Any 7mm SAUM or WSM shooters out there?

[berettashotgun]

I'm getting torn between getting ONE of the 7mm short mags.
Reloading negates the very limited Remington short mag availability, but I can't decide between a Browning or Winchester or Remington.
I use a Remington 700 and like it, but have about wore out a model 70 classic target shooting.
The Browning I bought this summer in "regular" 7mm Mag is still sitting in the box, think the oldest boy is getting it for Christmas - depends on IF he wants it:banghead: according my better half. She really pushes the envelope of our commitment sometimes, but she's a keeper.
I have a desire for the short mag and have never popped a primer in a round - needed some input.

 

[huntershooter]

My 7mm WSM is a Kimber 8400 "Montana".
I load 140 gr. Nosler "Accubonds", WW cases, Fed. 215M primer, 70 gr. Winchester WXR (3140 fps).
Shoots 5/8" 3 shot groups (100 yds, 6.5 lb. gun with scope) and is a delight to carry all day for mule deer/ whitetail.
I'm a fan of the "Mauser type, controlled round feed" the Kimber provides. Although the rifle has some MIM parts they are well executed, "fit and finish" is above average.

 

[berettashotgun]

That Kimber is one nice set-up, I think the price range allows me to chase that angle.
I do love the Montana stock. Isn't the action just like a Win classic?

 

[Uncle Mike]

What's to know...the little fatty posts numbers similar to the 7REM. MAG. albeit done from a short action type scenario. IF enough barrel is used!

As I understand, the 7mmSAUM is preferred by the bench guys for the slightly longer 'neck'...however the 7mmWSM is outpacing the 7mmSAUM in popularity and ammo sales.

I have used a Remington Model 7 in 7mmSAUM for WV, PA, OH Whitetail for sometime, the round puts em' down! Accuracy is not stellar from the Model 7, be it from the ammo or the rifle or both, who knows, around 1.25"@100y.

I will say that if you get a rifle with at least a 24" barrel you'll be ahead of the game,26" would be even better, the Model 7's 22" barrel for the 7mmSAUM is way too short, if you look at the numbers, in that configuration (22" barrel) the rig is only producing numbers in the mild .280 Remington range but with considerable muzzle blast and recoil.

Don't believe the hype Remington or Winchester says about special powders used in these rounds being able to produce their maximum velocities from the 22" tubes, my chronograph says different, and always has.

Remington for the past several years has been dumping the black synthetic stainless steel Model 7's cheap...I do believe, and have heard rumors of Remington discontinuing the 7mmSAUM chambering, if so ammo will follow after a while.

The 7mmWSM on the other hand seems to be popular but sales have faltered to the 270WSM, so the life expectancy of the 7WSM may be shortened also.

IMHO, these are excellent rounds, they were popular and generating mega sales out of the gate but have slowed to a trickle of late.

Seems like folks would rather just use the 7mm REM.MAG. I think in the near future it's going to be, as far as the short mags. go, Remington only having the .300SAUM and Winchester having the .270WSM and the .300WSM only...Winchester is sounding the death toll for the .325WSM, another excellent round IMO but not savvy enough to steal the light from the .338 WIN.MAG.

If you do get the Remington 7mmSAUM and desire to shoot factory ammo, the 150 grain 'standard' Core-Lokt is best as the 'Premier Core-Lokt', the 140,160 grain load has a jacket thick enough to whack rhinos and such...pokes a clean hole through whitetail, even if bone is struck!

The 150 grain plain vanilla Core-Lokt expands very well on deer.

Between the two...if your reloading, get the 7mmSAUM...if factory loads are all your going to fool with, get the 7mmWSM. I wouldn't worry with the WSM being able to hold a pinch more fuel than the SAUM, both are handicapped out of their short barrels.

 

[huntershooter]

Yes, the action is (classic '98 Mauser) like the Winchester.
I may be mistaken (don't have the rifle in hand) but I think the "Montana" barrel length is 24". That would have been a consideration before I purchased the rifle (due to velocity loss from a shorter/22" tube).

 

[cfendley]

Browning A-bolt in 7mmWSM is a winning combo in the woods or big fields. 7 mag performance with the 140 grain bullets in a lightweight short action. Mine is handy in the woods and in the open fields I don't bat an eye at a 400 yard shot as long as I can get in position to do my part.

 

[NCdrummer]

7 saum is great!

I have a Model Seven 7mm SAUM SS that shoots very well. I restocked with HS Precision and trashed the tupperware. Big difference. Barrel is floated, trigger adjusted to 2 lbs. Loads are amazing. Factory 160 Partition as source of brass. BTW, the factory load is 2960 in my chronograph, just like Remington says, surprisingly. I load 62.5 IMR4350 topped with a 140 Nosler Accubond. Velocity is 3200 all day with low SD, bullets seated where rounds barely fit in the magazine. All that's from a 22 inch barrel. I had Lee make me a factory crimp die, so that may be helping a bit. Anyway, it's a great rifle. Dead on at 225, 5 inches low at 500. What a cannon, all in a ~7 lb package plus optics (Meopta 3-12x56 R1) of course. And with the HS stock it kicks about like my Seven in .308. Hard to beat! Love it.

 

[matrem]

Dead on at 225, 5 inches low at 500.

Are you sure about that?

 

[NCdrummer]

oops

That's 5 inches low at 300 (THREE-hundred). Can't type worth a flip. Sorry guys! Maybe you thought I was shooting in a zero-gravity environment...