Bigger or Smaller than 7 Saum - Next build

[jayquiver]

Have a Manners Pro Hunter LA stock with Hawkins Hunter DBM (Magnum mag) that I want to finish a build with.

Currently have a 7 Saum, in a Manners Eh1, Defiance Anti Xm and Proof 22”, hunting rifle. Currently shooting 160's. Bare rifle weighs just over 6 pds bare and 8 1/2 lb with rings and scope.

I am struggling with what cartridge to build next. Do I go smaller or larger? I do reload but do appreciate good factory options.

Build options - open to other suggestions.

• Smaller - 6.5 PRC ( Hawkins has a Mag spacer kit that will run short /fat cases in the Magnum mag). Good factory options, lighter recoil.

Or

• Larger - 300 wsm, or 300 PRC - the WSM interests me can go shorter barrel and less recoil than the PRC. PRC interests me for factory options.
• 7 PRC - maybe too close to what I have already? Love 7’s though.

If I go 6.5 PRC - I would use my 7 Saum for larger, elk/moose and the 6.5 for deer and smaller

If I go 30 cal - I would use my 7 Saum for deer and the 30 cal for elk/moose.

This is a hunting rifle, max ranges would be 600-700 yards, in Alberta.

 

[wind gypsy]

Long action mag setup is not really ideal for going smaller than SAUM IMO but can work obviously.

Personally, 7 SAUM is as big as i'd want to go for a hunting rifle but that doesn't mean lots of folks dont do fine with bigger cartridges.

A bit of a headache but I'd be looking to trade for a short action setup to shoot 6 or 25 creed up to 25-6.5 PRC.

One thing to consider - if you get a LA defiance for the new build i THINK you could put your 7 SAUM barrel on that and use the XM for a 6.5 PRC sized case. In that situation, I like the idea of going SAUM in the long action and 25-6.5 PRC or 6-6.5 PRC (or 6.5 PRC) in the XM.

 

[Matt5266]

Smaller, 6 or 22 creedmoor.

 

[MoeFaux]

I think 7 SAUM is a beautiful sweet spot of all around killing capability paired with manageable recoil. I really wish they were easier to own.

I wouldn't see a need for bigger, so I'd go smaller for deer on down. No reason not to jump on that 6/6.5 creedmore train to handle small and medium game at any conceivable range.

 

[TaperPin]

In this middle-size segment of cartridges I used to over think it until asking myself if the animal in question would be able to tell the difference between getting shot with one over the other. Usually anything between 6.5 PRC and 30 cal are pretty interchangeable.

I tried to go from a 7 mag to 6.5 PRC, but while shooting the thing it felt soul-less, and even loading it didn’t bring the same joy that the 7 mag does.

I treat cartridge choice like looking down a restaurant menu - the correct one to order is the one that makes my mouth water the most. Lol

 

[madcalfe]

300 sherman short

 

[B23]

Do you have a overall weight in mind of what you want the finished rifle to weigh?

I ask because I personally wouldn't want a magnum 30 cal that I plan to launch 200+ grain bullets out of any lighter then at least 10 lbs and if you plan to shoot it much heavier would be even better.

Plan A for a long action magnum build and since you mentioned having factory ammo available is a plus for you I'd go 300 PRC.

Plan B would be a 25-7mm PRC this option doesn't offer factory ammo though.

 

[jayquiver]

I think I would want to be a couple of pounds heavier then my Saum, so maybe 10-11 pds all in, if I went 300 PRC and put a 3 or 4 port brake on it. I only have a 2 port brake on my Saum and its good to shoot.
I think those two things could make the recoil similar to my Saum, but thats a guess.

 

[jayquiver]

Long action mag setup is not really ideal for going smaller than SAUM IMO but can work obviously.

Personally, 7 SAUM is as big as i'd want to go for a hunting rifle but that doesn't mean lots of folks dont do fine with bigger cartridges.

A bit of a headache but I'd be looking to trade for a short action setup to shoot 6 or 25 creed up to 25-6.5 PRC.

