210M has worked great for me, up to a case full of retumbo at 3.2" OAL
I’ve used cci# and 210m’s in the low teens with H1000 with no issues.
I definitely see better ES with the non magnum primers.
I definitely see better ES with the non magnum primers.
Here’s a 7 Max w 190 A-tip, running them around 3030 w more room to go. I think I can get 3050 fps but that w be max case capacity w N570. 
PVA light palma barrel with PVA Jetblast, received Sept 17 , today was the first opportunity to hit the range.
( I want to know how it will perform with hunting bullets )
KRG Bravo with Atlas CAL. Nightforce NX8
Curtis Axiom. Accurate Mag. 100 yards. A GREAT day to be at the range. 70 degrees, no wind.
I loaded 40 Hornady 162 ELD X with a few powders. I was looking for groups so the Magnetospeed stayed home. 10 rounds of RL26 58gr - CCI 200 - CBTO 2.275 Gunwerks brass . 4 to site in on paper and then 3 each to shoot a 10" and 6" steel @ 100
IMR 4955 57gr - CCI 200 - CBTO 2.250 Norma 300 SAUM brass. reasonable 5 shot group, ejector swipes showing, noticeable bolt lift.
RL25 55.7gr - CCI 200 - CBTO 2.230 Norma 300 SAUM brass. good 5 shot group, some possibilities.
The Norma 300 SAUM brass was ran in a 7 SAUM body die and a full length 7 SAUM die prior to any testing.
IMR7828 57gr - CCI 200 - CBTO 2.275 ADG used brass, good results 5 shot. Will go up to 58.5 and bring the Magnetospeed.
H4831SC 58gr CCI 200 - CBTO 2.275 ADG used brass. also good results 5 shot. Next trip will be 59.5 and check the numbers
RL26 58.5gr - FED 210M - CBTO 2.275 Gunwerks Brass, the days best results 10 shot. 60gr the next trip and numbers.
( I want to know how it will perform with hunting bullets )
KRG Bravo with Atlas CAL. Nightforce NX8
Curtis Axiom. Accurate Mag. 100 yards. A GREAT day to be at the range. 70 degrees, no wind.
I loaded 40 Hornady 162 ELD X with a few powders. I was looking for groups so the Magnetospeed stayed home. 10 rounds of RL26 58gr - CCI 200 - CBTO 2.275 Gunwerks brass . 4 to site in on paper and then 3 each to shoot a 10" and 6" steel @ 100
IMR 4955 57gr - CCI 200 - CBTO 2.250 Norma 300 SAUM brass. reasonable 5 shot group, ejector swipes showing, noticeable bolt lift.
RL25 55.7gr - CCI 200 - CBTO 2.230 Norma 300 SAUM brass. good 5 shot group, some possibilities.
The Norma 300 SAUM brass was ran in a 7 SAUM body die and a full length 7 SAUM die prior to any testing.
IMR7828 57gr - CCI 200 - CBTO 2.275 ADG used brass, good results 5 shot. Will go up to 58.5 and bring the Magnetospeed.
H4831SC 58gr CCI 200 - CBTO 2.275 ADG used brass. also good results 5 shot. Next trip will be 59.5 and check the numbers
RL26 58.5gr - FED 210M - CBTO 2.275 Gunwerks Brass, the days best results 10 shot. 60gr the next trip and numbers.
Anybody running Berger 190s at mag length (2.95)? Not quite getting the accuracy that I was hoping for from the 180 ELDMs (and don't really trust them not to pop and had a few show up with broken tips) so was thinking 180 hybrids but curious about the 190s. Best load so far is 61.5gr H1000 in Bertram brass with 210Ms, 2800fps in a 26" Hardy carbon sitting at 98 rounds down the pipe. Was hoping for some more speed too but the barrel really hasn't sped up yet. Still have 200 more case to fireform and that should finish off the ELDMs anyways...
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My best group was between 62.5 and 63gr of H1000 and 180gr eldm. Im running .250 freebore with .010 jump and a 29" 8 twist x-caliber 5R.
