| Posted: Tue Mar 1st, 2005 03:13 PM |
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The_Mountaineer
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O.k. TJ raised this idea regarding his 7 STW and got me thinking again on what to do with my 7 STW. So I thought I'd solicit some advice from the board.
Background info:
My centerfire rifle battery currently includes the following:
Remington 700 VLS 22-250 w/ 6.5-20 Leupold Vari-X III 55 gr. bullets(bona fide varminter)
Ruger 77R 257 Roberts w/ 1.5-5X Leupold Vari-X III 120 gr. bullets (all purpose deer/brush gun)
Winchester 70 Classic Featherweight 270 w/ 3.5-10X Leupold VX III currently 130 gr. bullets but will probably change to 140's + (all purpose deer gun)
Winchester 70 XTR 30-06 Springfield w/ 3-9X Burris Fullfield 165 grainers and will probably stay there (all purpose deer/big game gun)
Remington 700 Sendero SF 7mm Remington Ultra Mag w/ 6.5-24X Sightron SII Tactical 168 grainers (long range big game rig)
Needs:
Rifle #1 - Lightweight deer/elk rifle
Rifle #2 - Large game rifle elk and up
Options:
I have a Winchester Model 70 XTR push feed that has a 4.5-14X Weaver Grand Slam, crappy Ramline stock, neutering 22 inch barrel, re-chambered from 7mm Rem. Mag to 7 STW. This rifle has, of course, standard 30-06 length action and a magnum bolt face. I am willing to change barrels and build on this action but am dead set on leaving the rest of my rifle battery alone. I believe that this action would best be suited to fulfilling my rifle #2 requirement of large game elk rifle and up. Additionally, I feel that I'd need another rifle to fulfill the other requirement. I have $0.00 in it as it was payment for some work I did on my uncle's farm and he couldn't get accuracy up to par, though I did.
Thoughts:
Option #1: I could simply re-barrel my 7 STW to another 7 STW of realistic length (around 26 inches) which would work as a deer/elk rifle very well though a little heavy perhaps compared to option #4
Option #2: I could re-barrel my 7 STW to 300 Win. Mag which has a wide selection of bullet weights and versatility and extends, perhaps, a little better as a large game rifle with the 200+ grain bullet weights that aren't available in the 7 mm's. However, I don't see how it could ever be as light as a short action caliber as in option #4
Option #3: I could re-barrel my 7 STW to 338 Win. Mag which would be a fine large game rifle though again it would probably be a little heavier in weight than option #4
Option #4: I could purchase a WSM - 7 WSM, 300 WSM or 325 WSM which would probably work as both a light elk/deer rifle and work as a large game rifle, though the heavy bullet weights of the 325 WSM aren't as preferable for deer. If I bought a 300 WSM or 325 WSM I'd still be stuck with the 7 STW.
So, what would your picks be. I honestly don't see me being happy with one rifle to do it all but rather 2 being sufficient to fulfill the duties I'd task them with. I've hashed, re-hashed and hashed some more on this but can argue really in favor of anything. Perhaps, with your input something will convince me to go into one route over another.
This should be fun!
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| Posted: Tue Mar 1st, 2005 06:30 PM |
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klallen
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Afternoon MOUNTAINEER >> Your STW probably needs to go. That 22" barrel just isn't right and the fact that you have the 7mm RUM makes this a relatively painless move. I say "relatively" because I am a HUGE fan of the 7mm STW and hate talking against one, but your situation makes it kind of a no-brainer. You're featherweight .270 would appear to cover your light weight deer rifle needs and when loaded correctly would cover the light weight elk rifle angle, too. So concentrating on your large game rifle (#2), I would probably have to choose something from the .323, .338, .358 caliber classes. The .323 WSM would be a nice one to work with but I also think the WSM case opened up to accept .358 bullets would be a real nice performer. Sneak yourself into that .358 Norma Mag performance area. Would be a thumper. Heck, for that matter you could eliminate the "sneaking" all together and just get your barrel chambered for the .358 Norma Mag itself. Factory brass is pricey but I imagine it would be a relatively easy fireforming thing to make Norma Mag brass from a cheaper WinMag base. Interested to see which way you go. >> klallen
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| Posted: Tue Mar 1st, 2005 07:04 PM |
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The_Mountaineer
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Hey Klallen, good to see ya here!
