SAUM help choosing.

[Dildobaggins]

I posted this on another forum but didn't get many replies. I've always wanted a SAUM. The purpose would be for a lite weight hunting rig for whitetail, and perhaps a black bear if one presented itself in my area. Also, the occasional bench session with no rapid firing. Max shots would be around 5-600 yards.
I realize there are a truckload of cartridges that can accomplish this that are more efficient, but like I said I always wanted a SAUM, and I have a new short action kelbly that I was going to use with UM bottom metal and XL mags.

i'm up in the air between a 25, 6.5 or 7 SAUM . I don't really want to go super heavy in a 7 Saum with the 180. I was thinking more like 140-168 with a 7, but that go me thinking that a 140gr in a 6.5 would be better due to the higher BC. Also, shooting a 25 with the 130 class bergers would be the flattest shooting from just punching in numbers.

What cal. do you think would have the best brass life and barrel life of these. Id like to get over 3,000fps with whatever I choose with a 22-24 inch barrel.

 

[Budrichard]

I have a rem 300 SAUM Custom Shop AWR rifle.
It is bulit on the Rem Model 7 action.
It wears a Leupold 2-7 scope.
It is literally brutal to shoot.
Sighting the rig in took about 7 shots.
At that time my right arm was very bruised.
It was purchased for Black Bear hunts.
It is overkill for whitetail.
I use a Rem Model 7 SS in 7mm-08 with the same scope for whitetail.
Much better rifle but not enough for Black Bear where I did not put one down but found it 12 hours later with a Nosler imbedded in the off side shoulder without breaking the shoulder.
-Richard

 

[264win]

If lightweight is the focus go for the 6.5 and add a can or brake.

 

[SupersonicJ]

I recently sold my 7 SAUM and I love the cartridge. It was my first magnum and was a bit worried about the recoil, but turns out it was a sweetheart to shoot. I have shot 50rds in a range session and recoil was super manageable. I have shot 180 hybrids at 2950fps and 162 ELDM at 3030fps. Rifle weighed a total of 14lbs and had a 26” barrel. Sold it because I’m building a 30 Sherman.

 

[waveslayer]

If you want that velocity you should look at the 6.5 using 130-140 grain VLD's. I'm getting 3310 out of my 130's in a 24" barrel. I get over 3000 with another barrel using the 153.5 grain Bergers. I haven't shot the 7 SAUM but love my 6.5 SAUM. Brass life will depend on brass and how hot you run them. I was getting 6-8 firings, I reduced my loads to around 3170 and get 2-3 more firings.