Ive tried the 195gr bergers but wasnt having a lot of luck with them. I shot this target at 300 yds
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An update, not extensive but I have a few numbers. I had a 14 year old with me, trying to get him interested.
It was windy up on the hill, targets are at 716 yards per my Leica 2700B. Just before the wind starts shaking the the spotting scope I hit the yellow plate, another hit next plate left and a hit on the third plate. The fourth plate was a miss.
We started at 364 yards and the Magnetospeed.
24" PVA barrel - Curtis Axiom - KRG Bravo - NF NX8 - Gunwerks Brass - RL26 - 59.0gr - CCI Mag LRP - 162gr ELDX - CBTO 2.270
2835 - 2777 - 2815 - 2787 - 2830 - 2830 - 2841.
I removed the Magnetospeed for our move up the hill and I had no plans of putting put it back on.
FED 210M - RL26 - 59.4gr - 162 ELDX - CBTO 2.270. I made a new friend who made me an offer of being my spotter if I would spot for him, I started on the 586 and 609. We moved over for him to work on the targets at the wood line and I was his spotter. After the earlier results (586 and 609) I couldn't resist trying what is listed as 711 yards (716 per Leica). Video link is of my shooting the 7SAUM and to say I'm very happy with the results does not describe how I felt. Audio was removed due to language, happy swearing.
Video was shot using a Samsung 10e, Phone SKope and Athlon Ares 15x45x65ED from Doug.
to PVA for a great barrel
It was windy up on the hill, targets are at 716 yards per my Leica 2700B. Just before the wind starts shaking the the spotting scope I hit the yellow plate, another hit next plate left and a hit on the third plate. The fourth plate was a miss.
We started at 364 yards and the Magnetospeed.
24" PVA barrel - Curtis Axiom - KRG Bravo - NF NX8 - Gunwerks Brass - RL26 - 59.0gr - CCI Mag LRP - 162gr ELDX - CBTO 2.270
2835 - 2777 - 2815 - 2787 - 2830 - 2830 - 2841.
I removed the Magnetospeed for our move up the hill and I had no plans of putting put it back on.
FED 210M - RL26 - 59.4gr - 162 ELDX - CBTO 2.270. I made a new friend who made me an offer of being my spotter if I would spot for him, I started on the 586 and 609. We moved over for him to work on the targets at the wood line and I was his spotter. After the earlier results (586 and 609) I couldn't resist trying what is listed as 711 yards (716 per Leica). Video link is of my shooting the 7SAUM and to say I'm very happy with the results does not describe how I felt. Audio was removed due to language, happy swearing.
Video was shot using a Samsung 10e, Phone SKope and Athlon Ares 15x45x65ED from Doug.
to PVA for a great barrel
Any of y'all had any issues with Norma brass recently, particularly with primer pockets? I got a new lot of Norma Brass with my SAUM barrel i just had spun up for my AXMC, and with relatively low powder charges (and no other pressure signs) I blew past a couple primers and cut the bolt face on 3 of my rounds, albeit mild.
Setup that caused the issue was:
28" 1:8 Bartlein Heavy Palma Throated long for 190's
57.4gr RL26
GM215M
190gr LRHT w/ 20 thou jump
MV @ ~2750 fps iirc (don't have my notes in front of me)
Virgin brass prep was FL Resize (just touched the shoulder to get the longest ones in line, there was ~3 thou spread out of the box), and then ran them over a 0.282" mandrel w/dry neck lube. Seating primers was TIGHT.
I worked up a max load at 59.2gr RL26 where i got a faint ejector mark (.5gr over book max, 2845fps). Loaded up 3 shot groups and started velocity testing, and was cruising along everything looking good. I was using my thumb to clean up the case head to get a better look and didn't think anything of the faint black smudge, especially since the primers were still cherry and there was no ejector marks at all and no heavy bolt lift. Got to the third in a row and got suspicious, pulled the bolt and sure as shit, there was evidence of foul play on the bolt face. Shit my pants a little, packed it up and went home and pulled the rest of the rounds down.
