7 SAUM Short Action Ultralight Mountain Rifle Build and Loading Help

[Soskop]

Another vote for the Falkor LW7. Very smooth action. I had Straight Jacket do a prefit proof for me in 300 wsm that turned out great and they were super helpful to work with.

Good to know! I see them pop up a lot during my barrel search

 

[Soskop]

I’ve got a build on a Falkor LW7. Cannot recommend it enough. The Nitride job on that thing is incredible.

If you’re going to go steel for the barrel, look into Lilja. A #3 that’s vortex fluted will be very light, shoot amazing, and they look sweet too.


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I'll take a look! Thanks!

 

[Soskop]

You can knock 4.5oz(.25lbs) off the action by going with one of the lighter titanium actions. Pierce I think is the lightest short action, but only by .5oz or so vs 2 or 3 others.

The chassis is what's going to kill you on weight, even the hnt26. My stock on my ultralight(sub 5lbs) build is 17oz.
Carbon barrels weigh more than appropriate steel barrels. Douglas featherweight contour is what's on mine. For it's purpose, I can't think of a better contour. It's 18", and 28oz with 5/8 threads.

I'll take a look at the pierce

Chassis does kill me some on weight for sure, but I am set on a folding stock and I feel I am at a point with this build that I have enough wiggle room for the chassis with wise. It's pretty light as it is

 

[z987k]

I'll take a look at the pierce

Chassis does kill me some on weight for sure, but I am set on a folding stock and I feel I am at a point with this build that I have enough wiggle room for the chassis with wise. It's pretty light as it is

You might give the Seekins Element hunter a look. The PH2 model was 5.5lbs with a folding stock. I think you can find those on clearance right now since the PH3 is coming out.

 

[Soskop]

You might give the Seekins Element hunter a look. The PH2 model was 5.5lbs with a folding stock. I think you can find those on clearance right now since the PH3 is coming out.

I was looking at the Havak Slam it's just a grand more than what I could build for. The Element hinter looks badass, but no 6.5 PRC.

The PH2 is a great price right now for sure, but the barrel on the short action is way longer than I want. I suppose I could get it sent to a gunsmith to cut down, but overall, the shirt action PH2 is just shy of 7lbs, without optics, and my build is at 7lb 5oz ish with optics. Definitely splitting hairs there, but that's my thought process.

 

[Soskop]

Been researching more and have changed things up quite a bit. Please critique, criticize, or question my build. The more feedback the better.

7 SAUM
Falkor LW7 Short Action
18" McGowen Ultralight Barrel 1:8 Twist Fluted
(May have to change barrels, waiting to hear back from McGowen and Falkor)
Pork Sword Folding Chassis
Triggertech Rem700 Diamond
SilencerCo Scythe TI - direct thread
Leupold VX6HD 3-18x44
Hawkins Rings
MDT AICS mag (max 2.960" COAL w/out binder plate)
Hawkins Hunter Chassis Mag (waiting to hear back on if it will fit, would allow a max COAL of 2.980")

Total weight ready to hunt (including glass, rings, can, and mag) is 7.68lbs


Critique away!

Also, give me all your 7SAUM loading data, especially if you have anything for an 18" barrel!

This will be my first venture into reloading. I've spent hours with Gordon's Reloading Tool but more information is always welcomed! (Anything other than to use R26 or anything else from Aliant because, from my understanding, they have suspended powder supplies to the civilian market)

 

[z987k]

Been researching more and have changed things up quite a bit. Please critique, criticize, or question my build. The more feedback the better.

7 SAUM
Falkor LW7 Short Action
18" McGowen Ultralight Barrel 1:8 Twist Fluted
(May have to change barrels, waiting to hear back from McGowen and Falkor)
Pork Sword Folding Chassis
Triggertech Rem700 Diamond
SilencerCo Scythe TI - direct thread
Leupold VX6HD 3-18x44
Hawkins Rings
MDT AICS mag (max 2.960" COAL w/out binder plate)
Hawkins Hunter Chassis Mag (waiting to hear back on if it will fit, would allow a max COAL of 2.980")

Total weight ready to hunt (including glass, rings, can, and mag) is 7.68lbs


Critique away!

Also, give me all your 7SAUM loading data, especially if you have anything for an 18" barrel!

This will be my first venture into reloading. I've spent hours with Gordon's Reloading Tool but more information is always welcomed! (Anything other than to use R26 or anything else from Aliant because, from my understanding, they have suspended powder supplies to the civilian market)

In the saum n550 should be up there. Maybe n555 in the heavier weight bullets.

 

[Soskop]

In the saum n550 should be up there. Maybe n555 in the heavier weight bullets.

