Thinking about building a 7mm. have some ?'s

[BlackHawk95]

Im thinking about a future project gun in a 7mm caliber to shoot the 168 - 180 grain bullets. I can think of a few different cartridges to do it with. Ive thought about necking up a 6.5-284 to 7mm, and even doing an improved version of the 6.5-284 in 7mm. The other choices are either the 7mm WSM or 7 RSAUM.

Between the 7 WSM and RSAUM. which would be the best choice? Ive seen alot more WSM's than Ive seen RSAUM's. Both will produce about the same velocity. Would the RSAUM with the longer neck be the best choice? And what about the 6.5-285 improved in 7mm?

Thanks Jerid

 

[george]

i just had a .284win built..and i'm love'n it

 

[Preacher]

I was in the same boat and I chose to go with the 7mm-saum.
The long neck has appeal, and it seems the velocity it turns out is about perfect with a case full of powder...
I usually use H4350 & H4831, but have a new 8# jug of Hybrid100 V to check out if it ever quits raining around here....

 

[jamesh]

Another vote for the SAUM. I use H-1000 for both 162 A-max and 180 Bergers. I also use Nosler 300 SAUM brass necked down to 7mm, I think it is the key to this ctg.

James

 

[BlackHawk95]

Thanks for the reply's.

Im really leaning toward the 7mm RSAUM. Im thinking 28 to 30 inch barrel and a single shot action of some sort. What kind of velocitys are you guys getting your best groups at?

Jerid

 

[BlackHawk95]

Another thing I thought is eith the 284 win. I would not have to buy an action. I asllready have a good short action. Too many decisions..

 

[rhino]

what kind of shooting you doing? F-class, Light or heavy gun Bench? Tactical? Hunting?

I know a Canadien who shoots the 7x68 improved and told me that the 7 wsm kicks much more than his tall blonde as he called it.

Keep in mind it may not track very well without a break in the bags.

RHINOUT!

 

[jamesh]

Mine is in a 17 lb. light gun with a 30" Bartlein 5r barrel, no brake. I think I have finally got it tracking ok. My accuracy load with 162 A-max is 3115 with 66.8gr H1000 and CCI BR2 primers in Nosler 300 SAUM brass, bullet just kissing the lands. This load is close to max in my rifle with a custom tight chamber and on a Lawton 7500 action. I have not shot Bergers through this barrel but I have a Lawton 28",30 with brake)6 groove that likes 180
Bergers at 3005 fps using 65.0gr of H1000 I have never shot this load in hot weather so it may be pushing it.
The 162 A-max load was good enough to take Light Gun group at Byers, CO Sunday. My smallest group at 1000 was 5.423 with 3 target agg. of 6.964, shootoff target was 6.698 in a nasty wind, not bad for my first 1000yd match.
I think Hornady has really figured out how to make the A-max bullets shoot well.

James

 

[sewwhat89]

I'll throw in another vote for the 7 SAUM. I am getting groups in the .2-.3s range at 100 with the new Berger 180s heavy jacket. I could not get the AMAX or 168 VLDs to shoot that tight; however, I did not give them as thorough a look as I have the 180s. I am testing Hunter, MRP and H4831sc for the best group/consistency/velocity as soon as we get some rain to cool off this heat wave. I would rather not test hot magnum loads in 105F weather.

 

[jamesh]

My load for the 162 A-max and H-1000 was developed at 15º to 20ºF and shoots well at 100ºF. I am starting to believe there may be something to the extreme powders. I do think the load needs tweeked some but for it to do well through that temp. spread does impress me a little.

James

 

[Bolo]

You guys should give RL25 a try. Gives me the best results with the Berger 180 VLDs.

 

[BlackHawk95]

Rhino, I dont shoot any particular class, If I did it would be benchrest style shooting. However when I shoot at home its more like F-class.

Stock wise I would be putting it in a MBR stock. Those seem to work well either way.

Im very seriously considering the SAUM for my next build.

Also, How much faster would the barrel heat up with the SAUM verses a 6.5-284? I know mine gets hot fast>

Jerid

 

[rhino]

Go to the home page and do a search on:

OVERBORE INDEX Chart

You'll see the 7 Saum is down the list. Not good for borelife, but thats all relative to what powders and shooting your doing.

How about a 7x57 Improved. That looks nifty with the 162 amax's when you run the numbers in ql.

RHINOUT!

 

[Bolo]

Yes Lynn, that is the same 7RSAUM I shot in Reno. I get 3050fps out of that 30 inch Kreiger 1 in 9 with the Berger 180s. Got a little more selective in my reloading and improved the groups. So that barrel has about 200 rounds down the tube. Ya'll gonna be seein it on the line for a spell. Cause my first one got about 1500 through it and still shoots in the high 2s to low 3s with the Sierra 175s. Got some pretty interesting results with the Berger 180 Match BTs also. Greg cut the leade for the VLDs so they shoot better for now. You won't believe the 100yd groups so I'm gonna have to make it up to Sac Valley for one of the 1K shoots to show ya.

Steve,

P.S. Make sure that Ron[Tillroot] knows when I show up, I'm gonna give him a run for his money!!!

 

[BlackHawk95]

Rhino, What is the 7 x 57?

 

[CJ6]

7x57 Mauser been around since the 1890s real good cart. brass is cheap Lapua is 54.00 a 100 great stuff

 

[BlackHawk95]

Intersting looking round. Im still leaning toward the 7 SAUM..

I just love the look of that short, fat case!!

 

[Preacher]

You'll love it a lot more when you start shooting it....

 

[cliffe]

the gun of the week, week number 88. straight 284 win. sure made a good case for the 284 winchester. good luck cliffe

 

[BlackHawk95]

I saw that gun of the week. Thats what got me thinking of an .284 ackley improved. I think in the long run the SAUM would be easier.

If I did go with something funky like the .284 AI where could I get the dies?

Jerid