I'm torned between 7mm rem mag or a 7mm STW for a custom rifle project by Greg Tannel of (Gre-tan). It will be use for pronhorn, deer and elk hunting. So here are 3 questions,
(1) for those that reload and used a "CHRONY" in 7mm rem mag using a 175 grain partition or 175 grain swift A-frame,
what are the average highest velocity you've been able to obtained besides what reloading books advertised?
(2) same as question (1) except in 7mm STW?
(3) what are any advantages or disadvantages of 7mm rem mag or 7mm STW to each other?

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I own guns in both calibers and haven't found a huge gain in velocity in he 7 STW over the Rem, usually in the order of 100-150 fps in the heavier bullets. For the amount of powder the cartridge uses compared to the velocity gain I think the whole thing was a rather silly idea now. DFid I think that when I bought the gun? No, thats why I bought it, like everything else it seemed like a good idea at the times.

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www.rifleshooter.com

Save a plant, shoot a deer!

7STW from a 24" barrel = 7mag from a 26" barrel. FWIW, Dutch.

Go with the 7MAG.
1. Wide availability of factory ammo (if you ever need it);
2. Less powder = similar velocities;
3. Less blast and barrel wear (not that a 7MAG is any great shakes in those departments);
4. Cheaper and greater availability of brass;
5. 2900 FPS attainable w/175 grain bullets in 24" 7MAG w/60 +/- RL-22. Don't have a 7STW, but, I don't think it will do a whole lot better than that at acceptable pressures. A lot of the STW's initial extreme velocities came from loads that were found to actually be in the 70,000 PSI range.

R-WEST

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"it is up to God to judge these terrorists; it is up to us to arrange their meeting" Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf

I manage to get 2900 fps with 175 gr Noslers in the 3 7mm rem Mags I load for. In the one 7STW I have I get just under 3100 fps with the same bullet. Barrel length is the same in all rifles (24"). 150-200 fps is the differance between a standard (06 based) case and a belted mag. So, yes there is a differance. Is the differance worth it? That's up to you. FWIW - Dan

The latest handloader has an article on the 7 Remmie by John Haviland. His conclusion is that the extra 150 fps of the STW is probably not worth the increased powder, recoil, and barrel length.

I'd be interested in hearing from happy STW owners, though.

Interestingly enough, he mentions that, in general, 160 grainers from the Rem Mag seem to penetrate better than 180 grainers from the '06. On broadside shots he says he usally gets exits from 7mm 160's, while .308 180's usually are just under the hide on the far side. His brother put a 160 Fail-Safe through an elk length-wise.

BigIron

I have owned both,

Something to look at with the 7 mag is the
use of 120 grain bullets in it. This IS a
great deer bullet that can be used at long
distance. The 120 at 3,600 fps for me negates
the advantage of a STW using 140s. Both of these bullets are great on deer and the 120
will be fly flatter out of the 7 mag.
In using 175 grain NPs, what a great elk bullet! I have taken this bullet in the 7
mag to 3,000 fps and STW to 3,100 fps, these
were in 26 and 28 inch barrels. For only
a 100 fps difference I just can't see the
practicle value of using a STW for all the
wear and tear on rifle and shoulder.

Since you are going custom, think about the 7mm Dakota. I have a Ruger #1S chambered w/ the original 26" bbl. I easily get 3100fps, it seems very efficient. I also favor the 160gr for a big game bullet.

I never have and never will shoot a 175 gr bullet out of my stw as 140 gr gr partitions have done a super job of killing elk and moose and all smaller game for me.I have recovered one bullet that passed lengthwise through almost 3 feet of elk before stopping agaist the hide.All others exited.I get 3500fps with them out of my stw with 26" barrel and could only get 3200 with the 7mm with 24" barrel.

Gentlemen,

I have no experience with the STW, but I have had no problems achieving 3000 fps with the 175 gr. NP in my 24" Ruger M77MkII 7mm Rem Mag. This was using a charge of IMR-7828. Reloader 22 has been disappointing velocitywise for me, but has killed many animals..

We have a website directly about the 7mm RM
www.slatesafaris.com/7mm.htm

Joel Slate
Slate & Associates, LLC
The Safari Specialists
www.slatesafaris.com

Norseman,
I own both as well. Bill said how I feel about it. My favorite bullet is a premium 160gr. I have seen this bullet penetrate the largest moose that walk. If I needed more bullet weight I would definately use it.

Daryl

I have a 7 Rem Mag and a 300 Win Mag. Makes no sense to me to build a 7 Rem Mag or an STW to shoot 175 grain bullets.Step up to a 30 caliber for that and shoot 180's or 200's like I do in my 300 Win Mag.My 7 Mag is seen as more of a "lighter bullet"(140's etc) long range deer rifle than a larger game (elk,moose etc)like my 300 Win Mag.True, the 175 .284's have great sectional density but no more so that 200 gr 30's, and driven fast enough the 30's will carry the freight a waaaay out there,300 Wtby, 30/8Mag,UltraMag etc.