Full comparison of the 7 saum "which I know well" and the 280 Ackley Improved which is a cartridge I have looked into extensively. #7saum #280ai #longrangeshooting
Liked the comparison they are very similar when it comes to proformce. But a few things I can throw out for other people is, one uses a rebated rim, limited brass souce, and really short fat cartridge. The other one for reloading can use any 30-06 based catridge brass and is rimless. Also from the fact there is only 100 fps difference with 10 grains of powder it seems somehow 280 ai is more efficient. I love both cartridges, but my personal pick is 280 ai, seems a bit more versatile.
I’m a .280 AI devotee but I do like the 7saum. I handload all my ammo and availability of components is a big factor. BTW, 4831 is not the most efficient powder with that weight of bullet for the Ackley. H1000 gives your SAUM an advantage as it’s a slower powder. But I did like your video and appreciate your devotion to the SAUM. If components (brass), and a few not so expensive rifles were more available I would have one next to my Ackley. Thanks and look forward to the next!
280 AI for me on this one. A look at Nosler's load data shows a number of powders with which 280 AI seems to outperforms 7 SAUM. 7 SAUM has zero, manufactured ammo, 280 AI has Nosler, Federal and Hornady. 280 AI brass can be made from 30-06 cases if needed but (in normal times) is readily available in its own right. I've never seen 7 SAUM brass anywhere. Several good gun makers make 280 AI models, Bergara, Savage, Browning, Christensen, Nosler.... 280 AI gives you an extra round in most magazines and has slightly better barrel life and slightly less recoil. So, really, other than being a short action, I'm having a hard time seeing a reason to pursue 7 SAUM, a round with no industry support that offers no real benefits over 280 AI. 7 SAUM is a cool cartridge but 7 WSM had much better industry support than 7 SAUM and is now nearly extinct. If the industry would really get behind it, I'd certainly get a 7 SAUM because short action is nice, but until then, I don't see it being a good choice for anyone other than wildcat-loving reloaders that want to be different (not that there's anything wrong with being that guy). :0)
Plenty of quality brass options for 7 Saum. Yes, it isn't going to be a caliber that you will be able to find factory ammo (they do make it, but it is rare). But if you hand load, I see it being more versatile then the 280. I can run my saum as a short or long action, which gives me more options with basically any grain bullet. I am running mine now with 175s and could go longer with the 195s. The shorter case allows me to keep my powder capacity with longer bullets by seating them out further. You are limited when you are already running a longer case in the long action. If you are looking for factory options, yes, stick with the 280. But if you hand load, I would take a hard look at the 7 Saum.
Go to the 7.4mm windy whacker. You just get some 284 brass, ream the neck .002, then run it through the 7mm ultra mag die. Set the shoulder bump .003 ahead of the datum on the 7.4 whacker belt. Use the bullet of your choice, preferably one that is .297 and weighs at least 218 grains minimum. This is the future. You can shoot elk out to 2.5 miles easily as long as you can achieve a muzzle velocity of 4400fps.
If I have a burned out 6mm Creedmoor barrel my choice would have to be the 280 AI as a replacement correct? .473 bolt face non magnum action .. 280 AI seems better for F class based on barrel life vs 6mm Creedmoor.. but 280 AI is a long action so wouldn’t work I guess .. what’s a better 6mm or 6.5 short action option for F class ?? It’s too hard on the Creedmoor barrels
GREAT VIDEO... Hey Brother...what was your deciding factor in your decision in the 280 AI to not build it and TO build the 7 SAUM? Also what bipod is on your rifle. Iam trying de I de on a bipod fir my 6.5 PRC and my 300 PRC. I need a little help..lol
Thank you. For me the fact that I already have a 6mm Creedmoor that is low recoil and awesome for hunting inside of 500 or 600 yards as well as a fantastic midrange competition cartridge I opted for the higher velocity for the 1000 yard matches as well as elr shooting and hunting out to 1000 yards. Had it not been for that I would have probably went with the 280 ai or the 6.5x284 norma "which i looked at really closely as well" the lower recoil of both those and longer barre llife was appealing and those cartridges are a great balancing point with the saum at the upper end of that scale in my opinion.
It's for when you are shooting way past 1000 yards. 6.5 dies off where the 7mm has better bullets selection and higher bc it is more consistent at 2000yrds
What about component availability? I keep looking for SAUM brass for an up coming build but they are nowhere to be found. Is it due to ammo shortage or is it always like this?
Man I completely understand. Yeah 7saum brass in normal times is pretty easy to come by from norma or adg but with things the way they are currently those companies are pumping out brass that fills their most sold cartridges. So hopefully that will all be over very soon and everything can get back to normal. I know adg has a run of 7 saum brass coming up
It really depends on your reasoning for the change. If your goal is to reach a further distance then yes the 6arc is more capable but if the goal is hunting and long range shooting then your grendel does deliver more energy within the first 300 yards and is also capable out to 1000 yards
Man I honestly don't know. It seems like it should be pretty straightforward. Expand the neck to 7mm and fireform but sometimes those things aren't as easy as they present themselves so I don't want to say yes for sure. If you do end up trying it please let me know if it works for you. I'm babying my current brass because I'm close to needing to re stock myself
