Been reading a bit about the GA precision rifles....its seems one of the more popular custom chambering's is the 6.5 SAUM...IE take the 7mm SAUM and neck it down to 6.5. It must fall between the 6.5-284 and the .264 win mag.Anyone had the opportunity to try one yet? Goodshot

Couple guys here have them and they seem sweet. Scenar Shooter and Rancho Loco come to mind immediately. You might also google 6.5 4S

I have a couple of SAUM wildcat finish reamers, but haven't been moved to use them. I have rifles chambered for both the 270 WSM and 7mm SAUM that shoot pretty good groups, so despite being a .264"/6.5mm bore fan, I haven't been moved to cut a new chamber in either a barrel blank or one of the 260 take-off barrels that I've been hording.

How much difference in practical field performance would you expect to get from a 6.5 SAUM vs. either the 270 WSM or 7mm SAUAM?

why is the SAUM better than the more common WSM why not neck the WSM case down. I sure there must be a reason but I haven't heard it. plus with WSM you get winchester brass which has been better in the past.

In my limited experience, the more tapered SAUM cases seem to feed a little more smoothly than the WSM cases in my Remington 7 and 700 SAs.

From my perspective; I've been tempted, but have so far resisted. As I'm a big 6.5 addict, I have two 6.5 Rem Mags, and two .264 Win Mags. I can't really see what the 6.5 SAUM would accomplish that the other four cannot...

PS: I prefer the SAUM case to the WSM case for the reasons stated by 260RemGuy . But then, long have I been accused of traveling to the beat of my own drum...

GH

I dropped the parts off today for my second 6.5 WSM build.

IIRC the big deal about the 6.5 SAUM 4S had to do more with how George was running it.

6.5's on the WSM/SAUM cartridges are apparently pretty hard on the barrels for accuracy minded folks in basic guise. His theory, and it seems to have been born out, is that if you do the 6.5 SAUM the way he does and run it to .308Win pressures - you get great barrel life combined with the ballisticaly awesome .264 bullets.

It's been a long time since I was on the Hide but IIRC he won the Sniper's Hide Cup gunning that 6.5 with 4000 rounds down the spout. That's danged good life for a magnum 6.5 cartridge. I also believe Pat (scenarshooter) is gunning a 6.5 SAUM 4S in a GAP Extreme Hunter as well.

So is Sendero Man, and soon a few others.

Using 61 grains of H1000 with a 140 AMax or VLD or a 139 Scenar and getting 3,100 fps while getting 4,000 rounds of barrel life.

The SAUM case also has a longer neck, which is supposed to be easier on barrels.

I was asking Scenarshooter about his 6.5 SAUM the other day, and he was kind enough to post some links to where he'd been discussing it:

http://forum.snipershide.com/snipers-hide-reloading/195161-care-feeding-gap-6-5-saum.html

http://forum.snipershide.com/sniper...807-new-gap-extreme-hunter-6-5-saum.html

MS, I have one also, a Pacnor Barrel on a Kimber WSM action. I like it.

If you don't mind me asking, did you shoot out the first one yet? If so, how many rounds??

will brass ever be made for this newish caliber? Or will it stay a true wild-cat requireing forming, etc??

I thought I heard GAP was having brass made for it...Could be a rumor. My buddy bought a GAP in 6.5 SAUM and so far he really digs it.

Copper Creek can get you brass set to go I believe.

Scenarshooter told me they'd been talking to Hornady about making brass, but it sounded like its still up in the air.

With the current state of the market and the fact that brass for common calibers is scarce, it may be harder to make the decision to tool up for a new wildcat.

Didn't come close to shooting it out. But I didn't shoot it a ton either. EddyBo now owns the gun and has shot it far more than I did. I think his go-to load is 140 ABs and VV N560....I think . I'm not sure. I ran 140s and RL-22. My first was a Kreiger #5 at 26" on a 700 LA. The parts I dropped off yesterday:
Rem 700 SA
Wyatt's Box
McM Classic
Hart #5 Fluted to finish at 24"

Can anyone explain how the 6.5 4s beats a 7mm SAUM? I've tried running the numbers but I always have the 7mm come out on top with a cheaper 162 Amax than the 6.5 running more expensive bullets. Am I missing something?

