I have a 7stw that has been a pain to get it to shoot sub MOA groups. I had the rifle rebarreled and still had issues getting it to shoot. I have found a load it likes with 8133 but I am almost out. I am hoping Vhitavori N568 would be a good trade off being a similar burn rate. I am shooting 168 bergers at 3250fps with 8133 (bullets seated .030" from lands). Wondering if anyone has any starting charge weights for this cartridge/powder/bullets combo?
7stw reloading question
- Thread starter fugemall
- Start date
Sorry. I've shot a lot of 7 STW, but my best loads were with RL22 and 25. Once I'm out of that, Ill likely go back to H1000 and/or 7828. - dan
Where are you at? I have some 8133 that I will likely never use. Dave.
270WSMXBolt
Regular
- Location
- Delta B.C.
I'm going to make a few assumptions... 1 in 10 twist? VLD hunter or target? or Classic? I took a quick look at the stability calculator and it comes up as marginal stability for the VLD hunter at the speed your seeking. This could have a lot to do with your difficulty grouping. But if your 1 in 9 twist you should be okay. Have you tried Retumbo or H1000 or the new RS Grand. All three of these are good temp stable powders that are slow burn. They also show very close to case capacity at a glance. Also at a quick glance the published data that I've looked at indicates that bullet (VLD) likes approx 3050 FPS Your cooking along at 3250. There are tons of way more smarter then mee on here that will help you if you give up some more accurate details regarding the components that you are assembling.
But in answer to your question I have not yet developed any loads for the cartridge. Though I do have a set of dies for it and a wide variety of .284 metal things. Cheers
But in answer to your question I have not yet developed any loads for the cartridge. Though I do have a set of dies for it and a wide variety of .284 metal things. Cheers
powder monkey
CGN Regular
- Location
- saskatchewan
I havent shot the 168s for quite awhile but if memory serves, retumbo worked best for me,followed by h1000.
Red Deer, Alberta
I have the VLD hunter and target. Both are very similar in printing groups. The twist rate is 1 in 8.5 and 26" in length, the chamber must be cut deeper as the bullets will not feed out of a 338LM AI magazine when seated .030 off of lands. I have tried 160 to 183grain bullets with multiple powders (H1000, RL 22, 7828sc) the only combo that I was able to get to perform decent was the 8133 and 168grain. I used a magnetospeed to get bullet velocity. I was wanting to use the Vhit N568 as the burn rate is very similar to 8133. I just can't find a starting load to work from for this powder and this cartridge.
Bullet is stable to 600m, no sticky bolt or ejector marks on the shot cases. I have 4 to 5 firings on the cases and haven't shown signs of case cracks. I am happy with the load.
I can't find a start load for Vhitavouri N568. For what little info I can find on it, comparing it to other powders with developed loads in other cartrdiges. I think a starting load of 75 grains of N568 is a safe starting point. I was hoping someone had an actual number to keep the shot count down on my barrel.
I have tried 7828 with not great results with bullet wieghts from 160-183grain bullets. I am using 8133 that is a slower burning powder then 7828. Vhit n568 is a touch slower then 8133 according to the burnrate charts. I am looking for a start point with N568 as I have not been able to find a number in any manual or forum.
Didn’t mean too fast at all, I was loading it 30 years ago. I’m sure there are better powders now.
- Location
- Fraser Valley, B.C.
Best suggestion is if you’re looking to run that powder combo and bullet. Run it through quickload or GRT. Then start conservative and work up.
If you don’t have access I might have some time to run it in GRT for you when I finish up errands today.
B
If you don’t have access I might have some time to run it in GRT for you when I finish up errands today.
B
270WSMXBolt
Regular
- Location
- Delta B.C.
I recommend using GRT ( Gordons Reloading Tool ) to explore safe starting loads. It can help prevent wasting a lot of time and effort. It will provide a ton of info without loading a single case. Cheers
Lol was typing this as bdb was posting
Derailing the thread
Funny thing with that BIG CARTRIDGE - it’s just doesn’t get er done - 7 PRC is EASY 3150 and 3200 near Max .
Less powder - Shorter case
And Yes I own a 7 STW
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I’ve been loading the STW since ‘89 or ‘90 mostly with H1000 and 7828 because I have a lot of it. Currently have 5 STWs. I started shooting Bergers back when everyone including Walt Berger knew you jammed a Berger (and jumped a Sierra). I spent a fair bit of time trying to get 168s VLDs shooting like 180s, mostly because I have a lot of them. It’s never happened for me yet, but hope springs eternal
A couple things I figured over the years are the VLD and similar high BC bullets can be picky and sometimes its easier to back off to more conventional bullets instead of using up the barrel trying to make it do something it doesn’t want to do. The other is I’ve spent quite a bit too much time trying to fix a gun problem on the reloading bench.
A couple things I figured over the years are the VLD and similar high BC bullets can be picky and sometimes its easier to back off to more conventional bullets instead of using up the barrel trying to make it do something it doesn’t want to do. The other is I’ve spent quite a bit too much time trying to fix a gun problem on the reloading bench.
