7 SAUM Norma Brass

[Goldenfinger]

Hey fella's,

I'm waiting on my 7 SAUM build and am just curious on how the Norma brass has been for some of you. I've always been a Lapua guy but options are limited with this cartridge.

This build will be on a defiance XM action with an internal mag length of 3.250". I will be running the 183 SMK's with a 26" 1:8.5 twist. This 7mm in a medium length is uncharted water for me. Thinking of going with slow burning powders since I will have the O.A.L with it.

Advice? Experience?

 

[BT1]

Also a heavy Lapua brass user, but have had good luck with the Norma in the 7rsaum. Have used 350 in recent years, run mid power loads and see no primer pocket issues. Actually have 300 virgin cases in my inventory for some future build.

 

[boltfluter]

Good to know as I have a 6.5 SAUM in the works.

Paul

 

[ShootDots]

I have found, in my limited experience with this cartridge, that the .300 SAUM is "tougher" brass than the "regular" 7 SAUM brass. Therefore, I neck down the "tougher" .300 brass to 7mm. Do not ask me why. It makes no sense to me. But sense or no sense, to me it has proven tougher.

 

[mac86951]

I have found, in my limited experience with this cartridge, that the .300 SAUM is "tougher" brass than the "regular" 7 SAUM brass. Therefore, I neck down the "tougher" .300 brass to 7mm. Do not ask me why. It makes no sense to me. But sense or no sense, to me it has proven tougher.

Agreed +1.

I'm happy with H4831SC behind a 162; I'd recommend you start there. N165 performs well with a 180 vld; but I'm seating to 2.825 and losing case capacity.

-Mac

 

[germanlongbow]

It holds up a lot better than the Hornady. I've been beating the 300 necked down to 6.5 for last six months. I'm on my 6th reload. Annealing has helped with neck tension, some have a few loose primer pockets and extractor marks but still going. Scott

 

[JBT47]

Good to know as I have a 6.5 SAUM in the works.

Paul

I'm glad to know as well since I too have a 6.5 SAUM work in progress

 

[dkhunt14]

Hey fella's,

I'm waiting on my 7 SAUM build and am just curious on how the Norma brass has been for some of you. I've always been a Lapua guy but options are limited with this cartridge.
Thinking of going with slow burning powders since I will have the O.A.L with it.

Advice? Experience?

I believe most 1000 yard BR guys are using H4350. I know the Norma 300 WSM BRASS is good so i dont see why the 7 SAUM brass wouldnt be. Matt

 

[Goldenfinger]

Thanks guys. Interesting to hear you have found the 300 brass "tougher". Have you seen any performance differences with it? I may have to try some. Also, did you need to neck turn them?

The build is starting to come together. My medium length magazine should arrive any day. It's a prototype of what Alpha Mag will be releasing soon. 3.250" internal mag length with the Defiance deviant XM action. MPA made me a chassis cut to the XM footprint. Lots of testing here but hopefully will be released soon.

 

[Phil]

View attachment 1015278 Thanks guys. Interesting to hear you have found the 300 brass "tougher". Have you seen any performance differences with it? I may have to try some. Also, did you need to neck turn them?

The build is starting to come together. My medium length magazine should arrive any day. It's a prototype of what Alpha Mag will be releasing soon. 3.250" internal mag length with the Defiance deviant XM action. MPA made me a chassis cut to the XM footprint. Lots of testing here but hopefully will be released soon.

Now, this is interesting.......

 

[mac86951]

View attachment 1015278 Thanks guys. Interesting to hear you have found the 300 brass "tougher". Have you seen any performance differences with it? I may have to try some. Also, did you need to neck turn them?

The build is starting to come together. My medium length magazine should arrive any day. It's a prototype of what Alpha Mag will be releasing soon. 3.250" internal mag length with the Defiance deviant XM action. MPA made me a chassis cut to the XM footprint. Lots of testing here but hopefully will be released soon.

3.250 should give you some room for heavies; I think the 183s seated with BT at neck shoulder are a little longer; but for a repeater; the 180 vlds will work fine near that length.

 

[Joe R]

I have found, in my limited experience with this cartridge, that the .300 SAUM is "tougher" brass than the "regular" 7 SAUM brass. Therefore, I neck down the "tougher" .300 brass to 7mm. Do not ask me why. It makes no sense to me. But sense or no sense, to me it has proven tougher.

+1

I have 500 cases of the 300 SAUM necked down to 7 SAUM. I'm on my 4th reloading.

I was running mine hot at 2980 fps with the Berger 195 EOL burning 64.8 grains of H-1000. This is on an F-Class rifle with looong freebore; no magazine here. I did have to turn my necks twice because the high pressure was forcing more brass to flow forward to the necks. I was expecting that because Norma is known to be softer than Lapua, but I haven't had to do it a third time, so far.

Regards,

Joe

 

[fredo]

I've got 9x fired (3x annealed) on necked down/turned Norma 300SAUM brass for my 6.5SAUM 4s. I neck down & turn @ .284, then go the rest of the way down. Couple pockets have loosened a bit, might cull a few next time 'round...

Have yet to try the batch of Norma 7SAUM I got a while back.

 

[Goldenfinger]

+1

I have 500 cases of the 300 SAUM necked down to 7 SAUM. I'm on my 4th reloading.

I was running mine hot at 2980 fps with the Berger 195 EOL burning 64.8 grains of H-1000. This is on an F-Class rifle with looong freebore; no magazine here. I did have to turn my necks twice because the high pressure was forcing more brass to flow forward to the necks. I was expecting that because Norma is known to be softer than Lapua, but I haven't had to do it a third time, so far.

Regards,

Joe

I have found this same issue with my 300 Norma Mag. I could not believe the amount of brass I was trimming and now it's looking like I'm going to have to turn the necks.

What size bushing are you guys running? I've read .314-.316"?

 

[inkballedtarget]

I use Norma for my 7 SAUM and could not be happier. I too am loading with H4350 as well as H4831SC.

 

[kvd]

I'm measuring 3.215 inches OAL with 183 SMK's in 7 RSAUM. This is with a 0.195 inch freebore and the bullet just touching the lands. At this length, the boat tail of the bullet is above the neck/shoulder junction.

I've had good results with Norma brass in 7 RSAUM. Five or six firings on most cases with no issues. I turn the necks to 0.013 inch. Am currently using a 0.308 neck bushing and a 0.282 neck sizing mandrel. These cases were annealed after every firing..

I have found this same issue with my 300 Norma Mag. I could not believe the amount of brass I was trimming and now it's looking like I'm going to have to turn the necks.

What size bushing are you guys running? I've read .314-.316"?

Ken

 

[benchrest]

I run 7saum norma brass, no complaints. lapua would be nice. so I emailed and asked.


lapua replied:

Hi Joe,

Not yet, but we may be getting close. Still taking lots of requests for these, but have some others in the mill ahead of them just yet. Hang in there and if anything develops, I'll make sure you guys are aware of it.

Sincerely,

Kevin Thomas
Sales Manager


so inquire about saum brass, it might get put on their list. who knows.