29 March 2002, 16:51
<Sniper>Best bullet for deer sized game 7 STW
Starting to work on a load for this cartridge and was wondering if anyone wanted to share some "in the field" experiences. Estimated range of shot opportunities could be anywhere from 10-350 yards. I have started working on the 139 grain Hornady SST.
30 March 2002, 10:38
<rickdm>Sniper, I will be curious to see the replies you get. I have been working up loads for a new 7mm STW and started off with a 150 grain Nosler BT at about 3100 fps thinking that it would be a great deer load. I am now finishing up loads for a 140 grain Partition which will end up somewhere between 3300 and 3400 fps. Next up is the Hornady SST's in 139 grain, which I want to see if they will be more accurate than the Partitions (though the Partitions are looking pretty good right now). I am thinking that any of those three bullets will be pretty good for deer. Next up is loading for a 175 grain Grand Slam that should make a pretty good African plains load.
Of course I have never actually shot anything live with this rifle, so I have no idea what effect it will have on game, but I hope to remedy that soon.
Regards,
Rick
30 March 2002, 13:27
stubblejumperI have killed over two dozen game animals with the 7mm stw.Over half of those mostly large canadian deer with a bighorn and antelope thrown in were killed with the 140 gr ballistic tip.The rest which included several elk and deer and a moose were killed with the 140 gr partition.I have encountered no problems at all with getting quick clean kills and see no reason to use heavier bullets in this caliber.