7 saum opinions

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I am debating building a 7 saum and have some questions. Components would be an origin action, proof sendero, mdt hnt26. Probably would run it suppressed. I think I would like to go with Berger 168 or possibly 180. Would I be able to load them to the lands in a short action? I am thinking probably 22” proof carbon but possibly 24” if it makes a big difference. I would definitely prefer a short action but would go long if I had to. Also what powders, brass, primers are people having best luck with and what velocities are you seeing?


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Ucsdryder

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Adg brass - good luck finding some!

H1000, rl26, maybe h4831..h4350 with the lighter bullets

180 eldms are super sexy, but you can’t load them in a short action. Go long and you can load them as long as you want! You need to custom throat to run 180s.

20” is the sweet spot…22” is fine too, I wouldn’t go longer.
 
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Good luck finding anything the last two years! This would be a thing to just get components when I can over the next year or so. Would the 168 work in a short action?


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hereinaz

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You can run the 7 Saum in a short action but you will hit COL limitations with longer high bc bullets. It is optimized in a long action with the 180s. 7 saum is awesome with either 180 or 168. With a 22 you can be above 2900 with the right powder.

ADG brass, H1000 to RL26 speed powders, I run regular rifle primers in short mags no issue. I like BR cci primers.

Because of the COL limitations, I went with the 7 SS in short action. I run 180 at 3050 in a 26 barrel. Velocity loss is about 20-25 fps per inch. If you want to know more, I will explain, but not gonna hijack further. Looks like you can find brass on Rich Sherman’s site right now.
 

Ucsdryder

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You can run the 7 Saum in a short action but you will hit COL limitations with longer high bc bullets. It is optimized in a long action with the 180s. 7 saum is awesome with either 180 or 168. With a 22 you can be above 2900 with the right powder.

ADG brass, H1000 to RL26 speed powders, I run regular rifle primers in short mags no issue. I like BR cci primers.

Because of the COL limitations, I went with the 7 SS in short action. I run 180 at 3050 in a 26 barrel. Velocity loss is about 20-25 fps per inch. If you want to know more, I will explain, but not gonna hijack further. Looks like you can find brass on Rich Sherman’s site right now.
im pushing mine pretty hard and getting 2775 after barrel speed out out of 20” suppressed, that’s with 180 eldms and h1000. 2900 would be tough out of a shorty unless you drop down to the 160 class.
 

deadwolf

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im pushing mine pretty hard and getting 2775 after barrel speed out out of 20” suppressed, that’s with 180 eldms and h1000. 2900 would be tough out of a shorty unless you drop down to the 160 class.

Similar here…2800 in a 22” with Berger 180 hybrid. Could go a bit faster but no need


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OP
S
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You can run the 7 Saum in a short action but you will hit COL limitations with longer high bc bullets. It is optimized in a long action with the 180s. 7 saum is awesome with either 180 or 168. With a 22 you can be above 2900 with the right powder.

ADG brass, H1000 to RL26 speed powders, I run regular rifle primers in short mags no issue. I like BR cci primers.

Because of the COL limitations, I went with the 7 SS in short action. I run 180 at 3050 in a 26 barrel. Velocity loss is about 20-25 fps per inch. If you want to know more, I will explain, but not gonna hijack further. Looks like you can find brass on Rich Sherman’s site right now.

Go ahead and explain. ! I have heard of the 7ss but really don’t know much about it. Always good to hear other options!


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OP
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Ideally I would like to push the 168 to 2900-2950 in a 22”. Sounds like it might be possible with a fast barrel but maybe not likely. Another option that I keep going in circles about is they make a medium length origin. Would love that until you see how many people don’t make a chassis for that. I recently sent an email to mdt and they don’t have plans anytime soon for that action in the hnt26


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Mark at EXO

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Ideally I would like to push the 168 to 2900-2950 in a 22”. Sounds like it might be possible with a fast barrel but maybe not likely. Another option that I keep going in circles about is they make a medium length origin. Would love that until you see how many people don’t make a chassis for that. I recently sent an email to mdt and they don’t have plans anytime soon for that action in the hnt26
If you stick with the 168, you'd be fine in a SA. I can run that bullet at 2940 with RL-23 in my 22" Proof (SAAMI chamber). For a hunting rig, I'd only consider XM/LA if you're looking to run the 180s or above.
 
