, a 270 Allen Magnum shooting the excellent 169.5gn Wildcats ULD RBBT's and the 170gn Bergers, both past 3400fps. This is with lower end loads but amazingly accurate. This rifle easily shoots .5MOA (or better) out to 1400yds (farthest so far).
Oh and I just added a .308Wimpchester....not sure what I'm gonna accomplish with this but hey, it goes bang, so I'll play with it.
JohnnyK.

 

[shooter72]

Depends on what one I have at the moment. Also depends on your definition of LR.

1000 and under 300WSM
1000-1500 used to be the 300RUM but quickly my new 300Atlas is making up ground
over 1500 338 edge.

Depends also on the gun configuration. over all My new Atlas is really making me a happy man. In a 15lbs gun it's pleasant to shoot and really performing well. I am sure at 1500 or so the 338 will show it up but I don't get to shoot that often enough.

 

[FEENIX]

Depends on what one I have at the moment. Also depends on your definition of LR.

1000 and under 300WSM
1000-1500 used to be the 300RUM but quickly my new 300Atlas is making up ground
over 1500 338 edge.

Depends also on the gun configuration. over all My new Atlas is really making me a happy man. In a 15lbs gun it's pleasant to shoot and really performing well. I am sure at 1500 or so the 338 will show it up but I don't get to shoot that often enough.

Extracted from OP's ...

What's your favorite LR cartridge for hunting out to 750? Why?

My .300 WSM loaded with 215 is a very close second next to my .270 AI loaded with 175 Matrix VLD.

Cheers!

 

[orangediablo]

I'm surprised at the number of guys picking the old tried & proven 300 Win. mag considering all the new hot rod cartridges out there.

If it's "tried and proven", why are you surprised? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. There is a reason most LRH have one, and was probably their first, and chances are, their backup after their new toys.

 

[Rick Richard]

300 WM with 215 Bergers, but I have not got my 6.5 SAUM yet.

 

[sambo3006]

I really like the 7mm STW as the three I've had all shot half inch or less at 100 yards. My latest one had a 28" barrel and I shot 168 gr JLK VLDs at 3200 fps. It performed well on the deer and antelope I shot with it out to a little under 500 yards. It was also very heavy at 15 lbs.

I am currently shooting the 6.5 SAUM. I have a light weight that I've taken whitetail, mule deer and antelope with using the 130 gr JLK VLD at 3150 fps. Great bullet performance on all out to 250 yards. I have a heavier one with a Sendero contour barrel and an A5 stock that I haven't shot yet but plan on trying the 140 gr Nosler RDF.

 

[WildRose]

I sincerely doubt i'll ever get over my love affair with the 7mm STW either as it quite simply does everything well from varmints/predators to medium and large game at long range.

If I were starting out today I might lean towards the 28 Nosler simply due to availability of loaded ammo and brass but I've probably got a lifetime supply of brass for all three of my STW's so for me that's just not a big deal.

The 300wm comes in at a close second but it will never match the STW for the "cool factor" and being able to reach way, way out there with the same recoil as the STW in an equal platform.

 

[dok7mm]

There's quite a wide gap between them, but the ones I have the most faith in are the 6.5-284 and 7mm STW. They both do the job. The 6.5 Sherman is a contender with the 150 Matrix, but time will tell.

 

[SansSouci]

750 yards is a far piece of real estate the higher one climbs above 7000'.

I'd go with a 7MM Rem Mag or .270 Win. If I were to go the expensive route, a .308 Win

 

[matt_3479]

I'd have to say the 300. Win mag loaded with 215 hybrids! Love the caliber and bullet combination!! Had to sell the rifle but will be picking up another one soon enough!! Been spending a lot of time with my 260. Rem and it's incredible too! Can't wait for the 6x47 lapua to be finished

 

[larks99]

I'm surprised at the number of guys picking the old tried & proven 300 Win. mag considering all the new hot rod cartridges out there. The old Win. mag would be my 2nd choice but with a 150 grain bullet screaming.

