18” 7mm Tikka

TxLite · Oct 10, 2022

Looking to get some input for a build I’m working on. Plan is to rebarrel a Tikka with an 18” 8tw barrel and push 180 Berger Hybrids at 2700 at the muzzle for mule deer/axis/whitetail/hogs at 600/700 yards. I’ve been eyeing the 7 saum, 7ss, 7-300wsm, and new 7prc.

I’ve scoured a lot of forums and seems like most 18” 7 saum are dropping down to 150-168’s to hit the velocity I’m looking for.

Is this build/velocity feasible? Pipe dream? Better off with 168’s?

Edit to add: Tikka has long bolt stop and mag bolt face

Gargantuan · Oct 10, 2022

Feel like you be just shy of 2700 with a 180g

TxLite · Oct 10, 2022

Gargantuan said:
Feel like you be just shy of 2700 with a 180g

With the saum? 2700 puts me just over 1900fps at 700. So I have a little wiggle room in velocity for bullet function.

Ucsdryder · Oct 10, 2022

I think you’ll be right around 2700 after barrel speed up. I’d guess 2650-2675 on virgin barrel, 2700-2725 after speed up. Just a guess based off my 20” Saum.

TxLite · Oct 10, 2022

Ucsdryder said:
I think you’ll be right around 2700 after barrel speed up. I’d guess 2650-2675 on virgin barrel, 2700-2725 after speed up. Just a guess based off my 20” Saum.

What powder are you using? I was planning on H1000

Ucsdryder · Oct 10, 2022

TxLite said:
What powder are you using? I was planning on H1000

H1000 for 180s and h4350 for 145 monos

MuleyFever · Oct 10, 2022

I am working on my 20" 7 SAUM now. I am getting in the 2700's with 175 ELD-X using H1000. I am using new Norma brass at the moment. I should be trying some once fired soon, not sure if that will make a difference. Guys using ADG brass appear to be getting more powder in the case before pressure than I have experienced. I did hit 2780ish on one load but accuracy wasnt there. I am getting better accuracy closer to the 2700. I am also using 215M primers and it was suggested that maybe the 210M would not hit pressure as fast. I plan to test this soon too.

TxLite · Oct 10, 2022

MuleyFever said:
I am working on my 20" 7 SAUM now. I am getting in the 2700's with 175 ELD-X using H1000. I am using new Norma brass at the moment. I should be trying some once fired soon, not sure if that will make a difference. Guys using ADG brass appear to be getting more powder in the case before pressure than I have experienced. I did hit 2780ish on one load but accuracy wasnt there. I am getting better accuracy closer to the 2700. I am also using 215M primers and it was suggested that maybe the 210M would not hit pressure as fast. I plan to test this soon too.

I’m hoping to get ahold of some ADG if I can find it in whatever caliber I go with. I was planning on using cci250’s but also have 200’s.

I’m wondering if the extra case capacity will be worth it in the prc or if the 7 saum will be the best choice to meet what I’m looking to do with less powder used. It’s sounding the like saum will put me right about where I’m looking to be.

david2duck · Oct 11, 2022

I have a 18” 7saum on a tikka long action. I’m getting just over 2700 fps with 180 VLD Hunt. I’m using ADG brass and N560. Only 70 rounds on the barrel so it should speed up some.

TxLite · Oct 12, 2022

david2duck said:
I have a 18” 7saum on a tikka long action. I’m getting just over 2700 fps with 180 VLD Hunt. I’m using ADG brass and N560. Only 70 rounds on the barrel so it should speed up some.

Awesome. Sounds like exactly what I’m looking for.

Did you get a prefit or have a blank spun?

david2duck · Oct 12, 2022

TxLite said:
Awesome. Sounds like exactly what I’m looking for.

Did you get a prefit or have a blank spun?

Prefit but then a smith used a custom reamer (.220 freebore)

AkRyan · Oct 16, 2022

TxLite said:
Looking to get some input for a build I’m working on. Plan is to rebarrel a Tikka with an 18” 8tw barrel and push 180 Berger Hybrids at 2700 at the muzzle for mule deer/axis/whitetail/hogs at 600/700 yards. I’ve been eyeing the 7 saum, 7ss, 7-300wsm, and new 7prc.

I’ve scoured a lot of forums and seems like most 18” 7 saum are dropping down to 150-168’s to hit the velocity I’m looking for.

Is this build/velocity feasible? Pipe dream? Better off with 168’s?

Edit to add: Tikka has long bolt stop and mag bolt face

I get 2700 with a 7mm08 pushing 162g eldm with a 22in tube. I'm sure the saum will do better.

Tahoe1305 · Oct 16, 2022

I have a WSM and not a SAUM (maybe another option) but I don’t think you’d have any issue with that.

I’m running 3000fps with a 23”. So knock off 5” and even at 50fps (which is silly conservative) you’d be at 2750fps. Powder matters and I’m running RL26 which I believe is the fastest powder for those bullets/cartridges (I know it’s tough to find).

I bet with a fast powder you’d be closer to 2800fps.

wildwilderness · Oct 16, 2022

The 7mm RM will have those bullets seated deep in a Tikka mag- 3.3” ish. And excess powder.

The New 7PRC is custom made for the Tikka action length and to max efficiency - a 180g at 2950 in a 24-26” barrel.

The short mags are more efficient though not necessarily faster top end. The SAUM is very efficient at true short action lengths of 2.82” because that’s Remingtons length. Will do fine longer but won’t be as fast as the bigger cases.

A WSM was popular because the extra speed, not efficiency or correct seating depths in a true short action.

On Paper the WSM works great in a Tikka with the long action bolt stop and mags. Seating out to 3.2” will give full case capacity and proper feeding (another problem in non-center feed magazines )

*I forgot to mention the 284 win if you have a regular bolt will do extremely well in a Tikka action.

So to sum it up- I would look at the new 7 PRC or 7 WSM for max efficiency and top possible MV. Brass available will actually be the deciding factor!

TxLite · Oct 16, 2022

wildwilderness said:
Brass available will actually be the deciding factor!

This is a big reason why the WSM is left off my list. I really wish Alpha or another premium manufacturer would start producing brass for some of these cartridges. ADG seems to be the only show in town. They make fantastic brass but they can’t keep up with demand.