7mmSAUM or 280AI?

[AR Shooter]

Have a 7mm barrel that will finish to 24" and am wondering between the 7mmSAUM & the 280AI? Not going to be able to purchase 'off-the-shelf' ammo for either in many places, so that's a toss up. But, I load, so isn't a problem. Any opinions on which would be the better choice for NA game (other than big bears)?

 

[ShootDots]

One thing you may be overlooking is that they sport different boltfaces. The 7 SAUM has a .532 and the
.280A.I. has a .473.. One other thing is that one is a "standard length" (as in .30-06) length action and the other is a short action. As far as performance goes, you get a bit more "umph" from the SAUM, however, I doubt that a Deer or an Elk would notice the difference out to 400 yards or so, which in my opinion is the furthest anyone should shoot at a majestic Big Game animal.

 

[AR Shooter]

Should have added that this will be going on a Ruger No.1, so cartridge length is not an issue. And, am in agreement................. 400yd is what I consider a long shot unless the conditions are perfect. Even then.........

 

[ShootDots]

Should have added that this will be going on a Ruger No.1, so cartridge length is not an issue.

Then it just comes down to personal preference>>> for hunting there is not much difference.

 

[varmit_hunter]

280AI nosler brass is hard to find not any. U can find factory ammo. U may have too fire forum brass. I have looked everywhere for nosler 280AI brass brass. I got a 280AI for father's day. I would go with a 280AI. But just me. Alot of 280 ammo around.

 

[seymour fish]

280AI nosler brass is hard to find not any. U can find factory ammo. U may have too fire forum brass. I have looked everywhere for nosler 280AI brass brass. I got a 280AI for father's day. I would go with a 280AI. But just me. Alot of 280 ammo around.

Ne sense burning more powder for little gain in a 24". Another vote for 280

 

[Sniper338]

Research components to reload, brass the main one and find out how easy or hard it is to get... that will answer your question.

 

[AR Shooter]

Graf and Midway have the 7mm SAUM brass in stock, but not the 280AI, and no back-order. However, on the Nosler website they tell you how to reform standard 280 Rem brass by fire-forming. While a bit of a PITA, fire-forming would get one some trigger-time with the rifle. But, between powder I would not otherwise use, bullets, time, etc., think I'm leaning 7mm SAUM in my 9" twist barrel.

 

[dk17hmr]

280 AI would be my choice. Fire forming isn't a big deal if it's a hunting rifle you don't need a bunch of brass like you would for a pdog rig. I have 3 standard 280s and have no problem killing elk with a 22" mountain rifle. A 24" 280AI is just more of a good thing.

Worse case brass can be formed from 30-06 or 270 in a pinch. SAUM isn't always available.

 

[Shrek]

I shoot 6.5 SAUM which I make from 7 SAUM brass. I've never had a problem finding the Norma 7 SAUM brass I use.

 

[AckleymanII]

fire form 280 AI brass:

15g of Bullseye
fill the case with cream of wheat
tiny tuft of paper towel in the case mouth

you get a beautiful fire formed case

Both cases are very, very accurate but some really hate a long action

 

[nakneker]

I shoot both a 280AI and a 7saum. You can't make a wrong choice between the two in my opinion. They are both accurate, components are not hard to find, there's a plethora of 7mm bullets to choose from and there is a wealth of knowledge to tap into that will save you a ton of time finding a load.

 

[moorepower]

What about 7mmRM? I have bouth the 7mm SAUM and the 7mmRM, and they are close enough together you can't tell the difference other than the chrony. A very wise man once told me that for a hunting round, where you may be going on a trip, you might loose your ammo, and it is good to be able to buy it in a store if you have to. This is why I would go with the 7mm RM. FYI, the guy was an honest to goodness rocket scientist that worked on the Apollo program, so I listened to him. For a recent PD trip I loaded up a bunch of .17HH and I had 1 card of 100 primers that were bad. If that was my hunting ammo, I would have been screwed.

 

[varmit_hunter]

Yes the fire forming works. I done some in 22 250AI. I use 10gr 700x toilet paper on top of powder poke it in there with something small keep powder and grits inside. Fill up where neck starts shaping. Take another small piece of toilet paper poke good down inside. U can load a bunch that way. U r only out powder 10gr of powder cream of wheat. My case grits only thing store had. Toilet paper too. Save on powder and bullets. I used some old powders. I didn't know how old they was. CCI in green/white and others in white/red boxes large rp. There is a video on u tube it shows how too do it. I another reloader told me about how too do it. Less rds down barrel too. I may have to fire forum in my 280AI too get more brass one day. I got a 7mm mag. I have always wanted a 280AI. I got one now.

 

[shoot4fun]

I own a 280AI and that, in spite of difficulty finding Nosler 280AI brass, would be my choice again. Just buy Norma 280 Rem brass and fire-form it (Norma makes the Nosler stuff).

 

[AR Shooter]

Dang. Everyone keeps coming up with good info on both. May have to just 'flip a coin'.
Thanks for all the input.

 

[Kurz]

I shoot both a 280AI and a 7saum. You can't make a wrong choice between the two in my opinion. They are both accurate, components are not hard to find, there's a plethora of 7mm bullets to choose from and there is a wealth of knowledge to tap into that will save you a ton of time finding a load.

This is the answer with the exception of the lack of 280 AI brass from Nosler right now. Both cartridges perform the same as they are withing 2 grains of each other in volume.

And yes you can flip a coin but right now the reasoning should be leaning towards the 7mm RSAUM due to availability of brass. Any other time it's truly a toss up.

 

[drop_point]

The brass is back in stock. The problem I believe is that nosler and so many other companies are now making rifles. Demand is high. 7 SAUM isn't that popular.

One can always form 280 AI from 280.

 

[Kurz]

7 SAUM isn't that popular.

I can suggest and support the fact that this is simply untrue, especially with hunting rifles. While it may be anecdotal evidence, I generally will build 90-100 RSAUM chambered rifles for every 2 or 3- 280/280AI. I also build several 7mm RSAUMS for long range target shooters. This is a microscopic view and limited statistically but I think you should find that it holds true for the most part, if not by strict numbers alone.

And personally, I prefer any of the 4 calibers on the RSAUM case: 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm, and .30 inclusive. Planning and preparation are the key ingredients to having cases on hand.

Regards.

 

[drop_point]

Look at all the production .280 AIs. I'll bet brass sales and production .280 AIs outnumber the SAUMs.