7SAUM / 7WSM / 300WSM question

[Smitty192]

Considering my level of intelligence, I assume this will be my favorite new part of the forum.

I recently picked up a Savage LRP 260 (for dirt cheap) and have been toying with the idea of short magnum. I spoke with a reputable gunsmith and it will be very doable with a couple of new parts. The rifle has a PTG bottom metal that will accept AI pattern magazines. My questions are as follows:

Is there any substantial difference between the performance of the 7WSM & 7 SAUM? I know the 7SAUM will use less powder, but do the shape and dimensions of the cases of either facilitate easier use of longer VLD type bullets?

Is the 300 WSM case a good platform to run the Berger 215gr bullets at magazine length?

Any advise, thoughts or snide comments are most welcome and appreciated.

 

[WeiserBucks]

7 WSM offers good performance but brass is rapidly becoming an issue. 7 SAUM is similar and brass is available. 300 WSM will do anything you reasonably expect a .30 to accomplish.

 

[2ndamendfan]

I shoot the 300WSM and like it. I have heard the 7WSM offers a little more ballisticly but it never really caught on main stream so brass as has been stated is an issue. I believe there is a 7mm-300wsm wildcat. 300WSM brass necked down to 7mm. Which is not quite the origunal brass specs. But that is all 2nd or 3rd hand as i don"t own a 7mm.

 

[Smitty192]

2nd - Are you able to run (300 WSM) heavier projectiles and maintain magazine length?

 

[2ndamendfan]

2nd - Are you able to run (300 WSM) heavier projectiles and maintain magazine length?

So far yes. I run the 190 SMKs. I would like to try a little heavier but I haven't. I am running short actions, but some have built WSMs on long actions to get longer mag length. Doing some research years ago showed that up to about 190 Grains the WSM and 300 WIN mag were neck and neck. Above that the 300WM pulled ahead. That was 8-10 years ago and maybe new powder or Data has come out. I am not one to push the limits or go experimenting. Others can do that, I don't have time to be in the hospital.

 

[2ndamendfan]

So far yes. I run the 190 SMKs. I would like to try a little heavier but I haven't. I am running short actions, but some have built WSMs on long actions to get longer mag length. Doing some research years ago showed that up to about 190 Grains the WSM and 300 WIN mag were neck and neck. Above that the 300WM pulled ahead. That was 8-10 years ago and maybe new powder or Data has come out. I am not one to push the limits or go experimenting. Others can do that, I don't have time to be in the hospital.

running a FN PBR with factory 3 round mag ( really need to get some bottom metal for it) and a Savage with a Pre-fit barrel mounted in an XLR carbon chassis. The Savage is what I use the most so the FN hasn't had the custom treatment yet.

 

[Smitty192]

That is very helpful information. What Savage action / barrel combination are you running? Are you using the Alpha magazine for the 300 WSM? Thanks again for the info!

 

[2ndamendfan]

Savage short action (model designation 12 i believe) form 2004 (also if memory is correct) it was the first year of the accutrigger on everything. The year before it was just on the varmint rifles. took the factory 300wsm barrel off and installed a Shillen prefit 3 years ago. At first i hated the rifle so it sat for a few years. Some days i like to polish turds so i did the barrel and XLR chassis and it made a TON of difference. It was not very ergonomic for me before and kicked like a fucking mule. With the chassis it fits better and has a thick recoil pad, added a supressor and it doesn't make me flinch anymore. Yes i am using Alpha mags

 

[Smitty192]

Thanks again for the info. I have tried a couple of different chessie's and I always go back to a more traditional rifle stock. I have a manners t4a that I really like and a HS Precision M24 that suits me very well. I guess I'll keep looking at the short magnums. Decisions, decisions, decisions......

 

[Tiger83]

Check on mags. I dont know if they have them in the short mag type, but alpha and maybe others have removed their blinder plates on some models to accommodate a longer cartridge overall length.