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New GAP Extreme Hunter in 6.5 SAUM

#403
Sendero_Man said:
New NF 2.5-10x42 with the MOAR should be here right directly. Will post up some pics and first impressions of scope :)

Think it will be perfect scope for this platform and what I do !
Click to expand...


I'm anxious to hear what you think of this scope. It sounds like a perfect long range hunting scope. That is the exact model I am looking at too.
 
#413
Sendero_Man said:
New NF 2.5-10x42 with the MOAR should be here right directly. Will post up some pics and first impressions of scope :)

Think it will be perfect scope for this platform and what I do !
Click to expand...

SM, I was on the same path, until I saw Pat's post of the March 3-24x42. With another 14x of magnification for only about +2oz and a couple hundred bucks, it seems like a pretty good trade off.

Now I can't keep my dang browser history off of the March home page. Damn scope porn!!!!
 
#414
Huckleberry75 said:
SM, I was on the same path, until I saw Pat's post of the March 3-24x42. With another 14x of magnification for only about +2oz and a couple hundred bucks, it seems like a pretty good trade off.

Now I can't keep my dang browser history off of the March home page. Damn scope porn!!!!
Click to expand...

Ian already served me a glass of Coolaid! Love my March 3-24
 
#415
Huckleberry75 said:
SM, I was on the same path, until I saw Pat's post of the March 3-24x42. With another 14x of magnification for only about +2oz and a couple hundred bucks, it seems like a pretty good trade off.

Now I can't keep my dang browser history off of the March home page. Damn scope porn!!!!
Click to expand...

yea, there is a MOA March I saw too. I like the NF a lot. They are my flavor of Kool Aid :cool:
 
#421
A10XRIFLE said:
Im back in town and unthawed, the Icebreaker was a great time as usual. The Xtreme Hunter is just at its debut, Im not one to just throw a product at guys without a year of testing. Yes I have over 3400 rounds on my rifle now and its still shooting sub 1/2" Bryan Yeung on Team GAP shot one to 2800 and it was still in the 1/2 " range. This is proven. Its not a real secret its about Pressure!! The 308 runs at at pressures of 53000-58000 PSI I wanted to find a case that would make 3100 with a High BC Bullet at that same low low pressure. The Saum was wat we landed at with lots of testing. With a 140 JLK I could get 3080 FPS with only 53000 PSI I shot this load for a year, guys there are many to witness, I shot this at Lonestar, Snipershide Cup, PTS, Maammoth, and Nor-Cal I shot this at last years IceBreaker, and this years as well , with alot of practice in between, all on the same original Barrel. It still shoots great. The same load is now 3020 but with 63 grains of H1000 and the 130 Berger im getting 3180 in this same warn out ;) Rifle with that group at 1157 to prove it still has some life. Guys this is Legit its about pressure!!!! This cartridge is Game Changing and the Xtreme Hunter is the only rifle a Guy needs in N America.

2 guys now have commented after shooting one. both Quotes were Identical!!! " This is the Deadliest rifle Ive ever shot"!!! Both guys are far from Amateur!
Click to expand...

Well...that pretty much seals the deal for me on my next build...I gotta have a 6.5 SAUM.

George...PM SENT.
 
#426
Been lurking on this thread for awhile now trying to decide if I "NEED" ;) this rifle or not. Since I have basically zero will power when it comes to new toys, I have pretty much made up my mind on getting one except one question. I am concerned with stock LOP and comb height, can anyone comment whether or not this stock will fit me well (5'7"tall.. 13" inside of bicep to bent index finger) And if not, what model of Manners do you recommend?
Thanks
 
#427
Coltster said:
Been lurking on this thread for awhile now trying to decide if I "NEED" ;) this rifle or not. Since I have basically zero will power when it comes to new toys, I have pretty much made up my mind on getting one except one question. I am concerned with stock LOP and comb height, can anyone comment whether or not this stock will fit me well (5'7"tall.. 13" inside of bicep to bent index finger) And if not, what model of Manners do you recommend?
Thanks
Click to expand...

