7mm STW

[berettashotgun]

I like the 7MM STW, actually I could get by with only it. I was shooting 500 meters yesterday and hitting a 4" circle with a win Laredo and a rem 700. Everything went great, UNTIL I stoped by Sportsmans Warehouse ( it's new in OKC ) and didn't see a single STW on the rack. Went by the "other" 2 dealers in this part of town and they didn't have any either. Checked auctionarms.com : they don't have any listed. This is getting scary, the STW is 10X easier to get accurate than the 7mm RUM over a much wider bullet range; and although not the "MAX" speed - it literally is right on the heels of the ultra with 10-12 gr less powder. I mean like 20-40 fps slower with 162gr + bullets; below that weight the STW wins (less powder/barrel fouling/NOISE ) I can see the writing on the wall, but the 7mm RUM I have is a real sorry excuse for a modern rifle round in relation to it's performance vs. price to reload. Please don't think that the RUM case isn't a good one, on the contrary: the RUM case just needs 200gr plus bullets to get the most performance from the 95+ gr of powder in the loads. I want a #1 in the 7mm STW, looks like I'm gonna' have to get the thing built..I think it will be gone in 5 years:banghead:

 

[MachIVshooter]

the STW is 10X easier to get accurate than the 7mm RUM over a much wider bullet range; and although not the "MAX" speed - it literally is right on the heels of the ultra with 10-12 gr less powder. I mean like 20-40 fps slower with 162gr + bullets; below that weight the STW wins (less powder/barrel fouling/NOISE )

Factory RUM loads are anemic. Factory STW loads are pushing max. Handloading the two clearly illustrates the advantage of the RUM, though I must concede that it is overbore. But then, so is the STW. I'll give you that there isn't much difference when using 140 or 150 gr. pills.

As far as accuracy, potential usually favors the non-belted case over the belted one because they headspace on the shoulder, rather than a belt.
This difference is acedemic at best for 99.99% of shooters anyway.

I can see the writing on the wall, but the 7mm RUM I have is a real sorry excuse for a modern rifle round in relation to it's performance vs. price to reload.:

The price to reload the RUM is negligeably higher then the STW. 15 grains of powder in the quantity that one is likely to shoot either of these cartridges really doesn't amount to much. Seriously, you are talking a couple pennies per cartridge. This is a very petty and finite point to argue.

I am not suggesting that the STW is not a good cartridge, but it currently fills a relatively small void between the 7mm RM and 7mm RUM. It will likely suffer the same fate as it's parent cartridge. (It hurts to admit this, because I am a big fan of the 8 mag)

 

[berettashotgun]

Where are you getting your RUM brass? Easy 54 pennies a case here, STW is (for now) 31. I originally purchased a 7mm ultra because I bought into the shoulder headspacing argument, think it isn't so true. Kinda~but not 100%. The real problem I have with the ultra is the twist on the rem factory barrels- needs to be 8.5 per, mine is 9.5. Those accuracy claims on the big bullets don't jive with the rifle in my possession. But the 300RUM 700 is a champ. Do have to concede that. I will say that the different powders I use in the STW and the RUM (H870) give the edge to the STW (7828), but bought plenty of the 870 when it was getting scarce on the local shelves. I would like someone to show me what I'm doing incorrectley to get the groups with the 7mm ultra that, although 1-1.5moa, should be like the STW at .4-.5 moa. I will agree 100% on the 8mm Rem being an excellent round- buddy uses a muzzle braked one- but haven't even seen brass in 8+ months. Kinda sad and happy at the same time about the more than likely demise of the 7mm STW; my laredo w/boss and 700 classic DM factory muzzlebrake might be worth some coin in the future. Them 2 boys are gonna have something to fight over

 

[MachIVshooter]

Where are you getting your RUM brass? Easy 54 pennies a case here, STW is (for now) 31.

When I consider reloading cost, I don't factor in brass. That is an initial investment. Given the nature of the beast, the RUM's simply don't get fired enough to be buying new brass all the time. I bought 100 pieces of brass and 2 boxes of factory ammo. I still have a couple of the factory rounds and about 60 of my handloads. I went through a box during original sight-in, 3 rounds per year to keep on target and a few more to run through the chronograph.

I think I paid $50 for the brass about 2 years ago. BTW, mine is the .375 RUM (that may explain why it doesn't see much range time )

With Sierra bullets, I'm running about $1.12/round. But .375" bullets are considerably more expensive than .284", and the .375 RUM uses 96-103 grs. of powder as well.