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.

 

[ReaptheHeat]

H1000?

H1000 and Retumbo have worked well for 140 gr and up

 

[shax2lex]

I’d swap to 6.5PRC just to have the option for factory ammo. I agree with folks to convert it to a long action. I’d put an 18” barrel in it with a can and roll on.

 

[TradLife406]

Do the 6 UM. As long as you have a 223 trainer you can stretch out the barrel life.

 

[TradLife406]

Do the 6 UM. As long as you have a 223 trainer you can stretch out the barrel life.

The only real issue with the UM-40 is brass. Not as big of a deal if you're not hung up on having head stamped brass. Then just buy 6.5 saum adg and neck it down.
Other thing is fire forming which is bitter sweet. It's fun to have to shoot 100-150 shots but on the other hand your like ouch my barrel

But putting a huge hole through an elk from a long ways away is epic

 

[MTRaine]

I'm a big 6.5 saum fan and had a tikka 6.5 saum at one point. If running 140's Your action will be fine as is. If you want to drive the 156 Berger you will need an LA mag and the LA bolt stop. The SAUM will have 50-150 fps on a PRC depending on your individual barrel/load. 6.5 prc will have factory ammo, the SAUM will not. If you go PRC you will need to run it on a LA mag and bolt stop. If you decide to go SAUM, buy a 100-150 pieces of brass and be happy with reloading.(my personal stash of SAUM brass is 300 pieces) I won't lie to you a 6.5 in a factory tikka with a short sporter barrel unbraked or unsuppressed will still have some snap to it. Definitely better than a 300 wsm but its not a 243. I haven't shot a 6UM so I can't give any advice there. Definitely a cool concept but I'm not twitterpated enough to get rid of my current girlfriend.

 

[Judd]

I've got a 6.5 saum and 6 prc...it was before UM said they were going to do brass and well prc and Lapua...pretty tough to beat. However, my point is...if recoil and spotting shots is your request, the 6 will do it better than the 6.5. The 6.5 is a bigger bullet and with that comes recoil. It will be better than your wsm (I have one of those too) but the 6 will be less.

If it's 400y and in, I'm going to grab my 22 Creedmoor for the exact reasons you mention...over 400y and windy I'm going to go big 30 but not super windy...I'm grabbing the 6prc.

Isn't all the choices fun? Also, FWIW...I don't worry about barrel life...old man once told me not too worry with it and that they make barrels while I sleep at nite. Just the cost of playing the game and if you shoot one out, wear it with a badge of honor. It's hard to burn barrels out and not learn something...whether that be something reloading, getting better in the wind, better setup or trigger control, etc. You will get to be a better shooter the more you shoot.

Good luck!