7mmSTW
 

I'm looking to puchase an all aound gun for Elk, Mule Deer and Whitetail. I like the numbers on the 7mm STW on paper but I value personal experience over all literature.
Any and all input would be apreciated especially regarding Elk.

RE: 7mmSTW
 

Just got mine this year. So far really like it. I like short actions better. But STW can't beat the numbers. Well you can, but its hard.

RE: 7mmSTW
 

i've had one for 3 years, rem m700 s/s, and it is a great shooter, only thing i've done is a little trigger work (3#) i didn't really need the stw, i have 2 7mm mags but what kinda excuse is that. i'm really happy with mine and you can load it to be very versatile round. the only time i use mine now is on really long range hunts, a few bean and corn fields i hunt you could take as long a shot as you wanted.

good luck, and i think you'd like the stw

RE: 7mmSTW
 

i've never owned one and this is JMO so don't take it personal but if i burn that much powder its going to be at least a .308 bullet coming out the business end.

RE: 7mmSTW
 

I had one but it would really not do anything that I can't do as well with my 280 so I traded it off. I traded it for a bunch of gunsmith work.

RE: 7mmSTW
 

If you don't handload, I suggest either a 06' or a 7mmRemMag. They'll easily take the animals you mentioned, plus you will be able to buy ammo around the country. However, if you "want" a new gun, go for it!

RE: 7mmSTW
 

If you want to kill deer out to 500 yards, the 7mm STW is a terrific choice. I always considered the 7 mag as a 7x57 on steroids and the STW is another step up. If I needed a 500 yard tool...the STW would be my choice. Not sure I could stand the recoil at my old age!!! Regards, Rick

RE: 7mmSTW
 

If I were you, and I know you, I'd buy a 300 win mag, a 7mm STW, a 30.06, a 270, a 7mm, put them on the bench, see what one shoots best, and bring that on our hunt! Then put the rest in the gun safe for another trip somewhere!

RE: 7mmSTW
 

I hunted with my 7mmRUM (basically the same as a STW) this past fall, and loved it. The whitetail buck I shot, however, didn't love it so much. It hurt his shoulders and ribs. But he didn't have long to think about it:D.

It's a great gun (either the RUM or STW), hits hard a long ways out. The only problem, is like the previous poist says, factory ammo is few and far between. I loaded mine pretty hot with a 139gr Interbond, and it worked awesome.

Recoil is fairly stout, but not unbearable.

Erik

Rusty Axe Camp

RE: 7mmSTW
 

Here's an excellent article that compares and contrasts the 7mm STW to Weatherby's big-boy 30 cal, the 30-378.

The .30-378, if you don't know, is a 378 Wby mag necked down to .30. Absolute cannon, check out a reloading manual for it, the ballistics and powder burn are impressive. I think the .30-378 is only available from Weatherby with the accubrake (and rightfully so), and don't know who else (in non-custom) guns chambers it.

http://www.gun-tests.com/performance/7mmstwedge.html

RE: 7mmSTW
 

FYI - I think Sako makes the 30-378 in their TRG rifle.

Erik

Rusty Axe Camp

RE: 7mmSTW
 

I have fired a trg-s in 30-378 and found the recoil much harsher than my 300ultramags.The trg-s seems to pass a lot of recoil to the shooter compared to other rifles.

RE: 7mmSTW
 

i have the sako trg-s in 7.82 lazzeroni warbird. a honey of a rifle. but, backtracking, a 7 stw is a great cartridge for reaching out and touching something but it's a bear finding ammo in out of the way places. for what you've stated your rifle is intended for, i'd save the bucks and get a remington 700 mountain rifle in 280.

RE: 7mmSTW
 

But it's easier finding 280 ammo is that what your saying?

RE: 7mmSTW
 

OLD ELK,
IN MY PART OF THE WOODS IT IS.

RE: 7mmSTW
 

Swampman, where I live it is pretty hard to find 280 ammo of any sort although a lot of guys around here shoot them. Gun stores in Alabama are pretty well stocked I have been finding out.