Contact Tom manners on here or call them and thy will send you a stock to check out ad all it cost you is the $20 return shipping. They can cut the stock to any LOP you want, add an adjustable LOP, and can even set the action back a bit for trigger finger reach. Call Tom and he will get you fixed up.
 
#431
I got mine shooting tonight. Had it out a few times and couldn't get it to group. I had put my 8x32x56 NF on there as the Barrett hasn't seen much action lately. It would stack two through the same hole and two about an inch away and a random flyer. It was really pissing me off! I tried several loads with the same results. Re torqued everything and tried again, still the same shit. Took the Night Force off and put my USO 3.2x17x44 on there. First three were about a foot low and 3" left, but could cover them with a dime. Adjusted once and poi was 1" low 1" right two shots-one hole. Made final adjustment and stacked 4 through a ragged hole. Yanked one, ( I always have to fuck up a perfectly good group:) ). All of this was done tonight in the headlights of my truck, I just got back from Wyoming from WTRC and getting ready to debut the 6.5 SAUM in the Phoenix monthly match this weekend. I feel much better about how she's shooting now that the USO is on there! I guess the Barrett ate a NF and spit it out!

My final load ended up at 61.6 grains of H1000 @ 3.87". (Tried loading 3.92" and stuck some bullets in the lands and dumped powder out when I ejected them). I haven't run them through Chrono, but reverse engineering them through my ballistic program they are running between 3100-3150 with 139 grain Scenars

1.25 MOA - 200 yards
3.00 MOA - 300 yards
5.00 MOA - 400 yards
8.25 MOA - 550 yards

That's all I have solid dope for, going to fill in the blanks at the match, going to run ballistic calc dope for the rest and see how the ball bounces unless I get lucky and get out of work early tomorrow and am able to hit the range. I feel so much better now that I know that thing is shooting!


In the headlights at 100 yards.
 
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#433
Mine is a remmington LA in a McRee chassis running 338 mags. It hasn't been feeding consistently though. I am still getting used to the rifle/trying to tweak the mags so they feed better. The rounds have a tendency to porpoise up in the front and the bolt rides over the top. Going to try tweaking the spring/follower to get the rear of the case up a bit.
 
#434
hognuts said:
Mine is a remmington LA in a McRee chassis running 338 mags. It hasn't been feeding consistently though. I am still getting used to the rifle/trying to tweak the mags so they feed better. The rounds have a tendency to porpoise up in the front and the bolt rides over the top. Going to try tweaking the spring/follower to get the rear of the case up a bit.
Click to expand...

That's what I am afraid of. I have a 300 wsm thru 338 lap mags and I haven't had a hang up yet. I'm just nervous try it out and not work well.

Search for a LH SA continues.
 
#435
PowerstrokeOBX said:
That's what I am afraid of. I have a 300 wsm thru 338 lap mags and I haven't had a hang up yet. I'm just nervous try it out and not work well.

Search for a LH SA continues.
Click to expand...

Powerstroke ,

I just ordered a LH SA Stiller Tac 30 action. They said they could have me one with a mag bolt face in a few weeks.

You might call them. I'm doing a switch barrel rig and they are getting me 2 bolts made. The mag bolt is taking a little longer.
 
#441
hognuts said:
Mine is a remmington LA in a McRee chassis running 338 mags. It hasn't been feeding consistently though. I am still getting used to the rifle/trying to tweak the mags so they feed better. The rounds have a tendency to porpoise up in the front and the bolt rides over the top. Going to try tweaking the spring/follower to get the rear of the case up a bit.
Click to expand...

The 338 mags will give you fits, they have to much room in the nose of the mag. You really should have opted for SA with mag bolt face. The WSM Alpha mags run without issue.
 
#442
Ran it in the Arizona match today. It actually fed pretty well. Had to push a few forward so the bolt would pick them up, but for the most part it ran smooth. I still don't trust them fully, but they ran ok. I still haven't found my OAL yet I started off at 2.92", backed them off to 2.87" and I stuck one in the lands in the match today and dumped powder everywhere when I tried to eject a loaded round. I run my Creedmoor at 2.82" I am getting close to having the same length with a magnum case! I was hoping the benefit of running the LA would be being able to seat them longer....apparently not with the reamer I used.

