While most facctory rifles and many custom rifles in 7MM STW are 26" long, some people prefer to go a bit longer.
My 7MM STW was built by the original owner on a lh Sako AV action and MacLellan stainless fluted barrel at 24". In a Fajen laminated stock. Bare rifle weighs exactly 7 lbs. I find it very handy when hunting in the brush and mountains. The mag box is long enough (donot know if stock or aftermarket, and the action has a small cutout on front edge of ejection port for trouble free case ejection.
My barrel is a bit faster than some others, as the Federal Premium factory ammo with 160 gr AccuBonds are shooting at a chronied 3222 fps, as opposed to the factory listed spec at 3100 fps. It will also put 3 into an honest 1" at 300 yards, when I do my part. It shoots so well with the now discontinued factory ammo that I have not felt the need to handload for it, yet. Still have a good supply of the factory ammo left. Including the Federal Premium 160 gr SGK load.It will put 3 shots into 3" @ 400 yards. Do have all the components to handload down the road.
Have taken alot of game with it over the past 20 years from antelope to elk, and at 15 to 475 yrads, and have been very happy with its performance. Nice to know that the160 gr AccuBond is still packing over 2000 ft-lbs of energy at 500 yards; plenty for any elk!
Big fan of the 280 Rem and 7mm Rem Mag as well. I was actually very happy with my 7mm Rem Mag and would have not gone to the STW, except that I sold the rh Rem 700 in 7 Mag, to get a lh rifle, when I came across this used lh Sako STW, and could not pass it up atthe price it was for sale at.