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Best 7mm STW Ammo

What is 7mm STW Ammo? 🧐

7mm STW, or 7mm Shooting Times Westerner, is a centerfire rifle cartridge developed by Layne Simpson in the 1970s. It uses an 8mm Remington Magnum case necked down to accept .284 inch (7.2 mm) bullets.

7mm STW Ammo

Features 😎

The 7mm STW Ammo is a caliber of ammunition specifically designed for hunting. 🔷 It has a high muzzle velocity, superior accuracy, and phenomenal knock-down power. This makes it an ideal choice for long-range shooting and big-game hunting.

➡️ It has several features that make it stand out from other calibers.

  • 💥 These heavier bullets allow for better penetration and terminal performance, while their higher muzzle velocity gives them more reach.
  • 💥 This ammo is also well-suited for reloading because of its uniform bullet size and consistent powder charge.
  • 💥 It has a flatter trajectory than other rifle cartridges. This makes it easier to properly aim at long distances, giving you greater accuracy with fewer misses.
  • 💥 Additionally, its relatively low recoil makes it comfortable to shoot even with larger rifles.
Our Top Pick
7mm STW - 140 Grain PSP BT - PCI - 20 Rounds
This cartridge, chambered in 7mm STW, is equipped with a 140-grain projectile that is perfectly suited for long-distance shooting. The bullet's boat tail design greatly improves its ballistic coefficient, providing greater downrange velocity and reducing sensitivity to crosswinds. Its pointed soft point design offers excellent aerodynamics, allowing it to cut through the air with ease. But this bullet's true strength lies in its exposed, softcore, which causes rapid expansion upon impact, making it ideal for taking down distant games.
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Benefits 😍

7mm STW Ammo offers several benefits for hunters and shooters.

  • 🔰 It is an incredibly versatile round, allowing you to use it in a variety of hunting applications from small game to larger animals, such as deer and elk.
  • 🔰 It has a higher muzzle velocity than other popular rounds like the .30-06, making it ideal for long-range shooting.
  • 🔰 The 7mm STW also offers excellent accuracy with minimal recoil, allowing for more comfortable shooting experiences.
  • 🔰 Finally, the increased sectional density gives this round better penetration power than most other cartridges on the market.

7mm Shooting Times Westerner Ammo

Ballistic Performance 💡

The 7mm STW is a powerful, long-range round that has gained popularity among hunters and target shooters over the years.

  • 🔥 It is capable of delivering exceptional ballistic performance due to its high muzzle velocity and relatively flat trajectory.

✅ Ballistics is an important factor when selecting a cartridge, as they determine how well rounds penetrate targets, maintain their energy downrange, and reach their intended target accurately. Here’s what you need to know:

  • 🛟 Muzzle Velocity: This is one of the most important measures of any cartridge, and the 7mm STW has a muzzle velocity of 3,200 feet per second. This is faster than many other popular cartridges in this caliber range, making it a great choice for long-range shooting.
  • 🛟 Penetration: This ammo has excellent penetration capabilities due to its large diameter and high velocity. It can penetrate heavy hide and bone with ease, making it an ideal choice for big game hunting.

Ballistics of 7mm STW

Best 🚀 7mm STW Ammo Reviews

1# 7mm STW – 162 Grain ELD-X – Hornady Precision Hunter

7mm STW - 162 Grain ELD-X - Hornady Precision Hunter

20 Rounds

Are you looking for a high-quality, reliable hunting cartridge that can handle any game, anywhere? Look no further than the 7mm STW – 162 Grain ELD-X from Hornady Precision Hunter. This top-of-the-line cartridge is loaded with the most advanced all-range hunting bullet available, making it a great choice for any hunter. Combined with the streamlined secant ogive and AMP bullet jackets, this makes for a supremely accurate bullet with a high BC. And because it retains its velocity and expands rapidly, it’s ideal for taking down larger game animals. So don’t settle for anything less than the best – order the 7mm STW – 162 Grain ELD-X from Hornady Precision Hunter today!

Pros:
  • Heat shield tip resists the effects of aerodynamic heating
  • Boat tail design
  • 50% weight retention at higher velocities
  • 85-90% retained weight on low-velocity impacts
Cons:
  • Higher price
  • Limited availability

 

2# 7mm STW – 140 Grain PSP BT – PCI

7mm STW - 140 Grain PSP BT - PCI

20 Rounds

The 7mm STW – 140 Grain PSP BT – PCI from American manufacturer PCI is a unique and hard-to-find round that is perfect for taking down large game animals. The reloadable brass casing is fitted with a non-corrosive Boxer primer and causes maximum damage to the target. The reloadable brass casing and non-corrosive Boxer primer make this a reliable and long-lasting round that you can count on in any situation. Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or new to the sport, the 7mm STW – 140 Grain PSP BT – PCI is an ideal choice for your next hunt.

