All barrels are different so YVMV! regardless of components and dimensions , as mentioned earlier wait for barrel break in!
Excuse me for stating the obvious!
Excuse me for stating the obvious!
7mm SAW
- Thread starter Temper
- Start date
I have one on my 338 edge as well, my mate got one for his Tikka, I am very happy with it.
I had one of the 24hr Camp Fire Grey Bull stocks on the edge and swapped it for one of these carbon stocks from Precision Platforms, the difference is huge for a prone shooting position hard for me to explain but the way it handles recoil is amazing the pistol grip comfortable in all positions, the vertical grips I don’t find perfect for everything, I also have very big hands and the grip size and palm swell suits just right, some grips leave my little finger hanging off the end of the grip they are to short for my hands
It looks mint mate, I'm tempted to get one for the tempest as a light stock to swap into
Has anyone used any converted LRP 308 brass and have comparisons to the Alpha SAW brass? I have quite a bit of FC 308 brass but don’t want to waste my time if it’s going to be useless. I know that’s not very good brass anyway. I also considered buying Lapua LRP brass because I’m trying to save my SRPs but don’t want to give up too much performance.
I have the Alpha small primer brass, with a 162gr projectile the accuracy node is in the upper end of acceptable pressure, I reckon if you use LRP brass you will hit pressure issues well before you find decent velocity
Just picked up my radix built 7 saw yesterday. 2.9335 COAL (alpha brass) appears to be on the lands (type 2) with 162 ELDX in my 22” proof. (Based on what I’ve been reading it almost seems as if my coal is shorter than most, jumping fifty thousandths with a 162 ELDX would put me at 2.8335 coal) I’ve always had decent luck jumping the eldm and eldx around 50 thousandths. Anyone running a similar set up care to share their overall length and what you’re jumping. I think I’ll be starting my work up with Varget.
Last edited:
i have the SAWII and run 162 eldm at 2.94 coal with a jump. 180s are 2.95 mag length
if i had the short freebore for AR/binder plate mags the yeah 2.83-2.84 makes sense for a normal .020 jump
btw 50 thou wouldn't put you at 2.8335. thats 100 thou jump
Yeah, that was supposed to say 2.8835. 2.840 seems a bit short to me, but I’m going to give it a shot at least on the break in for now. Max for a 162 eld with the long through is 2.955 per WTO. My initial land measurement was just from seating the bullet into the land on my rifle and measuring OAL since I haven’t made a modified case and I’m not sure of a better way to do it (feel free to educate). Going to shoot the break in tomorrow at 2.840 and 40 grains of Varget just to foul up
Has anyone had problems with the hornady 7 SAW dies and a forester coax? I seem to be able to seat the bullet just fine on a dummy case (most of the time). The second I put powder in it it crushes the case (only at 40 grains of Varget so it shouldn’t be anything if a crazy compressed load). Set the die up the way I do every time. Factory case, lower the arm, adjust the die until it touches case mouth and back it off one turn. Set micrometer die from there.
Attachments
Photo of a case with no powder for reference
took it apart last night and the seating Stem has some pretty heavy machining marks on it (I can catch a fingernail on some of them) so I think it was causing it to bind up. That coupled with not enough lube I think. If I work the press slowly down in increments (down up down up) I can seat fine. It only does this on single passes. Going to get a new stem and make sure I lube more. Neck tension doesn’t seem to be the issue as I can seat them if I go slow. Being new alpha brass I honestly just didn’t run it through the sizing die (.311 bushing), but I should have. Next batch I will definitely be doing so.
Attachments
Took my lightweight 7SAW to 1000yards, my buddy on the left was shooting a 7-6.5PRC with 180s. I was shooting my 162 ELD-Ms out of a 22in Bartlein barrel at 2760 fps. Brand new brass, not fireformed yet.
Almost had a sub 0.5 moa group at 1000 yards but I got too excited after the first two and I think I might have screwed the last one ... still a remarkable performance of the little 7SAW out of a 10lbs rifle with a lightweight Manners LRH stock.
It's growing on me quite a bit.
Almost had a sub 0.5 moa group at 1000 yards but I got too excited after the first two and I think I might have screwed the last one ... still a remarkable performance of the little 7SAW out of a 10lbs rifle with a lightweight Manners LRH stock.
