300WSM to 6.5 SAUM CONVERSION

[Smitt0331]

New to the forums. I have a Tikka 300wsm factory rifle. The barrel is starting to lose accuracy and was thinking about re-barreling to 6.5 SAUM OR 6 UM. 1st question is will this work? 2nd question is which would be better between 6UM or 6.5 SAUM.

My main purpose for this rifle will be hunting. I am trying to get reduced recoil while still getting good terminal ballistic for deer and Elk out to 500yds. Maybe i’m soft but i do not enjoy shooting my 300WSM and can’t spot my shots. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Wrench]

If you wore out a 300wsm the 6um is not for you. Barrel life is the killer.

 

[StupidLightweight]

Your plan would work. All you need is a new barrel. Why SAUM case over 6.5 PRC?

 

[Smitt0331]

My understanding, correct me if I'm wrong, better barrel life due to slower burning powders, lower pressures and better performance out of shorter barrel’s and a 15-200 fps mv. I am planning on running a benchmark 20 or 22in barrel with a suppressor.

 

[ReaptheHeat]

My understanding, correct me if I'm wrong, better barrel life due to slower burning powders, lower pressures and better performance out of shorter barrel’s and a 15-200 fps mv. I am planning on running a benchmark 20 or 22in barrel with a suppressor.

I run the same powders between 6.5 PRC and SAUM. Only difference is maybe 3 grains of powder. Not sure what that equates to pressure wise in the bigger case but barrel life is a wash.

 

[Smitt0331]

Your plan would work. All you need is a new barrel. Why SAUM case over 6.5 PRC?

Also isnt the 6.5 prc a little long for my factory 300wsm short action.

 

[limpet]

Also isnt the 6.5 prc a little long for my factory 300wsm short action.

A simple bolt stop switch will make your rifle a long action for $30-$40 iirc.

 

[Smitt0331]

I run the same powders between 6.5 PRC and SAUM. Only difference is maybe 3 grains of powder. Not sure what that equates to pressure wise but barrel life is a wash.

H1000?

 

[wind gypsy]

6.5 SAUM is like a 6.5 PRC + 50 FPS or so IIRC. I would not expect better barrel life out of the bigger case if you run them both at same pressures.

Regardless, either is nothing more than a barrel swap away. You can keep your same bolt stop or change it for cheap and use long action magazines to load long.

I tend to avoid really overbore cartridges and fire forming so I'd choose a 6.5 SAUM/PRC or 6 PRC but that doesn't mean 6 UM wouldn't work well for you.

 

[Smitt0331]

6.5 SAUM is like a 6.5 PRC + 50 FPS or so IIRC. I would not expect better barrel life out of the bigger case if you run them both at same pressures.

Regardless, either is nothing more than a barrel swap away. You can keep your same bolt stop or change it for cheap and use long action magazines to load long.

I tend to avoid really overbore cartridges and fire forming so I'd choose a 6.5 SAUM/PRC or 6 PRC but that doesn't mean 6 UM wouldn't work well for you.

Awesome, great info. I’d love to load those 153 TMK’s long and push them in the mid 2900’s.