6.5-300WSM vs 6.5-300SAUM

[bobinpa]

Ok. I know they are both overbore but I don't care. I'm not shooting competition with it, I'm groundhog hunting with it. Meaning I don't plan to overheat the barrel or consistently shoot the same gun. I have several hunting rifles and I split my time up between them. I'm just looking for something different...... I just want some opinions on each of these from guys that have experience with either one.
The gun will be built on a rem 700, HV barrel (Krieger, Broughton or Bartlein) with a brake in an HS Precision M24 Pro Series stock.
Thanks for your opinions,
Bob

 

[wwbrown]

I built a 6.5x300 WSM about the same time the WSM hit the shelves, it was a great round good accuracy. I assumed the barrel would not last long but it was a hunting rifle so who cares. Like I say accuracy was good and then the round count hit about 500 and the accuracy was gone. That has been true for almost everyone I have heard from who tried that chambering.

Now people are shooting the 6.5 SAUM and some are getting great barrel life so maybe there is something magical about the SAUM or maybe they use a powder that is easier on the barrel than I did I used Retumbo.

Give it a shot you can always get a new barrel, you might want to order a replacement barrel about the same time it is chambered so you have it in hand when the accuracy goes south.

 

[fredo]

I'm nearing 600rds on my 6.5SAUM, its a riot! With commercial headstamped brass from Hornady becoming a reality in the near future, the popularity of the 6.5SAUM is really gonna take off. The shooters who've gone the wildcat route in the last 2years using GAP's "4s" reamer have already shared a great deal of data on sites like S-Hide. Lots of info to digest...

I'd find a 'smith with the GAP 4s reamer (.2962nk, .081FB), and grab an 8.5 or 8.7tw. barrel. Hoard up a couple hundred Hornady brass when they hit the market, they are spec'ed to fit the GAP 4s chamber. Sprinkle in some 130 & 140s & H1000, and get after it! 'Course you could throttle up a 107SMK to 3550, if that suits your fancy. But I'll tell ya, a 130VLD @ 3200, or a 140JLK @ 3060 ain't even breathin' heavy and they will really fly...

Have fun deciding!

 

[sdnerf]

I have been shooting my 6.5 SAUM now for 3 months. If heat is of no concern, give it a go. My best load is with a 130 vld (RL-25 @ 60 grns, norma brass, oal = 2.88) (rifle= 28" Kreiger, TAC 30, NF-12x42, manners MCS T4 w/ballast ~19lbs) magneto speed indicates 3250 ft/sec, as mentioned, case has a lot of head room. Brass life should be excellent. Recoil is not bad. I don't see the need for more case capacity, i.e. the WSM case. H-1000 will fowl the barrel (carbon) in a 100 rounds and copper at those velocities will always be an issue. Carbon build up ruined accuracy, it took KG-2 to get it out. Barrel life of more than 1500 rounds... I doubt it, and maintain its accuracy? I will build a 2nd, the new reamer will allow for longer OAL and the use of boutique 150-160 grn bullets. There is a substantial amount of info and load data for the 6.5 SAUM. You'll enjoy the rifle once sorted out and determining the myth from facts is always special.