Short barreled 7 SAUM help pls

[Hmbleservant]

I have a long action and want to rebarrel. My goal is to run an accurate, low es/sd, 18" barreled rifle with a suppressor on it for a handy hunting rig. I want to run a 180 eldm 2750+fps I am trying to choose a cartridge that fits the bill and also trying to determine realistic expectation for velocities. It is important to me to find a good match (cartridge/powder) for easy accuracy nodes utilizing temp stable powders. I am having trouble understanding how to extrapolate the common longer barreled data (looking for known accuracy nodes) to an 18" barreled scenario.

I have a couple of rookie questions for you.

-When speculating a velocity window where a node will be is it actually the velocity that corresponds to the node or is it really more of the powder charge? If building a short barrel then does that "push" me out of the node or can I just expect less velocity at that node?

-Where will the accuracy node be for a 180 eldm with a temp stable powder like H1000/H4831sc? What velocity should I expect?

-Is there a better cartridge option to achieve my goals?

Thank in advance.

 

[Zero333]

Welcome to the forum !!!


Most popular powders will get you 2,650 from 18" bbl 7-rsaum. 2,700+ no problem with RL-26.

H-4831 might not show pressure signs till 2,700+ but it's not common (for me anyways) for H-4831 to shoot best at highest velocity.

Obviously you'll need plenty of freebore and load the 180eldm around 3.150 - 3.200"ish COAL.

Shooting through a shorter barrel, you have to realize some powders burn more complete than others regardless of burn rate.

RL-23 would be probably my #1 pick because it will not fireball from a short barrel and you'll get 2,650 with out breaking a sweat, and accuracy is just about guaranteed.

H-1000 also good pick, but to reach max velocity it might be slightly compressed.

H-4831 is also a good one, but at lower pressures it doesn't burn as complete as RL-23 / RL-25 / RL-26

N-560 / N-565 would also get you the velocity and accuracy.

7 wsm / 7-300wsm is another option, but if the extra 50 fps is not a big deal, then I'd stick with the 7rsaum.

 

[smokinghole]

I’m in the same boat. Looking to rebarrel my 7saum savage to a 20” threaded barrel and use a Vox S suppressor. I’d probably run with 175gr Bergers once I get the barrel ordered and in hand.

 

[Sandstorm]

Zero333 has pretty much outlined it all for ya there...Id also say don't discount
the 284 Winchester in a hunting rig. Simple and effective with the same powders.

 

[aschuler]

My upper accuracy node is just under 2800fps with H1000 for 180eldms, I'm running a 22" barrel.

 

[USBriarwoods]

Check out Defensive Edge‘s website. Review the info on the lightweight hunting rifle in the blog. Shawn did exactly what you have in mind with the 7WSM in an 18” barrel.

 

[smokinghole]

Check out Defensive Edge‘s website. Review the info on the lightweight hunting rifle in the blog. Shawn did exactly what you have in mind with the 7WSM in an 18” barrel.

If only they mentioned the bullet weight he’s using the 2900 might mean something. I’m guessing maybe 168s.

 

[WSMNUT]

I’ve chambered several 7 SAUM’s with 20-22” barrels for myself and others for hunting rigs. Most of them are shooting 150 and 160 Accubonds. COAL of 2.900-2.930 depending on bullet. These are shot out of short actions using Wyatt’s boxes. My personal SAUM 22” Proof Barrel gets 2990 with 63 GR RL26 and 150 Accubond. I just finished a 20” Proof Barrel that is getting 3020 FPS with 62.5 GR of VV N560 and 150 and he’s getting 2890 with a 160 and 61 GR VV N560. I hope this helps out some. Sorry I don’t have any experience with the heavier bullets in the 7 SAUM in short barrel hunting rigs. I did shoot H4831SC originally in mine and topped out around 2890 with a 150 Accubond.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

For deer/hog/elk sized game go with a 150, the Berger classic and the Hornady gmx are easy to work up loads for.