7mm STW or 284 Shehane

[4guns]

Looking for a good hunting rifle where some "long shots" maybe made. At this point 500 yards or so would be the longest I would be comfortable with. Which would be the best choice, 7mm STW or 284 Shehane? I have seen both of these rifles for sell at local gun shops. Both are made on Remington actions and both had Shilen barrels. If I buy one of these, I would need brass and dies to reload so how hard or expensive would that be? Let me know your thoughts.

 

[FeMan]

I had several STWs and loved them, but the only good brass was WW, Fed and Rem. You cant find them any more and all the other brands I tried were very expensive and had super soft primer pockets. I gave up on the STW mid way through my third barrel because of the brass issue. The 28 Nosler is close and a much better choice these days IMHO.

The Shehane is fine and good brass is easy to find but you will have to fire form and fuss with the brass. As long as the barrel twist is at least a 1:9 it would be the better choice.

 

[bholcomb]

Solid advice in the above post, stw is my favorite and brass can be hard to find but there’s not much else out there that’s flatter shooting.

 

[slm9s]

500 and in would be no problem for either on big game IMO.

Accuracy can be great with both. Brass would be an advantage to 284. Flat shooting would be an advantage to the STW.

Pretty even Steven IMO. Do you like a long action or short action?

(Unless you're hunting elk, cause the 7STW is the best elk cartridge)

 

[std7mag]

For 500 yards and under, a 7mm-08 would do what you want, with less recoil.

But of your 2 choices, i'd go the 284 Shehane.
Easier on barrels, & cases.
Less powder burnt.
Quality cases available from Lapua, ADG, Peterson.
Less recoil.

 

[cjames]

At one time I was really considering a 7 STW. I went with the 7 Rem Mag and have no regrets. Brass is easier to find and will do what you want, no problem. 280 AI also? But, it is your rifle. Just an FYI.

 

[effendude]

If you don't reload, simply by a 7mm Rem Mag. It will do everything you want. A 280 Rem or even a 7-08 too.

The Shehane is a cartridge you must reload for. I have (3) 284 Shehane rifles, one of which is a hunting rifle built on a long action. I'm building a couple more right now for hunting. I last used it in South Africa in August. It is an incredibly accurate rifle and is fun to hunt with. Fireforming brass isn't an issue and fireforming loads are very accurate too. If I didn't own a reamer already and have a couple thousand pieces of brass already fireformed, I would build a plain 284 Winchester. Nearly the same performance and no fireforming. Without knowing the details of the Shehane build, I would stay away from a used one off the rack.

Scott

 

[Orr89rocz]

Seems like two odd choices considering the range and other options out there

 

[AckleymanII]

I have shot the 7 STW since 1989.

OP, for your distances, the std 7 Mag with a 26" barrel will be very accurate with 162-168g at 3100 with Retumbo and 215's.

Now, go to a 175g Long range accubond or 180g Berger vld hunting, the node with R#26 is at 3030 fps, cci 250 or Fed 215.

For 450 yard shooting, the 150g Sierra Game Changer with it's BC of .546, loaded with R#25, Win mag primers is shooting bug holes for me at 3250 fps., 26". The Winchester mag primer FAR out performs the Fed 215 in accuracy and SD on my load is less than 10 fps!

The 175g LRAB knocks a hole in a deer, let me tell you! Penetration is substantial if you need it!

OP, a std Rem 700 factory rifle, bedded in a laminate stock, bbl free floated, Gentry Muzzle break, will shoot 3" at 600 yards with a variety of loads, and I have a couple that shoot less than 3".

Good luck~

Ps. I have NEVER had a problem with any belted 7 mag or 7 STW, concerning the belt!

 

[4guns]

Thanks for the replys. Why not just a 7 mag? Because every one has one. I look for the odd or different. But I do appreciate your responses. And with it being hard to find some of these reloading supplies maybe I need to look into a more conventional cartridge.

 

[CJ6]

I've got 2 a Rem Sendero and a Win. Super Grade. I like the performance but HATE the belt. When one of the barrels gets shot out it'll be chambered in either 7mm Imperial or a 7mmx300 Prc. Most likely the 7mm Imperial as I shoot that already.

 

[SKWERLZ]

I’d do shehane.
good brass
Enough oomph for most needs.

 

[1shot]

Just a case in point. FF the Shehane is so minor (.010" blowing out the body taper) that I wouldn't hesitate to go that route. Good brass is available for several sources, and it can be one accurate SOB!
I hope this helps,

Lloyd

 

[effendude]

If you reload, and want to be different, Shehane all the way. I built my first hunting Shehane rifle as a way to use up tired, well loved match brass that I didn't trust for another season but was still plenty good for hunting and if I lost a piece or two in the grass, it wouldn't be the end of the world. I've used the 180 Hybrid and now the 175 Elite Hunter on everything from Blue Wildebeest (poor man's buffalo) down to Klipspringer in Africa and from elk, Russian Boar to deer here in the USA. All bang flopped.
You'll have no regrets.
Scott

 

[4xforfun]

Lots of good points above. If you end up leaning toward the STW, you can also consider a 7mm/300 WBY. same as a STW with more brass choices.

Tod

 

[Sniperhandle]

7mm RUM, Easier to get brass, No belt. A little faster than the STW. Both will shoot out a throat quickly.

 

[centerlineseal]

Any love around for the Remington 7mm Saum? Is brass even available?

 

[FNSafari]

7mm RUM, Easier to get brass, No belt. A little faster than the STW. Both will shoot out a throat quickly.

No pain no gain!

 

[dthomas]

Any love around for the Remington 7mm Saum? Is brass even available?

Adg makes brass for it. There may not be any available right now. I'm having a hunting rifle built in it.