The Accurate Reloading Forums
premium bullet for 7mm stw
21 September 2003, 09:42
jb177premium bullet for 7mm stw
I am looking for a 120-140 gr bullet that will stand up to 7mm stw velocities. The game will mostly be southern deer. I currently shoot 120 gr X bullets, but the accuracy is so-so and the copper fouling is a nightmare. It's a long cleaning session after only about 20 rounds. I really do like the performance of the 120 X's, just looking to try something different. Most of my shots are around 200-300 yards, but need a bullet that will hold together at 50 yards if needed. I search this board, and people seem to really like the 140 gr partition. How is the accuracy w/ that bullet? Any help or loads would be appreciated.
21 September 2003, 13:27
Tombo21North Fork. The accuracy is impressive, and Atkinson says the performance exemplary.
21 September 2003, 13:29
Ken ClineTry the Barnes 140 grain XLC coated bullet. Fouling isn't a problem, and accuracy is usually very good.
21 September 2003, 15:02
fredj338I like the 160gr bullets in my 7mm Dakota, but if I were looking for a tough 140gr, I think the Northfork or Swift-A would do you well.
22 September 2003, 03:39
jb177I was always afraid of using moly bullets because of the the build-up in the barrel. Does the XLC's coat the barrel or do you have to prep the barrel before shooting the XLC's? How far you seating them off the lands?
Like I said, mostly going to be used for deer, so don't want a bullet that could be too tough and not expand as it should at longer ranges.
[ 09-21-2003, 18:50: Message edited by: Justin B ]22 September 2003, 04:49
<phurley>Try the North Fork bullets, they will hold at any distance, and in my STW are absolutely the most accurate premium bullet made today. My rifle is very partial to the 160 grain, shooting one holers, but would shoot the 140 less than .5.
www.northforkbullets.com ![[Wink]](images/icons/wink.gif)
Good shooting.
24 September 2003, 05:35
jb177What about the old partitions or the new accubonds? Hornady interlocks?
24 September 2003, 08:01
Stonecreekquote:
Originally posted by Justin B:
I search this board, and people seem to really like the 140 gr partition. How is the accuracy w/ that bullet?
. . . . and for good reason. The Partition expands rapidly in the front end and penetrates well with the rear. "Failures" are essentially unheard of. It has a better ballistic coefficient that some of its imitators like the Swift A-frame, and is never "too hard" or "too soft", but like Goldilocks says, always "just right".
Nosler Partitions are as accurate, on average, as any bullet other than perhaps a benchrest bullet or their own Ballistic Tips. But the results you get will depend on your particular rifle, of course.
There are a number of good, slow-burning powders on the market nowadays to choose from. My personal recommendation is a surplus powder, WC 872, which is cheap and give consistent performance, at least in the lots I have used. Other good choices to try would be RL 25, Hodgdon Retumbo, Accurate 8700, or perhaps VV N-170.
24 September 2003, 12:44
hvyw8tI like the new 160 grain nosler accubond. the bullets hold together well and have an incredible ballistic coeficiant. my 28 inch barreled sako shoots them at 3375 fps,with r25, into a 1/2 inch all day. if i had to shoot 140s i would probably go with a partition. cheers!
24 September 2003, 13:06
Mark R DobrenskiJustin--this is just one man's opinion and it is not meant to get a 500 post thread going at all.
So... here goes I've used the Sierra 130 MK with very good success out of my 7 Mashburn Super. Deer antelope and elk all just bounce.
To those of you who do not like this I am sorry but I am just posting what's worked for me.
"GET TO THE HILL"
Dogz
25 September 2003, 11:07
dan belisleHey Mark, you made it back, how was the hunting trip? My STW likes the 160 gr Fail Safes on top of RL25. Gives me 3200 fps out of a 24" barrel, and very good accuracy. - Dan
25 September 2003, 14:36
jb177Thanks for the help guys. I thought about the accubonds, but I believe they are only available in 160's and don't really need that much bullet for these little deer. I am also afraid that the failsafes may be a little too hard to expand on these light-skinned animals.