Things I've checked:
-Weighed the powder and bullet for the last one of the charge weight that was causing issues and they checked out on 2 different scales.
-Knocked the primers out of the problem children and they were still tight, no carbon up the sides of the primer pocket. Primers were still nice and round. No real cratering.
-No burrs in the flash holes
-Headspace of virgin brass vs fired was 0.007" short (not great but not terrible)
-Brass had no obvious issues, fired or virgin.
Swapped in CCI BR2's and fire-formed the rest of the brass at 56.5gr and didn't see any more issues. Did another workup with once-fired brass and BR2's and can get back up to to that 59gr/~2830 fps level comfortably and haven't seen any issues.
So what do y'all think? Was the headspace the issue? The GM215M's? Maybe the primer pockets were a little out-of-round and a prime/deprime swaged them out enough to seal correctly? The whole thing has me stumped, I've worked up some hot loads but I've never popped a primer, and the ones I've been around usually involve a 2x4 to get the bolt open.
Setup that caused the issue was:
28" 1:8 Bartlein Heavy Palma Throated long for 190's
57.4gr RL26
GM215M
190gr LRHT w/ 20 thou jump
MV @ ~2750 fps iirc (don't have my notes in front of me)
Virgin brass prep was FL Resize (just touched the shoulder to get the longest ones in line, there was ~3 thou spread out of the box), and then ran them over a 0.282" mandrel w/dry neck lube. Seating primers was TIGHT.
I worked up a max load at 59.2gr RL26 where i got a faint ejector mark (.5gr over book max, 2845fps). Loaded up 3 shot groups and started velocity testing, and was cruising along everything looking good. I was using my thumb to clean up the case head to get a better look and didn't think anything of the faint black smudge, especially since the primers were still cherry and there was no ejector marks at all and no heavy bolt lift. Got to the third in a row and got suspicious, pulled the bolt and sure as shit, there was evidence of foul play on the bolt face. Shit my pants a little, packed it up and went home and pulled the rest of the rounds down.
Things I've checked:
-Weighed the powder and bullet for the last one of the charge weight that was causing issues and they checked out on 2 different scales.
-Knocked the primers out of the problem children and they were still tight, no carbon up the sides of the primer pocket. Primers were still nice and round. No real cratering.
-No burrs in the flash holes
-Headspace of virgin brass vs fired was 0.007" short (not great but not terrible)
-Brass had no obvious issues, fired or virgin.
Swapped in CCI BR2's and fire-formed the rest of the brass at 56.5gr and didn't see any more issues. Did another workup with once-fired brass and BR2's and can get back up to to that 59gr/~2830 fps level comfortably and haven't seen any issues.
So what do y'all think? Was the headspace the issue? The GM215M's? Maybe the primer pockets were a little out-of-round and a prime/deprime swaged them out enough to seal correctly? The whole thing has me stumped, I've worked up some hot loads but I've never popped a primer, and the ones I've been around usually involve a 2x4 to get the bolt open.
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That load is substantially below my load with 190’s and ADG brass.
I’m on my 19th loading on some of my brass.
I’m not a fan of Norma brass with experience with 338 Norma and 260 Remington and that brass
I’m on my 19th loading on some of my brass.
I’m not a fan of Norma brass with experience with 338 Norma and 260 Remington and that brass
Yeah, substantially lower than my other 7SAUM barrel too, and it's using Norma brass w/ mag primers as well and it's flirting with 2900, but it's a 30" tube and a different reamer. Still has me scratching my head, but I'm just happy it isn't still happening and I didn't DBR my bolt in the process.
Out with the 7 SAUM again this time using RL25 and RL26 with Gunwerks brass, Fed 210M and Hornady 175 ELDX
With the Magnetospeed attached the rifle was shooting high but I wanted those numbers so it stayed on for a few. I only loaded 3 rounds at each powder charge and all were seated at 2.230 CBTO.
