7 STW is looking good

[BucknBass]

This group was the 4th four shot group today.

120gr Ballistic Tip going aprox. 3,500fps. Groups got tighter as I increased the powder charge. Got another 100fps to go if the groups hold up. Should be able to tighten it up even more by playing with bullet seating :grin:

Gonna try 140gr. Accubonds too but Tim said they'll run about 200fps slower. It's going to be hard to give up that 200fps when the shot could be 400 yards.

 

[.444 Marlin]

175gr bullets and pack that stuff in there :grin:

 

[BucknBass]

If I didn't have a .300RUM I might give that a try. The RUM takes the heavyweight bullets.

I want SPEED out of this rig!

 

[.444 Marlin]

Find you some 100gr bullets or shave your 120's :grin:

 

[Tiny]

 

[Whelen Man]

That's about the velocity I'm getting with the same bullet out of a 7mm. Remington Magnum. It sure does shoot flat. If I were you I'd definitely give the 140 Accubond a try. You won't be giving up much in speed and it'll carry up better. You should be able to get about the same velocity with the 140 that I'm getting with my rifle and the 120s and that's smoking. I really feel that I'm right at the performance edge with the 120 at 3400-3500. It dropped a nice eight pointer and a doe for me last year with exits on both. They were both center lung shots at 100 & 120 yards and ran about 40-50 yards and piled up within sight. There's hardly any drop to worry about at reasonable ranges. Keep us updated.

 

[PMC certified]

Looks good. Especially for as hot as it was this weekend.

Pmc

 

[BucknBass]

I'm definitely going to give the Accubonds their day in court. Got to try 7828 too since Tim recommended it and has loaded for this caliber in the past.

 

[TiminTN]

There may be better choices than 7828, but 4 rifles in a row loved it.

 

[megalomaniac]

Gonna try 140gr. Accubonds too but Tim said they'll run about 200fps slower. It's going to be hard to give up that 200fps when the shot could be 400 yards.

Whoa there,

Run the numbers... if you're wanting to shoot at 400 yards, you will be no worse off with the 140 AB versus the 120 BT. Besides that, if you get a closer shot (say under 150 or so), you'll not have to worry about the bullet failing.

At 400 yards with a 200 yard zero and 10mph crosswind:

The 120BT will drop 14 inches at 3500 fps with 10.2 inches drift
The 140AB will drop 15.2 inches at 3300fps with 9.3 inches drift
The 150BT will drop 15.7 inches at 3250fps with 9.3 inches drift

(Assuming noslers printed bc's are correct)

Beyond 400 yards, the heavier bullets with the higher BC's will really begin to shine even more. AND, you'll probably be able to get closer to 3350fps with the 140's.

I love the 140 AB's out of my 7mag at 3175 fps almost as much as I loved the old 150 BT's out of it.