7mm STW

[8x68]

Anybody have much experience with this calibre? I'm considering having one built. Why does one ask???...why not I reply.
Was considering using a donor rifle (haven't decided which to use yet. Maybe something on a Remington 700 or P-17 action). I have read that it be a bit of a barrel burner so a heavier contour might be in order. Might allow barrel to last a bit longer. Would go stainless as it handles heat better. One heck of a flat shooting calibre though.
Thoughts, comments, guffaws!

 

[Ryan]

I have a coworker who has one. He got it used when the riflesmith who made it for himself before he passed away. The riflesmith before obviously trusted it and he's had it for at least a decade with no complaints. I know he's taken a couple/few sheep and I think caribou or two here in Alaska and some sheep elsewhere around the world so it's certainly accurate. I see the ammo on the shelf in larger stores so while not common it is available, though I'm guessing reloading would be a better option here.

 

[Red Leg]

It works. However, Like most of the over bores, it just seems like a solution to non-existent problem.

 

[Ray B]

I don't pay much attention to terms such as over-bore and barrel burner because the burning of the barrel is a function of pressure and heat. If you handload and keep the pressures at "normal" levels you get a marginal increase in velocity without undue wear. Or if you're only shooting a few cartridges as when hunting, load them up because the few that are shot will have negligible effect. I don't know anyone that has the STW, but I know a few that use the parent case, 8mmRM for wildcats in .30 & .375" and they are quite pleased with the case. With the entry of the modified 404 Jeffery case, any new wildcat generally goes belt-less.

 

[Red Leg]

Ray is absolutely correct - the 7mm STW can be downloaded so the powder burns inside the barrel. To my original point, Perhaps you could call it the 7mm Remington Magnum or 7x64?

 

[GKNOX]

Anybody have much experience with this calibre? I'm considering having one built. Why does one ask???...why not I reply.
Was considering using a donor rifle (haven't decided which to use yet. Maybe something on a Remington 700 or P-17 action). I have read that it be a bit of a barrel burner so a heavier contour might be in order. Might allow barrel to last a bit longer. Would go stainless as it handles heat better. One heck of a flat shooting calibre though.
Thoughts, comments, guffaws!

I have had one and my family also have a couple. A buddy's and mine were Rem 700 with detachable mag. Great rifle other than the muzzle brake ended up welding itself on and couldn't be removed. Instead of cutting I opted to trade in for a Sendero in 300 win. My uncles was built on a Rem 700 action with heavy contour barrel. He still shoots today and regularly shoots 1000 yds at the range. Overall a great caliber imo.

 

[PARA45]

I have a 7mm STW, that I built using a Rem 700 donor rifle. I used a stainless Schneider barrel, and a Boyd's stock. Since the donor rifle was an ADL model, and did not have hinged floorplate, I bought a BDL kit from Brownell's. A good friend of mine built it for me, and It is a great shooting rifle. The few animals I've shot have been DRT.

In ref to being a barrel burner because it's an overbore cartridge. I believe it all depends on how you shoot the rifle, if you let cool off, or if you shoot it until the barrel gets way too hot. If you shoot it occasionally at the range, let the barrel cool off, and hunt with it, I think this rifle/barrel will last you a life time. Now, if you are planning on shooting 100 or so rounds per sitting, then obviously the barrel will not last.

 

[enysse]

It's an interesting caliber, that is good for long range shooting but is perfectly fine for short range hunting too. Reloading will make the purchase less expensive.

 

[Buckdog]

hey if the mood hits you go for it!!!!!! I have burned up plenty barrels but even if you load em hot you should get at least 2000 rds out of a good barrel before the accuracy starts to tail off. may I suggest a Krieger cut rifle barrel perhaps.

 

[8x68]

Anybody in got any 7mm STW brass they don't want? (has to be in North America)

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Anybody in got any 7mm STW brass they don't want? (has to be in North America)

Ouch, it's pricy but you can find Nosler brass in 7mm STW here:

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/dept/reloading/rifle-brass/7mm-stw

 

[enysse]

Boy the price for brass is hard stomach for me.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Boy the price for brass is hard stomach for me.

A bit hard to find less than expensive brass these days in many calibers.

 

[flatwater bill]

8x68......................sounds like a fun project. How did you decide on the 7 STW over the other 7mm's ( 7 Dakota, 7 RUM, etc) ? just curious..............FWB

 

[larry4831]

How about a 7 mm RUM...... a really flat shooter based on the 404 Jeffery case.

 

[enysse]

I bought a 7mm Remington Ultra Mag when the ammo was still relatively cheap. Today, I'm not sure I'd so it again. Luckily I have 600 pieces of brass.

 

[sheephunterab]

I had a Sako in 7STW for a number of years and it was extremely accurate and I killed a lot of game with it. I now have a 7RM and not certain I notice any difference. I've got nothing bad to say about the STW though.

 

[ChrisG]

The only problem I can see with it... and it may not be a problem for you, but most of the tremendously overbore cartridges require very VERY long barrels to accomplish their stated velocity. I don't usually like mine longer than 23" if I can help it. Just thought I'd mention that. Oh and muzzle blast will likely be hellacious owing to all that powder squeezing down that tiny tube. If you end up having one built, might I suggest going brake-less. It will really save your ears. I know from earlier posts that you have experience with truly large bore rifles that kick much harder so this one should be like shooting a .243 comparatively. Other than that. I can't see an issue with downloading it as long as you don't go nuts and drop powder charges to the point that the case looks like the bottom half of an hourglass right after its tipped. Detonation does some nasty stuff to otherwise nice rifles. Best of luck!

 

[buffybr]

@8x68 As a brass scrounger, I pick up all of the 7 STW brass that I can find, but then I turn it into .300 Weatherby brass.

 

[lcq]

A bit hard to find less than expensive brass these days in many calibers.

no kidding, I've been hunting for 300wsm for ages