Itsakeepa

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.

bigcountry

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.

m.t.hands

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

duramaxlt

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.

James B

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.

brother hal

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!

48thguns

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

Pace Maker

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!

Rustyaxecamp

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.

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

razormatt

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