I have a Remingtom 700 BDL SS in 7mm STW, I have worked up a couple of loads that I am reasonably sure will work, looking for advice from experience.
I have the Nosler 175 spitzer at about 3050fps and 5 shot groups under 1.25" at 100 yds.
I also have the Nosler Accubond 160 at about 3200fps and 5 shot groups about 1.2" at 100 yds.

I asked this on another forum and all I did was start arguments. All I would like is a little experience to help me select

In my opinion, the partion will probably do a little better, particularly on close shots (most of my elk hunting is in dark timber, so that is my perspective). Better meaning deeper penetration on close shots.

If you are 90% or more sure the elk will be 100 yards or father, I'd start leaning towards the 160. JMO, Dutch.

I shoot a 7mm Dakota w/ sim. vel. to your STW. I like the 160grNP for general elk hunting but for timber I would step to the 175gr to make sure it holds together if you have to take a bad angled, close shot. I have tested the 160grNAB in my .280 & I think you would be limiting your penetration on a close shot w/ it, but for an open country 250yd+ bullet I think you would be fine. Good luck on your hunt.

Match King.

Bud, the Nosler wouldn't be my choice on elk but I would definitely agree with 175 grain bullets. Now, having said that, there is nothing wrong with your choice of Nosler, it just isn't my personal choice.

Accept nothing less than the 160 grain Nosler Partition. It works well in my 7m/m Rem. mag.

I'd go with the 175 gr. Nosler...It works on elk.

If you can get 3000 fps. or better with premium 175s out of a Seven-Mag, rest assured, you've got yourself an elk load...........

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[ 07-31-2003, 16:41: Message edited by: allen day ]

Bud H ---- My Elk load for my 7mm STW would be a 160 grain North Fork at 3000 plus fps. Previously I had used Nosler and Barnes XLC, both shot good groups through my rifle. This North Fork is something else. In the last two shooting sessions I got two straight one hole groups with the bullet, the groups are common with the rifle, I have to have a good shooting day for the accomplishment. I can shoot the bullet faster, but between 3000 and 3100 fps is where the maximum accuracy is. My barrel objects when I use either the 140 grain or 175 grain bullets through it. You might want to give the North Fork a try.

I'd go with the Nosler Partition. It is NEVER the wrong choice on big game.

Wow, that's some MV out of a 175gr in a 7mm. That bullet's sectional density and Nosler reputation, you just can't ask for more. The jury's still out on the Accubonds. I don't think anybody here has as yet expressed any experience with them. jorge

One more vote for the Partition. Penetration is the realm of the Partition, and that is what you'll need for a heavy animal like an elk. The AccuBond would probably do the job, but my instinctive choice would be the Partition.
- mike

I used the 175gr x bullet in my 7mm rem mag for 1 elk. It worked great with complete penetration on both shots on the bull elk I shot with it, 1 shot at about 100 yards and another coup de grace at a few feet.

I agree with most of the other folks that the 175gr Nosler Partition would be an excellent choice.
The x bullets can sometimes be hard to get good groups with, the Partitions (at least in every caliber I have tried them with) will be 1 1/2 at 100 yards or better.

Definitely some form of a controlled expansion bullet for elk at that velocity, swift a frame (spendy), trophy bonded would also be good choices.

Thanks for all the inputs, I was kind of leaning towards the partition myself, just because it has been around for a long time and I have not heard much bad press.
Imagine, all these replies and no bickering, a lot better than the other site, again thanks.

So far with 7 stw and 150 scirocco have downed 4 elk, 3in the neck and one head shot.Will be using 139gr Interbond from here on out. Have 14 elk with 139gr Hornady interlock out of 7mag. After trying Interbonds in 300 wby have got 700,165 for wby and 700,139 for 7stw. Scirocco is a good bullet, but paying 2 times as much for them is not for me.

I have taken five elk with the 7mmstw in all cases using the 140gr partition.I recovered one bullet out of five and that one travelled at a quartering away angle through a few feet of elk to rest under the hide at the neck .The rest exited.Even with a muzzle velocity of 3500fps the partitions held together and provided great penetration.

The Northfork is nothing more than an improved Nosler, and you just cannot beat that anyway you cut it.