I prefer lighter bullets & maximum velocity, one of the reasons for choosing the STW. I'll probably be scoffed at, but in my STW I shoot 140 or 150 grain bullets at hyper velocity, most primers flattened. Barrel life? Lots of companies make new barrels & it's only money.

In the beginning I mentioned deer size to big game animals. Well the largest animal I hunt is an Axis exotic, max around 350 lbs. but mostly antelope, whitetail, & mule deer in wide open country where 400 yard shots are normal.

Jim D

I shoot a 7mm Rem Mag and I think you are not taking advantage of the great bullets that are out there starting at 162g and up. The 7STW is capable of pushing the Berger 180 hybrid target and even the 195 elite hunter as good velocities. Couple that with the high B.C's those bullets offer and you've got yourself a great long range cartridge. I know you said you are shooting smaller size animals so the 162 or 175 hornady ELDX, or the 168 Berger VLDs and 175 Berger Elite Hunters would be great.

 

[pacowboy]

My favorite is what Layne Simpson probably got the idea from to make the 7 STW and my gun pre-dates the 7STW. The case dimensions are just a few thousandths off from each other. I use a 7mm-300 Weatherby Mag. This cartridge was designed by Howard Wolfe of Pennsylvania I believe in the late 60's. Mary Louise Devito set a world record at the Williamsport 1k with it in I think 1972 or '73. Been a while since I researched it. The only downfall is this is not a commercial cartridge. Still considered a wildcat. It is different than the 7mm Weatherby as 7mm Wby case is shorter than the 300WBY. Why Roy didn't just neck down a 300 Weatherby I don't know. But my gun is deadly accurate with a Interarms Mark X action and Douglas barrel. My dad and uncle built my gun when I was just a kid back in the late 1970's.

 

[shooter72]

My favorite is what Layne Simpson probably got the idea from to make the 7 STW and my gun pre-dates the 7STW. The case dimensions are just a few thousandths off from each other. I use a 7mm-300 Weatherby Mag. This cartridge was designed by Howard Wolfe of Pennsylvania I believe in the late 60's. Mary Louise Devito set a world record at the Williamsport 1k with it in I think 1972 or '73. Been a while since I researched it. The only downfall is this is not a commercial cartridge. Still considered a wildcat. It is different than the 7mm Weatherby as 7mm Wby case is shorter than the 300WBY. Why Roy didn't just neck down a 300 Weatherby I don't know. But my gun is deadly accurate with a Interarms Mark X action and Douglas barrel. My dad and uncle built my gun when I was just a kid back in the late 1970's.

I like the cartridge I have had a few, but I believe there are better options at this point of the game. the record if memory serves me correctly was only like 7.75" at 1000 something that is regularly beaten at matches today. I know the over all equipment is much better but for the 7's the 7X300 is cool but more novelty for my money.

 

[pacowboy]

I like the cartridge I have had a few, but I believe there are better options at this point of the game. the record if memory serves me correctly was only like 7.75" at 1000 something that is regularly beaten at matches today. I know the over all equipment is much better but for the 7's the 7X300 is cool but more novelty for my money.

I agree there are better out there. But mind you as I stated, my gun was built back around 78-79 and it's still a tack driver. No need for me to replace something that isn't broken, especially something that I have a fondness for. My dad is hunting on the streets of gold now, so sentimental value holds a lot too. I am sure with todays powders and bullets, the reliable 7-300 could easily break that "old" record today. I did some shooting for a few years at Williamsport myself but didn't use this gun. I built a light benchrest gun (under 17lb) in 6.5x284 for that. Ironically I was given one of my great-uncles guns that had a 24" douglas barrel chambered in 6.5-300 WBY on it. I converted that to the benchrest gun. Now the 6.5-300Wby is a current trend or rage.