Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats 6.5 WSM vs 6.5 SAUM

Which of these wildcats would be the most accurate, does anyone have experience with them?
What would be the pros and cons, would one be more likely to feed better from the magazine?
I was thinking along the lines of a #2 barrel trimmed to 23" length?

Straydog, I have a 6.5WSM, and it is very accurate.
After 100 rounds it will still print 5 shots less than 1/2".
I recently necked down some SAUM cases for a friend, and it would seem that the capacity is a little bit better in that case.
I can't be sure until we do more tests, but If you are building a hunting rifle, I don't think the capacity would matter a whole bunch. Mine shoots almost any 6.5 bullet that I piut through it very well! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
I use mine for iK plinking and hunting.
Catnthehat

It sounds like you have a good one! I liked hearing it shoots everything well, makes for lots of options.
I am just gathering ideas. What kind of action is yours in, and what is the rate of twist?
Have you had any magazine feeding difficulties etc.?

Who said anything about a magazine? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
She goes from 1:12 to 1:7.8" I believe. 28 " barrel made by Ron Smith, Chamber work by Range sports unlimited in Kamloops,B.C.
!2lbs, all up with the 8 to 40X56AO on top of her.
Catnthehat <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Looks like one serious rifle. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

She's my 1K baby all right! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Deadly on deer also.
Catnthehat

Have you taken any chrony readings from the 28" barrel?

Whats the overall length?

Did you buy the rifle in a WSM caliber or modify the extractor etc.?

They don't make the B78's anymore, stray dog, no this one was in 308 when I baught it. My friend's was in 7mag, however.
Paul Reibin does incredible work and is a long range expert as well.
We haven't chrony'd anything yet because tha dang thing is so bloody accurate, it doesn't seem to matter. My computer program says about 3000 with a 140, however, and our trajectories out to 1K play out that way as well... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Catnthehat

If Reiben goes very deep into politics, he may be too busy to build a rifle by the time I am ready to start. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Does the gain twist keep fouling to a minimum? Or what is the main function suppose to accomplish? I have seen gain twist barrels in Brownell's catalog, but have never read much about them?

Nice rig and different too!

MtnHtr

Yeah, it's cool!
You guy's should look at my son's rifle on the 25 - 6.5/284 thread. It's fluted! It is in an attachment , though.
The gain twist supposedly helps start the long bullets easier and prevents jacket slippage. It is also supposed to help keep barrel fouling to a minimum. All I know is that these rifles shoot like a house afire! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />
I shoot at 1K in the summer and was able to put down 3 shot groups of less than 3/4 MOA regulerly, and had a few down around 1/4 to 1/2 MOA . That's not bad for a falling block.
Sometimes off hand, some times kneeling, some times in the dirt, and sometimes off the bench.
I just like to shoot! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
Wanna see a few groups?
Catnthehat

Oh, straydog, sorry! The overall length I haven't put a tape to, but it is shorter than a 26" magnum! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Catnthehat

I'm having a 6.5 SAUM built right now based off the 7mm SAUM cases Cat neck sized for me.

I went with the SAUM instead of the WSM because the action is an SA Remington and I figured I would have to seat a bullet a little deaper in the WSM to fit in the magazine so that would probably negate the extra case capacity. Also, I'm a Remington guy and want to support their short mags if all else is equal.

In a gun like Cat's with no magazine box length restrictions, I would go with the WSM. Also, 6.5 WSM dies seem more popular and easier to purchase w/o having them custom built.

Cat,

Shoot me a report on the 130 TSXs in your 6.5 WSM when you get the chance to test them. They are great in my 6.5 Remington Mag.

Sure will, Sam!
How's the family?
Everything work out?
Catnthehat

I expect soon we will have short magnums in .257, .264, & .338 bores. It would seem whichever is first Win or Rem may become the standard or more popular, and the wildcats in the other may have to remain as wildcats. Or if the other company is very late, their version will probably remain less popular, if they are equally as accurate etc.

I'm thinking Remington releases a 257 SAUM or a 338 SAUM very soon but doubt they will a 6.5 and 350 because they re-released the belted versions in these calibers.

I would expect Winchester to release all of them except if Remington happens to beat them to the punch on one, since it seems Winchester is promating this case design as superior to cartridges of the past.

I'm not sure what Remington's goals are for the short magnums. I know that the 7mm and 300 SAUMs are both excellent cartridges. I would personally like to see a .338 in the next year or two.

I hope you let us know how accurate your 6.5 SAUM is, after you play with it for awhile.

I just have the idea from looking at the 6PPC case, the SAUM case looks like its big brother with the same shoulder angle etc. It is this similarity with the PPC that causes me to think the SAUM has the potential to be more accurate than a WSM, 6.5/284 or 6.5/06?

I'll let you know in 3-5 months. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Just sent the action in last week and have a 16 week estimate.

Here's the specs.

600 Sucks standard bolt face opened with Sako extractor
22.5 Pacnor 3 groove # 3 with 1 inch shank 1 in 9 twist SS Super Match
McMillan Model 7 Pillar bedded by them (40 - Med Grey, 30 Black, 20 Med Green, 10 Lt. Tan Swirl)
Tubb Recoil Lug and LW firing pin assembly
Timney Trigger
Matte Black Tuffcoat
Bolt Jewelled because dog leg bolt prevents complete fluting
Rear bridge tapped to accept Talley LWs

Haven't decided on the scope yet but loads will most likely be 130 TSXs with an OAL of 2.820 - .03 -.05 off the lands.

Your smart to specify the 1" shank. I have a barrel that seems like it holds its cylinder shape way too far out before the taper begins. This of course puts the weight where I don't want it. I prefer the rifles balance slightly muzzle heavy so they just sort of hang when your aiming them.

I was actually going with a slightly longer shank but the 3 contour and 1 inch shank are on the large end for the Model 7 McMillan stock but if a 1 inch shank works that's great too. The lighter the better.