Loads for 6.5 SAUM 4S

I posted this in the Bolt Rifle section under 6.5 SAUM and have not received a response, figured I would try here:

I have about 100 rounds on my 6.5 SAUM- when can I expect to see an increase in FPS? How much will it increase? Is it enough gain where a new accuracy node can be found or is everyone backing off powder charges until your getting the same velocities you have settled on while doing load developments the first 100 rounds or so?
 
I posted this in the Bolt Rifle section under 6.5 SAUM and have not received a response, figured I would try here:

I have about 100 rounds on my 6.5 SAUM- when can I expect to see an increase in FPS? How much will it increase? Is it enough gain where a new accuracy node can be found or is everyone backing off powder charges until your getting the same velocities you have settled on while doing load developments the first 100 rounds or so?

Every bbl is different. I've seen some jump at 60 rounds and some not show any gain until 150 rounds. Some have jumped 40fps, some 100fps. I've never had to back a load off because of this but like I said every bbl is different. Not a great answer for you but the best one that I think can be given.
 
Every bbl is different. I've seen some jump at 60 rounds and some not show any gain until 150 rounds. Some have jumped 40fps, some 100fps. I've never had to back a load off because of this but like I said every bbl is different. Not a great answer for you but the best one that I think can be given.

Thanks for the response. I am heading to CO for an elk hunt in 3 weeks and finally just figured out a good load but need to start shooting at distance and get my actually drops compared to my Kestrel Horus- im just wondering if I put another 50 rounds through it while getting my drops if the increase in velocity is going to mess up my drops and ill have to tweak them again. I hate last minute rifle tuning before a hunt but it never fails!! I guess im just going to keep shooting and watch the velocity and make any changes accordingly.
 
Thanks for the response. I am heading to CO for an elk hunt in 3 weeks and finally just figured out a good load but need to start shooting at distance and get my actually drops compared to my Kestrel Horus- im just wondering if I put another 50 rounds through it while getting my drops if the increase in velocity is going to mess up my drops and ill have to tweak them again. I hate last minute rifle tuning before a hunt but it never fails!! I guess im just going to keep shooting and watch the velocity and make any changes accordingly.

On a new barrel I usually shoot a 50 round bin of virgin brass to sight in, clean the barrel and find max charge weight. By the time I've done this the barrel is pretty close to being worked in and then I get serious about doing a ladder on the 2cnd firing.
 
Every bbl is different. I've seen some jump at 60 rounds and some not show any gain until 150 rounds. Some have jumped 40fps, some 100fps. I've never had to back a load off because of this but like I said every bbl is different. Not a great answer for you but the best one that I think can be given.


Went out and shot again last night. Average velocity with 61g H1000 in Rem Brass with 139 Scenars went from 3022 (last time I shot) up to 3093 FPS- noticed the increased velocity with the first shot last night. Going to go out again this weekend and see if velocity is now consistent. Rifle now has about 140 rounds through it- looking forward to seeing how the Scenars perform on Elk in a few weeks!
 
I just built a 6.5 SAUM 26" barrel. Super fun caliber to shoot, IMO! I sent some 140 Hybrids rounds down range, while testing for OCW at 100 yards. I found there is a node 61 to 62 grs.Only shooting 3 shot groups for testing. 61 grs gave me hole in one, but it's just coming into a node, and 60.5 shoots a little left. Nothing in concrete, but things are looking great. No Chrono results, but next up is seating depth test with 61.5grs and find optimum seating node.

Data:

7mm Rem brass necked down and turned to .015" per Pat's instructions.
140 Hybrid
H1000
CCI-250 Primer
COL @ 2.900" -.020" OTL

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Seating depth test with 61.5grs H1000
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I just got done slaying some Prairie Dogs while on my deer hunt, I am using 63 grains of H100 with the Berger 130 VLD bullets... I am getting major pressure signs now, never before. The only difference is the altitude and the temp by 8 degrees or so hotter here. I'm at 9000 plus feet. Did my load work up at 2300 feet. I even leave the bolt open. To cool the barrel and not bake any rounds in the chamber after each shot... any advice would be good.

349 yard head shot, see the upper teeth?
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Marlin XL7 action with 26" Mcgowen savage magnum contour barrel with Harrel's brake. Super fun rifle to shoot, fast, and the cartridge is impressive.

Revised Load Data:

Newest spec. GAP 6.5SAUM 4S reamer.
7mm Rem brass necked down, .291" bushing, and turned to .015" per Pat's instructions.
140 Berger Hybrid
H1000 Powder @ 61.5grs
CCI-250 Primer
COL @ 2.902" -.018" OTL
Shoots .3's to .5's @ 100 yards. Worst group while testing 1 1/4"

Speed average for 8 shots is 3142 fps with 12ES.

5c2a69de-b1fe-4929-832d-e4e92d2f4632_zpsdc627783.jpg
 
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Having trouble finding load data for long freebore setup. I'm building a 4s in a long action for shooting mostly single shot. Freebore is currently about .175 but I'm thinking of lengthening it more to around .200 to shoot 140 hybrids. Anybody shooting this setup?

