I am relatively new to reloading and I am looking for a good hunting load to use in my Remington 700 BDL, 7mm STW. I have tried 175 gr Nosler partitions, pushed by 80 gr of H1000. Speed was okay at 3050 fps but I can't seem to get better than 1.3" groups at 100 yds. That equates to about 4" at 300 yds and that is enought to miss a vital so I am looking for better. Anyone have some suggestions baased on experience?

You must be after some really small Elk. Shooting four inch groups at 300 yards means that you are hitting within 2 inches of your point of aim, at that distance.

While I strive for the 1MOA, your load is certainly accurate enough for a 400 yd. shot. I would think you could get a bit more vel. from that STW. I have a 26"bbl. 7mm Dakota & get 3150fps w/o bending anything. I like the 160gr NP @ 3250fps for an all round deer/elk load. Give IMR7828 a try, it has proved the most accurate in my 7mag.

I have taken several elk with 140gr partitions at 3500fps out of my stw.The partitions hold together and penetration is great.If the bullet is of high quality heavy weights are not necessary.

140gr Barnes XLC BT:

Starting: Max:

RL 25: 80gr@3367fps - 85gr@3577fps

160gr Barnes XLC FB:

RL 25: 76gr@3195fps - 81gr@3399fps

Barnes Manual #3

Bud, your actual accuracy at 300 yds would probably be improved more by actually practicing at that range than switching bullets. Your load is more than accurate enough for a 300 yd elk shot.

Of course, you can never have too accurate a bullet. I'd give the 160 Accubonds a try if you want Ballistic Tip-type accuracy with a tough bullet.

My Elk load is H-1000 powder, Fed 215M primer and a 160 grain Barnes XLC or North Fork bullet. The Barnes XLC gets 85 grains, the North Fork 80 grains. Your barrel may require less powder, start lower and work up the ladder. Good shooting.

Give the non coated 160grCT bullet a try. It seems to be quite tough & you should be able to hit 3200fps in your STW.

Thanks for all the input, I think I am going to try the Nosler accubond 160, first with the H1000 and then if I still think I can do better the IMR 7828. The accubond has nice numbers and if you plug in possible velocities into a ballistics program, plenty of energy. Again, thanks for the help. When I have some results, I will post them.