7 SAW

[ID_Matt]

Anybody loading for the 7 SAW? Shot with one of the Alpha guys at a match a few weekends ago that was using one. Sounds like it checks a lot of boxes and would be a perfect candidate for the 162 ELDM. Short action, standard bolt face, SRP, varget for powder, alpha brass. Basically a 7mm-08 improved from what I understand. Guy was running 162's at 2840 from a 24" barrel. Thinking it would be awesome in an 18" or 20" tube.

 

[Wapiti1]

I struggle to see an advantage over the .284 Win.

Jeremy

 

[4th_point]

I struggle to see an advantage over the .284 Win.

Jeremy

I don't have a dog in this fight but some don't care for a rebated rim and there is a lot of quality .308 brass out there to make SAW cases.

 

[ID_Matt]

I struggle to see an advantage over the .284 Win.

Jeremy

Honestly haven't researched the 284 win much but first glance it looks like performance will be nearly the same but the saw may fit in a short action better. Also like varget and small rifle primers. Alpha vs lapua brass is a fairly mute point, although part of me prefers alpha.

 

[XLR]

Have a buddy with one and he loves it! Uses it for NRL Hunter and then on most of our OTC elk hunts. Not much input other than that though.

 

[Bbell12]

Not reloading for it yet but I’ve got one on the way. The biggest draw to me was half the recoil of the 7 mag while only losing 150 fps when shooting mid to light weight bullets. It’s a really cool caliber.

 

[ID_Matt]

Not reloading for it yet but I’ve got one on the way. The biggest draw to me was half the recoil of the 7 mag while only losing 150 fps when shooting mid to light weight bullets. It’s a really cool caliber.

That is a lot of my draw to it. Currently using a 7 SAUM burning 61 grains of powder to push a 162 or 175 in the mid 2800's. 18 grains less powder and less recoil for a minimal velocity decrease seems like a good deal.

 

[4th_point]

It's been awhile since I've heard anyone mention the SAW. When I first saw the thread title, I thought for sure the OP meant SAUM!

Velocities posted by WTO for the 162gr and 22" are about 100 fps faster than what I have seen with plain 7mm-08.

https://westtexordnance.com/7mm-saw-general-faqs/

Barrel Length	18″	20″	22″	24″	26″
Bullet weight	Avg. MV	Avg. MV	Avg. MV	Avg. MV	Avg. MV
140gr	2820	2840	2880	2930	2980
150gr	2780	2800	2840	2880	2940
160-162gr	2660	2700	2760	2810	2860
166-168gr	2640	2680	2720	2760-2780	2840
180gr	2540	2580	2620	2650	2700-2720

 

[wind gypsy]

I struggle to see an advantage over the .284 Win.

Jeremy

Agree in many applications. Main benefit of the SAW is for those who want to mag feed from a short action magazine, the SAW would allow bullets with a longer nose to be used without the front of the bearing surface being stuffed below the case mouth and allow more bullets options to be seated with bearing surface above the neck/shoulder junction.

 

[wind gypsy]

That is a lot of my draw to it. Currently using a 7 SAUM burning 61 grains of powder to push a 162 or 175 in the mid 2800's. 18 grains less powder and less recoil for a minimal velocity decrease seems like a good deal.

Their published #s seem like about a 200 FPS loss compared to what i'm seeing in 22" SAUMs. Would definitely be nicer to shoot!

 

[Bbell12]

That is a lot of my draw to it. Currently using a 7 SAUM burning 61 grains of powder to push a 162 or 175 in the mid 2800's. 18 grains less powder and less recoil for a minimal velocity decrease seems like a good deal.

Exactly, you reach a point of diminishing returns very quickly shooting mid weight bullets with anything larger.

And the COAL of the SAW makes it a perfect fit for a Tikka, which is even better…

 

[ID_Matt]

Their published #s seem like about a 200 FPS loss compared to what i'm seeing in 22" SAUMs. Would definitely be nicer to shoot!

I see numbers all across the board on the SAUM. Seems some guys either have really fast tubes or just ignore pressure signs. I have never felt comfortable pushing the 22"s I have loaded for over mid 2800's with a 162 or 175.

 

[Juan_ID]

I struggle to see an advantage over the .284 Win.

Jeremy

For starters the .284 win came out way too long ago and lacks the cool name… sorry I couldn’t resist!

And to clarify…

Basically a 7mm-08 improved from what I understand.

Don’t try and church it up, said guy called it a 7mm creedmoor…

 

[wind gypsy]

I see numbers all across the board on the SAUM. Seems some guys either have really fast tubes or just ignore pressure signs. I have never felt comfortable pushing the 22"s I have loaded for over mid 2800's with a 162 or 175.

We probably agree but you're lumping 162s together with 175s, are you not seeing faster velocities with 162s? I've shot mostly 175s/180s in mine and lower 2800s tends to be my upper end but comfortable place with them in a long throated 22" tube. The WTO table posted earlier shows a 22" SAW and 180s being about 2620, which is roughly 200 FPS slower than what I see with a long throated SAUM. If loaded in a short action that may be different.

 

[crich]

That is a lot of my draw to it. Currently using a 7 SAUM burning 61 grains of powder to push a 162 or 175 in the mid 2800's. 18 grains less powder and less recoil for a minimal velocity decrease seems like a good deal.

Load a few at 50 grains and see if you get the speed and recoil that you want. Also dont let me talk you out of a new rifle if thats the underlying goal

 

[ID_Matt]

We probably agree but you're lumping 162s together with 175s, are you not seeing faster velocities with 162s? I've shot mostly 175s/180s in mine and lower 2800s tends to be my upper end but comfortable place with them in a long throated 22" tube. The WTO table posted earlier shows a 22" SAW and 180s being about 2620, which is roughly 200 FPS slower than what I see with a long throated SAUM. If loaded in a short action that may be different.

Maybe I haven't pushed them like I should, but I stopped at 2880 with the 162's with a bit of bolt lift. Don't know whether they have a bit more bearing surface than the bergers so the weight difference is offset or maybe just not using the fastest powder.

 

[Wapiti1]

Agree in many applications. Main benefit of the SAW is for those who want to mag feed from a short action magazine, the SAW would allow bullets with a longer nose to be used without the front of the bearing surface being stuffed below the case mouth and allow more bullets options to be seated with bearing surface above the neck/shoulder junction.

Yes, but is that really an advantage? Keep in mind that the SAW is based on a 3" COAL. To me, that extra .2" makes the .284 look that much better.

I guess that I haven't seen where it matters. Whichever gets you the most powder in the case is the one that is more appealing, in my world.

Jeremy

 

[TexasTB]

Love shooting my 7mm SAW with 20” suppressed Bartlein barrel. I load 162 ELDx using Varget and get approximately 2730 fps…. Have shot Aoudad, Axis and whitetail deer with this load out to 400 yards.

 

[HGL]

Love shooting my 7mm SAW with 20” suppressed Bartlein barrel. I load 162 ELDx using Varget and get approximately 2730 fps…. Have shot Aoudad, Axis and whitetail deer with this load out to 400 yards.

That's good velocity, leaning toward a 20" myself. Which reamer, Type I or II?

 

[TexasTB]

7mm SAW II reamer