At 57.6 gr of RL25 I was running 2616 - 2612 - 2622
RL26 at 56.8 was running 2697 - 2687 - 2696.
With the 56.8 charge of RL26 doing so much better than 57.6 of RL25 I jumped over 57.2 and 57.6 of RL26 and captured numbers on 58.2 that were, 2762 - 2754 - 2739. The 57.2 - 57.6 and 58.2 charges of RL26 made very small groups with zero signs of pressure.
Conditions were Sunny, 2mph wind, 88% humidity, 30.4 Baro, 32F when I started 38F when I was done.
I will push up to and probably not exceed 59 gr of RL26, I understand these low temps are actually helping me and not going away soon, a warm weather load will have to be determined.
to Patriot Valley for a great barrel
With the Magnetospeed attached the rifle was shooting high but I wanted those numbers so it stayed on for a few. I only loaded 3 rounds at each powder charge and all were seated at 2.230 CBTO.
At 57.6 gr of RL25 I was running 2616 - 2612 - 2622
RL26 at 56.8 was running 2697 - 2687 - 2696.
With the 56.8 charge of RL26 doing so much better than 57.6 of RL25 I jumped over 57.2 and 57.6 of RL26 and captured numbers on 58.2 that were, 2762 - 2754 - 2739. The 57.2 - 57.6 and 58.2 charges of RL26 made very small groups with zero signs of pressure.
Conditions were Sunny, 2mph wind, 88% humidity, 30.4 Baro, 32F when I started 38F when I was done.
I will push up to and probably not exceed 59 gr of RL26, I understand these low temps are actually helping me and not going away soon, a warm weather load will have to be determined.
to Patriot Valley for a great barrel As a reference I’m over 59 grains with 190’s in ADG brass and well under pressure.Out with the 7 SAUM again this time using RL25 and RL26 with Gunwerks brass, Fed 210M and Hornady 175 ELDX
With the Magnetospeed attached the rifle was shooting high but I wanted those numbers so it stayed on for a few. I only loaded 3 rounds at each powder charge and all were seated at 2.230 CBTO.
At 57.6 gr of RL25 I was running 2616 - 2612 - 2622
RL26 at 56.8 was running 2697 - 2687 - 2696.
With the 56.8 charge of RL26 doing so much better than 57.6 of RL25 I jumped over 57.2 and 57.6 of RL26 and captured numbers on 58.2 that were, 2762 - 2754 - 2739. The 57.2 - 57.6 and 58.2 charges of RL26 made very small groups with zero signs of pressure.
Conditions were Sunny, 2mph wind, 88% humidity, 30.4 Baro, 32F when I started 38F when I was done.
I will push up to and probably not exceed 59 gr of RL26, I understand these low temps are actually helping me and not going away soon, a warm weather load will have to be determined.
Thanks @Steel head, I appreciate the input.
I know I'm taking it slow. It's a short action and my focus is on hunting bullets that will feed from a magazine with 175 as my max heavy.
I know I'm taking it slow. It's a short action and my focus is on hunting bullets that will feed from a magazine with 175 as my max heavy.
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I would like to mag feed from a short action. Anyone have a recommendation for reamer and bullet or a specific smith they can set it up?
I’m going to use this for hunting and the NF ELR match in Wyoming. Probably a carbon fiber barrel, maybe a pre-fit proof and a stainless for matches for the TL3.
Hoping to use H1000 or H4350 since I have a good stockpile. Considering 180 Berger Hybrids and 168 Berger Hunters, maybe one of the Nosler ABLR’s. Would like to use the Hornady but don’t want to risk blowups.
I’m going to use this for hunting and the NF ELR match in Wyoming. Probably a carbon fiber barrel, maybe a pre-fit proof and a stainless for matches for the TL3.