One thing to consider - if you get a LA defiance for the new build i THINK you could put your 7 SAUM barrel on that and use the XM for a 6.5 PRC sized case. In that situation, I like the idea of going SAUM in the long action and 25-6.5 PRC or 6-6.5 PRC (or 6.5 PRC) in the XM.

I have thought about that, actually. I did just add from more Freebore to my Saum so it would work well in a Long action.

Left to right: Nosler Factory 160gr Accubond, Hornady 160gr cx with Saami Manson reamer spec .90, Hornady 160 gr CX (throated, added about .120 (fits nicely in XM)

 

[madcalfe]

Do you have a overall weight in mind of what you want the finished rifle to weigh?

I ask because I personally wouldn't want a magnum 30 cal that I plan to launch 200+ grain bullets out of any lighter then at least 10 lbs and if you plan to shoot it much heavier would be even better.

Plan A for a long action magnum build and since you mentioned having factory ammo available is a plus for you I'd go 300 PRC.

Plan B would be a 25-7mm PRC this option doesn't offer factory ammo though.

what happened to men being men....
recoil can easily be tamed with a brake.
i run a custom 300wsm weighing at 5lbs 2oz. and it doesn't recoil any more than a .243 with the brake.
And yes, I can spot my shots fairly easy

 

[wildwilderness]

Since you live in Alberta and legit can hunt Elk/Moose regularly I would go to a 30 cal. I am a firm believer in more is better than less on big animals.


I have a 7saum and love it. I also had a 300 wsm that did everything well but gave it to a friend when I got the 7. I am currently putting together a 300 prc with the intention of a legit 1000+ yd elk killer. (Sorry a 223 with a TMK ain’t gonna work for that)

My son really likes the 7 SAUM so I may give that to him when I get my 6.5 wsm shooting…

Just excuses to try new stuff you can always build another rifle!

 

[madcalfe]

I vote go bigger, your 7saum is a great Alberta deer gun.
and soon or later there gonna have to open up grizz

 

[RWT]

what happened to men being men....
recoil can easily be tamed with a brake.
i run a custom 300wsm weighing at 5lbs 2oz. and it doesn't recoil any more than a .243 with the brake.
And yes, I can spot my shots fairly easy

I would like to see this build at 5.2lbs.
Could you provide a BOM

 

[madcalfe]

I don’t know what BOM is

 

[madcalfe]

I would like to see this build at 5.2lbs.
Could you provide a BOM

bare rifle weight is 5lbs 2oz.
with scope and 6 shells in the buttstock and full mag is 7lbs 10 oz i believe with the ATACR
with the kahles it was just under 8lbs.

 

[RWT]

bare rifle weight is 5lbs 2oz.
with scope and 6 shells in the buttstock and full mag is 7lbs 10 oz i believe with the ATACR
with the kahles it was just under 8lbs.

BOM Build of Materials. Basically a list of everything it takes to make a whole solution.
What action and stock, rail, rings, scope, barrel, can ? I ask as I am working hard to build a sub 8lb rifle and not being successful.

I can’t get there with the following
Manner eh1
Defiance anti in 6.5 cm
NF rail and rings
RS 1.2
Proof 20” carbon
Hawkins detachable mag and bottom metal
TBAC Ultra 5.

All in I am at 9.5 lbs.

 

[madcalfe]

BOM Build of Materials. Basically a list of everything it takes to make a whole solution.
What action and stock, rail, rings, scope, barrel, can ? I ask as I am working hard to build a sub 8lb rifle and not being successful.

I can’t get there with the following

Defiance anti in 6.5 cm
NF rail and rings
RS 1.2
Proof 20” carbon
Hawkins detachable mag and bottom metal
TBAC Ultra 5.

All in I am at 9.5 lbs.

defiance anti SA
20" proof sendero
PVA ultralight jet blast
paradigm carbon stock
trigger tech diamond
snowy mountain bottom metal
terminus flush mags
hawkins rings

The stock I'm using is a completely hollow carbon stock. 16oz.
that's where most of my weight savings are coming from.
I could have been in the 4lb range if I went with a 18" Sendero light barrel.