I am going to SA for the first time. I am taking my Blaser 7mmstw. I usually shoot 140gr tsx but wonder if I should shoot a heavier bulett? The biggest animals being shot would be a kudu and a gemsbuck.

Two years ago I went with a friend he used a 7mm Remington with 160 gr bullet . He killed anything from Water Buck to Kudu , Blue WilderBeast . Basics If the bullet is placed where it is suppose to go in the vitals then youshould have no problem. Chose a good bullet a Partion or Swift a -Frame.
I love my STW Barrel for My Blaser I am trying a bullet Made by Richard Graves in Canada..150 Gr.

nube,
The STW is one of my favorite cartridges for North American hunting, but when it came time to hunt the bushveldt I left it home. I like that 140 TSX as well.Ranges tend to be very short, so that banjo string trajectory won't help, and might hurt you. Load some heavier premium bullets at their lower speeds and go hunting. A kudu isn't a heck of a lot bigger than a big mule-deer buck or a small spike elk. Shoot for the shoulders instead of behind them.

nube,

I used a 7mmSTW on a safari in Zim' in 1998...................with handloaded 140XBT's.

I took 3 kudu plus a Sable with it. But it took 3 shots on the sable , one of which was a spine shot to kill it. Two of the broadside shots didn't penetrate to the off lung

Moral of the bloody story. 140's are way too light. Try 160TSX or the 175TSX.

Or better yet, the 160 Northfork.

Cheers,

Blair.

Nube:
Try the 160 tsx. They shot a 1/2 inch group in my 7STW, it's best group. I would have to go back & check the powder I used. The only animal I used it on was a Nyala at about 100 yards. The shot was quatering towards me & I shot just inside the near shoulder & it exited behind the last rib on the opposite side. He stumbled about 20 yards towards me & dropped dead. The 140 could have done the same job but I feel the 160tsx could be used on gemsbok, kudu, wildebeast, or any of the smaller plains game. I wouldn't hesitate to use this combo on leopard either. I love the larger calibers, the 375 H&H & the 416 in any make, but at 300 yards or over I have all the confidence in the STW. Dogleg is probably right in that the shots will probably be short enough that you won't need the STW's extra reach, but I don't believe you would be hindered with the 160 TSX at 3150 fps. At this velocity I would be very surprised if any of the shots did not exit on an animal from kudu or gemsbok on down. You only get one first trip to Africa & I envy you for it. All my trips have been great, but everything always compares to the first. Savor each moment & don't sweat the small stuff.

Been shooting the 7STW since the first article came out in a magazine. Gunsmith ordered the reamer and was told it was the first one in Colorado. I've used 140s a lot and like them for antelope. However (knew there had to be one didn't you?), after awhile went with 160gr partitions. Now use the 160gr TSXs. On a hunt like you've booked, carry enough bullet weight for the largest animal you'll meet. Might even decide that the 175gr premiums might be better.

I agree with all of you on upgrading to a larger and slower velocity. I met my outfitter last night. He came over to Alberta to do a little selling of his hunts and could talk with him for a couple hours. He said my load would work but it would be better if I shot a 160 or bigger and at a slower speed. Are there any factory loaded shells that are out there like that? I would hate to work out a load for just one trip.

quote:

Originally posted by Dogleg:
nube,
The STW is one of my favorite cartridges for North American hunting, but when it came time to hunt the bushveldt I left it home. I like that 140 TSX as well.Ranges tend to be very short, so that banjo string trajectory won't help, and might hurt you. Load some heavier premium bullets at their lower speeds and go hunting. A kudu isn't a heck of a lot bigger than a big mule-deer buck or a small spike elk. Shoot for the shoulders instead of behind them.

Me thinks you haven't seen or hunted Kudu to make that statement. You are talking elk size animal they you may only get a second or two to bring down from any number of diff. shot presentations. I shoot a 7mmDakota, very sim. vel. to the STW, I have pretty much gone to the 160gr bullet weight for everything. It's within a couple of inches of the 140gr out to 400yds & gives exc. penetration. I would work up the load. You'll need some trigger time anyway. Federal makes the 160grNAB, a good choice. I have used the 160grNP @ 3200fps, up to elk size game, & have no complaints

Fredj338,
What part of my post is it that you disagree with? Body size? I'll stick with my estimate of about the size of a spike elk.Some are no doubt bigger, but elk get bigger than spikes too. I have shot exactly 1 kudu, and don't really know how many I've seen.I used a .375 H&H with 270 grain TSXs. Predictably, it died. No big suprise there, with the same hit my STW would have done the same thing.

Nube
With a 308 and 180 Barnes MRX my wife killed 2 kudu, she killed one kudu with her 30-06 drilling and a 180 Woodleigh Soft.

My wife killed a zebra and a wildebeest with her 308 and 165 gr Trophy Bonded Bearclaws.

No problems.

I would use a little heavier bullet in a 7 STW just for the chance of a raking short or a going away shot just for better penetration.

Have a great hunt.

The 7 STW will do fine on plains game but if it were me the bullet would be at least 160 grains and then either Northfork or A-Frame. Especially for Kudu and Gemsbok!

It's your money and your hunt.....also remember.....if you draw blood.......you pay for it!