Hoping to use H1000 or H4350 since I have a good stockpile. Considering 180 Berger Hybrids and 168 Berger Hunters, maybe one of the Nosler ABLR’s. Would like to use the Hornady but don’t want to risk blowups.
Anyone have any load data for either 180 ELDMs or 180 Hybrids with H4350 in a short action? I'm currently running 180 ELDMs with H1000 and in Bertram brass and getting 2800fps out of a 26" barrel. Have some 180 Hybrids en route and would like to try H4350 as well as H1000. Most of the loads I've seen for H4350 are in long actions.
About 70 rounds down my first personal 7 saum heavy build and I’m in over the top Love with how the cartridge bullet combo performs. Started out with standard 210M primers and granted its a super fresh barrel I wasn’t seeing the accuracy/speed/SD consistency I’m acclimated too. Popped in magnum 215M’s and it all came together. 28” benchmark VCC 8T on my LA with Virgin brass/H1k/195 eol at just over 3.1 coal is now the ticket in this thing. Had a dam near perfect Cold bore 1K A zone impact on full size ipsc yesterday off the prop pictured. Three back to back separate shooter impacts at 1285 yards with excellent water line was too easy in the modified prone. BC has held right at .387 G7 so far with a DA of fluctuations at 1200 +/- 100 and 60F. Have more 195 on order to burn this one out as I do not foresee a need to test any other projectiles! Im no speed racer anymore. Loving IT!!!
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My custom 7 Saum is sending the 180s at 3007 avg velocity and es of around 5. This is out of a 26” proof and using 61.1 grains of rl26. I got pressure at 61.5 grains and a velocity of 3035. Also using ADG brass and cci250s. Oh and this is on a Stiller predator short action.
I mag feed on a short action and I had Phoenix custom rifles do my chamber. I run 180 eldm with 63.0 gr H1000 @ 2900fps. I load to 2.950 oal.
did you weld that barricade yourself? Looks good if so what did you use?
Got most my parts, just need a lightweight chassis for my 7saum.
If I can get around 2900 fps out of my 24” PROOF pre-fit, H1000 and 180 Berger Hybrids in a good node I’ll be stoked.
If I can get around 2900 fps out of my 24” PROOF pre-fit, H1000 and 180 Berger Hybrids in a good node I’ll be stoked.
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Starting to load develop with a new 7SAUM.
Savage 10BA with a Shilen 26” 1:8 6R barrel.
Will be using 180 ELDM’s, Federal 215M, ADG brass and VV560. Very little book data available. Just looking for safe starting and maximum loads by experience. I’ll do my own work-up based on that information.
Any help, or information is appreciated!
Savage 10BA with a Shilen 26” 1:8 6R barrel.
Will be using 180 ELDM’s, Federal 215M, ADG brass and VV560. Very little book data available. Just looking for safe starting and maximum loads by experience. I’ll do my own work-up based on that information.
Any help, or information is appreciated!
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Here’s my current load.
ADG brass
59.5 of R26
215m
190 LRHT @3.090”
2880 fps with 28”barrel.
Applied ballistic finally released their CDM for the 190’s and it was on everywhere except .2 high at 1925 than observed and that could easily been wind related.
ADG brass
59.5 of R26
215m
190 LRHT @3.090”
2880 fps with 28”barrel.
Applied ballistic finally released their CDM for the 190’s and it was on everywhere except .2 high at 1925 than observed and that could easily been wind related.
I smidge slower than 4831.
I’d start at 57-58ish
@Steel head Hey there, I have a new 7 SAUM throated long with XM action, 25" 1:8.5 twist Bartlein CF bbl, Norma brass, Federal 215 magnum primers, RL 26, first 100 rounds going to be shooting 168 VLD, then working up load for 175 Elite Hunter.
Any suggestions for powder charge using 168 VLD? I've read through this thread several times, but nothing quite specific. From what I have gathered, it seems 59 grains of RL 26 would be a good starting point to break in barrel, perhaps a little slow. Thoughts?
