7wsm 180gr. Berger question

[pkhoward82]

Can the 180's be loaded out where they need to be in a short action, or do you need a long action to load them properly?
7mm wsm case.

 

[rusty815]

Re: 7wsm 180gr. Berger question

You can definitely load a 7WSM in a short action and get good velocities, but you will get a lot more velocity with it in a long action.

With that said, I'm planning a build in a short action 7RSAUM, to me, making one in a long action defeats the purpose of the round (magnum power in a short action).

 

[pkhoward82]

Re: 7wsm 180gr. Berger question

Thanks for the input. After doing a little research I believe I'm gonna go with the 7RSAUM myself.

 

[cdherman]

Re: 7wsm 180gr. Berger question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Phil82</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Can the 180's be loaded out where they need to be in a short action, or do you need a long action to load them properly?
7mm wsm case. </div></div>

It depends...

If you want to maximize the WSM and SAUM case capacity for MAX velocity, then you will need to have an LA to allow seating the bullets all the way out to the lands, in an appropriately long throated custom barrel. If you don't have the bullet seated a long way out, a bunch of bullet remains in the case, reducing powder capacity.

If you are willing to sacrifice some case capacity and therefore, velocity, you can have a SAUM or WSM short throated. That gets you a short action cartridge that will function in the magazine even.

I built a 7mm SAUM on a Savage SA action -- the Savage has the longest magazine and port of the short actions these days. I can get about 3" COAL in there. I put a Shilen barrel in it, custom throated to Berger VLD 180's, seated so that they fit in the magazine.

Both scenarios involve custom barrels. More velocity usually equals less barrel life. I'll take accuracy over velocity every day.....