I'm thinking the coal should be about .175-.081=.094 longer than what most people are using for the standard reamer. A dummy load 3.015 just touches the lands.

Thanks in advance,
Jerry
 
Jerry
Not sure about specifics but I would look at the 147 eld's
they are really long and are way below my neck shoulder junction on my 081 freebore, sounds like they would be ideal for your setup
 
Chased some lands last week and came up with this.
62.5gr H1000 @2.867, .010 OTL with a berger 130VLD
Rem Brass, .291 bushing, Fed 215M primers. Rifle is a beanland, 1:8.5 twist bartlein #4 image1 (1).JPG
 

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1. ARC M5, Proof Research 28" 1:8 carbon fiber wrapped barrel, Manners EH1, March 3-24x52mm
2. H1000, 60.6gr
3. CCI 250
4. Hornady 6.5 4S brass, 2nd production run
5. Hornady 140 ELDM
6. 2.810ish, 0.025" jump.
7. 3153fps from a Magnetospeed

Solidly sub-MOA (talking a 10 round string), many sub 1/2 MOA 5-shot groups.
 
Ordered some Hornady brass from Core, how do I tell the difference between Gen1 and Gen2 ?

1st lot had the anneal color left on it. 2nd batch was acid washed after annealing (whole case the same color).

There's a 3rd batch I believe, too. Not sure but I think it also retains the anneal color.
 
Sold my buddy my 'baby' SAUM 4s (.081"). He's loading 130JLKs (.015" jump) with 61.8 H1000 in 2nd Gen GAP brass, WLRM, and getting 3080 from a 22" barrel...
 
I received my GAP built Rifle in 6.5 GAP 4S and I have been using CopperCreek Ammo up to this point collecting brass and breaking in the barrel. I am now ready to develop a load via a ladder test using both H1000 and IMR 7977 for both Berger 140 and 130 Grn bullets.

What are a good starting weight and an end weight for a ladder test?

Thanks
 
140's 57gr and work up
130's. 60gr and work up
YMMV due to powder lots on the H1000, 7977 has seemed to be more consistent lot to lot. Case volumes differ as well from Remmy, Norma and Hornady which you must be aware so always start low and work up!
 
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Sold my buddy my 'baby' SAUM 4s (.081"). He's loading 130JLKs (.015" jump) with 61.8 H1000 in 2nd Gen GAP brass, WLRM, and getting 3080 from a 22" barrel...

well shit this is exactly my load in my GAP Lightweight hunter ... 3060 .. but its 120 FB and barrel is like 20. mule deer hunting with it in 2 days. have shot metal out to 1200 with that thing
 
I ran some winchester LRM primers, which we have about 3000 of them. Seemed to be doing well though i only chrono'd one load which at 2979fps with 61gr of h1000. I'll have to check again when i get during the holidays.
 
I use to run 215M 4yrs ago but quickly stopped because of pocket issues been using 250's, 210M and Tula's ever since with great success, I haven't tried any BR2's but I see no reason why they wouldn't work cause a mag primer really isn't needed to run H1000 burn rate powders @ 61gr
 
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I have been running some Federal 215's. I'm still looking for some Tula primers to get some more use out of some brass that isn't holding the 215's anymore. Tula primers are like unicorns here in CA
 
Good luck, they haven't been available in 4 yrs thanks to the previous administration as he placed a restriction on the import of them and I don't see that changing any time going forward. I would advise you to stop using 215's as they are a hot primer and use 210's or cci250's
 
57.8gr H1000
CCI BR2
Hornady GAP 4S Brass
147 Hornady ELD
26" Proof Carbon chambered by SAC
2.016 Trim Length
2.835 COAL

40 rounds at this loading so far. 3050 FPS, ES of 8, SD 4, No pressure signs. Primer pockets stay tight. Groups .2/.3"
 
Finally got around to doing some actual load development for dad's gun. We switched from the Elite Hunters to 143gr ELD-X. I ran them 10 thou off the lands from 58.5-60gr of RL26. 58.5gr and 59gr groups were okay, probably could've been a lot better but it's hard for me to jump right back into shooting and calm down and do well. Velocities out of the 23" tube were as follows.
58.5gr - 3007fps average SD - 17.9
59.0gr - 3011fps average SD - 15.5
59.5gr - 3029fps average SD - 4.2
60.0gr - 3059fps average SD - 4.2

60gr produced some ejector marks though so did 61gr of h1000 and did 58.5. Primers seem fine, bolt lift was fine. I've got some of the latest brass as backup as these 60pcs i have are 50pcs of the second gen and 10 of the first IIRC. They're holding up thus far though without issue. I've got everything written down to see how the velocity changes next winter. Hopefully not too much as i was shooting for 3050. Gun has 120rds on it though so i'm expecting it to speed up at some point.

Group was looking more promising but i'm not the best shot to begin with especially after a months absence and it being a magnum, so i'll happily take it.

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