It's growing on me quite a bit.
Attachments
Awesome to hear! I am right around 10.5 pounds with the suppressor on and will be taking it 600-1k later this month hopefully. Also running a 162 (ELDX however) over 42.1 grains of Varget at about 2770 FPS (22" proof). Looking forward to it!
Attachments
I’m at 42.3 varget over 162 eld-m at 2.945in.
Originally I wanted to do a less than 9lbs build but I just love the Leica PRS 5-30x56 that I decided I’ll leave it on this year since even though it’s a good 37oz, it’s still fairly short and doesn’t affect the balance at all.
I'm seated in pretty far in at 2.830 (off the top of my head, not currently home), i haven't started working it out much yet. Currently shoots right at about .5 or slightly less.
I have the long coal cut (assuming WTO sent my smith (RADIX) the proper reamer as we requested the long throat lol. I can seat out a bit longer, just haven't done it yet.
Just got my barrel in from TS Customs. 22" Benchmark Carbon 1:8
Looking for some starting load data using the Alpha SRP brass from WTO.
Have some 150 SMK and 150 Game King that I got on the cheap.
Have 8208 XBR on hand in bulk that I want to try with XBR.
Also have 166 A-tips that I can test with sounds like 42-42.3gr Varget for good results.
And I have a single box of 173 ELD-X to try out.
Looking for some starting load data using the Alpha SRP brass from WTO.
Have some 150 SMK and 150 Game King that I got on the cheap.
Have 8208 XBR on hand in bulk that I want to try with XBR.
Also have 166 A-tips that I can test with sounds like 42-42.3gr Varget for good results.
And I have a single box of 173 ELD-X to try out.
Just got a nice little 4 points white tail buck at season's opening. 162 ELD-M, 42.3gr varget, 2.945 coal. DRT
Is H4350 worth using in the SAW? Seems you have to have 5ish grains more powder than varget (I assume you are compressing this pretty hard in the case). I just picked up a .308 and am selling my 6.5, so I have a few pounds of 4350 I wouldn't be opposed to using and saving my limited varget. Also, if anyone has any new and unfired WTO brass, mind sending me the length? Just want to have a reference of when to trim (if ever)
2760 last chrono I did in august at 25deg C using a Labradar and it’s been verified to 1000 yards. Bartlein 1/9 twist #3B contour.
When I compare how much speed I get to my buddies 7saum for 30-40% less recoil, totally worth it. I was also outshooting him at 1000 yards and I don’t think it’s truly because the caliber is more inherently accurate but because the recoil is more manageable in a lightweight rifle.
WTO has some good accurate loads with 4350 so it definitely doable. Start at 45.0and work up to 47.
You’ll definitely hit a accuracy node. Also if you’re doing a type 2 reamer, loading at 2.945 coal there will be room for 4350 without too much compression.
I went with varget because I’m keeping my 4350 for 147 eld-m for my 6.5 creed and right now it’s easier to find varget than 4350 (although my last varget purchase was expensive)
My reasoning is the exact opposite lol. I am selling my creed and getting a .308, so I would like the Varget for my .308. I have a ton of cfe223, which works fine for .308 but is ridiculous temp sensitive. Varget seems pretty avaliable at Scheels and some other box stores, but those are 2-4 hours from me. I’ve been searching online 2x a day for it lol. My load of 41.1 grains of Varget at 2.845 is incredibly accurate with low SDs, but I only have about two pounds left vs 3 of h4350
45.5 H4350 and 42.4 Varget both give me 2840fps
Type 2 reamer
162 eldm at 2.945
27" benchmark 8 twist
Did a bit more development today now that my barrel has sped up a bit (this 22” proof is one of the faster ones I’ve seen).
Just did 5 shot velocity strings and 5 shot groups (minus the one group with 4, I wasn’t paying attention to where my elevation was dialed on shot 1).
Alpha brass
162 eldx at 2.945
Varget
Cci 450 magnum small rifle primers
41.8
42.0
42.2
Still not seeing any pressure signs aside from some ejector swipe.
May try to work up a bit higher. 26 ES is a bit higher than I’d like.
