What action for 6.5 4S?

[Talon]

I picked up does and a reamer but thought I'd get some input from the experienced folks here to see if I build it on a s/a or a l/a. Want to build a hunting rifle. Thanks for your help in advance.
Talon

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The 6.5 saum works well in a SA. The 4s (hate that name) has a shorter freebore than I would want, but you wont have any problem fitting them in a magazine.

 

[Clancy]

The 6.5 saum works well in a SA. The 4s (hate that name) has a shorter freebore than I would want, but you wont have any problem fitting them in a magazine.

You know what it means I presume?

 

[Clancy]

I picked up does and a reamer but thought I'd get some input from the experienced folks here to see if I build it on a s/a or a l/a. Want to build a hunting rifle. Thanks for your help in advance.
Talon

Bighorn TL3 has been tweeked to handle the SAUM in a short action.

2.9” ejection, new production models.

I can’t inagine a better action for what you’re doing.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

You know what it means I presume?

yep

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Okay you guys made me look that name up. Must be a heck of a squirrel round, LOL!

 

[Mulligan]

Okay you guys made me look that name up. Must be a heck of a squirrel round, LOL!

What?

 

[Clancy]

Super Secret Squirrel Shit.

 

[JBT47]

My smith is currently building me a 6.5 SAUM. I’m using a Bighorn TL 3. I believe any of the modern custom actions would be a good choice.

I really like the Kelbly Atlas Tactical. Under $950 from bugholes.

 

[Kurz]

The 4s (hate that name) has a shorter freebore than I would want,

You can select both neck diameter and freebore from PTG as well as other makers, I presume or simply order the neck and freebore you choose to work with based on magazine feed or single shot. Hunting style bullets (cup/core, SP) for the most part will load easily for magazine use. The longer VLDs will work well also just seated a bit deeper in the case. Loading Berger 140 grain VLD hunting bullets in my AI mags at 2.925" (0.025" short of max magazine length) I am only 0.012" below the N/S intersection with the shank and the boat tail in the shoulder area. This set up works quite well since I've been able to harvest multiple heads of game with this rifle. Accuracy is superb.

As to which action to choose, any of the custom actions are great in my opinion, SA or LA. If you want though, you can call Defiance to order and Intermediate length action which has a 3.200" maximum OAL magazine length. The designation is XM:

http://defiancemachine.com/rebel-action/

I've used these for 6mm Remington or any of the cases based on the x57 length but they work excellent for the WSM and RSAUM cases when you choose to go longer than the 2.925" magazine length.

 

[Talon]

Thanks for the input, valuable insite for sure. Talon

 

[Alex Wheeler]

You can select both neck diameter and freebore from PTG as well as other makers, I presume or simply order the neck and freebore you choose to work with based on magazine feed or single shot. Hunting style bullets (cup/core, SP) for the most part will load easily for magazine use. The longer VLDs will work well also just seated a bit deeper in the case. Loading Berger 140 grain VLD hunting bullets in my AI mags at 2.925" (0.025" short of max magazine length) I am only 0.012" below the N/S intersection with the shank and the boat tail in the shoulder area. This set up works quite well since I've been able to harvest multiple heads of game with this rifle. Accuracy is superb.

As to which action to choose, any of the custom actions are great in my opinion, SA or LA. If you want though, you can call Defiance to order and Intermediate length action which has a 3.200" maximum OAL magazine length. The designation is XM:

http://defiancemachine.com/rebel-action/

I've used these for 6mm Remington or any of the cases based on the x57 length but they work excellent for the WSM and RSAUM cases when you choose to go longer than the 2.925" magazine length.

View attachment 1026739

The 4s designation was a .088" freebore. As you know change one thing to a print and its something new. The 6.5 saum was around long before the 4s .088" freebore reamer was named. Either way, a .140 ish works well in a wyatts box.

 

[mikegaiz]

If you are going with that big of a case for 6.5? why not just go to 7mm. better knock down and better BC. Just an off topic thought....

 

[ChrisA]

My 6.5 GAP 4S is on a Model Seven action. These actions need milled but it was worth it for me. I run Berger 140 Elite Hunters in a Wyatt's with no issues.

The bolt and barrel are fluted to the max and sit in a B&C Medalist stock. With Lecia 2.5-10 in tally rings it weighs in at 7 1/4 lbs.

It's easily my favorite hunting rifle.

Chris

 

[Kurz]

The 4s designation was a .088" freebore. As you know change one thing to a print and its something new. The 6.5 saum was around long before the 4s .088" freebore reamer was named. Either way, a .140 ish works well in a wyatts box.

George developed this cartridge for the market and during any of the process of development, there are small changes to the reamer specifications referred to as Revisions. In the instance of the 6.5 GAP 4S there were several Revisions which were tested with the bullets and magazines currently on the market. The 0.081" or 0.088" was one of the variations of that particular case followed by the 0.120" along with turned or unturned necks. It is the same cartridge developed by the same person without any of the divisiveness which occurs when more than one shooter wants to take credit for a 'new' variation. So it's a Revision and not something entirely new for someone else to take credit.


Regards.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

George developed this cartridge for the market and during any of the process of development, there are small changes to the reamer specifications referred to as Revisions. In the instance of the 6.5 GAP 4S there were several Revisions which were tested with the bullets and magazines currently on the market. The 0.081" or 0.088" was one of the variations of that particular case followed by the 0.120" along with turned or unturned necks. It is the same cartridge developed by the same person without any of the divisiveness which occurs when more than one shooter wants to take credit for a 'new' variation. So it's a Revision and not something entirely new for someone else to take credit.


Regards.

Im glad he popularized the 6.5 saum. Its a great round.

 

[Kurz]

It's good to have a sense of humor!

 

[fyrewall]

Sounds sort of esoteric and pricy. Would unavailability of reasonably priced brass (less than $1.00 ea.) result in disinterest and a final disposition as "safe queen"? At least the head size would be standard for a re-barrel but precise magazine fits of somewhere near plus or minus .1 might not occur resulting in superfluous length and weight.

 

[fredo]

Freebore specs have everything to do with bullet choice.

The "4s" .081 FB is optimized for running long sleek VLD/JLK bullets @ SA mag length. Whereas, an Amax/ELD will be somewhat 'stuffed' down the neck. Not terrible, just not "ideal"...

IIRC, the 1st iteration of GAPs "4s" reamer had .104" Freebore? That was 'revised' to .081", to better suit VLD/JLKs, as stated above. This .120" is the latest iteration...

Seeing as how George/GAP commissioned Hornady to make "6.5 GAP 4s" headstamp brass, it only makes sense that there'd be a reamer made available with enough freebore (.120") to optimize loading Hornday bullets...

Safest way to figure this kinda stuff out is to always keep your desired bullet(s) of choice in mind. Then, everything else falls right into place...

 

[ChrisA]

Forgot to mention I'm running a 24" Mullerworks bbl and hitting 3050 fps easily with H-1000 and the 140 Elite Hunter. Amazing accuracy in a great handling rifle.

I necked down and turned Rem 300 SAUM brass. I'm not overly concerned with the cost of brass, although I did spend a helluva a lot of time looking for a spent piece while coyote hunting one night.

I've got enough money tied up in this thing that I'd feel foolish to let it sit in the safe in the event I ran out of brass. Plus, the performance and overall package is amazing.

My buddy liked it so well he had a nearly identical one built only on an 700 short action.

Thanks,

Chris