Less recoil? Is that the win?

They're getting 3100 fps with 6.5 140's. I don't think the 7 SAUM can launch the 162 at 3100, can it?

I'm pretty sure 3000 fps is achievable with 162s.

Maybe with a 28" or longer barrel. Not likely in a "hunting rig" with let's say a 24" barrel. No way. I've tried.

Decided to have a 6.5 GAP 4S built. Just got it today.

130 VLDs going 3250 seem to be what most guys are really impressed by.

2 Minutes flatter and equal drift at 800, minus a good bit of recoil. I think it sounds like a hoot!

Thanks guys!

Admittedly I'm a 6.5 fan I just wasn't seeing the numbers.
I could like 400+ fps over my 260

That is impressive, but for apples to apples (BC-wise) the 140 goes with the 162 Amax.

I don't think the 7 SAUM is going to get 4,000 rounds barrel life.

Will the 6.5 get 4000 round barrel life with nothing done to it...

I have the same question as elk hunting guide. Does something have to be done to the barrel the get the 4000+ round life?

Resurrecting an older topic...

From what I understand George simply ran it at 308 Win pressures and won the Cup with it at 4000 round barrel life. Nothing done to the barrel such as coatings or anything.

H1000 at sane pressures = long life, great BC bullets and good life.

I read the 6.5 threads on Snipershide for about 6 hours a week ago and the reports were somewhere around 3200 fps with 139's and the long barrel life attributed to pressures running around 53K. I believe barrel length is 24"-26" typically.

I ran the numbers in QL and simply could not get to 3000 fps anywhere near 53K with a 22" barrel, it predicted 3037 fps at 64.7K psi.

QL estimates 3163 fps with a 139 loaded at 2.9" in a 26" barrel at 64.7K psi.

QL estimates 2981 at 53K psi with the same parameters as above.

I emailed GAP a few questions, primarily, should I get 3000 fps with 139's, I believe I said at 53K but I have to look at the email again to be sure. George G. said that pressure was hard to predict but I may get close to 3000 fps.

I am absolutely not calling anyone a liar, this was simply to see if my 300WSM would be a good candidate for a 6.5 SAUM and running the numbers. I did not want to spend the cash and end up under 3000 fps (22" barrel) and at 64K psi.

That would only be a 250 fps gain over my previous 260 with an additional 20 grains of powder and recoil.

And, using harder to find brass and prepping it.

One set back.....

RDW - The numbers are supposed to be 3100 with 139/140's with 61 grains of h1000 and 24" barrel. Also 3200-3250 with 130's and 63 grains of h1000. Can you run those in quick load to see what they would be. Particularly the 139/140 load @ 2.900 oal.

Pretty darn close then, 2946 fps at 54.4K psi, 24" and 61.0 H1000.

They are also poiunting the 130 VLDH and getting a confirmed BC of .600. Just waiting on my Manners stock, so I can take my parts to Mr. Beanland. This one, will most likely be the death of my 25-06....maybe..

Here ya go: Both loads are showing as pretty mild. Default max pressure is 65000psi. QL assumes a soft primer, not a magnum. I think H50 will show greater speeds but you'll be trickling/vibrating powder in.

Cartridge : 6.5 mm RSAUM
Bullet : .264, 140, Hornady A-MAX 26332
Useable Case Capaci: 66.781 grain H2O = 4.336 cm�
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.000 inch = 76.20 mm
Barrel Length : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm
Powder : Hodgdon H1000

