Suggestions on re-loaders for 7mm STW

[cobrian45]

I have a Rem 700 7STW that I absolutely love to shoot. The problem is that the ammo that I like to shoot costs around $40.00 a box. I shoot Federal ammo in either 150 gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw or 160 gr Sierra BTSP. Both are great rounds and I despise the 140 gr that Remington puts out since it exploded on the shoulder of a Gemsbok and took forever to put another round into it. Does anyone know of someone that can re-load brass? Any suggestions would help. I have a Crown Royal bag full of brass (both Nickel and Brass) that I would love to get done. I'm nervous because I had someone around here reload fifty rounds and when I got them back, three didn't have primers. I, therefore, decided not to shoot any of them since so little attention to detail went into just the primer seating. I don't want to blow up my baby. (The STW). Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[dakotasin]

you're going to have a tough time, here...
when i work a load up for a rifle, i need to have that rifle in my hands so i can get overall length right, and pressure test the loads, and finally tune in accuracy. so, not likely that you're gonna get a lot of help, excepting commercial reloaders.

for bullets... no surprise the 140 blew up - not enough bullet driven at a high velocity, makes for a mess. i run 162 hornadys in my 7 rum and have had excellent luck. leave the 140's for prairie dog towns...

 

[cobrian45]

I was afraid of that. I guess I should just be lucky I can still get factory for it that do so damn good. The Remingtons I shot when I first got the gun and found out quick they were no good. I've put the 150 Trophy Bonded from rear right to front left on a wounded stag with almost no fragmentation of the bullet. I guess I'll just stick with what's working really well and keep saving the brass for when I have to re-load. The 7 WSM and SAUM kind of killed the market for STW factory ammo.

 

[birdbustr]

I've got a Remington 700 Sendero 7mm STW. As far as the blow up, you "must have a bonded bullet for such a high velocity round". The bonded Bear Claws I've never tried, but they cost about $35 for just the bullets. Remington rifle loads are usually going to be in the weaker velocities if you check ballistics charts.

For a 7mm STW you are going to need to reload or find someone to reload them for you. Here's what I shoot. All Over all lengths are max for the magazine. I can give you more length detail if you need it. I don't have it with me right now. Primers are Federal GM215Match.
150 gr Swift Scirocco 80 grs of R22 gives 3400fps
150 gr Barnes TSX 79 grs of R22 gives 3350fps.
139 gr Hornady Interbond 79 grs of R22 gives 3420fps.

I've also used H1000 and 7828 powder, but my rifle accuracy is the best with R22, so I don't use the other powders anymore.

 

[cobrian45]

Thanks, I'll take some notes. There is a range around here that will let you re-load and use their equipment. I just need to do some research and I guess do it myself. I did reload .243 for a while but just had old RCBS hand me down equipment and not enough $$ to buy more and it wasn't much fun. I've wanted to try the Scirocco ever since they came out and had that guy load some for me, but now I'm scared to shoot them. I'm going to have to get a kinetic puller to get rid of those, I guess.

 

[birdbustr]

I'd just pull them all too. If you don't know what components he used (primers and powder) the rounds would be hard to duplicate anyway. The bullets may be able to be reused, but I generally don't reuse mine pulled bullets unless they are just range rounds.
The only kill I've had with my 7mm STW was with a 150gr ballistic tip. Dropped the deer, but completely desintegrated on impact of bone. I shot it facing on with it's head down. The Sciroccos are probably the most accurate of the above listed. They are supposed to retain >80% weight. The TSX >95% and the Hornady Interbond should retain >80%. All of the loads I listed give me 1 moa groupings, a little better if I take my time. These loads should give good results with your rifle too since they are both remington 700s in the same caliber. The only way to know is to try it. I wouldn't be opposed to sending you some of mine that I have loaded already for you to try. Maybe like a box of 7 of each round (21 total) that I use.

I think $35 without brass or $25 with brass seems about right. See what shoots best and then I can load out the others that you have for the same price.