Care And Feeding Of A GAP 6.5 SAUM.....

[psinclair]

Starting with Remington 7MM SAUM brass, You'll need:
Redding 7MM Saum Competiton dies(Type "S" match)
.295 and .291 bushings
.264 Expander mandrel
Feeler gauge
Neck turning tool
Neck trimmer
Caliper
Deburring tool
Priming tool
NECO case neck lube kit

Use the .295 bushing and run the brass through, necking down. I lube the necks on new brass and the entire case if it's once fired 7 SAUM brass.

The next step is to run the brass through your expander mandrel, with a .264 mandrel to ready it for turning....

Set you neck turning tool at 15 thousandts with a feeler gauge, and turn the necks all the way to the neck/shoulder junction. Use of the moly coated shot to slick up the inside of the necks will really help the process and keep the brass from "galling".

Like so....

Trim to 2.025" and deburr inside and out....

Prime, charge and seat bullets per usual.

After the initial firing I use the .291 bushing in the sizing process.

Runout has been stellar on the 500 rounds I've processed using this method.

It's been worth every bit of effort.

 

[psinclair]

After working up loads and testing different bullets with this rifle, it's been easy to say it's the funnest and deadliest rifle at any range I've ever shot.....I can't wait for fall!

 

[Engine 22]

Great write up / turtorial. As usual, thanks for sharing Pat!

 

[XTREM HTR16]

Great information. Thanks Pat!

 

[Lofty]

Stellar write up....thanks!

 

[tigerfan_9]

Nice write up Pat. You guys are killing me with the 6.5 saum threads. I'm going to have to start planning and aquiring parts for my all around hunting rifle.

 

[jonthomps]

Excellent tutorial. Thanks for all the info. After my change-my-mind-57-times-like-a-little-girl antics with a current 338LM build I'm giving Ken a short break before starting this build! But I've already started collecting components - can't wait.

 

[MLC]

What barrel length, twist sir? Also what velocity are you observing with the 130's?

 

[Steelhead]

Thanks for sharing! This is looking like it might be my next cartridge.

 

[Huckleberry75]

Pat, I was curious, have you tried the Lapua 136's in this rig?

 

[Capt Academy]

That was a great write up with photos!

 

[JB02]

Great writeup. Tagging for future reference. After I move out of the NE, I'm going to get a WSM bolt for my 591/R and a 6.5 blank and have GAP chamber me one of these. This just has too much potential to pass up.

 

[aron]

Hey Pat awesome rifle and great write up. This caliber really intrigues me. Looking forward to hearing more about it.

 

[zmann]

Tag. Great looking reloading setup and rifle!

 

[xdeano]

Pat,
What kind of velocities are you running? I've looked at the 6.5 & 7 SAUM several times over the last few years.

Thanks,
Deano

 

[hintonrc51]

Thanks for all the indepth info pat. I'm saving this one for my next build.

 

[mclevela]

Great post, thank you.

 

[RyeDaddy]

Pat, thank you for the tutorial and info.

Please, PLEASE stop posting all this 6.5 SAUM stuff. You, George Gardner and Sendero Man are killing me. My rifle-lust is full bore since you guys started showing off. :grin:

I'd be interested to hear what the new 136 Lapua will do in this beauty when you get some more. Planning on shooting anything other than yotes with them, or sticking with the VLD's?

 

[Sendero_Man]

Great thread Pat ! Good info for all interested.

 

[psinclair]

Pat,
What kind of velocities are you running? I've looked at the 6.5 & 7 SAUM several times over the last few years.

Thanks,
Deano

I'm getting 3250fps with the 130's. I have eight firings on one box of 50 brass with good tight tight primer pockets.

 

[psinclair]

What barrel length, twist sir? Also what velocity are you observing with the 130's?

The barrel is a #3 Bartlein 5R, 1-8.7", 24".

Waitng for some 136gr scenars to show up.

 

[MLC]

That is some badass velocity for that barrel length.

 

[Sendero_Man]

I have an Identical rig to Pat's and am having similar results.

I too am hoping Fall comes soon !! Fall bear season in 2 months .... GRIN

 

[psinclair]

I've put a shade over 500 rounds through mine so far.....

Looking forward to the 6.5 SAUM antelope safari in Wyoming this coming October!

 

[ctsmith]

Thanks for posting Pat. I'm definitely intrigued.

 

[RugerSlinger]

I have Redding Comp 300 Saum dies, will these work if I change out the seating plug and the bushing for the 6.5 SAUM?

I already have the barrel and plenty of brass and bullets.

 

[Cascade_Sherpa]

Very cool indeed, that is one potent and deadly little rifle, thanks for posting Pat!

 

[psinclair]

I have Redding Comp 300 Saum dies, will these work if I change out the seating plug and the bushing for the 6.5 SAUM?

I already have the barrel and plenty of brass and bullets.

Yes, they should work just fine. FWIW, .300 SAUM brass is a tad shorter than 7MM after you neck it down to 6.5.

 

[Sendero_Man]

I've put a shade over 500 rounds through mine so far.....

Looking forward to the 6.5 SAUM antelope safari in Wyoming this coming October!

Hair over 200 down mine is all, but extremely happy with performance !

The Speed Goat safari should be good, lots of rain, grass and good looking growth ! FUN times

 

[psinclair]

Greenest I've ever seen up here.....check out the grass. This was a few days ago and it's rained since then.

 

[Huckleberry75]

Yes, they should work just fine. FWIW, .300 SAUM brass is a tad shorter than 7MM after you neck it down to 6.5.

I assume that even though it is shorter, that it still needs trimmed down to 2.025

 

[Sendero_Man]

Same here... Very fortunate with the moisture ! The growth on the bucks and bulls is impressive !

what bullet you narrowing down to ?

 

[slavage]

great review and gun

question,
Use of the moly coated shot to slick up the inside of the necks will really help the process and keep the brass from "galling".
can you tell me more about this... some thing you got at a store or made your self?
thanks
dave

 

[Wyldeman]

great review and gun

question,
Use of the moly coated shot to slick up the inside of the necks will really help the process and keep the brass from "galling".
can you tell me more about this... some thing you got at a store or made your self?
thanks
dave

Dave

Imperial makes a kit with a small tub of ceramic balls & a small tub of moly
it looks just like the pic that Pat posted above
here it is, but out of stock at Brownell's. you can check around for it
Redding Imperial Convenience Pak | Brownells

Joe

 

[psinclair]

I assume that event hough it is shorter, that it still needs trimmed down to 2.025

.300 SAUM actually finishes under 2.025". You won't need to trim it for a couple firings...

 

[Huckleberry75]

What is the COAL/Ogive length on this little rascal? With the understanding that every throat/rifle is different, is there an approximate length that seems to be re-occuring?

Or, does anyone know what length Copper Creek loading theirs to? Thx.

 

[Sendero_Man]

Close numbers for each ... depending on specific bullet,

140's 61.5gr h1000 at 2.950"

130's 63gr H1000 at 2.900"

 

[tigerfan_9]

Pat (or any owners) Are you loading the 130/140 vlds to jump or jam? How much in or out I the lands shoots best?

 

[Tyler Kemp]

Great writeup, been hearing a ton about this cartridge. Can't wait to make a video on it later this summer!

 

[Sendero_Man]

Pat (or any owners) Are you loading the 130/140 vlds to jump or jam? How much in or out I the lands shoots best?

about 10 to 15 thou off. Not jamming.

2.945 with 140 hybrid

2.900 with 130 vld

 

[mdesign]

Been away for a while...great post on how to do it the right way!

 

[Skyking]

I sure hope your not turning all those necks by hand.

 

[Advokaten]

I have a quick question, will a Redding Type S die for the 300 SAUM, given the proper bushings work for this caliber? Best regard Chris

Disregard above, I have managed to get hold of a set, actually two sets of the correct dies and bushings.

 

[psinclair]

I sure hope your not turning all those necks by hand.

Is that a painful thought for you?......how much time do you spend sitting in front of your television?

 

[Skyking]

Is that a painful thought for you?......how much time do you spend sitting in front of your television?

Yes! I like to work smarter, not harder I turn the necks on my brass, but I have a cordless drill shell holder that makes thing go a lot faster.

Getting my parts put together for a the 6.5 saum. Thanks for all the info.

 

[A10XRIFLE]

Guys, all the #'s Pat and Scott have shared here are spot on, As of todays date (8-6-13) any rifle chambered in GAP 6.5 4S SAUM will have a .028 shorter throat. Gives a longer window of chasing lands with the 140 hybrids and JLK bullets. Does not affect anything else bullets performance wise. I am keeping a couple reamers with the older freebore so on a rebarrel/rechamber guys can have a choice to stay with what they had or switch.

 

[Skyking]

Guys, all the #'s Pat and Scott have shared here are spot on, As of todays date (8-6-13) any rifle chambered in GAP 6.5 4S SAUM will have a .028 shorter throat. Gives a longer window of chasing lands with the 140 hybrids and JLK bullets. Does not affect anything else bullets performance wise. I am keeping a couple reamers with the older freebore so on a rebarrel/rechamber guys can have a choice to stay with what they had or switch.

George what about the diffrence with going with a no turn neck reamer over turning the necks down?

 

[SONIC SAAMI]

Anyone have a line on brass? Say 100 or so.

 

[Bluejazz]

Tag for future reference

 

[A10XRIFLE]

Great info