Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 7 MM STW load recomendations Retumbo & 160 Accubonds

Looking for load suggestions for the 7mm STW. I have several hundred 160 Accubonds and plenty of Retumbo on hand but load data seems to be hard to find. Anyone using this combo? Anyone know a max charge for this combo? Thanks, 163bc

163 I looked myself here and there and none really popped up. For some reason I could not find the Hogdon data but did not kill myself trying either.

If I were doing it I would take STARTER loads for the 7mm Weatherby with the 160 AB from the Nosler manual, watch the chronograph and work from there.IME Retumbo is pretty hot stuff at top end.

I did find this discussion on line,but you know how we all have "special" rifles that take hotter charges than those owned by anyone else,so you are on your own LOL! It's the Internet ya know .....

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f28/retumbo-7mm-stw-28232/

Thanks Bob. I've had good luck with Retumbo in my 300 RUM but there is lots of data for that combo to work off of. Seems hard to find in the 7 STW. Your advice is the best option and I'll probably start testing this weekend. Gotta get ready for those big Canadian whitetails someday. Thanks, Sam

Sam: Giddyup!

Bob, this was my favorite part of that thread.....

"My STW seems to have just the right combination that allows me to go a little higher than others. I can usually work up a little hotter load than most folks..."

It's magic I tell ya!

From the Hogdgon load data website for the 7mm STW. http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle


160 gr bullet, COL = 3.565",
Start: 75.0 gr Retumbo gives 2909 fps at 46,700 CUP
Maximum: 80.2 gr gives 3,056 fps at 53,600 CUP

A couple of thoughts: The 7mm Wea and the 7mm Rem have almost identical case capacity. The Hogdgon data does not show a load for Retumbo in the 7mm Wea with a 160 gr bullet, but it does show a load for the 7mm Rem with a start of 65.0 gr at 2756 fps and maximum of 69.5 gr at 2915 fps.

The 7mm Rem and 7mm Wea have considerably less case capacity than does the 7mm STW. load data for either would be quite light in the STW.

Idaho Shooter: Yup and right on all counts,except the Retumbo data in other sources.

Take a look at the Nosler manual 7mm Weatherby,which shows a top load of 79.5 gr of Retumbo with a 160 gr AB, Partition etc. Not far beneath the max loads for the STW,which is why I suggested 7mm Weatherby starting loads as a safe place to start with his rifle, not finish up.

Like I said in my post I could not access the Hodgdon data but looks like 80 grains is about "it" in the STW as well.

The freebore of the 7mm Weatherby seems to make it look bigger than it really is.

I'm loading 77.0grs of Reloader-22 with 160gr Accubonds in my 7STW.I might be able to go a little higher,but it groups really well with this load and my velocity is right @ 3200fps.If you have any Reloader-22,you might try it out.I use it for all my loads with bullet weights from 139-175grs.

STW's come with alot of freebore as well.

That's one of the reasons all the load data for them seems anemic.

AS: I did not know that.

Sierra V lists Retumbo with a 160 for the STW. 72.2 gr at 2900 fps to start and a max load of 79.6 gr at 3150 fps.

I do not have to worry about mag constraints on my #1, and come to think about it, have never measured COL on my loads. I just adjusted the seater to kiss the lands and rocked on ever since.

I started loading for the STW when the only source of data was Layne Simpson's original article in Shooting times. Then the cartridge appeared in a Hogdgon's 26 and Sierra V, and I bought both of them.

Sierra shows 3100 fps max velocity with H1000, Hogdgon says 3300 fps. I compromised and figured 3200fps. would be a pretty good place to stop. It takes 84 gr of H1000 to get there in my rifle.

Today, my load is off the charts, especially by Hogdons new data. But I have been shooting it for ten years and am still using the first 100 cases I bought. The primers are still tight. I am sure the load is perfectly safe.

But still, I have a pound each of RL33, Magnum, Magpro, Retumbo, and 869 all in the cabinet. Maybe it is time to start working up another load and see what all the fuss is about with these new powders.

IS: Looks like data is all over the place. Would not expect that from the cartridge but things are what they are.

I have some experience with Retumbo and the 160 AB in the Mashburn and low end 7mm Weatherby data was just fine....but not the top end loads. That freebore does make a difference but that's true with any cartridge.