7 SAUM

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Jul 31, 2017
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690
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Oakley, CA
I have a 6.5 saum that's shooting 156 EOLS 3030 fps and .5" or touch better when I don't screw it up. Razor Ti action proof 25" hair under 8 lbs with v6. Haven't had a chance to use on game yet. Also have my 280ai that shoots very well 168 ABLRs and 143 HHs Hammers are 3180 no pressure signs. AI is built on a rem 700 and 26" benchmark carbon about 8.75 bs with my Zeiss v6. I am done with long tubes as I tend to back pack a lot and hope to be using a horse. Also finally moving to a place next august where can own a can. Wishing my 6.5 was a 20-22" now. Oh well. I am thinking about selling my 280ai and just using my 6.5 saum for a do all or having another caliber built for elk maybe the 7 saum? the hard part when I crunch numbers the 6.5 saum and 156s seem to better both my ai and the 7 saum. Obviously for elk the bigger bullet like a 175 would probably be better. I thought of a 28 Nosler but had a 7 mm stw and loved it but again long barrels and not packing a 30+" rifle around with the can. After using my daughters 7/08ai this past weekend I enjoyed that little gun. Any thoughts appreciated
 
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Dec 14, 2018
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SE OK
I’d say build the 7 Saum with 175 or maybe a touch more. Run a 20” barrel with can of your liking.
I personally would just feel a little better with that on anything bigger than deer over the 6.5. Although with good shot placement, the 6.5 would get the job done.


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mxgsfmdpx

WKR
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Oct 22, 2019
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Central Arizona
My short barrel .260 only shoots around 2740 with 129 grain SSTs. Never had an elk go more than 50 yards after being hit.

I am currently piecing together an 18” barrel 7 SAUM though. Really cool cartridge.
 

Ucsdryder

WKR
Joined
Jan 24, 2015
Messages
5,486
I think there are more posts on the 7saum than all other cartridges combined lately! I wouldn’t go longer than 20 and definitely don’t go shorter. A 156 sounds pretty good…not nearly as good as a 180 though!
 

deadwolf

WKR
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May 12, 2013
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Anchorage, AK
I’m pretty partial to my 7 Saum, 22” shooting 180 Berger’s at 2800. And 99% of the time I have a TBAC ultra 7 on it as well.

There’s a reason the 7 saum has really gained in popularity in the last few years, it truly is a fantastic cartridge. When built on a medium action and throated for heavies it is a magical combo.

If you’re looking at shooting a heavier bullet you could always rebarrel the 6.5 or sell the 280 and build your SAUM. If it was me I’d sell them both and get your dream rifle :)
 
OP
B
Joined
Jul 31, 2017
Messages
690
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Oakley, CA
I’m pretty partial to my 7 Saum, 22” shooting 180 Berger’s at 2800. And 99% of the time I have a TBAC ultra 7 on it as well.

There’s a reason the 7 saum has really gained in popularity in the last few years, it truly is a fantastic cartridge. When built on a medium action and throated for heavies it is a magical combo.

If you’re looking at shooting a heavier bullet you could always rebarrel the 6.5 or sell the 280 and build your SAUM. If it was me I’d sell them both and get your dream rifle :)
Man that crossed my mind as well!! I just like this 6.5. Curious and I am sure its been discussed somewhere but imagine 168s in a 20-22" would run close to 3k?
 
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The Greatest Spectacle in Motorcar Racing
If it were me, I’d keep both rifles for hunting open country. Build a 18-20” shorty threaded for the suppressor you are going to buy.
If after shooting the shorty suppressed, you decide you’re all in, then rebarrel or sell your existing rifles. If you love your 6.5 SAUM, I’d vote for rebarrel. I love my 20” 6.5 SAUM.
 

Cynoscion

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Mar 11, 2021
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South Texas
Man that crossed my mind as well!! I just like this 6.5. Curious and I am sure its been discussed somewhere but imagine 168s in a 20-22" would run close to 3k?
Mine is shooting 168gr Barnes LRX’s at 2843fps out of a 24” Proof CF barrel. Not the fastest load but it was the most accurate.
 

deadwolf

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Anchorage, AK
Man that crossed my mind as well!! I just like this 6.5. Curious and I am sure its been discussed somewhere but imagine 168s in a 20-22" would run close to 3k?

I don’t think you could do 168s at 3k in a barrel that short without some pressure. RL26 might do it, but it’s dirty, and I think your throat and barrel life would suffer. If you did 2875-2900 I think you’d be happy with that.


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N2TRKYS

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Apr 17, 2016
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Alabama
Man that crossed my mind as well!! I just like this 6.5. Curious and I am sure its been discussed somewhere but imagine 168s in a 20-22" would run close to 3k?

My Remington Model Seven 7 SAUM with the factory 22” barrel gets 2960fps with 160 grain Partitions and Accubonds using RL26 and 7828ssc. I liked the accuracy so never tried to go faster. My bullets are seated to 2.815” so they’ll fit in the factory magazine.

I’ve killed a pile of whitetail bucks with it and my only elk.
 

Brianb3

WKR
Joined
Nov 20, 2014
Messages
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I’m pretty partial to my 7 Saum, 22” shooting 180 Berger’s at 2800. And 99% of the time I have a TBAC ultra 7 on it as well.

There’s a reason the 7 saum has really gained in popularity in the last few years, it truly is a fantastic cartridge. When built on a medium action and throated for heavies it is a magical combo.

If you’re looking at shooting a heavier bullet you could always rebarrel the 6.5 or sell the 280 and build your SAUM. If it was me I’d sell them both and get your dream rifle :)

You get that throated for 180s? What did you build yours off of


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Brianb3

WKR
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Nov 20, 2014
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I picked up one last year and am super happy so far. 22” barrel throated for heavies. I am getting 2940 with 180 Berger hvld over H1000.


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Nice. That’s my hope with that powder too.


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Joined
Oct 5, 2015
Messages
352
Location
Alaska
Can the can, and carry some foam plugs :D I never understood the insistence on using suppressors on mountain rifles?
I agree 100%

Suppressors have their place on high volume, low recoiling, training rifles.

Suppressors on hunting rifles end up being dirt scoops and are a misappropriation of weight.
 

deadwolf

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May 12, 2013
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Anchorage, AK
You get that throated for 180s? What did you build yours off of


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Yes, and I get asked this often, and should know the answer on what exactly my freebore is…but when I had the rifle built I told the smith I wanted to shoot 175 and 180 Berger’s. I just can’t recall exact freebore spec.

Mine is built on a medium Lone Peak Fuzion


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huckfin

FNG
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Feb 5, 2022
Messages
27
Location
Kalispell
That 6.5 saum is plenty. I shoot the 156 eol out of a 264 at the same speed, it has hammered 4 mule deer and 4 black bear. 2 deer past 700 and 2 bear past 400, all 1 shot kills with devastating terminal performance. I would stick with the lighter handier rifle(175gr-156gr=19gr difference) no animal will know the difference.
 
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