Pros:
  • Boat tail design markedly improves the ballistic coefficient
  • Greater velocity downrange
  • Sleek, streamlined profile
  • Exposed, softcore will cause rapid expansion
Cons:
  • Some shooters may find the recoil to be too much for comfort

 

Bullet Drop 🎯

The 7mm STW is a popular hunting round. It was designed in the early 1980s by Layne Simpson and has become increasingly popular among hunters due to its excellent ballistics.

  • 💣 It produces approximate muzzle velocities of 2950 – 3100 fps with a wide range of bullet weights depending on cartridge construction.
  • 💣 This creates an effective bullet drop for distances between 100 – 300 yards when using standard loads.

📝 For longer ranges, heavier bullets should be considered as they will have less drop over longer distances than regular-weight projectiles.

📝 Additionally, hand-loads and custom match-grade ammunition can also be used to tailor your shooting needs depending on the desired accuracy at extended ranges.

7mm STW bullet drop

FAQ 🧐

What does STW mean in ammo?

✴️ STW stands for “Shooting Times Westerner” and is a rifle cartridge developed in the early 1990s.

🔷 The STW is a shortened, improved version of the venerable .308 Winchester cartridge. It offers significantly better ballistic performance than the .308 Win, making it an excellent choice for long-range hunting and shooting.

How far will a 7mm STW shoot?

🎯 A 7mm STW cartridge will shoot a deer-sized animal up to about 400 yards, but the effective range for taking the game is typically considered to be around 250 yards.

🚩 Beyond that distance, the projectile may not have enough energy to bring down the animal cleanly.

What are the different types of 7mm STW Ammo?

🛟 The most popular types are:

  • 💥 Full Metal Jacket (FMJ);
  • 💥 Soft Point (SP);
  • 💥 Hollow Point (HP).
What are some tips for using this ammo?
  • 💡 Some tips for using 7mm STW Ammo include: cleaning your gun regularly, using a higher quality gun oil, and storing your ammo in a cool dry place.
  • 💡 Additionally, it is important to practice shooting with 7mm STW Ammo before using it in a real-life situation.
How does 7mm STW compare to other types of ammo?

🤓 7mm STW Ammo is very popular among hunters and shooters. It offers good accuracy and power and has a relatively high velocity compared to other rifle cartridges. Here is a quick comparison of 7mm STW Ammo to some of the other most popular types of ammo:

  • 🛑 22LR: 22LR is a small caliber rimfire cartridge, and is not as powerful as 7mm STW Ammo. However, it is much cheaper and easier to find.
  • 🛑 9mm Luger: 9mm Luger is a popular self-defense cartridge that is also used for target shooting and plinking. It is more powerful than 22LR, but not as powerful as 7mm STW Ammo.
  • 🛑 223 Remington: 223 Remington is a popular rifle cartridge that is used for hunting and target shooting. It is more powerful than 7mm STW Ammo, but not as accurate.

Conclusion 😊

The 7mm STW ammo is a great choice for hunting and shooting sports enthusiasts looking for dependable performance with reliable, accurate loads. While there are many brands and models available on the market today, careful research can help you make an informed decision that will provide satisfactory results at a reasonable price point. We hope this guide has helped navigate the different options out there and that you have gained some useful insights about this ammunition. Happy shooting! 😎🎯

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Patrick Parry
Patrick Parry
9 months ago

I’m going to help my friend’s dad reload his rifle that he can’t find ammo for anymore. I was at my friend’s parent’s house, helping them move furniture when I started talking to her dad about my new job at a gun store and my passion for shooting. He mentioned that he had a rifle chambered in 7mm STW, and I was immediately curious to see it. He brought out a beautiful Sendero that he had purchased for $800 years ago. He told me that he was having trouble finding ammo for it because it used to be a wildcat and didn’t gain much popularity. I suggested that he start reloading, but he mentioned that his wife didn’t approve of him spending money on a reloading setup that he would hardly use. However, he had already bought the dies and some projectiles to go with his once-fired brass. I’m wondering if anyone has any experience with the 7mm STW, any potential concerns I should be aware of, or any interesting stories related to it.

