Short Barreled Short Action Magnum?

[jda2631]

I'm looking at building a hunting rifle around a short action magnum with a short-ish barrel. Right now I'm thinking a 7mm SAUM in a 20" barrel. I understand that I'm not getting maximum performance from the round, just looking to get increased performance over a 6.5creed/308/7mm-08 type of cartridge. Mainly hunting Whitetails, I wouldn't expect to ever shoot the rifle at game over 4-500 yards.

Like I said, right now I am thinking a 7mm SAUM with 16X class bullets with a 20" barrel to make it a compact handy hunting rifle.

Anyone have any experience with a 7mm SAUM and a short barrel, or another short action magnum out of a short barrel? I'm not hard set on 7mm or anything, just seemed like a happy medium. What was your load and performance? What powder did you see best results with?

 

[Bradu]

I would say something like 4831sc would be a good choice in a shorter barrel magnum cartridge.

 

[mpwolf]

I shoot a 22" 7rasum. 120 TSX with 4350 works great. R22 and 162 amax also do well, at 2950, but most of my hunting is at closer ranges, so I opt for the 120's.

 

[jsthntn247]

Look at the 7 Sherman Short Mag

 

[jda2631]

Look at the 7 Sherman Short Mag

I am intrigued by it, but don't know that I would go through the trouble for it since I am not maximizing the performance of the round having a short barrel. Just easier to buy off the shelf brass and not have to fire form and such. I do love the round though. If i was gonna use a 24-26" barrel I'd absolutely go for the 7SS.

 

[jsthntn247]

I am intrigued by it, but don't know that I would go through the trouble for it since I am not maximizing the performance of the round having a short barrel. Just easier to buy off the shelf brass and not have to fire form and such. I do love the round though. If i was gonna use a 24-26" barrel I'd absolutely go for the 7SS.

ADG is making 7ss brass, no fireforming. It preforms better in a short barrel and short action than a 7 saum.

 

[jda2631]

ADG is making 7ss brass, no fireforming. It preforms better in a short barrel and short action than a 7 saum.

Really? Ok thanks, I will definitely have to look more into it!

 

[XTREM HTR16]

R23 may be an option

 

[BuildItYourSelf]

I had just started a build on a similar problem to solve but more on the extreme end for me.
I wanted a lighter deer rifle that is enough for 100y and I can push out to 300y if need be.
So if I'm in open feild area or mountain to mountain shots could become available I take my 20" 308. It's plenty of gun for 500y whitetail imo and I shoot 6" groups at 500m no problem on the ground and bipod.
If I'm in the woods and there's a slim chance of anything over 150y I take my ruger american ranch in 223 or 300blk. (don't knock the 223 for whitetail. Never had one make it more then 20 yards yet)

So I decided to build. A Remington 700 pistol with a stabilizing brace in 308 w/ 11" 1/8 twist. I choose this because it's bolt action and I already do 308 subs and sometimes target shoot reduced loads for a little more of a challenge on shorter ranges. So I have a good start for pistol 308 loads. Not to mention dozens of bullets and powders already to develop a load.
I would have done a 338 fed but my suppressor is 30 cal. So that wouldn't make sense.

The 338 fed seemed like a great round for shorter barrels, from what I gathered it gets alot of speed early in the barrel with a fast powder burn with a heavy bullet and makes speed quality with the extra surface area of the 338.

Anyway this put the idea in my mind the 338 fed would be a good 16" light rifle that would have great energy out to 500y and handle brush well.

I'm not exactly sure what you have in mind with requirements for what you want or the terrain you will be in. Just figured I would share my thoughts for my build.

I do believe short lightweight well preforming hunting rifles will be more popular in the future. But I think bullet technology will fill the void for magnum cartridges with the "drop" factor in this category. I was amazed on the amount of damage a 70gr a max in 223 did to a broadside behind the shoulder shot. Far more damage then almost the exact same shot the week before with a 30-06 innerlock.

Best of luck with the project. I hope. It turns out to be exciting what you wish to achieve.

 

[jda2631]

The whole premise behind this is I want better performance than the 308 family of cartridges offer. So a short action magnum of some flavor.

To each their own, but I don't think 223 is near sufficient for whitetail, not to mention it's illegal to hunt deer with 22 caliber in a lot of states.

 

[BuildItYourSelf]

In my state it's legal. I however understand the responsibility of using a smaller cartridge. I don't take a shot unless I'm certain I will have good effect. I Agee is on the small side. But last year I took the exact same shoot. One to same sized deer. One attempt to jump off and went 10 feet the other hopped and trotted off like nothing happened and fell over 50 yards later.
The 223 dropped quick.
Both entered between ribs and through the center of the lungs towards the back and out between ribs. The 30-06 interlock left one spec of blood at the site it was shot and little trail. Basically a 30cal hole clean through even the exit. The 223 was a mess and blood was scattered for 20 feet. The exit was the size my fist.
This year I hit just behind the shoulder at 200 yards with the 223 62gr tsx and he went 20 yards at most.
To be fair Ill never load a 165 innerlock again. The 308 tsx did some damage this year for me. So imo bullet design and placement is more important then power at close range.

I do agree with what you are looking for the 308 is getting a bit slow at 500y and entering the area of risk for drop factor. I was just sharing my project thinking and info on the current situations with my spicific conditions witch lead me to the 338fed to be a perfect choice but opped out due to my suppresor restrictions. That's all.