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 80 48.80 2345 1709 27152 9495 89.4 1.798
-18.0 82 50.02 2406 1800 28976 9829 90.9 1.751
-16.0 84 51.24 2469 1894 30929 10151 92.3 1.705
-14.0 86 52.46 2531 1991 33020 10459 93.6 1.661
-12.0 88 53.68 2594 2091 35259 10752 94.8 1.617
-10.0 90 54.90 2657 2194 37661 11028 95.9 1.573
-08.0 92 56.12 2720 2300 40235 11284 96.8 1.523
-06.0 94 57.34 2783 2408 43006 11520 97.7 1.476
-04.0 96 58.56 2846 2518 45969 11733 98.4 1.430
-02.0 98 59.78 2909 2630 49183 11922 99.0 1.385
+00.0 100 61.00 2971 2745 52633 12085 99.4 1.342
+02.0 102 62.22 3034 2861 56353 12222 99.8 1.301 ! Near Maximum !
+04.0 104 63.44 3096 2979 60366 12330 100.0 1.261 ! Near Maximum !
+06.0 106 64.66 3157 3099 64715 12409 100.0 1.222 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 108 65.88 3219 3220 69423 12475 100.0 1.185 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 110 67.10 3279 3343 74531 12535 100.0 1.149 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by � 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 100 61.00 3116 3018 64321 11625 100.0 1.236 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 100 61.00 2766 2378 42595 11821 93.7 1.479

Cartridge : 6.5 mm RSAUM
Bullet : .264, 130, Berger VLD #26403
Useable Case Capaci: 66.619 grain H2O = 4.326 cm�
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.000 inch = 76.20 mm
Barrel Length : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm
Powder : Hodgdon H1000

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 82 50.00 2425 1697 27427 9440 87.9 1.734
-18.0 84 51.25 2490 1789 29310 9785 89.6 1.689
-16.0 86 52.50 2555 1885 31330 10118 91.1 1.644
-14.0 88 53.75 2622 1984 33498 10438 92.5 1.600
-12.0 91 55.00 2688 2086 35828 10742 93.8 1.557
-10.0 93 56.25 2755 2191 38332 11029 95.0 1.512
-08.0 95 57.50 2822 2300 41023 11296 96.1 1.463
-06.0 97 58.75 2890 2410 43929 11543 97.0 1.416
-04.0 99 60.00 2957 2524 47060 11766 97.9 1.371
-02.0 101 61.25 3024 2640 50441 11964 98.6 1.327
+00.0 103 62.50 3091 2759 54096 12136 99.1 1.285
+02.0 105 63.75 3158 2880 58051 12279 99.6 1.244 ! Near Maximum !
+04.0 107 65.00 3225 3002 62342 12392 99.8 1.204 ! Near Maximum !
+06.0 109 66.25 3291 3127 67002 12475 100.0 1.166 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 111 67.50 3357 3254 72075 12529 100.0 1.129 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 113 68.75 3423 3382 77607 12575 100.0 1.093 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by � 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 103 62.50 3248 3045 66075 11702 100.0 1.182 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 103 62.50 2871 2380 43787 11784 92.8 1.417

From this you can see that the velocity ramps up slowly, but pressure can jump quite quickly.

I already have a 7mm RSAUM that runs 162gn bullets at 3100fps from a 26in Lilja 3 groove. I'm running H1000 in that too.

There is no noticeable trajectory difference between the 140gn 6.5 and the 162gn 7mm (very close BC and launch speed). Having said that, I have a spare short magnum action and a Fluted Sporter weight, 26in, Lilja 6.5mm 1:8 3groove on order which will become a 6.5 SAUM. Just bought a z5 3.5-18 BRH to go on top.

Those comments on the last 5 loads made me think of "Lost In Space". The robot flailing his dryer vent arms shouting "Danger Will Robinson!"....

Need some sleep....

W

Adam, OAL on your 162 7mm load?

W

They fit in a lightly modified AICS 5 round magazine. Only four in there though.

Went with the 6.5 Weatherby. Custom redding Dies on the way along with some .257 and .270 Weatherby brass so I can start sizing cases. Only got a 6 month wait till rifle is done. Hopefully some VV powder will show up soon.

I'm wondering what the 26 nosler will do at 54k and if barrel life will be decent at sane pressures.

My 6.5-06 does 2980ish with the 140 vld over retumbo from a 24" rock tube. But, I still find myself wanting a 6.5 saum. How does the saum capacity compare to a 6.5-06 AI?

Bb

QL indicates 68 for the 6.5-06 A-Square and 72 for the SAUM.

Is 68 for the standard version or the AI? I have a standard but I'm wondering about the AI. Looks like the AI and the saum should be pretty close.

Bb

I think that the SAUM case is basically the equivalent of an 06AI case across the board for capacity.

I run a GAP 6.5 4S

GAP sure does build some good-looking (and shooting) stuff.