I bought prepped, neck turned brass from Copper Creek, it is not head stamped 6.5 SAUM, and I am not sure if anyone is making any that is head stamped yet. I also got the components for my Giraud trimmer so I can trim/chamfer the necks, they were a little rough after neck turning process. I use the same cutter for my Creedmoor and the case holder for the 300 SAUM on the Giraud. It gives me a nice finished product on the brass.
 
#443
No one is offering properly head stamped brass at this time. I think we all wish they would! That would be a pretty big financial investment.
I would for sure invest in a large amount of brass if the price was fair. Im shooting 300 rounds a week easily. More if I get the time!
 
#444
260 Crusader Grows up

GAP 6.5 SAUM Crusader
24” bbl 1-8.5 Bartlein
FTE brake
US Optics 3 x 17 x 44 TPAL/GAP reticle

Not a newbie, I have been on with the hide since 2007 and I have NO idea where my very few post have went.

260 Crusader grows up to 6.5 SAUM. This 260 Crusader was about 2 years old… It shot very well with the 140 VLDs. Crusader is used for hunting these long ass bean/cornfields here in Northern Missouri. I have been a 6.5 fan since I was a kid from my dad. He told me if I ever wanted to cheat the elements go with the 6.5. I have had numerous 6.5’s in my life, to include the 6.5 WSM.

Not to start a banter on the 6.5 WSM to the 6.5 SAUM. But here is my findings from 2001-2003 on the 6.5 WSM since I think it is relevant to the 6.5 SAUM, pressure and its’ existence.
I had a 6.5 WSM on 700 LA with a kreiger MTU 27” 1-8.5 with VAIS brake. The gunsmith who did the work from Whitebird, Idaho-Ed was his name I believe. I started out with H4831 due to what the gunsmith suggested. It shot great, it shot fast with 140 Amax and 142 SMK. I had difficulty with the brass (270 WSM brass), a lot of pressure signs and hard on brass. The gunsmith called me back after a month and asked me how I was doing. I told him what was happening and that I switched to H1000. He could not believe that I was running H1000 and scolding me at the time as well as a few other gunsmiths. I guess it was unheard of in running H1000 in a small bore. It worked and worked very well for me…

I sent the 6.5 WSM back to the gunsmith in 2003 and he put a new barrel in 7 WSM sporter weight on the 700 action. I had around 1750 rounds thru the 6.5 WSM barrel. Gunsmith could not believe that the throat looked that good with that many rounds down the tube (there was some throat erosion). It still shot a good 3/8 group. I did dial her back to around 3150-3175 fps with 142 smk with the H1000 after the first 150 rounds. Brass was not near as hot to the touch with the H1000 and brass lasted a few times longer, fps was decreasing at the 1200-1400 round mark as well. At the time I did not believe the WSM case was ideal for the 6.5, neck issue and now I was cutting the powder back at 95-100% case volume was no longer there. (not an ideal case)

I live just North of KC or 20 miles from GAP, way to close for the pocketbook. I talked with George a few months ago on the 6.5 SAUM. We talked about the 6.5 WSM I had, with pressures, heat and powder used at the time. I just laughed to myself because what he was talking about on what I went thru 10-12 years ago. I knew he was on to something and he had it figured out. I would say the 6.5 RCM case is next :)
So when George starts talking H1000, 130’s/140’s, pressure and case volume for the 6.5 SAUM I was excited. I just finished up some reloads off of Copper Creeks 130 VLDs loaded ammo. I was not impressed by the Copper Creeks 130 VLDs Pointed loaded ammo. There was .020 different in OAL from the OGIVE. I was into the lans hard on some of them. All I can say it “makes good brass once fired”.