Just did 5 shot velocity strings and 5 shot groups (minus the one group with 4, I wasn’t paying attention to where my elevation was dialed on shot 1).
Alpha brass
162 eldx at 2.945
Varget
Cci 450 magnum small rifle primers
41.8
- 2802
- 2794
- 2795
- 2805
- 2789
- SD= 6.4
- ES= 16
42.0
- 2820
- 2806
- 2804
- 2794
- 2812
- SD= 9.6
- ES= 26
42.2
- 2812
- 2818
- 2809
- 2824
- 2812
- SD 6.0
- ES 15
Still not seeing any pressure signs aside from some ejector swipe.
May try to work up a bit higher. 26 ES is a bit higher than I’d like.
Attachments
I bet you that the first round at 2820 is the one that cause that higher SD/ES and if you were to do more testing , you’d eventually see that it was the right node. I’d definitely stay with the more accurate one at 42.0
I
More of them up at the 42 mark as I tend to agree. Im just using a charge master lite, so my scale isn’t perfect weight wise all the time. Im just happy to break 2800 on a 22” barrel.
i am probably going to load some
More of them up at the 42 mark as I tend to agree. Im just using a charge master lite, so my scale isn’t perfect weight wise all the time. Im just happy to break 2800 on a 22” barrel.
I’m definitely pleased with it. I could very likely go hotter as I still don’t have flattened primers or a lot of flow back, but I’m happy where I’m at.
I have only loaded the 162 eldx. Truthfully I didn’t expect to break even 2750 with a 22” barrel, so I didn’t want to go higher. I am very pleased with the 162. At 2800 fps it’s at 2840 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle. 2.6 mils to 500 yards with 1619 foot pounds of energy
Has anyone been able to hit 3k fps with a 150 ELDX (or similar weight hunting bullet) out of a 22" barrel? I'm at 2820 with a 162 and 42 grains of varget (not a hot load at all).
That is saying something.
With My 22” 7mm-08 regular I am shooting the 150 grain ELDX @ 2750 fps.
I like what I was seeing with it but pushing a 162 grain as fast or faster than the 150 with the 7mm-08 regular is impressive.
For reference, the 150 ELDX @ 2750 fps is 2.94mils @ 500 with 2009fps & 1345 ft lbs.
With ballistic AE, assuming I was to SAW it, and conservatively could get 2750 with the 162ELDX,
That would be a 200ft lbs increase at 500 yards: that is a big delta for the same case in my opinion.
b6graham, just curious as to what you are jumping the 180s?
I have a barrel on the way but I'm torn on what freebore I want. I know the camber I is gona be short, but I'm only planning on shooting the 162s. My thought is, if I had the shorter freebore then I would be able to chase the lands a bit longer as the throat wears and still be able to load from mag. If I got chamber II then I understand I could still load from mag, but for how long before I had to jump them .150 thou.
Sorry for my ignorance as this is a brand new cartridge ( first 7mm) for me and I have a lot of question. Thanks for any help or advise
no idea. basically loaded at mag length and let them rip. but i don't shoot 180s other than the few i tried for data in the thread. 162s only
i don't really measure distance to lands all that much anymore and i have no idea where the lands might be now that i have probably 2k through the gun. just load them and shoot
Great to hear! What's your accuracy like from 1-2000 rounds wile all being loaded at mag lenght?
Are you using Accurate mags/ no binder plate? 2.950 OAL?
Winchester has released a non-temp sensitive version of StaBall in mid 2022.
If you could get 2800fps+ from a 180gr and be temp sensitive thatd be amazing.
2800 with a 180gr is pretty much 284win performance in a true short action.
2900 is nipping the heals of 7saum.
It was getting up there, had pressure signs showing. Lap brass is some good gear
Received my 7saw last week with a 18.5” barrel. Sako 85 receiver, McMillan carbon fiber stock and Preferred Barrel Blanks barrel.
I mostly hunt backcountry & shoot suppressed, so I’m trying to keep everything relatively light and handy. The plan is to have it well suited for taking elk out to 400 yard max range.
Have 6 different bullets I’m going to try from 150 gr copper monolithics up to 168 Nosler Accubonds. So far I’ve only had a chance to work up a load for 162 Hornady SST. Had a good node at 2600 FPS.
Last edited:
