Short action 6.5 or 7 SAUM

[317millhand]

I already own a 6.5x47 for match use, but I'm looking for something stronger to play with at home. We just setup a range where we can plink at a mile and thr 6.5x47 really struggles past 1200. My current rifle is a SA Mausingfield with barrel nut. Funds are limited for now, so I may end up just getting a barrel for my current rifle instead of building a long action. However, a long action will be had eventually.

So, will the 6.5saum or 7 saum be more suited for the short action. Our range is on top of a mountain and always windy, so that's why I was thinking about a 7 with the hornady 180 eld. Please recommend barrel length, Freebore and any other info and suggestions.

I also use Alpha mags with the 6.5x47

 

[SMTGWKD]

I don't have any experience with the short action magnums, but based on the numbers I would likely choose the 7mm simply due to BC (.796 for 180 ELD-M vs .696 for 147 ELD-M) - only limiting figure to consider would be velocity of each cartridge...

 

[Wannabeinotc]

Tag

 

[.30kal]

I'd go with the 7mm SAUM in a 26" barrel. Better BC, slightly better barrel life and better brass availability.

 

[Bradu]

I think you will have trouble fitting the heavier 7mm bullets in a short action. I currently have a 6.5 saum on a defiance short action and it does a good job feeding 140 hybrids from a mag. I would go with a 26" barrel or possibly a 28" if you are using it just for target shooting.

 

[WeiserBucks]

26"-28" 7 SAUM , load them long and single feed them for ELR . Once you get the long action, you will be able to mag feed it and have a really good start on load development and a good supply of brass .

 

[TC308]

I'd go 7mm but I'm a fan of 7mm bullets in general. Even if you can't fit the 180's, the 168's still have a better bc than the 140's from a 6.5 and you could prolly get amazing velocity from the 168's to get incomparable drop and windage values.