7mm STW Bullets

6mm06

6mm06

Well-known member
Anyone shooting 7mm STWs for long range deer? I'm curious what bullets you use.

I have a Remington Sendero in that caliber and have been thinking of giving it a try at longer range deer - 200 yards plus. I'd like a bullet that drops 'em, but doesn't blow gaping holes in the meat, if there is such a beast.

Would be interesting to hear what others with experience have to say.
 
I shoot a .264 win mag with Berger 140 VLD's.You run the ballistics on a STW with a 168 Berger VLD,it is very impressive.That is where I would start.
 
I shoot the 175 grain Sierra in my 7mm Weatherby. The bullet is devastating on deer at very long ranges. You can avoid meat damage if you avoid the front shoulder. But if you hit the front shoulder......... Tom.
 
i was shooting 140s and 150s, I tired a bunch of different types and settled on the Nosler BTips and the particians.
 
Thanks for everyone's input. The STW is one heck of a cartridge. Hopefully I'll find that "perfect" bullet that drops them in their tracks. I like the thoughts of it, at least.
 
David - been a while since we chatted - try 139 or 154 Hornady Interlocks over IMR7828 with a Fed 215 primer and you will be impressed. The STW is my gun of choice when I go West and it has always performed in excellent fashion.
 
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I shoot two differnet loads. The 140g Nosler Combined Technology bullet with a hot load of IMR 7828 with a Fed 215, velocity is right at 3600 fps, brother and I have never had a deer take a step.

I also shoot a load of R#22, with a Win Mag primer with the 120g Tripple shock at 3800 fps, I've only shot stray dogs with it so far.

In 1989, I had my first 7 STW built, and we were shooting the 120g Nosler Solid Tip lead tip bullets on deer, they also did a great job.

Hope this helps.
 
Depends exactly how far you want to stretch things.

Hunting bullets I try to stay inside 800-1000 yards, target bullets for 1K and further.

You need to stick with the heavier bullets with higher BC's for long range. For hunting bullets, I would say anything on up from 150g nbt, 154g sst/interbond, 160g AB, 162g sst. For target bullets I'd look at the 162g amax, 168g and 180g vld, and 175g SMK.

Anyways, I've got a 7 Mag and have used it for LR deer out to 800 yards over the last few years. I've used the 162g amax, 168g and 180g vld. I wont use either of the 3 anymore, however I never did lose a deer with any of them, just didn't like how each performed. The 162g amax is VERY explosive as is the 168g VLD at 2900fps, and the 180g VLD showed very little expansion in my 7 mag at 2825fps.

I think the perfect bullet is the 162g SST. They have a fairly high BC (.550) or so, there cheap, and they will expand out to LR and still penetrate fairly deep at close range. If you could find a load with them, thats what I would use and wouldn't hesitate to use them out to 1K on deer from a 7 STW.
 
I run Nosler Partitions in my 7mm rifles, and they deal death instantly on Deer. However, one gun writer of high repute has been using the Berger VLD's mentioned above and has good things to say about them. Not familiar with the bullets Jack suggests, but, given who Jack is(Great Guy), I would absolutely try them.
 
A lot of good information here and I appreciate everyone's response. It's good to hear experience talking.

VAKen, it has been a while since we last talked. My gun seems to like 7828 as well. I've been shooting some 120 gr. ballistic tips at groundhogs and it's doing pretty good. Accuracy is very good, but those are probably too fragile for deer at STW velocities.

Yesterday I got a box of Barnes TSX 140 grainers and plan to give them a try. I have read conflicting reports about accuracy with them, but have read some very positive reports about them on game. Distances will not be as far as some that you guys shoot. I guess the term "long range" has a different meaning for different people. Probably 200-400 yards will be what I will get most often, and that isn't really long range.

I used Sierra 160 gr. spitzer boattails in a 7mm Mag for years. It was a good bullet in two rifles in that caliber, but close range meat destruction was too much. Where I hunt here in the mountains, it's pretty thick terrain and most shots were relatively close. The bullet generally dropped them on the spot.

Ackleyman, I have a box of Combined Technology Fail Safe 140 grainers that I've had for a few years. Haven't shot the first one of them. I don't think those bullets are made anymore if I am right. I also have a partial box of 160 Nosler Partition Gold that was given to me. Haven't shot any of those either, but I assume both those bullets are more for larger game like elk, moose etc.

Seems that I'm toying with the idea of why I have an STW in the first place, if my velocities aren't up there. That's why I've been looking at lighter weight bullets that might be good performers. I do know that higher bal. coe. is what's needed for really long range.

Thanks again to everyone. I wish all of you well.

David
 
OK, so out to 400 yards and you want speed, but not a bullet that destroys meat to bad, I would actually go with something like a 140g AB. Fast, flat, hits hard, good BC, accurate, fairly cheap, get the job done surely farther then 400 yards as well. Other option could be the 139g Interbond. 150g scirocco wouldn't be bad as well. Still push a 150g pretty dang fast, and its got a pretty good BC as well.
 
I have owned and reloaded for both the Accumark and Sendero 7STW and had the best luck with bullets in the 160 grain class. I had little trouble finding accurate loads with both the TSX and Accubond. Reloader22 and 7828 were my powder of choices.

I went on Kirby Allens recommendation for the 160 grain bullets for the STW. Allens reputation and experience for long range bombers are well known.

I have since sold both rifles but if I still had them, I'd look at the Berger VLD.
 
Originally Posted By: firstcoueswas80200 yards isnt even starting distance for that round

My dads 7 rum shoots 140 accubonds real well and it THUMPS deer.

Well, that's very true. 200 yards is kiddy stuff, BUT, where I hunt it is a rather long shot. If I hunt certain places about two counties over from me, 400 or 500 yards becomes more realistic.

As I say, I guess the term "long range" means different things to different people. I guess I should have been more clear in the beginning.

Appreciate your input.
 
I've been shooting the stw for quite a few years now and have setteled on the 140 AB over imr7828 and fed 215s. My load is not that hot, but brass life is better. I've shot deer with 120gr x-bullets, 140 btip, and 140gr AB. To be honest, all hit like a hammer and will leave some meat blood shot. Velocity will do that. Btips had too much meat damage for me, and was worried about blow-ups on close deer.

I've sure the heavier vlds are good for longer ranges, but the 140's should do fine out to 400 yds unless it's reallly windy.

BTW, I also run the 140 AB out of a 7mm RUM.
 
My vote goes for the 168VLD or a 180 if your tube will stabilize it. In my experience a heavier bullet will destroy less meat. Plus with either bullet you would be good from 12 to 1200yds.
 


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