New GAP Extreme Hunter in 6.5 SAUM

well, looks like I am in , thanks for the reply's. Steve 123 I would like to see that link if you get time, thanks , also forgot to ask any problems necking down brass thats been fired already? When I built a 338 edge I was advised not to neck up fired rum brass , same issues necking down? thanks again.

Just anneal the fired brass using 700 or 750 degree tempilaq to take out the work hardening. If you over anneal or ruin the brass they'll crush.

Oh, and use a light application of imperial die wax on the whole outside of the case.
 
Not as smart or distinguished as anyone at GA Precisions but looking at Brownells catalog a Micro VAIS brake is threaded at 1/2"-32 tpi while the others are dependent on caliber closest being .270 which is also the same threading. The overall diameter of the brake is .750 so one would need to turn the brake on a lathe if you want it to match your barrel diameter. Just thoughts from a Mech E.
 
I'm having mine built with a #4 Bartlein - deep fluted. That way I can have it threaded for a suppressor at 5/8x24. I'm having a Vias brake made to that thread as well for when I don't want to use the suppressor. Had to change the stock out to a Manners MCS-EH3 for the barrel change. This set up, I think, will fit my hunting needs a bit better and still be close in the weight department.
 
I'm having mine built with a #4 Bartlein - deep fluted. That way I can have it threaded for a suppressor at 5/8x24. I'm having a Vias brake made to that thread as well for when I don't want to use the suppressor. Had to change the stock out to a Manners MCS-EH3 for the barrel change. This set up, I think, will fit my hunting needs a bit better and still be close in the weight department.

I did essentially the same thing. Should be ready soon....
 


guys just got my 6.5 saum scoped up and ran a few patches thru her. It came out better then I expected. I wanted to shoot it tomorrow but house flooding might stop this. Heres a couple crappy cell phone pics.
 
I have been wading thru this great 6.5 saum thread and find it very interesting. The 6.5 saum just might be the holy grail of long range shooting with decent barrel life. Looks like the key is using slower burning powders. I may have to drink the Kool Aid and go for it. I have several Remy actions that I could use. Which action it best….Short action or long action?
 
I posted this in the reloading section too, but thought I might get more insight in this thread.

First time to the range for break-in and load development. Rifle specs:

GAP build (new reamer)
24" Bartlein #3 barrel
Norma brass worked by C4
215 Federal GM Match primers
MagnetoSpeed chrono

Load data:

63gr H1000 w/ Berger 130gr VLD: 3164fps average over 5 shots
61gr H1000 w/ Berger 140gr VLD: 3037fps average over 5 shots
Shot other loads (total of 30 rounds fired) but the rest kinda sucked accuracy wise.

Couple of questions:

1. Will my fps increase after a couple more rounds down the tube? I'm disappointed with the velocity of the 140's.
2. Best I could manage today was a 2/3" 5-shot group. Weather not an issue. Any accuracy increase with once-fired brass?
3. The first 2 shots right after each cleaning I got pretty stiff bolt lift and extractor marks. Never had this happen before. Wet chamber? Ideas on causes?

Thanks guys.
 
I have been wading thru this great 6.5 saum thread and find it very interesting. The 6.5 saum just might be the holy grail of long range shooting with decent barrel life. Looks like the key is using slower burning powders. I may have to drink the Kool Aid and go for it. I have several Remy actions that I could use. Which action it best….Short action or long action?

Based on my understanding of what I have read and questions I have asked, one of the purposes of Gap 4S is to run it in a short action. You can use a long action, as have a number of people who have posted their results in this thread (some recently). It's a long cartridge for the short action and will need to utilize a DBM or extended mag box and the corresponding receiver work.
 
I posted this in the reloading section too, but thought I might get more insight in this thread.

First time to the range for break-in and load development. Rifle specs:

GAP build (new reamer)
24" Bartlein #3 barrel
Norma brass worked by C4
215 Federal GM Match primers
MagnetoSpeed chrono

Load data:

63gr H1000 w/ Berger 130gr VLD: 3164fps average over 5 shots
61gr H1000 w/ Berger 140gr VLD: 3037fps average over 5 shots
Shot other loads (total of 30 rounds fired) but the rest kinda sucked accuracy wise.

Couple of questions:

1. Will my fps increase after a couple more rounds down the tube? I'm disappointed with the velocity of the 140's.
2. Best I could manage today was a 2/3" 5-shot group. Weather not an issue. Any accuracy increase with once-fired brass?
3. The first 2 shots right after each cleaning I got pretty stiff bolt lift and extractor marks. Never had this happen before. Wet chamber? Ideas on causes?

