I'm starting to put together my reloading setup for 7mm STW, as I should have my rifle (Sako 75 Stainless/Synthetic in 7mm STW) paid off layaway by the end of December or early January. I've already decided on Redding dies in the Deluxe 3-die set, as I plan to neck size only with the as needed FL size if necessary. I'm up in the air between using either Nosler 140gr Ballistic Tips for range use (less expensive), Nosler 140gr Accubonds (tougher than the BT's, but slightly mroe expensive) or possibly the Barnes 140gr TSX's (pricy, but I like the design). I'm a big fan of Nosler BT's, and use then exclusively in my .22-250 with outstanding results. VERY accurate and SPECTACULARLY deadly on groundhogs, but I know that the small caliber BT's are different from the larger caliber BT's. I'm a bit worried about the ability of the 140gr BT to remain intact with a short ranged, high velocity hit (on the order of 3400fps+ at the muzzle), but from what I've read on another thread, my worries may not be justified.
I also have no idea which powder to select for this rifle. I use Varget in my 22-250 with great success, Alliant 2400 and H-110 for .454 Casull and .45 Colt, Universal Clays for .45ACP, and VhitaVouri N110 for my Savage ML10-II. This is my first magnum rifle that I'm handloading for, and none of the powders I've seen listed jump out as having a great reputation in the 7mm STW.
I'm leaning toward RL-19, RL-22 or IMR 7828 for no other reason than I recall them mentioned before as working well in this type of application, and I have data for all three.
I was curious to see if anyone here has had experience with loading for the 7mm STW, and which powder(s) offer the best accuracy while being reasonably clean. Oh, and FYI, I weight each powder charge for rifle, so I set my powder measure to throw 1-3 grains less and trickle up to the desired charge weight by hand, so metering and grain size/shape aren't a major issue.
RE: Recommended starting powder/bullet for 7mm STW?
Drift, here's a group of my new 7mmSTW out of the box, while breaking in. They are factory 160gr Accubond federals. Still waiting on my order of 160gr accubonds and wanted to break her in. I plan on using 74-78gr of H1000 behind 160gr accubonds. Will let you know how she does. Hope to top this after the gun gets broken in.
RE: Recommended starting powder/bullet for 7mm STW?
just throwing this out there, 74 gr of H-1000 and 139 gr Hornady SST's give me about 3250-3300 (its been a few years since I chrono'd, tried to remember) I have talked to several (3) people that all use H-1000 for the STW just a suggetion.
RE: Recommended starting powder/bullet for 7mm STW?
bigcountry,
What model rifle shot that group?
Oh, and in case you didn't notice, when you put up that pic you also posted you full name and street address for every yahoo and nutjob who may frequent this site to see. You may not care, but I thought I'd be neighborly (in a virtual sense) and point it out.
Thanks for the suggestions guys, keep them coming.
RE: Recommended starting powder/bullet for 7mm STW?
Its the same brand and model your going to get. Thanks for the info on the address. But I ain't too hard to find. Better be safe than sorry for idenity theft or whatever.
Yea, this is the first rifle, I have took out of the box and took factory ammo and while breaking cleaning every shot then every three shots, I got subMOA groups. I love it.
RE: Recommended starting powder/bullet for 7mm STW?
My pet load is 86 gr. of H-1000 behind a 140 nosler ballistic tip, touched off by a fed 215 primer. DO NOT TRY THIS LOAD IN YOUR RIFLE, without working up to it. Its a pretty stout load but in my Lilja barrelled Bansner built custom 700 it shoots great, no pressure signs, has a velocity of 3550 fps, and a 16 fps extreme spread
RR
RE: Recommended starting powder/bullet for 7mm STW?
Driftrider
I just picked up a sako stainless synthetic last month. Spent the day at the range with partitions and accubonds and 7828. The second load I tried, 81g of 7828 behind a 140 accubond shot into 1/2". The 140 partitions didn't shoot at all. 160 partitions shot into 11/2" but not better. Both 87 and 88g of 7828 shot 1" groups with 160 accubonds. The odd thing was one was a vertical string and the other was perfectly horizontal! Never saw that in back to back loads. I worked up to 83g with the 140 accubonds--saw no signs of pressure--the primers looked the same as my starting load of 79g. I need to get the 81g load over a chronograph and see where I am at. I also need to play around with the bullet seating depth. I have thought about giving the 140TSX a try, but I was really frustrated with the 168tsx in a 300wby. They would routinely put 2 in one hole, with the 3rd an inch or more out side! Of course on the weatherby, with the free bore, I can't seat the bullets closer to the lands which is what barnes are supposed to like. If the winter is long and cold, I'll probably try them. Let us know how your gun shoots, and particlarly, what loads it likes. Work the above loads up carefully--they are above listed max in several manuals. By the way, this gun shot factory 140 corelocts, A-frames and ballistic silvertips into 11/4-15/8" groups. Not a bad showing for the opening act. I think the gun has promise.
RE: Recommended starting powder/bullet for 7mm STW?
i have been using hornady 162gr sst as an all around bullet loaded with 86gr of H870 and achieve a velocity of approx 3200fps and 2000flbs energy at 300 yrds. Now the problem arises because H870 is no longer manufactured. I have heard through the grapevine that there is 20 000 lbs of H8700 on the market but i have no info on it and its simularities or differences to the original H870.
the 162gr sst is a match grade bullet so it is a bit more expensive but it works on everything i have shot . Mountain Goat at 350yrds, Whities at any range and i took an elk at 200yrdsno problems as long as you have good shot placement
Recommended starting powder/bullet for 7mm STW?