Docward
Docward
Reply to  Patrick Parry
9 months ago

I love my 7mm STW rifle, which I received as a gift for my 18th birthday. I have shot it extensively and have become so familiar with it that my optimal length for 162 gr bullets is 3.825 inches. I have achieved incredible accuracy with it, with five shots grouping into just 0.3 inches at 100 yards. I was even able to take down an elk from 729 yards away. I’ve named my rifle “Old Painless” because nothing can survive a hit from the STW. My preferred load consists of 80.5 grains of H1000 powder, Hornady 162 Amax bullets, Remington brass, and Federal GM match primers. I always full-length size my brass, and I’ve achieved a velocity of about 3,228 feet per second with this load.

Kayden Stone
Kayden Stone
Reply to  Patrick Parry
9 months ago

There is a wealth of reloading data available for the 7mm STW, covering a wide range of bullet weights from 120 grains up to 180 grains, which the rifle can propel at almost 3,000 feet per second, delivering a tremendous punch. This cartridge is a belted magnum that is based on the 8mm Remington Magnum, with a maximum water capacity of about 97 grains. If you are used to reloading other cartridges, be prepared for the 7mm STW to require more force to resize, so make sure to use plenty of case lube.

Swithsan
Swithsan
9 months ago

I’m planning on surprising my father with a mule deer hunt in the next year or two, and I’m currently looking for a solid rifle caliber to use. My father had success with his 7mm Mag on a previous trip, but I’m interested in purchasing a rifle for myself to assist with the hunt. Ultimately, the choice of caliber will depend on my personal preferences and shooting ability. I plan on trying out different calibers before purchasing to ensure I find the best fit for my needs.

Daniel Hayes
Daniel Hayes
Reply to  Swithsan
9 months ago

In terms of rifle calibers for hunting, I’ve found that anything in the .270, 7mm STW, 30-06 range is just about perfect. From my experience, there isn’t a significant difference in how these calibers perform in the game. So whether you choose the .270 Winchester, 7mm STW, or 30-06, you can feel confident that you’ll be able to take down a mule deer effectively. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and what feels comfortable for you to shoot.

Viahelm
Viahelm
9 months ago

I recently acquired a 700 VLS chambered in 7mm STW at a good price, and it has a very low round count. I managed to find some factory ammo for it – Hornady Precision Hunters – and have just mounted a scope on it. However, as I’ve been researching, it seems like handloading is the way to go with this caliber. I haven’t delved into handloading yet and I’m wondering if it’s worth keeping the rifle and trying to shoot it accurately with factory ammo or if I should just sell it. It’s possible that at some point in the future, I’ll get into handloading and then I can reassess whether the factory ammo is sufficient for my needs.

Casey Mcgee
Casey Mcgee
Reply to  Viahelm
9 months ago

In my opinion, the 7mm STW is the ultimate long-range hunting caliber out there, but it’s a handloader’s caliber. If you’re not willing to hand load, you may not want to get too attached to a rifle that can take down a deer at 600 yards with ease. I believe that investing in $300 worth of reloading equipment is worth it in the long run, especially if it means saving $50 per box of ammo and significantly improving group sizes. Some rifles may perform better with a specific factory load, but in my experience, handloading always results in better accuracy and consistency.

Grimsyl
Grimsyl
Reply to  Viahelm
9 months ago

The 7mm STW is a fantastic round. It’s really fast and flat, making it great for longer shots. I’ve even heard bones cracking while the rifle is in recoil – it packs a punch. I used to load it pretty hot, pushing 140gr and 150gr bullets over 3400fps with 80grs of Reloader 22. These days, I’ve settled on a load of 77.0grs of Reloader 22 with a 160gr Accubond bullet at 3200fps. I figure that’s plenty enough to take down anything I want to hunt with it. If I used Reloader 26, I could probably push it into the mid-3200s or even higher. I’d say it’s a lot like a 300 Win Mag, but in a 7mm package.

Skyler Huber
Skyler Huber
Reply to  Viahelm
9 months ago

The only 7mm STW rifle I ever had was a custom Charlie Sisk rifle built on a Model 70 action. It was a stunning gun, and it shot well. However, when I compared its velocity to my lighter 7mm Remington Magnum over a chronograph, I didn’t see that much of a difference, so I ended up selling it. Looking back, I regret getting rid of it now.