New GAP Extreme Hunter in 6.5 SAUM

[psinclair]

Guys, I'm still hunting with Pat in Montana now. Took a big Montana Antelope this morning. The 6.5 SAUM is still putting them down with scary results. All my animals have been shot with 130 Berger Hunting VLD's pointed. They have all opened perfectly and exits are golf ball size. On the scope, I don't have permission yet to give full details. It's a Scope that Pat and Myself got to fully spec out and was designed to our every detail. This is the first prototype and I can tell you this is a scope that will have heads spinning. They have done a great job. A few more little tweaks it will be the pinnacle of long range hunting scopes. It also has a brand new reticle that goes with it called the G2H. I plan on writing up a full report here as soon as I return. Stay Tuned!


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Proto-type number two will be in my hands and on my rifle within a week. George's proto we ran on his other 6.5 SAUM. There were a couple minor tweaks that will be taken care of ASAP. The G2H reticle is amazing to say the least. This thing is the most "User Friendly" hunting optic I've ever ran......

 

[Carl_Ross]

Color me excited, I've been eagerly anticipating that scope since I first heard rumors this spring.

 

[Carl_Ross]

A question on your guy's 6.5 SAUM builds, how are you liking having them braked? How's the noise, concussion, and dust from it?

In general I've been anti-brake, and didn't care for the one I did have (excess noise and the concussion was possibly worse than the recoil). That said, I can see how it'd be nice to have some recoil reduction on the extreme hunter package, especially considering the precision possible.

 

[KYS]

VAIS brake and the Badger FTE are extremely affective. Or pay a little more and get an APA Fat Bastard.
I run a Surefire 338 brake on of them and its pleasant to shoot.

 

[The_FNG]

VAIS brake and the Badger FTE are extremely affective. Or pay a little more and get an APA Fat Bastard.
I run a Surefire 338 brake on of them and its pleasant to shoot.

I'm anti brake as well on my hunting rifles, anyone know what the recoil is like without a brake? My shoulder is pretty fucked after two shoulder reconstructions, hence i've had to sell all my big boomer hunting rifles. I was going to build a 6.5-284 or a 6.5x55 until i saw this.
The reamer from PT&G showed up yesterday and Josh has sent me the Redding die set, not much longer.

 

[bas402]

I'm anti brake as well on my hunting rifles, anyone know what the recoil is like without a brake? My shoulder is pretty fucked after two shoulder reconstructions, hence i've had to sell all my big boomer hunting rifles. I was going to build a 6.5-284 or a 6.5x55 until i saw this.
The reamer from PT&G showed up yesterday and Josh has sent me the Redding die set, not much longer.

Which reamer did you go with?

 

[Sendero_Man]

Proto-type number two will be in my hands and on my rifle within a week. George's proto we ran on his other 6.5 SAUM. There were a couple minor tweaks that will be taken care of ASAP. The G2H reticle is amazing to say the least. This thing is the most "User Friendly" hunting optic I've ever ran......

Nice !! Agreed on the reticle

 

[nmsheephunter]

Feel like one of my kids waiting on Christmas to hear more about this scope. Was thinking about buying the Bushnell dmr with the G2, but may have to wait.

PGS, and Sendero is it worth the wait? I will be putting it on a 6xc.

 

[The_FNG]

Which reamer did you go with?

.2962 Neck

 

[KYS]

I'm anti brake as well on my hunting rifles, anyone know what the recoil is like without a brake? My shoulder is pretty fucked after two shoulder reconstructions, hence i've had to sell all my big boomer hunting rifles. I was going to build a 6.5-284 or a 6.5x55 until i saw this.
The reamer from PT&G showed up yesterday and Josh has sent me the Redding die set, not much longer.

If your shoulder is damaged from injuries why risk anything further with any caliber? Get a brake.... protect what you have. The VAIS on the Extreme Hunter is very affective.

 

[Papagallos]

nice !! Agreed on the reticle

mil/mil? Moa/moa?

 

[A10XRIFLE]

Mil/Mil. Be back at a real CPU tonight. Got the Green Light on full write up.


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[Huntr]

I know I am really looking forward to hear more about the scope as well!

 

[Scot_E]

can't wait to hear more about it!

 

[Coltster]

Does it mean I have a problem if I just sit on this page and hit refresh until my addiction with new scope & rifle are satisfied?

 

[nmsheephunter]

I have the same problem!

 

[A10XRIFLE]

Scope Details

Just prior to shot show 2013 I talked to Tom Fuller and Tim Tanker from Bushnell, they were interested in doing an Optic for long range hunting, not just a tactical scope or target scope to put on a hunting rifle. They wanted a shot at creating the best Xtreme hunting LR optic covering all the bases. So we set up a meeting for the shot show and I told them I would Invite the Guy to talk to. Pat Sinclair!! I don't know too many people that can hunt 365 days a year in every condition there is but I know Pat does, and has for a long time. Anyhow the meeting was a success and the scope was speced out over a couple hour meeting behind closed doors at the shot show.

Parameters set:

3x12 power no more than 15
30 mm tube
Side focus, keep the knob in tight.
42-44 mm Obj
no more than 13" long
weight under 24 oz
Low profile elevation knob, 10 mils of elevation in one turn, great clicks, with a hard zero stop and elevation stop. Meaning that you get 10 mils and cant be a rev off , ever!
Large letters on elevation knob for salty eyes to see.
Capped windadge knob. But allow the knob to be used if the user wants to uncap it. 5 mils of movement. Keep the knob as small as possible capped.
FFP, Fisrt Focal Plane

Reticle was discussed as initially as being new, And being created to be faster to acquire targets and easy to use as a up close optic for dangerous game in close, IE Brown Bears in the Alder bushes of Alaska. Or a B&C animal that presents itself close.

I later had a meeting with Tom and Tim in Kansas city over a few German Beers and we drew the reticle out. Tim later provided drawings that we tweeked till it was right.

Bushnell got it all done. I actually got the scope the first day of the Wyoming 307 Speedgoat hunt. Bushnell shipped it to Scotts house and we mounted it up the evening of day one. The next morning Pat zero'ed it and by 10:00 am it connected with a Doe antelope at 1268 yards on its very first pull of the trigger on fur! Hopefully this is a sign of its success to come!

Should have a few more to get into testers hands soon. And it will debut at the Shot show in January 2014. My guess there will be units available in Jan -Feb time frame but I am just guessing on that timeline.

The initial prototype is getting a couple little minor tweeks to make it a little better yet.

This scope is also probably the best DMR scope platform for a SPR or 308 carbine as well as its intended use as a LRHS.


Ill post a couple pics now but I need to get this thing photographed better this week and I will update it.

 

[A10XRIFLE]

Ill get the picture tomorrow, but when it is on 3 power, the circle in the middle becomes a 4 Mil Donut of Death!!!!

 

[RussW1911]

Looks great George!

 

[dworrel]

6.5 SAUM DTA barrel - made by Mark Gordon at Short Action Customs
8 twist Bartlein, spiral flute
27"
Gen I SRS with Covert rail
Threaded for suppressor (which I am still waiting on forms to clear).

Still eagerly awaiting my Extreme Hunter.

 

[A10XRIFLE]

I have just a quick question. I see that all the rifles shown in this caliber are fed with a some sort of a dbm, is that to eliminate feeding problems from a blind magazine or are there other factor at work for that choice?

Just the Design for this rifle, the Xtreme Hunter. We (GAP) have a BDL style steel trigger-guard for the WSM/SAUM cartridges for our Templar its wider and longer and feeds 100% reliably. Its an option for a custom build and what we use on the Non Typical hunter.

 

[30cal user]

Good for bushnell for listening to you and pat!

 

[A10XRIFLE]

My predictions on the bushnell:

30mm tube, 44mm objective, 10mil per rev, zero stop, 3-21 power, FFP, non illuminated, less busy version of G2, msrp $1899

No locking elevation knob

not even close, should be less expensive

 

[30cal user]

Hey, everything else was right......good news on the price

 

[Huntr]

I am really looking forward to this scope hitting the market!

 

[Scot_E]

Excellent! Love the low profile knobs all around. So did they lower the power range or are we still at 3.5-21? Having a hard time reading the reticle subtentions. Line thickness at .06 MIL? Is it thinner in the center cross area like on the G2, .03 I think?

 

[bas402]

6.5 SAUM DTA barrel - made by Mark Gordon at Short Action Customs
8 twist Bartlein, spiral flute
27"
Gen I SRS with Covert rail
Threaded for suppressor (which I am still waiting on forms to clear).

Still eagerly awaiting my Extreme Hunter.

Looks great! Very interested in the range report to follow with details please. Getting ready for Mark to do the same for me so keep us informed.
Sully

 

[Coltster]

Assuming the production model works out just as well (I'm sure it will) I will have this mounted on my Extreme Hunter for sure when I finally get the $ together! Good job Pat/George

 

[ctsmith]

Looks like a home run.....make that a grand slam! George and Pat represent the hunter well. Bushnell reached out, listened, and followed through. That a boy! Looks like I've got to finally do the mil conversion. Now get these things on the shelf!!!!

 

[KYS]

Looks Good George! I'll have to get one of the Bushnell's for my Extreme Hunter.

 

[cjgemm]

George,

did it end up at 12x or 15x?

Does the elevation turret lock like the DMR's (pull up to adjust)?

How much internal adjustment?

Glad to hear Bushnell is stepping up, first the DMR and now this scope. I can't tell how long Ive been looking for a scope exactly like this.

Great job.

 

[knockemdown]

Always been a Bushnell fan, and that new offering looks like something to be excited about.
Thanks for the sneak peek!

 

[cjgemm]

6.5 SAUM DTA barrel - made by Mark Gordon at Short Action Customs
8 twist Bartlein, spiral flute
27"
Gen I SRS with Covert rail
Threaded for suppressor (which I am still waiting on forms to clear).

Still eagerly awaiting my Extreme Hunter.

How does it feed?

 

[SFree]

Not to derail this thread, but...

Bushnell, at this point , has got to be THE leader in customer input and development. Not seen any other optics companies listen as closely and move as quickly to process a product the way they do and to thank George and Pat for the input, keep throwin it up on the wall, it's stickin!

 

[hillbillybear]

Great job on the design and kudos to Bushnell for listening to people who know what works.

Once they hit the market I know a certain .280AI and a heavy barrel .30/06 that may have to have one.

 

[Sendero_Man]

Here are some Pictures that George asked me to put up for him.....

 

[Nate O.]

Scope Details

Just prior to shot show 2013 I talked to Tom Fuller and Tim Tanker from Bushnell, they were interested in doing an Optic for long range hunting, not just a tactical scope or target scope to put on a hunting rifle. They wanted a shot at creating the best Xtreme hunting LR optic covering all the bases. So we set up a meeting for the shot show and I told them I would Invite the Guy to talk to. Pat Sinclair!! I don't know too many people that can hunt 365 days a year in every condition there is but I know Pat does, and has for a long time. Anyhow the meeting was a success and the scope was speced out over a couple hour meeting behind closed doors at the shot show.

Parameters set:

3x12 power no more than 15
30 mm tube
Side focus, keep the knob in tight.
42-44 mm Obj
no more than 13" long
weight under 24 oz
Low profile elevation knob, 10 mils of elevation in one turn, great clicks, with a hard zero stop and elevation stop. Meaning that you get 10 mils and cant be a rev off , ever!
Large letters on elevation knob for salty eyes to see.
Capped windadge knob. But allow the knob to be used if the user wants to uncap it. 5 mils of movement. Keep the knob as small as possible capped.
FFP, Fisrt Focal Plane

Reticle was discussed as initially as being new, And being created to be faster to acquire targets and easy to use as a up close optic for dangerous game in close, IE Brown Bears in the Alder bushes of Alaska. Or a B&C animal that presents itself close.

I later had a meeting with Tom and Tim in Kansas city over a few German Beers and we drew the reticle out. Tim later provided drawings that we tweeked till it was right.

Bushnell got it all done. I actually got the scope the first day of the Wyoming 307 Speedgoat hunt. Bushnell shipped it to Scotts house and we mounted it up the evening of day one. The next morning Pat zero'ed it and by 10:00 am it connected with a Doe antelope at 1268 yards on its very first pull of the trigger on fur! Hopefully this is a sign of its success to come!

Should have a few more to get into testers hands soon. And it will debut at the Shot show in January 2014. My guess there will be units available in Jan -Feb time frame but I am just guessing on that timeline.

The initial prototype is getting a couple little minor tweeks to make it a little better yet.

