7mm 600-1000 yard target

[cliffe]

what would you build for a 7mm target rifle as far as case and barrel length? looking for ideas...... thanks cliffe

 

[Jeffvn]

For the 7mm, I would go with either the straight .284, 7 SAUM, or 7 WSM,or 7/270WSM, 7/300WSM).

I currently shoot the 7WSM in F-Class open, and am having a swap barrel .284/7WSM built as we speak. I would run the Berger 180s or Sierra 175 from all of them and use a 30-32" barrel. From what I've seen, you can get the same velocity,2,900+ fps) out of the SAUM as the WSM, and do so with much less powder. Some say you can run the same velocities with the .284, but I have no personal experience with that one,I'll let you know when my new rifle shows up). The .284 should give better barrel and throat life, as it is using considerably less powder,66 grain capacity versus 81 grains case capacity for the 7WSM) to perform the same task.

JeffVN

 

[cliffe]

how much less powder capacity does the 7saum have compared to the 7wsm and the standard 7rem. mag? is there a velocity number to shoot for the 175smk, like the 6.5 of 2950? thanks for the info. cliffe p. s. that straight 284 sounds good too,especially if you could get 2900 fps and accurate.

 

[Bolo]

You might get 2900 out of a 284 with the 175s and a 30" barrel. It would be a pretty warm load.
The 7SAUM uses about 5 to 6 grains less powder than the 7WSM variants.
Velocity node seems to be around 2950.

 

[Jeffvn]

I know Bolo runs his SAUM every bit as fast,faster actually) then I run my 7WSM. Speaking of, when you coming back to vegas to take more of my $$$ in an F-Class match?

J. Tierney and R. Whitley have a .284 reamer drawing and some data here on the site somewhere,look .284 in the title of the thread) using a 30" barrel that shows the 175 Sierra at 2,900+ fps.

I hope that is true, as I have a straight .284 being built currently and the case is roughly 15 grains of capacity LESS then the 7WSM,66 versus 81).

JeffVN

 

[cliffe]

i looked on remington's website and the only rifle they chamber the 7saum in is the model 7cdl. nothing else. is brass gonna be hard to get in a couple of years? cliffe

 

[Jeffvn]

Its hard to find now, so yes it will be REALLY hard to find in a couple of years. I would stock up with at least a barrel or twos worth of brass at the same time if you can afford it, that way its all from the same lot.

I was feeling rich when I ordered my 7WSM. As a result, I bought 1,500 7WSM Winchester cases when I had my rifle built,I got two barrels at the same time too). I knew I would be good to go on brass and it would be from the same lot. I now have two 7WSMs, and probably a lifetime supply of brass - of course I got it when it was at least $5.00 per hundred less then its selling for now.

Jeffvn

 

[Bolo]

You can still get 300 SAUM brass. One pass through the 7 die and clean up the necks for your throat.

 

[cliffe]

what about a 280AI or is the shorter, fatter case of the wsm or saum better? cliffe

 

[Preacher]

The fat 7's will do anything a 280AI will do with less powder, and usually a bit more accuracy....

 

[davemastrianna]

Sadly the 7 RSAUM is a under rated cartridge. I know the Remington brass is of very good quality. My understanding is Norma and others are making brass for this cartridge maybe this will get the popularity up.

 

[cliffe]

sierra lists the b.c. of their 7mm 168hpbt at .488. is that realistic, it seems kind of low? what bullet would be better, the 175 hpbt at .608? is the wind drift less than the 6.5 142hpbt? thanks for the input cliffe

 

[jamesh]

what would you build for a 7mm target rifle as far as case and barrel length? looking for ideas...... thanks cliffe

After doing some research and added some gut feeling I went with the 7mm SAUM. Thus far I have been impressed with the performance. Currently I have 3 barrels a 28" Lawton and a 30" Bartlien both 9 twist, on a Lawton 7500 action and a 26" experimental 10 twist tensioned tube on a Savage action. There is little difference in velocity between the 28 and 30 inch but I get about 150fps less out of the 26" tube. Top comfortable speeds with 162 Amax are 3150 and 3000 with 180 Bergers. Very little testing with the Bergers as my plan has been to shoot Amax bullets. From what I have experienced and in talking to others, the SAUM will deliver the same performance as the WSM but with less powder. Actually I am thinking that the SAUM is still a little overbore and maybe a 7mm WSSM would be better.

I forgot to add I am using Nosler 300 SAUM brass, I have also tried Norma brass but the Nosler that I have received is superior.
James