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7 SAUM velocity expectations

BigGame

Silver $$ Contributor
As I’m working on load development for a new 7 SAUM target rifle with 32” barrel, it would be helpful to hear what you’d consider the upper velocity range (pushing it) and the moderate range shooting the 180s and 190s with various powders.

I’m currently working with N555, planning to test N565, H4831, and H4350, and I’m open to hearing other powders. I’m using LR primers.

I have scraped comments from here and there in various threads, but would appreciate additional feedback. I’m not seeing much with the 190g bullets in particular.

Thanks in advance.
 
I would ay 2950 give or take with 180 and 184 grain Berger's and a 32" barrel is realistic. Maybe 3000 with the right bullet and powder. I have shot the 180 and 184s from 18 inch to 30 inch but never quite gotten to 32. No personal experience with other bullets either.
 
Sounds like you've got good powder selections to start; I'll also concur that 2950s would be closer to top end but achievable. 7SAUM benefits from seating long if you're not feeding from the mag; so be sure to do a seating depth test as well. 7828SC, H1000, Retumbo (and a winning lottery ticket) may work well for you too; however, only if you come by some easily. I'd hate to make a recommendation only for you to chase your tail. I've seen N560 have good results too. You may find H4350 better suited to lighter bullets, but we'll never know if you don't try it!

This site has a good 7mm guide which includes the SAUM / WSM for additional guidance/expectations.

Prices as they are lately and the Powder Valley news, I'd start with H4831 and double plus if you can find or have the Short Cut (SC) version of that powder.

-Mac
 
You have good powder options available so a variety of speeds will be achievable, however if you're interested in preserving your primer pockets, and keeping the gun well tuned - 2910-2940fps is where a lot of serious F-Open competitors run the 7SAUM, with the right powder...H4831sc will achieve that velocity node without trashing your brass, as will H1000, but it's a dirty powder so be wary of fouling. I use H4350 in an Improved SAUM case which is very similar to a 7SS but I find I run into pressure issues with my case design if I push above 2860fps. It runs very nicely at 2840fps, but at that speed does not offer any advantage (other than case life) over a 284win or a Shehane for example. Still kind of hard on the throat too... H4831sc and H1000 did not provide the accuracy I was after but your results may vary.

N555 should give you plenty of speed, but if you can get your hands on N165, I'd give that a go too. Experiment with primers too if you can acquire several different brands...Federal tend to work well, as do CCI. I had poor results with White River and RWS gave me the occasional vertical flyer. Didn't bother to test Winchester or Remington primers. The old PMC/Wolf/Tula primers are an excellent option if you have any lying around.
 
Tucker65 said:
I've used N565 in a few 7 saum hunting rifles and with 180gr Berger Hybrids I seen velocities top out right around 2950-2975 fps in 24" barrels.
Click to expand...
That's really moving from a 24" barrel!

I appreciate all of the comments and suggestions. I'll be experimenting over the next few months and it's helpful to get confirmation of where others have found boundaries. I'm looking for a sustainable velocity that won't be too hard on my equipment with target shooting strings, but also want to ensure I'm getting what I can out of the cartridge.
 
Willow said:
You have good powder options available so a variety of speeds will be achievable, however if you're interested in preserving your primer pockets, and keeping the gun well tuned - 2910-2940fps is where a lot of serious F-Open competitors run the 7SAUM, with the right powder...H4831sc will achieve that velocity node without trashing your brass, as will H1000, but it's a dirty powder so be wary of fouling. I use H4350 in an Improved SAUM case which is very similar to a 7SS but I find I run into pressure issues with my case design if I push above 2860fps. It runs very nicely at 2840fps, but at that speed does not offer any advantage (other than case life) over a 284win or a Shehane for example. Still kind of hard on the throat too... H4831sc and H1000 did not provide the accuracy I was after but your results may vary.

N555 should give you plenty of speed, but if you can get your hands on N165, I'd give that a go too. Experiment with primers too if you can acquire several different brands...Federal tend to work well, as do CCI. I had poor results with White River and RWS gave me the occasional vertical flyer. Didn't bother to test Winchester or Remington primers. The old PMC/Wolf/Tula primers are an excellent option if you have any lying around.
Click to expand...
I had the same issue with the White River and RWS even when being OCD and sorting by weight… Helped a lot but still not as good as the CCI 200’s which are a major problem to obtain in OZ as you know though starting to appear though waiting for Q-Store to stock as a trip all the way to The Barn at Oakley is just a “bridge too far”…
Going to the “King’s” this weekend at Belmont?
 
BigGame said:
Is it fair to assume this 2910-2940 fps range is with 180g bullets in barrels around 30"?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Yes mate, 30-32 tubes this velocity is achievable with H4831sc without any real drama. It used to be achievable with H4350, but since ADI tweaked the formula a few years ago, lot to lot consistency has changed and it seems to spike sooner with pressure for many shooters in Australia. Pre-BTI technology you could comfortably run 55-56gr of H4350 and it would run around 2940fps and destroy the X-ring. Since the change in powder formula a lot of shooters are running them around 2840-2880ish in some barrels...I'm running a 32" 8.5 twist KS Arms barrel at the moment which is happy at 2840fps. I've got a couple of 32" 8.25 5R Bartleins in the cupboard and will try one of those in a few months if I ever receive my new stock (that's another story!).
 
Latest one I built is running 2930fps with Berger 180s and N560 out of a 24" proof barrel. I don't remember the exact charge weight but I want to say I was half a grain or so from max charge in the new Hodgdon Manual. Neck turned Rem Brass and CCI 250s
 
30 inch barrels.
N165
180gr hybrids checked on a cold day..
2925fps.
1804gr hybrids 2900fps on a cold day.
195gr elite hunter on a cold day 2750fps..
I've tried the 195s on a warmer day and the were doing over 2800fps..
On a hottish day 2830fps.
I'll chrony the 184s and 180s atvthe next gbfca league match out of curiosity..
I doubt if I'll see a 80fps difference from cold to hot with them bullets but you never know.
I've had saums for about 8 years..
My first one I ran on H1000.
Unfortunately we don't get it here anymore as that and quite a few of hodgdons powders are not REACH compliant.
If memory serves me right 64.5grs of H1000 was a warm load that would exceed 3000fps.
I'm sure I reduced that away from pressure signs.
 
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