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I ended up around 2820-2840 fps with 175-180s in the two 22" saum barrels I've had on a tikka throated long with H1000. I don't think you'd have any trouble hitting 2900+ with 168s in a short action, especially with RL26, but no guarantees that's what your rifle would want to shoot.

I didn't know they made an xm origin. That would be ideal but it does limit the stock options.. Does manners do LRH inlets for the LRH?

Edit to add: I've had good luck with Norma 7 SAUM brass (in my 6.5 SAUMs) so that is a good alternative to ADG if you come across it. ADG is tough and very consistent measuring but it also seems more prone to clicker issues than others. I've got saum brass from R-P, Hornady, Norma, and ADG. I'd probably avoid hornady if I can help it but the others are good to go.
 

XLR

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This is what a medium action was made from. Defiance, lone peak, and Zermatt offer their medium length action and we have inlets for them. It will allow you to seat bullets out to 3.255" without having the nightmare of feeding issues like you will in a long action. You can modify a mag to work but the Medium is going to be your best option!
 
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My thoughts on my 7 SAUM- the 168 Berger or 162 eldm works great in a Short Action (Wyatt’s box) the 180 hybrid Berger is ok, the 175 eol is probably the limit though. The 180 eldm with its large bearing is a bit much.

I have used H4831 with great results. H1000 was touchy on pressure. R23 was good on speed. I just found some R26 haven’t tried it yet.

I don’t understand people putting a SA cartridge in a LA- you are actually wasting space! And feeding issues. Why not go with a 28 Nosler, or 7 LRM/Blaser or even a 7 RUM! Will be faster even in a short barrel.

On the XM length a 7 wsm makes more sense- will gain capacity for about 10 gr more of powder and at least 100-200 fps with less pressure


I do like the 7saum on the SA works great with a 160 class bullet
 
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Thanks to all! Everyone is very helpful. I do know that there are some chassis and stocks that accept a medium action but I really like that hnt26! I also thought the same about the long action, it just opens up a whole category of other caliber options. I like short actions and the a shorter barrel and the 7 saum just seems like it gets you the velocity better than most with a shorter barrel


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I am in the same boat want a 20-22" build to run a 5 or 7" can but with brass being so hard to come by not sure what to do. May stick with my 6.5 saum on 24" and run my 156s for everyting till i can get parts and hopefully some dang brass
 

hereinaz

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The Sherman Short Mag is a 7 saum with the case walls blown out wider, the shoulder pushed back shorter and angle changed to 40 degrees so that the 180 vld fits in a short action magazine and has more case capacity than a SAUM. It is exceedingly easy to load for and is very efficient and accurate. Although I have used Proof, apparently their carbon fiber barrels have had problems recently so I would recommend another brand.

I shoot 180 vld at 3050 with a middle load of RL 26 out of a 26 barrel and its about 20-25 fps per inch that you lose as you shorten. You could shoot a 180 VLD above 2900 in a 22 inch and a 168 at or above 3000 fps. I'd say the 7ss gives the same velocity with a barrel two inches shorter than the 7 saum.
 

hereinaz

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im pushing mine pretty hard and getting 2775 after barrel speed out out of 20” suppressed, that’s with 180 eldms and h1000. 2900 would be tough out of a shorty unless you drop down to the 160 class.
I think the powder is holding you back if you are shooting a SS. I couldn't push a 180 VLD above 2975 fps with H1000 in my 7SS, but RL 26 added 100 fps with less pressure signs and I got 3050. If that held true for you, then you would likely get 75 to 100 fps more. I have friends using VihtaVouhri powders and are pushing it faster than me.
 
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7ss is definitely where I'd look if going short action. At times the brass availability seems to be better than SAUM too.
 

Ucsdryder

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I think the powder is holding you back if you are shooting a SS. I couldn't push a 180 VLD above 2975 fps with H1000 in my 7SS, but RL 26 added 100 fps with less pressure signs and I got 3050. If that held true for you, then you would likely get 75 to 100 fps more. I have friends using VihtaVouhri powders and are pushing it faster than me.
I’m shooting a 7saum.
 
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