7 PRC vs 7 SAUM vs 280 AI

[jzeblaz]

I haven't had any of these, but I have a 7mm-08 (great to carry and shoot) and a heavy 280 Rem. I can run the 168 LRX out of the 280 (1:9) at elevation, but they keyhole at sea level. Considering you have 280AI and 7RM, I'd be looking at the SAUM and making it light, especially if you can get it short/suppressed. That'd be the mtn rifle I'd build if I could get components. The PRC is interesting, and components likely to be more available as it is riding the wave of popularity at the moment. Sounds like a fun project, I hope you make a post to take us along with your build. Have fun!

 

[bmart2622]

My 7-08 is a Remington Model Seven SS with a factory 20” barrel. It’ll shoot 140 grain Accubonds 2850 fps and 120 grain NBTs 3000 fps. I killed my first mule deer buck with it this season and hope to shoot my next elk with it. I shot my first, and only, elk with my 7 SAUM with 160 grain Partitions.

2850 with 140s out of a 20" barrel?

 

[N2TRKYS]

2850 with 140s out of a 20" barrel?

Yes

 

[bmart2622]

Yes

What powder are you using??

 

[N2TRKYS]

What powder are you using??

Book max charge of Big Game.

 

[rmarshall]

I have a 280 AI and a few 7-08 hanging around, both awesome cartridges. I really like the 7 SAUM as well, I have a few friends with them. It's hard to go wrong with any of the 3 you mentioned, but If I was doing a mtn rifle it would be a SAUM or Ackley. I wanted a lighter gun for packing and shooting, I built my 280 AI on a tikka action and even with my 25" barrel, scoped and 3 rds loaded its right at 8lbs. It's running 160 Accubonds at 3065. Going lighter like you want to do, I'd leave the 7 PRC out of the mix. It's a great cartridge but I think its going to thump you in a light package. But suppressed that could make the difference. Choose one, shoot it, hunt with it and enjoy it.

 

[Montucky]

I think 7saum & 280ai have pretty similar case capacities. I’m shooting 63ish grains of H1000, any of you 280ai guys shooting H1000…..?

 

[Scotto]

I went 280 ai. Using 7828ssc.

 

[WKR]

I'm using reloader 22 in my .280 ai

Thats another thing that might influence my decision

I have around ten pounds of H1000 so I would like a cartridge that does well with that powder.

The .280 ai doesn't get good velocity with H1000
How does the 7 saum and 7 prc do with H1000?

 

[Kimber7man]

7 SAUM and 280AI are ballistic twins, case capacity virtually identical.

 

[Montucky]

I'm using reloader 22 in my .280 ai

Thats another thing that might influence my decision

I have around ten pounds of H1000 so I would like a cartridge that does well with that powder.

The .280 ai doesn't get good velocity with H1000
How does the 7 saum and 7 prc do with H1000?

7saum Rem700 with 22in Benchmark. H1000 & 180Hybrid…..Crazy Low SD with 63.5

 

[MuleyFever]

H1000 is the go to for the majority of 7SAUM shooters.

 

[WKR]

Then it looks like I'll be going with a 7 saum, time to start buying brass

 

[N2TRKYS]

I never tried H1000. RL26 and IMR7828SSC gave me the most velocity.

 

[Alex Genereux]

I would say some of the most popular powders for 7 saum are rl23, n560/565, h4831sc, h1000, h4350

 

[WKR]

What about the 7prc? Is it too soon to have good load data and preferred powders?

 

[ID_Matt]

You mentioned lighter bullets, so I would think a 7 SAUM in a short action would be just dandy. Just make sure you pick the right reamer freebore. 7PRC is a bit of overkill for that light of bullet in my opinion. A short action 7saum with an 18" tube would be a dream back country rifle. Very easy to load for and works with quite a few different powders. I have loaded for about 5 of them and had luck with RL23, N565, N560, H1000, RL26, H4350

 

[WKR]

You mentioned lighter bullets, so I would think a 7 SAUM in a short action would be just dandy. Just make sure you pick the right reamer freebore. 7PRC is a bit of overkill for that light of bullet in my opinion. A short action 7saum with an 18" tube would be a dream back country rifle. Very easy to load for and works with quite a few different powders. I have loaded for about 5 of them and had luck with RL23, N565, N560, H1000, RL26, H4350

You consider the 168gr lrx to be light?

 

[ID_Matt]

You consider the 168gr lrx to be light?

For the 7PRC, yes.

 

[BjornF16]

You consider the 168gr lrx to be light?

For the 7PRC, yes.

I would think the 168 LRX would be perfect for a 7PRC.

Monos should be light for cartridge for higher MV.