Hunting & Fishing 6.5 or 7mm RSAUM

[wapiti16b]

What cartridge would you use for Mule Deer and Elk out west and why ?
What is barrel life like for both respectively ?
I've been reading the GAP 6.5 saum thread on the bolt-action page and it almost sounds too good to be true barrel life wise .
For shots between 400&600 yards which one would you choose ?

 

[kraigWY]

I use a 270 Win my self but either of those would work.

 

[coldboremiracle]

Both will work just fine. You can read up on pros and cons to both, but for what you describe, they are both well suited for the job.

 

[Tackleberry]

6.5 saum is bad ass

 

[Scotty22]

My vote is for the 6.5 Saum as well.

 

[wapiti16b]

What exactly provides the barrel life of the 6.5 VS the 7mm , is it powder selection , barrel length ? , either way I think either would be great for Mule Deer but I'm concerned about Elk beyond 600 yards .
If the 6.5 reloading components were readably available and affordable I think that round would be ideal for Deer and I know Europeans kill Moose/Elk with it all the time but at what range ?
Currently I'm shooting 210 g Bergers out of my 300 Win Mag but it's a Beast and I'm only getting Older . Drops them dead on the spot but man is this rig heavy !

 

[Skyking]

I have both. I would go 7saum. I have taken elk out to 1350 yards with the Berger 168vld's I shoot the Berger 168vlds out of mine at 3120fps. Have over 2800 rounds down the barrel.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB0jji9frPw

 

[jonthomps]

If you're worried about knock down power beyond 600y go for the 7 SAUM and shoot the 180's. In the 6.5 SAUM thread there are documented accounts of elk being taken with the round at 830y. Of course, everyone will say it boils down to bullet placement but more energy can make up for bad shot placement - to a point. That being said, I'd go with a 6.5 SAUM w/ a 26" barrel. That would spit the 140gr bergers out right around 3150fps. That's a vicious round at 7000ft ASL.

 

[Woolly Bugger]

I have both. I would go 7saum. I have taken elk out to 1350 yards with the Berger 168vld's I shoot the Berger 168vlds out of mine at 3120fps. Have over 2800 rounds down the barrel.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB0jji9frPw

Hey Skyking, sweet setup and video. What is your 7mm SAUM setup? Thanks

 

[Skyking]

Hey Skyking, sweet setup and video. What is your 7mm SAUM setup? Thanks

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...rn-7saum-thunderbeast-30p-1-video-update.html

 

[rgrmike]

Skyking,
That rifle is badass. I think my next stick might be a 7SAUM. Awesome cartridge.

 

[hognuts]

I agree, can't go wrong with either one, I like my 6.5 SAUM, but I have seen the 7's that my buddies shoot with the 180 Berger HVLD's that shoot lights out!



6.5 SAUM, Remmington 700 action, SAKO extractor/custom bolt knob, recoil lug bedded to McRee chassis, Jewel trigger, Benchmark barrel, Elite Iron Delta suppressor, USO 3.2x17x44 with MOA scale reticle, Atlas Bi-pod, shooting 130 Grain Bergers around 3250.

Shot this bull at 320 running up ridge away from me last fall and got a small mulie, (head shot at 560 yards) This thing is a hammer!

 

[rgrmike]

Correct me if Im wrong but isn't factory 7SAUM ammo available?

 

[hognuts]

Yes, you can buy factory ammo for 7 SAUM, from what I hear components are unobtanium right now though, I just hooked a buddy up with some 300 SAUM brass to make some 7 SAUM brass out of.

 

[hognuts]

Remington Express Ammo 7mm Remington Short Action Ultra Mag 150 Grain

I would damn sure be shooting 180 grain Berger HVLD's (hand loads with load development) if I went to the expense of building a custom 7 SAUM though to take advantage of the accuracy/knock down power of this amazing round.

 

[hognuts]

...also it is expensive, but you can buy loaded ammo for the 6.5 SAUM from Copper Creek, and you can get it loaded to your specifications. I load my own, but before I got my dies, I ordered my first batch from them and I get all my prepped brass from them so I don't have to dick around with the brass prep. If you buy the Remmington brass you can get it already sized and neck turned for the same price as nosler 300 SAUM brass that still has to be prepped, it was a no-brainer for me as far as brass goes.

 

[rgrmike]

Remington Express Ammo 7mm Remington Short Action Ultra Mag 150 Grain

I would damn sure be shooting 180 grain Berger HVLD's (hand loads with load development) if I went to the expense of building a custom 7 SAUM though to take advantage of the accuracy/knock down power of this amazing round.

I'm just now getting into reloading so factory ammo is nice for me. I wouldn't mind shooting factory 150's and loading them how I want them later on. That's just me though.

 

[hognuts]

Might be a good way to get brass too, since it is so damn hard to come by!

 

[kimkutsch]

I have the 6.5 saum, it's an awesome caliber. I'm shooting 130 Bergers thru it. Its all about shot placement. O'Connor took all 32 NA game animals with a .270 Win.