Remington 700 SPS - 7mm STW - Part 4

For those without either a long memory or are new to the blog, the launch of Nosler's new Long Range Accubonds this summer got me into a 7STW project to put them to the test.

If you're curious about the test bed.. here's the link to that part of the series:
http://guntinker.blogspot.com/2012/11/remington-700-sps-7mm-stw-part-2.html

Loads were H1000, 160g Accubond, F215M at 3.6" COAL.   The groups were shot at 100 yards off a front and rear bag, sitting on a concrete shooting bench.  The conditions were calm and slightly overcast.   It was just a perfect day at the range.

Each group was shot with about 2 minutes between each round to keep the barrel cool.   I did not remove the rifle from the bags or reposition the rifle between strings.








Powder Charge / Group Size (Measured center to center with a caliper) 74 gr - Adjusted after each shot to center on the paper 
75 gr - 2"
76 gr - 1.3"
76.5 gr - 1.92"
77 gr - 1.6"

First impressions...

While I was braced to get my crowns knocked loose, the 7STW isn't very different from shooting a stout 7 Remington Magnum load.  I'm not sure why I was expecting worse, while the powder charge is a bit higher, the velocity is only a few hundred fps over the RM with the same bullet weight.  

Even with a nice long barrel, she is a bit loud.  I'm sure I woke up the gentlemen next to me in the nearby lanes.

On a brand new barrel that hadn't been broken in and still using the factory trigger, I'm confident I can get this rifle tuned down to sub-moa.  If I can get my paws on some 162g AMAX I'll give them a shot.  I'd be curious to see how it does with a match bullet.  (Although to be fair, the Nosler Accubonds tend to shoot as well for me as match bullets.)

Now.. to find some 162g AMAX on the shelves somewhere and maybe give the 140g Accubonds a run as well.