7SAUM vs 7WSM for 1000yd BR gun

[maxpower]

I,m trying to decide between a 7SAUM and a 7WSM for my 1000yd BR gun. I want something which can get up to 3050 fps with coated 180 grainers. Can the 7 SAUM get to 3050 fps without popping primers?

 

[2644ever]

Not the SAUM, simply not enough capacity. It's not unrealistic with the WSM provided you have a 32" barrel and with a compressed load of Reloder 25 (64grains). 62 grains of Vihta N 560 might work too, but in both cases we're talking pressure here, in the vicinity of 60,000 psi. What's wrong with the 7mm STW or RUM cases?

 

[camac]

What about the 284 shehane - the guys reporting Rel17 getting it to around those velocities?? jump in here Jim, Tony etc. I am eyeing off switching to the Shehane and a 6.5*47 as soon as I can get hold of Rel17.

 

[Mark Walker in TX]

What about the 284 shehane - the guys reporting Rel17 getting it to around those velocities?? jump in here Jim, Tony etc. I am eyeing off switching to the Shehane and a 6.5*47 as soon as I can get hold of Rel17.

For his application, the issue with the Shehane is if RE-17 does not produce acceptable accuracy, he is screwed as no other powder will get his intended velocity. Many folks I have talked with have struggled to get the RE-17 to shoot well, consistently, myself included. Relying on it alone, could lead to only disappointment.

 

[maxpower]

I was hoping to stay away from RL17 as others have said it is not always consistent enough for BR work. I also dont like to push major pressures, so OK, it counts the SAUM out then too. I was hoping to use H4831sc or even H1000 powder as they are less temp sensitive.These Hodgdon powders seem to work well at 60000+ psi pressures. I didnt want to go any bigger than a WSM as by the time I get a load worked up, I will only get a few shoots out of it before the barrel is past its prime..
I will probably settle for a 7mm/300WSM

 

[camac]

For his application, the issue with the Shehane is if RE-17 does not produce acceptable accuracy, he is screwed as no other powder will get his intended velocity. Many folks I have talked with have struggled to get the RE-17 to shoot well, consistently, myself included. Relying on it alone, could lead to only disappointment.

Fair enough. For me 2950 with the 180's and accurate would be more than a fair compromise with 4831 if REL17 didn't work but good point.

 

[TonyR]

The 284 Shehane loafs along at about 2900 fps with the 180 Bergers seated to about 3.200 COAL from a 31 inch Kreiger 1:9. I have seen 3000 fps in ladder tests but the vertical openned up and the pressure was close to max. I have had one of my barrels cut off to 28 inches to see where it tunes at that length but I haven't had time to test it. I have some RL-17 but I have done much with it because it doesn't fill the Shehane case as well as H4831SC, IMR 7828SSC, RL-22 or Norma MRP do. All three of those give excellent vertical out to 1000 yards with the 180s.

 

[Jeffvn]

I have a 7WSM and have sot against a 7 SAUM in several F-Class matches. It certainly can go 3,000 fps,if you long throat your chamber and get the 180 BErgers out of the case and into the neck. I was running 2,950 fps using a 28" barrel with the Berger 180s in my last match agaisnt the 7SAUM, and he was running the same Bergers as I was and a 30" tube, only getting to the target with 3.00 MOA less elevation than me.

Uasew a 30" tube and 3,000 is going to be within your grasp and pressure curve.

JeffVN

 

[TonyR]

Jeff.
What barrel life have you been getting with the 7mmWSM and how does its barrel life compare with the 7mmSAUM? I have not seen any deterioration after 1500 rounds in my first Shehane barrel and I think it might last about 2500 for F-Class.

 

[Grendelfreak]

I shoot the 7mm WSM in F class, and run the 180 Berger at 2950 FPS over both 64 grain of H1000 and 62 grains of 4831 SC. I can pick up 100-150 FPS with RE17, but the groups are nowhere close to being tight. I've backed it off to get the velocity down to 2950, and it still doesn't shoot as well as either of the others.

I shoot a 26" barrel, so using a 30 inch barrel should get you very close to 3050 with the WSM.

My barrel is past 1000 rounds, and approaching 1500, and so far shoots the same. I have extended my COAL by .003 with the new load, thinking the throat must surely have eroded a bit, but it shoots the same at that COAL.