7MM STW Ammo

[MT dreaming]

I recently purchased some 175 grain ammo for elk hunting. The loads were okay but they didn't group like I had hoped. My gun is actually tuned for 140 grain handloads. Those are great on deer but I thought they might be too light for elk. Do you think the 140's are too light for elk? I am also considering some 168 grain handloads.

 

[Hilltop]

140 grains is enough if you have a well constructed bullet. I would say as long as you have a bonded bullet that won't fly apart you will be just fine. My wife shot her big cow elk last month with 140 grain Nosler Partitions out of a 7mm-08. Her shot was 231 yards. Her bullet passed though the chest cavity at an angle and broke a front shoulder before exiting. The elk was down inside of 20 yards and the devastation inside was complete. I wouldn't hesitate to use the exact setup again.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

How was your gun "tuned " for 140 gr. bullets. Do you hand load. If you don't, you should consider it. This allow YOU to get optimum performance from you rifle. There is no reason for 170 gr not to group, you will just have to find a load that your rifle likes.

 

[MT dreaming]

Hey CC "tuned" is not the correct word. What I meant to say is the 140 gr. Nosler ballistic tip handloads provided the best groups. I do not currently reload but would like to start. The 175 factory loads were okay they just didn't give me the size groups that the 140grain.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

OK.....I understand now. You should be able to duplicate the accuracy of the 140 in a 175 gr load, it will just take a little work. If you want to get started reloading, PM me and we can discuss a little about what it takes to get started.

 

[WapitiBob]

A 140 BT out of a 7stw is not something I would use on an Elk. That thing will be going 3400 fps outta the muzzle. I went from 180 VLD's to 140 Barnes TSX in my 7STW and have no hesitation using them on Elk. They opened fine on Antelope this year. Heavy for caliber with fragmenting bullets like a VLD, ABLR, or ballistic tip , light for caliber with solids like Barnes or E tips is what I do.

 

[Retterath]

Reloading and getting out and shooting your gun is the best way to gain confidence in your gun. Those heavier bullets will shoot good you might just have to try a few different things. CC will have good advice

 

[woodtick]

Heavy for caliber with fragmenting bullets like a VLD, ABLR, or ballistic tip

Not to start an argument but I'd never put the ABLR in the category of those other two!

 

[shootbrownelk]

A 140 BT out of a 7stw is not something I would use on an Elk. That thing will be going 3400 fps outta the muzzle. I went from 180 VLD's to 140 Barnes TSX in my 7STW and have no hesitation using them on Elk. They opened fine on Antelope this year. Heavy for caliber with fragmenting bullets like a VLD, ABLR, or ballistic tip , light for caliber with solids like Barnes or E tips is what I do.

I found out this season how well light for caliber solid copper bullets work out of a 7mm magnum. Shot was 400+ yds. on a raghorn bull. Elk was hit high shoulder, DRT and a complete pass-through. Bullet was a 140 gr. Barnes TTSX. Perfect performance.

 

[Eberle]

My 7mm Rem Mag likes the 168 grain accubonds. I would pick a bullet in the 160's, just my opinion.

 

[MT dreaming]

After thinking about it part of the problem I had was comparing 140 gr handloads (from a friend) to 175 gr factory loads. Akin to comparing apples to oranges! I hope to start handloading in the not too distant future so CC you may be getting a PM from me. Thanks everyone for your advice.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

After thinking about it part of the problem I had was comparing 140 gr handloads (from a friend) to 175 gr factory loads. Akin to comparing apples to oranges! I hope to start handloading in the not too distant future so CC you may be getting a PM from me. Thanks everyone for your advice.

I'd be glad to help anytime.

 

[Bonecollector]

Not to highjack the thread, but do you guys like the 7mag over the 300wm due to BC?
I don't reload and am a nubie when it comes to all this stuff. Thx.

 

[WapitiBob]

read this

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f17/7mm-vs-300-wm-70054/

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/7mm-rem-mag-vs-300-win-mag-86072/

 

[Bonecollector]

Well....I just read all that and am now as confused as the persons on those threads!
Thanks CC, it was informative.

 

[SansSouci]

MT dreaming,

160 Partitions shoot very good out of my 7MM Rem Mag. And they will kill huge elk.

Do you hand load?

 

[coues52]

MT dreaming..I have used a 7 stw for a number of years started with the 140,s seirras and then started working loads with 160 seirras & 162 amax and have never looked back..if you need some good starting loads send me a pm too..looks like CC knows what he s talking about too ! coues52