7 SAUM Short Action Ultralight Mountain Rifle Build and Loading Help

[Ishootgunssometimes]

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

Which action on your 7 SAUM?

Defiance Renegade

 

[Soskop]

Defiance Renegade

Which length?

How do you like the renegade?

 

[Ishootgunssometimes]

Which length?

How do you like the renegade?

Short action. It’s my first build. Proof Research stock. It’s awesome I found good loads with every bullet and powder combo I have.

I plink on a 5” plate at 500 yards. Wish my range went further. I might have to hike a mountain to shoot further.

 

[Soskop]

Short action. It’s my first build. Proof Research stock. It’s awesome I plink on a 5” plate at 500 yards. Wish my range went further. I might have to hike a mountain to shoot further.

Are your loads limited in OAL by your mag size? That's what has be slightly worried. I think the magazine i will have to run with my chassis will be 2.940" COAL

 

[Ishootgunssometimes]

Are your loads limited in OAL by your mag size? That's what has be slightly worried. I think the magazine i will have to run with my chassis will be 2.940" COAL

Ya I just load to mag length

 

[Soskop]

Ya I just load to mag length

What mags are you using?

 

[Ishootgunssometimes]

I’ve been using a BDL but getting my stock inletted for M5 BDM. Going to use Hawkins Hunter mags. Sounds like they’re the best. I’m having feeding issues with my BDL.

 

[Soskop]

I’ve been using a BDL but getting my stock inletted for M5 BDM. Going to use Hawkins Hunter mags. Sounds like they’re the best. I’m having feeding issues with my BDL.

I've heard nothing but great things about the Hawkins Hunter mags

I'm doing RMA chassis, so I have to go with an AICS mag

 

[Cp004]

Here is where I am at:

Mack Brothers Element Short Action: 19.8oz (1.2375lbs)

Chambered in 6.5PRC
Barrel still undecided

Pork Sword Chassis: 9.3oz
Folding stock: 12oz
Chassis forend: 4.8oz
Chassis Grip:4oz
Pork Sword total: 30.1oz (1.881lbs)

MDT HNT26 Folding Chassis: 32oz (2lbs)

Otter Creek Hydrogen K: 6.7oz (.419lbs)

Total on Pork Sword without barrel: 56.6oz (3.5375lbs)

Lots of room for a super light barrel and optics and still be ultralight in my opinion

I would consider the hydrogen S over the K if you haven’t already made the purchase. I’ve got a K on a 7prc and reduction in sound is pretty bad compared to the S.

 

[Bojangles21]

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)

I’ve been running a 7saum for years and have loved it every step of the way. Very easy to reload, and stupid accurate. Mind you, this was my first custom years back and I got talked into a 26” barrel, and I hate it… all my other custom’s have 22” or less, the barrel isn’t shot out yet but I will be rebarreling to a 20” come the first of the year (about to start a build on a 6 creedmoor).

26” x-caliber barrel
63.7gr of N565
180gr eld-m
ADG brass
CCI 200 primers
MV: 2971fps
With ES of 14 and SD of 5.

 

[Soskop]

I’ve been running a 7saum for years and have loved it every step of the way. Very easy to reload, and stupid accurate. Mind you, this was my first custom years back and I got talked into a 26” barrel, and I hate it… all my other custom’s have 22” or less, the barrel isn’t shot out yet but I will be rebarreling to a 20” come the first of the year (about to start a build on a 6 creedmoor).

26” x-caliber barrel
63.7gr of N565
180gr eld-m
ADG brass
CCI 200 primers
MV: 2971fps
With ES of 14 and SD of 5.

The build has changed a lot since I posted this. Quite a few changes, ill list them out here in a little bit!

 

[Soskop]

Build as of now:

Pure Precision SKLTN short action
X Caliber Carbon 18"
Mack Bros Zenith-K (may change)
TriggerTech Rough diamond
Talley SKLTN rings
Leupold VX-3HD 4.5-14x40
Pork Sword Chassis w/folding stock

Estimated Total weight (Not including ammo): 6lbs 13.21oz

 

[noKnees]

I built a 7mm SAUM on a medium and I think its a better fit than the short actions. Mine is:

Defiance Anti XM action
snowy mountain BDL bottom metal
Mcmillian game warden 2.0
proof 22" with SAAMI chamber/throat ( live in CT so no suppressor for me)
Bix N Andy trigger
Seekins rings
2.5-10x42 NXS

Its just over 7 lbs all up. For me a good balance between light enough to carry and heavy enough to shoot. In the summer when I practice a lot I run a brake, but it comes off now for last minute adjustment for hunting.

62.3g of RL26 and a 160LRX gives me 3048FPS at 3.100 COAL I can get 3.200 in the magazine, so I still have plenty of room to play with. I have had other rifles where the best shooting load wouldn't go through the magazine and it was frustrating. I wouldn't spend the kind of cash a custom takes and live with the COAL crunch.

 

[Bojangles21]

Build as of now:

Pure Precision SKLTN short action
X Caliber Carbon 18"
Mack Bros Zenith-K (may change)
TriggerTech Rough diamond
Talley SKLTN rings
Leupold VX-3HD 4.5-14x40
Pork Sword Chassis w/folding stock

Estimated Total weight (Not including ammo): 6lbs 13.21oz

I’m torn between the skltn action and the falkor LW7, I’m about to order one for that 6 creed. Hopefully you enjoy the saum man, I sure do!

 

[Kimber7man]

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)

168 ABLR or 175 elite hunter
N560 59-62 grains depending on your rifle
ADG brass
F210M primer

 

[wapitispokes]

Check with Falkor but believe all their action have same tenon and headspace. If you're concerned about price. I'd honestly do a preferred 750 taperless contour in steel. It'll be the same weight as a carbon(within a few oz) and likely be more forgiving in ammo preference and accuracy. From a guy who's built a lot of rifles(and used to think carbon was the way) I now build everything of a steel blank.

I really like this idea of a 750 taperless steel barrel.

But I have thoughts and questions about the .750 taperless steel barrel idea.

In what applications do you think the .750 taperless is best and what are you seeing in terms of actual results ?

My reaction is that the .750" taperless option enable cutting the barrel to any length at any time while still having enough shoulder for a direct fit 5/8x24 suppressor. That's a nice feature if you are unsure what length you want or may want to cut it back later.

Plus, since the section between the barrel neck (where the taper from the barrel cylinder ends) to any point out to the muzzle is "only" .750" the barrel will probably have a thinner profile towards the chamber end and it will probably be lighter than, for instance, a Bartlein 3b, 3 or even 2b when cut to ... say 18-20 inches.

I guess one question that comes up is; since the barrel will be "skinny" in the section immediately downstream from the barrel "neck" will the barrel be "whippy"? It seems like it would probably be whippier than, for instance a Bartlein 2b cut to 18 inches, and for sure whippier than a Bartlein 3 cut to 18 inches.

I'm thinking that the straight taper .750" is a good idea for those who are simply seeking the lowest weight steel barrel that will handle a 5/8x24 direct thread suppressor, and who don't know about or don't want to order a "reverse taper" barrel. I also suspect that this profile only makes sense for folks that are looking for a steel barrel that is LIGHTER than something like a Bartlein 2b or Krieger 3 cut to 18-20 inches. Or people who want the same end result outlined above, but in a "longish" barrel.

Bottom line, I like the idea but it seems to me that its optimal application is a rather narrow set of circumstances. But I have no hands on experience, I'm just looking at the profile data....

In what applications do you think the .750 taperless is best and what are you seeing in terms of actual results ?