6.5 SAUM Results:
I went right to the powder charge George and a few recommended and just worked on seating depth. Crusader seems to shoot better out of the lans to about .005-.010 for the VLDs. The 136-L would seem to like sitting right on the lans… Brass showed no pressures signs and no heat. The 140 VLDs-brass was not even warm. 140 VLDs brass showed a little powder burn on the shoulder that tells me they need to be pushed harder. (just my thoughts) I will try 61.5 of H1000 next round of testing for the 140 VLDs.

Copper Creeks 130 VLDs Pointed are in the middle of the target. My son shot a couple of these rounds as well. I am sure I will get shit for stinging them. But me and my buddy shot 50 rounds of Copper Creek loaded 130 VLD Pointed 3 days before this and they was doing the same thing. .020 differences in OAL from the Ogive, some was into the lans very hard some was not… I will be seating the last 50 from CC further down by another .020 to match my reloads. See what happens.
As far as 100 yard groups go the 260 crusader with 140 VLDs would do ¼-3/8 groups and this 6.5 SAUM will do the same. A little more tweaking with seating depth and it will come right in there. The last group I shot I was in the sun and 91 degrees with 100% humidity. I had enough and the barrel was hot.

I did not Chrony at this time. If I can put 5 under a dime, that meets my standards for long range work. I will be testing out to 750 yds next week and then out to 1200 and will compare to what my 260 was. I am really interested in how those 136-L will do at longer distance. It is a good looking quality controlled bullet and I can chase the lans for ever… Meplates is a little wide-however should open up well.

140 VLDs-61. H1000
136-L-62. H1000
130 VLD-63. H1000

My son Gradey is pictured with the 6.5 SAUM Crusader. He shot the group in the lower left with 136-L. He is only 9. His form is derived from Frank G himself. He does not think much about it, he just shoots. He shoots my GAP10/308 about as good as I do or his GAP10 as he says… He does not drive the GAP10 he is just riding along.

One question for Pat S. I have followed your wisdom due to your 6.5 love affair over the years. I know you have tried the 140 VLD and would seem you have moved away from them to the 130 class of bullets. I don’t do any of the competitions, cups etc… I just hunt and longer the range the better. The question-why not the 140 VLD? Something I am missing? I have had great success with the 140 VLDs and the 260 with big Northern Missouri Whitetail at a long damn ways. Just was wondering if the 130 VLD is doing something a little better? Pat, I would like to invite myself to your 6.5 SAUM party “Ice Breaker” when you have it again… It is my type of shooting and fun…
Thanks George and to everyone that had something to do with this 6.5 SAUM and getting this round off it’s feet. George will be doing my Model 70 All weather extreme from 270 WSM to the 6.5 SAUM next-if he can do it?.
Sorry if I wrote a story: But just putting in my 2 cents with everyone else. I know it takes a lot of work to get something like this going… Just trying to give back and if it helps someone else-great…


Michael
 

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#445
I think I got things straightened out with Ken. He left me a message stating that GAP would be using a 1:8.7 twist for these.

Question: How did you settle on the 1:8.7? What is the downside of going with, say, a 1:8? bullets would stabilize quicker, in shorter barrels, at higher altitude, correct?
I assume the trade-off would be some velocity loss, or does it significantly change the pressure curve?

Anyone?
 
#447
Extreme Hunter on order-Check
Brass 250 pcs 7mm-saum-Check
Primers-Check
Scope on order-Check
Dies on order-Check
Bullets I have-Check
H-1000 powder None in the state of New Mexico and I called all over Tucson and Phoenix. Any idea where to find any?
 
#450
Skeet1420 said:
Extreme Hunter on order-Check
Brass 250 pcs 7mm-saum-Check
Primers-Check
Scope on order-Check
Dies on order-Check
Bullets I have-Check
H-1000 powder None in the state of New Mexico and I called all over Tucson and Phoenix. Any idea where to find any?
Click to expand...

Extreme Hunter on order - check
Brass - getting some
Primers - check
Scope - next thing to order
Dies - next thing to order
Bullets - check
H1000 - found some last week!

Ken told me not to be surprised if the Extreme Hunter build takes less than the 10 months quoted for the Non-typical... Woo Hoo!
 
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