I am just always itching to try something different, may have to give the paritions a try. The one thing that bothers me about them is their inconsistent lead tips causing some bullets to be seated longer/shorter than others. Has anybody had such problems? Anybody shooting them over imr7828? Would be interested in some starting loads as my Nosler manual is out of date and has no data for the 7mm stw.
I love the 120 x's on deer, but the fouling has got the best of me.
26 September 2003, 14:55
WstrnhuntrFor deer a 160 grn Speer Mag tip is all the bullet you will ever need.
26 September 2003, 16:22
4bambamDid use the Swift scirocco and 80.5 gr Imr 7828, but since the Hornady interbond 139gr came out- 83gr imr-7828-3530 av fps, circled quarter sized groups. Just as accurate as the scirocco and does hold togeather better, and cheaper.
26 September 2003, 17:50
DaveCNorth Forks are your answer.
26 September 2003, 19:11
Bwana-bequote:
Originally posted by Stonecreek:
expands rapidly in the front end and penetrates well with the rear.
Hey, I'm RIGHT HERE people!
Keep my sex life out of this!
PLEASE! ![[Roll Eyes]](images/icons/rolleyes.gif)
27 September 2003, 02:08
jb1774bambam,
Have you shot anything with those new Hornady Interbonds? They sound like the would be perfect for whitetail. Just worried that they won't hold together at close ranges at high velocities, look a lot like SST's.
27 September 2003, 04:22
Groove BulletsJustin,
A question, if I may.
What kind of accuracy are you looking for?
We have had hunters shooting 1/2 MOA and tighter groups from magnum rifles using Groove Bullets.
You want a bullet that will hold together at close range and further out. Groove Bullets will hold together at close range and as far out as you can hit the deer.
Groove Bullets do NOT copper foul near as much as jacketed bullets without grooves. We shot 30 rounds through a 338 win mag and it took us 10 minutes to clean the barrel of copper. We use "Sweets" to remove the copper.
Using a 127gr EXP Groove Bullet in your 7 STW you should realize 3600 FPS, perhaps higher with extreme accuracy. Reloader 22 is a good powder to use in the 7 STW using Groove Bullets.
Using the 127gr EXP in your 7 STW you can go from deer to elk sized game without a problem.
Don
27 September 2003, 06:08
<DallanC>Don,
Have you guys tested coating the groove bullets with different types of coatings like Fastex etc?
-DallanC
27 September 2003, 06:19
Elk CountryI have loaded the Speer Grand Slam bullet for many people in their 7mm mags. with great success. The performance on deer and elk has been flawless. I'm sure they can handle the extra velocity of the STW as well. I've witnessed the X bullet fail to expand too many times to ever recomend them to anyone. FWIW.
Justin B,
The interbond IS a SST bullet with the core bonded to the jacket. Hornady claims they WILL NOT come apart, so I wouldn't be afraid to try them. My elk hunting partner is going to use the 30 cal. 165 IB out of his 300 WM this year. I will report thr results after the season ends in Nov.
Elk Country
[ 09-26-2003, 21:24: Message edited by: Elk Country ]27 September 2003, 08:35
Groove Bulletsquote:
Originally posted by DallanC:
Don,
Have you guys tested coating the groove bullets with different types of coatings like Fastex etc?
-DallanC
DallanC
No, we have never coated any Groove Bullets. If we used moly, as an example, velocity would decrease. Because so much less of the bullet comes in contact with the rifling and bore copper fouling is minimal. The Grooves in Groove Bullets reduces pressure and reduces velocity. We can then safely add aditional powder to increase velocity while maintaining safe pressures. If we coated the bullets with moly or dansak we would again lose velocity.
Thank you for your question,
Don
27 September 2003, 14:39
4bambamJustin B, the Interbond is an interbonded bullet, looks like a sst and is not a sst bullet. Have had great results in 300 wby mag and the 165gr interbond at 3390av fps. Look at youre private message section and e-mail me, and I will send pictures and facts
P.S. must have hit the number 9 twice 3990av fps.
![[Eek!]](images/icons/shocked.gif)
[ 09-27-2003, 06:38: Message edited by: 4bambam ]27 September 2003, 15:16
Groove Bullets4bambam
Did I read it right? You are pushing a 165gr bullet out of a 300 Whby at 3990 FPS?
Don