Of all the rifles that I own, my favorite is 7STW in Sako 75 SS. A very remarkable caliber indeed.

In a Model 70 that is opened up enough for the 300 H&H, 375 H&H, 300 Weatherby... etc.



O.A.L. is 3.600 inches, equal to the 300 H&H, and the 8mm Rem Mag, longer than the 300 Weatherby, (3.56"), longer than the 340 Weatherby Mag, (3.562"), and the same length as the 375 H&H. The 7mm STW requires a long action, not the standard action length.



Noslers loading manual lists 79 grains of H1000 for the 7mm Weatherby with a 140 grain bullet, producing 3361 fps out of 24" barrel.



The same manual lists 93 grains of AA8700 for the 7mm STW, 140 grain bullet, producing 3407 fps, with a 26 inch barrel. 14 grains more powder, for a whopping 46 fps Every grain of powder gets you another 3.3 feet per second...



Add a 26" barrel to the 7mm Weatherby, and it's more about individual barrels, cases, powder lots, etc.



That 7mm Weatherby should be a lot more popular than it is...

Jbabcock,
The biggest reason the 7Wea is not more popular is spelled Remington. The difference in case volume between the two is negligible.
My Nosler #4 shows these as the fastest loads with 140 gr bullets. Rem version does 3340 fps with 67.5 gr RL 22 and the 7 Wea does 3336 fps with 73.5 gr of RL 22.
This is another mystery of internal balistics: Why does one cartridge require 6 gr more of the same powder when internal capacity is so similar.
Did you notice the load for the STW in the 140 gr bullet wt using RL 22. 3332 fps with 75 gr of powder is darned close to the same performance as the Wea.

Amd just to be clear, for those that don't know, there is no "opening up" of a Model 70 to hold the 3.6" rounds. A 30-06-chambered 70 will have a spacer in the mag and a bolt-stop setup for the shorter ("standard") length, but it IS a long action.

Check out the WSM! It is no slouch amongst the 7 mags. and can be had a little shorter and lighter for your type of hunting.

Akhunter,
I am a real fan of the STW, and have been focusing entirely on 160 gr projectiles. One does very well to reach 3200 fps with these bullets.
My rifle is a Ruger #1 with 26 in barrel, after some tuning it is very accurate. I find it a pleasure to carry as the overall length is comparable to a bolt rifle with a 22 in barrel.
This cartridge does have substantial recoil, more so in a light weight mountain rifle. If one is sensitive to recoil, a rifle in 264 Win mag with 120 gr bullets, or a 270 WSM using 130 gr bullets are very good long range hunting alternatives.

I currently own two 7mmstws.With 140gr bullets one delivers 3480fps and the other 3520fps.I have taken big game including pronghorn,bighorn ,deer,elk and moose with 140gr bullets with great results.

My 7Stw with a 140gr-3530av.fps with 83grs.Imr7828 out of a Wby Accumark-Win brass and Fed 215 primer-From Layne Simpson Data.

Well, you'll probably get hits on this thread for awhile.

A 7STW is a remarkable caliber, but as stated earlier, what do you consider "long range?"

I'll bet you a WSM will kill any of the animals you mentioned to 400+ yards just as easy.

For sheep and bou, here's my preference and in this order:

270WSM with 150 bullets, 26" barrel (really all you need)
7WSM with 150 bullets, 26" barrel
7Rem Mag/150 bullets, 26" bbl.

You really do not need a STW, unless you just want it. But I'd pick a 7 RUM before the STW.

In terms of barrels, I can promise that you cannot go wrong with any of the following:

Lilja
PacNor
Kostyshyn
Hart
Broughton
Shilen

If you are thinking of the STW, then may I ask why? Have you shot one? Does a friend have one or do you just like the ballistics? Nothing wrong with it at all, I just do not think it's necessary.

But then, I shot a antelope with a 300 RUM with a 28" barrel at 165 yards using a 200 grain Accubond.

so necessity is not really where I come from. I just wanted it.

Doc, In my research for this project, the STW kept showing up. No, this gun is not neccesary. Nothing that my .270, .308, .300, or .338 couldn't already accomplish, in fact they have many times before... I guess, I just want it! The finished product will have a Rem. 700 skeletonized action, a 26" Lilja barrel (fluted), sitting in a Desert colored Mcswirly, the action and barrel will have a teflon or robar coating, and a 3.5x10 VX III Leupold to look through and some Talley's to hold it in place.

Thanks for the responses guy's. I'm still trying to decide on which Seven to get.

7 RUM.