Any suggestions for powder charge using 168 VLD? I've read through this thread several times, but nothing quite specific. From what I have gathered, it seems 59 grains of RL 26 would be a good starting point to break in barrel, perhaps a little slow. Thoughts?
I’d say that might be a bit conservative but safe. The 168 should have a decent amount less bearing surface then the 180 and most people are shooting the 180 from 59-61 grains. So I’d think it would be on the low end but good safe starting point probably.
I need some help! Does anyone have a barrel made up for a long action 7 saum to shoot the 180 bergers? I need to get a reamer ordered for a barrel thats being made and have no idea what I am doing. Any help is appreciated. I am not super picky about the bullet type but the 180 hybrid bergers are my first pick right now. Also, any advice on a bullet that would shoot the best would be much appreciated too. It is for long range target, and also hunting, but I wouldnt snub down a match bullet if it performed well on game like the hybrids do.
Also, Im going to be shooting ADG brass but could shoot other types, but if ADG is as everyone says it is I don't anticipate switching unless lapua picks it up. Im not sure what freebore would work best or what other dimensions to ask for in the reamer. I was thinking to try getting someones elses spent brass and using my dies to size it and then afterwards measure it to work out the dimensions of the reamer based off of my full length die to try and contol the overworking the brass too much. Is that a bad idea? Sorry for all the questions, I have never done a custom barrel before.
are you spinning up the barrel yourself? Or having a smith do it? I’m sure most custom builders out there have a reamer for the 7saum
It will be a carbon6 barrel. They will do a saami spec reamer or a custom one so long as I provide it. The cost of renting a 7 saum reamer (they have to rent it) is 70, so I told them I would put the 70 towards my own reamer and mail it to them to chamber my barrel.
Regular 7 saum reamer is .090 freebore
Great for hunting bullets in a short action or 180 if you aren’t scared of a .05-.06 jump at SA mag length.
long action reamers seem to vary from .180 to .200 freebore depending on who spec’d it.
I was thinking of going with the .180. Here is my logic, tell me if its wrong or miscalculated. Ive also never shot out a barrel yet before, so there my (in)experience level with this.
If I go with the .180 vs the .200 I will be able to better chase throat erosion while keeping the bullet optimally seated in the neck of the case? I dont know how much to expect with how much case neck length I have so I was going to stay on the short side.
I am not afraid of jumping bullets though as long as it is considered safe.
Honestly, I am more afraid I will dump all this time and money in to this build and end up with a gun that I screwed up or one that doesn't shoot because of something I did or didn't do! Obviously everyone wants maximum accuracy for the maximum amount if time, so I have been trying to think it through, but I just simply lack experience right now to make long term reamer ownership decisions.
If I go with the .180 vs the .200 I will be able to better chase throat erosion while keeping the bullet optimally seated in the neck of the case? I dont know how much to expect with how much case neck length I have so I was going to stay on the short side.
I am not afraid of jumping bullets though as long as it is considered safe.
Honestly, I am more afraid I will dump all this time and money in to this build and end up with a gun that I screwed up or one that doesn't shoot because of something I did or didn't do! Obviously everyone wants maximum accuracy for the maximum amount if time, so I have been trying to think it through, but I just simply lack experience right now to make long term reamer ownership decisions.
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Also to add, I am not limited by mag length until I get about 3.4xx or so. (Tikka long action bolt stop)
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Thank you for your input, that makes sense.
Ok thank you, I'll give that a shot.
My last 7SAUM barrel I didn’t even chase the lands and that barrel hammered till the end.
I can mock up a 180 hybrid tomorrow and see what it looks like and somewhere I have notes on what dimension kissing the lands at a .090.
Personally if you’re barrel and loads are decent you’ll be happy with how it shoots.
It’s an easy cartridge to load for.
That would be fantastic!
I need to find some primers and projectiles. I have built a 7mm saum base on a Tikka T3x action. Just need the reloader's current addictions! Primers!
Im having a hard time visualizing what your measuring. Can you explain the part your measurement is from with your mock up?
