Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting 7mmSTW loads for 180 grain Bergers?

Has anyone here ran 180 Berger VLDs in their STWs? I've got one throated out for the long Berger bullets and am using Retumbo presently. Just fishing for loads using other powders. I tried RL25 in it the other day and didn't get very good results accuracy wise. The local gun looney shop was out of Retumbo so I'm shopping for another powder to try. I've got a can or two of H-1000 and was kicking the idea of trying it next. Any suggestions guys?

i havent loaded the 180's yet but i have loaded the 168gr in mine. i use 77.0gr RL22 168gr berger, seated right on the lands, fed 215gm primer. I also tried H1000 80.0gr with the 168gr bergers. RL22 was faster 3255fps avg.

Thanks Danny. In my development I've found that Bergers shoot best around 2850-3100fps and close to the lands. I was hoping that RL25 would work because I've got 5lbs of it under my reloading bench. Hodgon lists 74 grains max for H-1000 with the 180 Bergers. When I get some time I hope to try some H-1000 loads. I've been using Fed GM215s, too. Trying to take it easy on my brass since Win stopped production of STW brass. My rifle doesn't like the Rem brass at all. I'm useing Redding dies with a neck bushing and trying a few different sizes for neck tension.

Berger's will answer requests for loads. The loads they sent to me came from QuickLoad, and they look reasonable. I had asked for 6.5x55 loads for modern (CZ 550) rifle using 130-gr and 140-gr VLD.

They say the powder RL-22 is temp sensitive, have you experience any issues? Just asking...

Trailrider I've haven't had a problem with RL-22 being temperature sensitive. I worked out a load for a 300 Wby and 200 grain SMK that's worked well. Did the load development in the summer with temps in the 80s and it tracked when fall temps dipped into the 20s. The down side is I never shot them over a chono in the colder temps, if there was a velocity loss the deer never knew it. So if there is a volicity loss it didn't effect the POI enough to miss a deer out to 600 yards. Just my .02 cents worth. The shooting in deer season was with a bipod and a sand bag, usually pretty hasty sit up and all shots so far have produced one shot kills. Granted there wasn't much wind on the days the hunting took place.

My friend loads 78 grns of Retumbo with a 180 berger,Rem brass,rem 9 1/2 primers in a Rem Sendero.Shoots 1/2 moa to 800 yds.
RS

I shoot the Berger 180's in my STW, using 76.5 grains of RL22, Fed. 215 primers. I have lotsa freebore and this is a smoking hot load in my gun. I'm lucky to get 3 reloads out of a case so DEFINATELY DO NOT try this load without working up to it. This load is very accurate in my gun.

I figure that Rem brass is good for two reloads, then either do one of two things: go to RW hart inc and get one of their outfits to tighten up primer pockets or just get new brass.

Years ago, I bought a bunch of PMC 300 Weatherby brass and necked this stuff down to 7 STW, you can't make the primer pockets open up on this tough brass.

Winchster should make a special run of 7 STW brass, but I doubt it.

For you guys that are using Fed 215's and the Primer pockets open up, try the Win Mag prmiers, the pockets will be tight again...just do not try this trick in reverse.

R#25 in my experience loves Winchester Magnum primers instead of Fed 215's.