I have been working up loads for my Rem 700 in 7mm STW with a Hart barrel. I wanted one all-around load for everything from deer to African plains game. I had settled for a 160 gr. bullet in either a Partition or an A-Frame at about 3100 fps. However this rifle does not want to group any bullet heavier than 150 gr. into anything less than 1.75" to 2" for four shots. I am afraid that I am going to burn out the barrel trying every combination of powder, bullets, and loads.

It does seem to really like 140 gr. bullets, and will group either Partitions or Interlocks into .5" to .75" at about 3300 fps. I am at the point of just giving in and settling for a 140 gr. Partition at 3300 fps, though I would prefer a heavier load for Elk or Kudu.

Do I keep fighting it, or should I just settle for what the rifle seems to like?

Thanks,
Rick

With a rifle that shows such a pronounced favoritism, i.e. 1/2" vs 2" groups, I know that I'd be shooting the 140's!

(As I've mentioned before on here, I have a 308 that will just knot up 168 gr SMK's, but literally pukes the 175's. As much as I wanted to be able to shoot the 175's, my decision was pretty much made for me...)

A 140 grain Partition will do the job just fine on elk. Pick a good load for it, practice a bit, and take it hunting!

Shoot what the gun wants if you want accuracy.I have taken several elk and moose myself with the 7mmstw and 140gr partitions at 3500fps.

start shooting three shot groups.....

I doubt that you'll hurt the barrel unless you shoot after it gets hot...it should be good for at least 3,500 rounds.

Personally, I'd be using 175 grain bullets....but that's just me. Some of those Kudu and elands are plenty big. A 175 will still make 3,000'/sec and there's a bunch of good ones to choose from.

Did you get a 1-10" barrel??????

Wow, 3500 fps. I have seen no pressure signs at 3300 fps, but 3500 is definitely smoking!

I bought the gun used, so I don't know what the twist rate is, but I suspect it is a slow twist barrel. You can see keyholeing on some loads with the 175 gr. Barnes X bullets.

Three shot groups would sure look a lot better. I can't tell you how many groups I have fired where the first three shots touch and the fourth one is an inch off. I have been using four as a compromise between 3 and 5, but with a slim barrel it might be affected by heat. 3500 rounds through the barrel would be great, I have been thinking more like 800 to 1000.

Thanks for the suggestions,
Rick

3500 rounds is a lot for a 7mmstw but 1500 rounds is quite realistic even with maximum loads for the rifle.Most 7mmstw's with 1 in 10" rate of twist and 26" barrels will produce 3400fps to 3500fps with no pressure signs.I have seen a couple though that would only produce about 3370fps without showing pressure signs.My own rifles shoot best with 140gr bullets(1/2" average for 3 shot groups) not so well with 160's(1-1/2 to 2") and very poor with 175's(3+").Since the 140gr partitions perform so well on elk and moose though, I couldn't care less how the heavier bullets group.

[ 12-08-2003, 07:33: Message edited by: stubblejumper ]

Whats a rifle know about killing power, nope I will pick my bullets...A good rifle will shoot about any bullet well enough for hunting...and a really good rifle will shoot with just about any bullet.

Out of curiosity, does 20g in 160 really matter in the real world? Not trying to get up anyone's nose, but I have done a LOT of hunting, different guns, different game, and I guess therefore by definition, a LOT of talking about calibres and bullet weights. I am not trying to be definitive nor provocative, but I have been out with hunters (shooters) who found it hard to drop pigs and deer with a 308, yet my son and I could do it with a 223. New Zealand forestry cullers were renowned for taking out thousands of deer with the 222! 222/223 definitely NOT my first choice, but in almost every case, when I hear people talking about incremental changes in bullet weight, their knowledge comes from books, not experience. Possibly a better example, I used to use a 25-06 with 100g projectiles which always killed like a bolt of lightning, was told couldn't use anything less than 130 in my 270, recoil a bit much for my son at the time, switched to 110g, and so far, haven't seen any difference in the field. Kills a 100+ kilo pig just as dead as my mate's 308 WIn Mag. MInd you, I for one ain't goin' after a buff with the 270, nor would I use the 223 in close scrub, their are better calibres for this, but I'm curious?

rickdm ---- I would try one more 160 grain bullet, the North Fork. If that doesn't work for you, shoot the 140 grainers and don't look back, North Fork also makes a 140 grain bullet. My STW likes the 160 grain Barnes XLC and really shines with the North Fork. My barrel doesn't particularly like the 140 grainers. When your barrel speaks, listen intently, as you seem to already have accomplished. Good shooting.

Thanks for all your replies. I think I will load up some shells to have ready with the 140gr. Partition which I know shoots well, and then keep experimenting; perhaps with the 160 gr. Accubond, or maybe the North Fork.

Thanks,
Rick