Getting about 2500mv (2576 if I push it) on 180gr berger VLD Hunts with N555. Roughly 40fps lower with N550.

N550 will get 140gr Berger VLD Hunts flying at 2830. Could push it to 2930 but Gordon's gives me a pressure warning so not sure how well that would go.

I would love to be closer to 2700mv with 175-180gr bullets, but (at least according to Gordon's Tool) that doesn't seem possible.

Granted, this is all just simulated and I won't know for sure until I load and shoot some of these loads

 

[dieselchessy]

Drop the leupy, think NSX compact 2.5-10x42, maven rs 1.2, or… They are in that 20oz range. $1k to $1.7k -ish. In my opinion, better for less.

 

[Soskop]

Drop the leupy, think NSX compact 2.5-10x42, maven rs 1.2, or… They are in that 20oz range. $1k to $1.7k -ish. In my opinion, better for less.

The VX6HD has been sitting in my safe, homeless, for too long now, so it's going to find a home on this build for now. It's 21.6oz so I am pretty happy with that. I have wanted to try a Maven for a while now, and that was the plan until the VX6 showed up as a gift

 

[dieselchessy]

The VX6HD has been sitting in my safe, homeless, for too long now, so it's going to find a home on this build for now. It's 21.6oz so I am pretty happy with that. I have wanted to try a Maven for a while now, and that was the plan until the VX6 showed up as a gift

Hard to argue with that I guess.

 

[BDWMT]

More love for the Falkor LW7 action. Incredibly smooth and very well made. I’ve been impressed with mine. Would put it against any others I’ve owned.

 

[Soskop]

More love for the Falkor LW7 action. Incredibly smooth and very well made. I’ve been impressed with mine. Would put it against any others I’ve owned.

They do a military discount as well which is sweet. Unfortunately there is a 3-4 month wait list so I will probably forgo the military discount and get it from a dealer that has one ready to ship

 

[z987k]

Getting about 2500mv (2576 if I push it) on 180gr berger VLD Hunts with N555. Roughly 40fps lower with N550.

N550 will get 140gr Berger VLD Hunts flying at 2830. Could push it to 2930 but Gordon's gives me a pressure warning so not sure how well that would go.

I would love to be closer to 2700mv with 175-180gr bullets, but (at least according to Gordon's Tool) that doesn't seem possible.

Granted, this is all just simulated and I won't know for sure until I load and shoot some of these loads

I don't think the 180 class of bullet in a 18in 7 saum is going to make any sense. The reduction in BC to a 150 class bullet is going to be more than made up for in the much increased muzzle velocity out past where you'd ever be shooting animals with such a rifle.

 

[Soskop]

I don't think the 180 class of bullet in a 18in 7 saum is going to make any sense. The reduction in BC to a 150 class bullet is going to be more than made up for in the much increased muzzle velocity out past where you'd ever be shooting animals with such a rifle.

Mostly using 180s as a reference point just to see what it can do. I wouldn't hunt with 180s. Probably hunt with 162is and it meets all my terminal metric goals past 600 yards so we'll further than I would shoot 99% of the time

 

[Jake Larsen]

I’ve been running 165 TGKs from a 20” 7SAW2. They’ve been awesome so far. Just another option to consider


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[Ishootgunssometimes]

I just built a 18” 7 SAUM. I wanted the Scythe but too many failures, even with 18” 7 SAUM.

I’m waiting on my DA Nomad TiXC to get out of jail.

With 175 ELDx I’m currently getting 2625 FPS with H4350. I’m thinking to bump up the charge and find pressure.

 

[Soskop]

I just built a 18” 7 SAUM. I wanted the Scythe but too many failures, even with 18” 7 SAUM.

I’m waiting on my DA Nomad TiXC to get out of jail.

With 175 ELDx I’m currently getting 2625 FPS with H4350. I’m thinking to bump up the charge and find pressure.

Really? That's concerning. I'll have to read more about the failures.

Which action on your 7 SAUM?

 

[z987k]

I just built a 18” 7 SAUM. I wanted the Scythe but too many failures, even with 18” 7 SAUM.

I’m waiting on my DA Nomad TiXC to get out of jail.

With 175 ELDx I’m currently getting 2625 FPS with H4350. I’m thinking to bump up the charge and find pressure.

You're very likely right at pressure right there.

 

[z987k]

Really? That's concerning. I'll have to read more about the failures.

SilencerCo Scythe Ti failures

If you’ve experienced catastrophic failure of the Scythe Ti, please post the following: 1. Cartridge or cartridges used with approximate round count 2. Barrel length 3. Factory ammo, hand loads or both 4. Details of ammunition 5. Details of failure (to include failure point and pics)

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