This scope is also probably the best DMR scope platform for a SPR or 308 carbine as well as its intended use as a LRHS.


Ill post a couple pics now but I need to get this thing photographed better this week and I will update it.

If Bushnell is looking for anymore guinea pigs to field test 'em, I've got a .243 it can ride for the winter. Maybe stack a few coyotes up with it.....

 

[A10XRIFLE]

If Bushnell is looking for anymore guinea pigs to field test 'em, I've got a .243 it can ride for the winter. Maybe stack a few coyotes up with it.....

ill see how many are available for testing, Might do a Promotion for guys in this thread to test run one they get to keep upon a write up.


Ill keep you posted.

 

[The_FNG]

You really should test this scope internationally as well *cough*

 

[Scot_E]

Did anyone ever hear what the power range was? Also, what is the reticle thickness and is their a difference between the center cross hair thickness like with the G2 reticle?

 

[Nate O.]

ill see how many are available for testing, Might do a Promotion for guys in this thread to test run one they get to keep upon a write up.


Ill keep you posted.

Roger that...that 4 mil circle looks like it could be advantageous on a snowy, moonlit night.

 

[Jethro3898]

That is an awesome scope. Love the reticle.
I've been looking for a new scope for my .270 for a while. This might just fit the bill.

 

[rtgllc]

ill see how many are available for testing, Might do a Promotion for guys in this thread to test run one they get to keep upon a write up.


Ill keep you posted.

I'd settle for just being able to be a part of the first run to go public and maybe a group rate. This optic is the best of a whole lot of worlds. Really happy with my DMR W/G2 and have been eyeing their 1-8.5 for awhile. But I think I'll wait for this one to come out.
Great job Bushnell and GA.

 

[1slow01z71]

ill see how many are available for testing, Might do a Promotion for guys in this thread to test run one they get to keep upon a write up.


Ill keep you posted.

Can you give us a street price or range on the scope?

Now if I can just find someone to turn a blank for me to go in a savage short action.

While I don't have a cool hotrod caliber to test the scope out on I do have a 300WM Im going to begin load development on soon that would look nice with this scope on as itll be used for big country elk hunting.

 

[Sendero_Man]

here is another picture of the Reticle George asked me to post up for him...

shot quick thru scope with an iphone

 

[Carl_Ross]

Thanks for the scoop George. I remain excited, and am rearranging my pennies...

 

[evilsvt]

400 pieces of Norma Brass just showed up and I ordered a license plate that says 65 VLD. I guess i'm committed

 

[propulsionclimbing]

This thread inspired me to build up a hunting weight 6.5 SAUM. I shot it last Saturday for the first time, and I am very impressed with it so far. I basically took the GAP load of 63.0 grains of H-1000 behind the 130 Berger VLD loaded to 2.900", plugged in 3200 fps into my ballistic app, and after sighting the rifle in proceeded to pulverize softball sized rocks out to 960 yards with first round hits on each one! It was the easiest load development and ballistic chart I have ever had to work up. I'm very anxious to take it to the desert and really stretch its legs.

I ended up purchasing a Leupold Mk 6 3-18x44, TMR reticle scope for my 6.5 SAUM due to its relatively light weight and the pinch-lock turrets and have been very happy with it thus far. This new Bushnell hunting scope sounds very intriguing. I will be purchasing one to see how it compares to the Leupold Mk 6. I would happily test one out if any additional testers are needed. I have been very happy with my Bushnell 4.5-30x50 with the G2 reticle and have come to recognize Bushnell as very high quality optics. From all of the specs George has posted so far, this new Bushnell hunting scope looks like it will satisfy the needs of a huge segment of hunters who prefer a tactical style scope without having to lug around 2+ pound optics.

 

[ctsmith]

Regarding the Bushnell, from a southern hunter's perspective, I'd like to see the reticle thickness .1 mil for low light timber but I recon .06 will work. If yawl need to see how this scope handles the deer woods and "beanfields" (or version of long range hunting) send it on down!

The group buy is a good idea.

 

[ctsmith]

I'm sorry if this is a off topic. Regarding the Talley LW's, are yawl lapping them? Also, I've had more than one pair fail and it doesn't take much looking to find that failures aren't unusual. Even though I've experienced failure, my hunting rigs wear them. That said, I'm not getting the warm fuzzy feeling. Any thoughts?