Next cartridge search.

[ONE-TEN]

It’s no secret I’ve been in love with the .264”/6.5mm caliber for many years. It’s been the same perfect caliber to me. I chose 260 Rem years ago when I first decided on 6.5mm, and it’s now become a 260AI. And I love it. It can push 6.5mm pills at nearly 3,000fps from my 28” barrel, and will push the heaviest 6.5mm bullets at enough velocity to ping 1 mile gongs over & over. I’m not actively looking to change, but was asking myself a couple weeks ago, what I would I go to, if I wanted to switch? So immediately, I could answer the caliber would undoubtedly be 7mm. Modern 7mm bullets in the 185gr-195gr range are high .700’s even reaching & surpassing .800 BC, with the highest being close to .850BC. This is simply mind boggling Ballistic Coefficient! Then, over several days, I was searching & comparing different cartridges. Now, I’m not one to jump on bandwagons. Sure, I could simply 7mm PRC, right? Nah.. While I’d want a bit more, I’m not looking 2miles out! If I wanted to big 7mm, it’d be a 28 Nosler. But honestly, I still want to stick with Short Action. With this, I took a good look at the 7mm SAUM. And honestly, I think it may be the perfect cartridge. Able to push 185gr+ bullets around 2800fps. But still fits in a Short Action. 2000yds presents no problem with this. And I could still load these to fit a Short Action Magazine. Although, the highest precision, single loading with slightly longer than mag length would be ideal.

The more I looked at 7mm SAUM, the more it reminded me of some other cartridge. Then I finally realized, the 7mm SAUM is like a large 6mm BR! They have very close to the same body to bullet diameter relationship. And also uses the 30° shoulder. It’s basically the most efficient case design & relationship between Case Body & Bullet Diameter there is.

So, if & when I ever decide to switch, it will be to a 7mm SAUM chambering. Anyone here using it currently?

 

[Fjold]

How about a 7 WSM? It has a little more capacity than the 7 SAUM? I shot the 300 WSM for a while but didn't care for it much.

I'm becoming interested in the 25 Creedmoor, I think that it is a better design than the 6.5 CM, plus I don't own a .25 caliber rifle.

 

[ONE-TEN]

How about a 7 WSM? It has a little more capacity than the 7 SAUM? I shot the 300 WSM for a while but didn't care for it much.

I'm becoming interested in the 25 Creedmoor, I think that it is a better design than the 6.5 CM, plus I don't own a .25 caliber rifle.

Well, the 7mm WSM is a more powerful cartridge, which duplicates the power of 7mm RemMag. And although it fits in a Short Action, a reloader really needs a Long Action to exploit the WSM’s potential. Or, some Custom Actions have a Mid Size Action. The 7mm SAUM is a true SA cartridge, with the case being almost exactly the same length as the 7mm-08 (308 Win case). And I do prefer the Savage 110 SA Action. As such, reloading the 7mm SAUM can be taken to 2.950” COAL and still fit AICS Steel magazines. It’s still very close to the WSM cartridge velocity, while being a more efficient cartridge.



Like I was saying, I really think it’s the perfect cartridge. Still though, even if I switch, it won’t be anytime soon. My 260AI Criterion Barrel is still practically new. And I’m still quite happy with the .264”/6.5mm diameter bullets. I have even experimented with the 150gr+ bullets yet! A 6.5mm cartridge with .700+ BC! Now THAT is truly awesome! The Sectional Density in these is astonishing.

 

[ONE-TEN]

180gr bullets would work, but using one of the several options from 183gr to 195gr & even one at 197gr and as high as .838BC, the 7mm SAUM is a solid 1.5mile+ contender.

 

[Fjold]

All good reasons for the SAUM.

I shoot a 6.5x284 in a left handed, mid length, Montana Rifle Co. (1/4" longer than the standard short action). It lets me load longer as the magazine box is as long as the Win Model 70 action also.
I've never loaded anything heavier than the 142 grain SMKs.