Yes I agree the 7 STW is a beloved cartridge but it could do so much more if given a longer barrel I believe.
I've considered the jump to the 35's. However, I just can't convince myself of going to something of that bore size and lose out on the flatter trajectories of slightly smaller bores like the 338.
I do agree with you though that in the right situation, the 270 would probably be good elk medicine. However, if I ever took it out west, I'd probably load 140 and 150 grainers in it. Strange thing is that they're less potent than the 130's if you believe on-line ballistic tables (which I'm hesitant to do). Anywhoo, it's sort of a dilemma within itself. I'll probably be switching to 140's or 150's anyway but I don't think they give a noticeable in-field advantage on game. On a critter like elk, I would think that larger heavier bullets that can penetrate deeply would be the better option even if their lighter counterparts have more velocity and kinetic energy.
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| Posted: Tue Mar 1st, 2005 09:20 PM |
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bea175
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If you are wanting a powerful and long range rifle for elk the best factory round you could rebarrel for would be the 340 Wby. You could load or just use factory. The 340 Wby and 338 UM have very little difference in power . It is not uncommon to get 1/2 groups at 100 yards from the big Wby case. I would go with a 26 inch tube . I have the 338 Rem UM but if i was building a 33 cal rifle it would be the 340 Wby.
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| Posted: Wed Mar 2nd, 2005 07:19 PM |
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saddlesore
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I would use what you have, and take all the money you would spend and book one hell of an elk hunt.
Been there done that and in two years, you will be asking yourself the same question again.
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| Posted: Wed Mar 2nd, 2005 09:08 PM |
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bea175
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It is more fun to go it on your own and hunt public land. You may not get a elk but if you do, you will be a lot more satified with your kill, because getting it on your own without someone leading you around in the woods and telling you when to shoot is more like hunting . Your chance of killing a elk is much higher with a guide on private land so to each and his own , which type of hunt you preferr. 
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| Posted: Thu Mar 3rd, 2005 12:58 PM |
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tj3006
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Fun questions to toy with !
1st the push feed action. If you don't have any magazine lenghth problems , with your stw loads. I think a rebarrel to a 26 inch is a great Idea ! But If the mag is cramping your style even a little bit, then I would go with a standard length mag.
Any of the usal suspects would be gat I mean 7mm 300 or.338. I think the .358 norma will shoot flatter than you give it credit for. The 250 grain barnes has a BC of .498 and the speer Hot core is aout 440 or so. With the barnes if you 0 at 200 you only drop 7.25 inches at 300 and 21.7 at 400. This is with a 2900 muzzel velocity. And you still have 2500 ft lbs at 400.
this compared to the stw with a 175 at 6.44 300 yd and 18.6 at 400 and the stw is at 2066 Ft lbs at 400. Still if i were you I think I would go .338 on your winchester, and get a whelen for you light weight deer ELk slayer. I am not a short mag guy, exept the old 350 rem. Not that they are not good cartridges, but I just don't care for all the hype. but that 325 wsm would mke a real goo light rifle for big game , I just like the old classics. ...tj3006
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| Posted: Fri Mar 4th, 2005 12:22 AM |
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longhunter
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If you arent having any feed problems with the full H&H case of the 7STW, I think that I would be tempted to go to a .358 STA. True it would be more cartridge than you would probably ever need, but it would easily take anything in North America, shoot very flat, and deliver lots of punch downrange.
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| Posted: Wed Mar 9th, 2005 03:07 PM |
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The_Mountaineer
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Thanks gang!
You've given me something to think about. Alas, I dunno what will get the final nod. Probably something standard like 7 Rem Mag, 300 Win. Mag or 338 Win. Mag but who knows! The quest continues!
Good idea on saving it for an elk hunt though and one I didn't overlook 
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