Range Report Debating on caliber for desert tech srs-a1

[Nitrosteel]

I am debating between two 7mm chamberings that seem to offer similar results. Primary usage will be long range hunting:

284 win (straight)
7mm SAUM

What I’m trying to do:

1). Keep my rifle relatively light (which will mean a shorter barrel (maybe 20-24”)
2). Shoot good on steel out to 1000-1200 yards with 180 grain Berger’s and be accurate and powerful enough for elk at 800 with same/similar bullet.
3). Before another chambering comes up - I’m pretty stuck on the 7’s. I love my 6.5x47 - but don’t really want to stay with 6.5 caliber for this.
4). Feel like my 7mm-08 is sufficient out to around 500.
5). I reload and good brass is important. I see that ADG offers 7saum brass, and Norma and Peterson offer 284 win brass. Those seem like good choices - are there similar calibers with better brass options - or better options available for either of these two?
6). If I stick with the 284 I can avoid buying a different bolt, but this is not a deal breaker.

I know I can’t maximize either of these two cartridges with a barrel this short, but will they do what I need them to do?

I see that DT is now offering a significantly reduced (hunter) taper for 6.5 Creedmoor. Is there any reason a custom barrel maker can’t do the same thing (accurately) with either of these chamberings? Who would you recommend? I’m trying to reduce my package weight by 2 pounds or more and am being told it is possible.

Thank you again for your help.

 

[Kopfjager1]

For those range requirements, you would most likely be better off with 28 Nosler. You're not gaining a whole lot of velocity from 7-08 to 284 Win. 7 RSAUM and 7 WSM will be better but not by much.
Those intermediate cartridges would be better using SAC mid-action magazine upgrade, so you're not restricted to magazine length.
ES Tactical, SAC, DMR, Special Purpose Rifles, all do great barrels, and will be able to fulfill your requests.

 

[Nitrosteel]

28 Nosler do well with a 22” barrel?

 

[Nitrosteel]

I never really considered the 28 Nosler and now as I read about it - it will do what I am asking, but really may be more cartridge than I need/want (recoil/barrel life). With the limited barrel length and the limited case capacity - wouldn't the 7 SAUM do the above? Is there something else that would fit the bill better? Is the best choice truly the 28 Nosler? I do like the non-belted case and it does sound like a real shooter.

 

[gregsjt]

I had a 7 SAUM barrel from SAC, it shot great but I could never get it to feed as reliably as other rounds in my SRS. I ended up selling that barrel and got a 7mm LRM from TS Customs, it feeds perfectly, shoots great, and the performance is better than the SAUM. However, as everyone knows, the LRM brass is not great, if I were doing it over I would just get a 7 Remington Mag.

You're not saving any weight or length by going with a short action round in an SRS and the short action rounds don't feed great out of the magnum magazines, that leaves you with one of the long action rounds: 7 RM, 28 Nosler, 7 LRM. I wouldn't go with the LRM because of the brass situation. I wouldn't go with the 28 Nosler because I would want some barrel life left after I finished load development. That leaves the 7 RM. It's not sexy, but it will do everything you're asking, it won't be horrible on the barrel and good brass is everywhere.

One other point: You're using a bull pup, why go with a short barrel? The SRS with a 26" barrel is already shorter than a traditional rifle with a 20" barrel. If you want to save some weight have someone spin up a barrel with a lighter profile.