8mm Remington Magnum "family"

L

ligonierbill

New member
I am a fan of this now rare cartridge, but I want to ask about a couple of Shooting Times rounds based on it. Yes, I know it started with the 375 H&H. And Remington went from the 8mm to the 416 commercially. I'm talking about the Layne Simpson creations, necking the case down to 7mm (STW) and up to 35 (STA). According to the data I see, the 7mm STW stands in with the many high capacity rounds available and has some fans. Of course, others have gone to cases derived from the 404 Jeffery or designed from scratch. And some are faster. In 35 bore, I believe the 358 STA is the fastest, although there seems to be less activity, the famous Whelen notwithstanding. Sitting between 338 and 375, this bore size is neglected. Any thoughts or experience with these rounds?
 
I put together a 7mm STW not long ago, wonderful cartridge IMO but one which I shoot "judiciously" since it's a bit of a barrel-burner and has a healthy appetite for powder. I couldn't find any brass for it at first (or 8mm rem magnum for that matter) so I had to buy 375 H&H and go through a multi-process neck-down. I like "elegant" cases--the H&H is one (280 AI is another). ;)
 
I have a Remington 700AWR chambered in 7mmSTW. I reload it down to velocities about equal to the .280 Remington for target work so the barrel should last longer. Bought this rifle about 20 years ago, only about 150 rounds down the bore so should last a couple lifetimes. Occasionally I think about selling it, but talk myself out of doing so.

Took it Pronghorn hunting in Wyoming. Smacked a Pronghorn at 410 yards. I do mean smacked. Very clean kill. The animal dropped in it's tracks and never moved.
 
I kind of wonder why Simpson didn't go 338. The 7mm field was probably more crowded. Maybe he was after an even split: 28, 32, 36, 40 with his rounds filling in 28 and 36. Maybe O'Neil, Keith, and Hopkins had taken that bore when they used a 30 Super to make the 334 OKH. The 358 STA seems to have disappeared, despite some truly impressive ballistics. I checked E. R. Shaw's catalogued calibers. They will make you a 358 Norma Magnum, not exactly common, but no STA. They do sell 7mm STW, 8mm Rem Mag, and 416 Rem Mag. I suppose one could buy them a reamer.

I confess an ulterior motive. When I say I'm a fan of the 8 Mag, I mean I have two of them. I was thinking of running a shootoff and rebarreling the less accurate one. But if I do, I think I'll go classic and get a 300 H&H (aka 30 Super) barrel. That's contrarian enough for me and much less trouble than Simpson's rounds.
 
…. Maybe he was after an even split: 28, 32, 36, 40 with his rounds filling in 28 and 36….
Click to expand...

That wouldn’t explain the .257 STW though. The 7mm was a no-brainer regardless of how crowded the field. Simpson always had a soft spot for the 7mm caliber so he’d want to do it. And it’s so easy for existing owners of 7mm Magnum rifles to rechamber, assuming enough action length.

Who knows why someone builds a certain wildcat, it may be as simple as what barrel was available at the time from his ‘smith.





.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top