Thanks guys.

I think the capacity of the Norma brass is less, so you need to back off of those loads. See load work up from previous page. Also would double check case length. I had a few Remington cases with sticky bolt lift that were Copper Creek and they showed some extractor marks. I trimmed them all and a couple were longer than 2.025". Haven't had a problem since.
 
Here is a little video from yesterday shooting my 6.5 Saum. That bullet sure does get there in a hurry. 1025 yards and was shooting the 140 amax with 61gr of H1000. Will need to back off the load a bit as I was seeing pressure signs. I shot at 450, 575 and 1025 yards and my dope was showing 3100 fps. Turn up the quality to 1080 and go full screen to see bullet trace. Filmed with a galaxy s4 and a phone skope on my Swarovski. The wind was really tricky yesterday and was changing direction and speed constantly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDMZJ1HYjSw
 
I'm having mine built with a #4 Bartlein - deep fluted. That way I can have it threaded for a suppressor at 5/8x24. I'm having a Vias brake made to that thread as well for when I don't want to use the suppressor. Had to change the stock out to a Manners MCS-EH3 for the barrel change. This set up, I think, will fit my hunting needs a bit better and still be close in the weight department.

I tried ordering an Extreme Hunter last August and was told no modifications. I too wanted to change the barrel so I could have 5/8-24 threads for my suppressor and was told no. Lucky for you they are doing it now, and bad news for me as I now have so much invested into my .260 that switching to the SAUM isn't financially worth it.

maybe we can meet up and do some shooting to compare!
 
I posted this in the reloading section too, but thought I might get more insight in this thread.

First time to the range for break-in and load development. Rifle specs:

GAP build (new reamer)
24" Bartlein #3 barrel
Norma brass worked by C4
215 Federal GM Match primers
MagnetoSpeed chrono

Load data:

63gr H1000 w/ Berger 130gr VLD: 3164fps average over 5 shots
61gr H1000 w/ Berger 140gr VLD: 3037fps average over 5 shots
Shot other loads (total of 30 rounds fired) but the rest kinda sucked accuracy wise.

Couple of questions:

1. Will my fps increase after a couple more rounds down the tube? I'm disappointed with the velocity of the 140's.
2. Best I could manage today was a 2/3" 5-shot group. Weather not an issue. Any accuracy increase with once-fired brass?
3. The first 2 shots right after each cleaning I got pretty stiff bolt lift and extractor marks. Never had this happen before. Wet chamber? Ideas on causes?

Thanks guys.

Your velocities are pretty close to normal for what I get out of a 26" barrel. I'd say if you are getting stiff bolt lift you need to back the loads down a touch and remember that you are running a 24" barrel when most of this data is coming from 26-27" heavy barrels. Also, that thin barrel is going to heat up pretty quick, keep a finger on that barrel chamber area to ensure its not really hot. That will affect your groups and shot placement if you get a really hot barrel that is a thin hunting profile. This is a caliber that likes to be cleaned every 200 rounds or so. Its more often then Im used to but you have to maintain that barrel for optimum performance!
 
Anybody have a reamer they want to rent - current specs, 0.081 fb, .296 neck?

I have one you can borrow. I'm going to be heading down to moab soon actually. A friend of mine lives there that I'd like to visit, but anyways when some high pressure sets in and the weather is good I should be headed that way in the next month or so.
 
I have one you can borrow. I'm going to be heading down to moab soon actually. A friend of mine lives there that I'd like to visit, but anyways when some high pressure sets in and the weather is good I should be headed that way in the next month or so.

That would be awesome. I appreciate it. BTW, the weather has been incredible. Currently 65 and blue skies. Looks like some clouds over the weekend and then back to beautiful by next week. And that's your weather report from southeast utah.
 
I tried ordering an Extreme Hunter last August and was told no modifications. I too wanted to change the barrel so I could have 5/8-24 threads for my suppressor and was told no. Lucky for you they are doing it now, and bad news for me as I now have so much invested into my .260 that switching to the SAUM isn't financially worth it.

maybe we can meet up and do some shooting to compare!


Well I guess I'm a pretty big deal...NOT. :)

Should have made it more clear. With the changes I made to my build, my gun is no longer considered an Xtreme Hunter model and will not be marked as such. Downside is the longer build time...

I'll drop you a PM once I have the gun in hand and ready to go.