Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats 284 Winchester vs 7mm SAUM Barrel Life

What has been your experience in barrel life differences between the two? Supposedly the SAUM is a burner, but the 284 is not at only 150 fps difference. What gives?

Barrels are like underwear change them when they start stinking. LOL

Unless you make an effort to do so, I think that it is pretty hard to burn out a barrel in any hunting rifle. You're not likely to take a rifle chambered for either the 284 or 7mm SAUM on a high volume, hot weather, pdog shoot, so I wouldn't worry about it.

I've been a 284 shooter for years, but have felt that the 284 was no longer a key player in the short action 7mm bore niche once the 7mm SAUM and 7mm WSM were introduced. Throw the 270 WSM into that group too.

I've been playing with a wildcatted 300 RCM necked down to 7mm. The RSAUM is close to the 284 Win. when the Win is in a standard length action, and the RSAUM is in a short one. I can just equal the RSAUM by seating 175 gr. semi spitzers out to the limit of my M-98 Mauser's magazine. Both of these are a step up from the 284. Even my wildcatted 300 RCM x 7mm is still more than the 280 ACK. Imp. Plus, the RSAUM has a longer neck than the 7mmm WSM's, the 284's, or my wildcat, for that matter.
I've passed my idea of a 7mm RCM with a .321" long neck back to Hornady, as their special powder mixes could really make this thing jump, even in the Ruger short actions. It could jump start a 7mm B.R. rifle, which is usually a single shot. Then, in a standard length CRF action like my Mauser, it will slam 175 gr. spitzers out to 500 meters, using canister powders. So will the Rem. RSAUM. I can load three down in my Mauser M-98's magazine. The Remington 7mm RSAUMs will do the same thing, with two down. However, I didn't have to butcher my feed rails to make mine work, either. More importantly, my wildcatted 300 RCM will feed O.K., using the old military magazine's follower. The RSAUMs may require custom followers.

Barrels on hunting rifles wear out in my hands, have changed several. When the standard I expect for accuracy falls the first response is set back but most of the time it's new pipe time.

You must shoot your hunting rifles far more than most people if you wear them out through honest use, rather than through neglect. The only barrels that I've ever worn out were on a 22-243 Middlestead and a 22-6mm, both eroded throat like nothing I'd seen before or have seen since.

Interesting comment which I assume means you've also excluded the very popular and effective 7-08 also. For me, a 140-grain pill out of my SA .284 at close to 3100 fps keeps it well within "player" mode.

I do like the short-fats under 30 cal and when I had my .284 built I wanted to go 7 SAUM but the smithy refused claiming a history of feeding problems in his experience. So I went .284 which he was good with.

Anyway, at 6.25 lbs scoped, and with loads at the level mentioned above, I'm kind of glad it's not a 7 SAUM. It also kicks a 150 out at 2950 fps from its 23" barrel. I doubt I be able to note an additional 150 fps other than on my end.

I would opt for the 7mm-08 over the 284 if I was limited to a short action with a 0.473" bolt face.

I would opt for the 270 WSM, 7mm SAUM, or 7mm WSM over the 7mm-08 and 284 if I was limited to a short action and higher velocity than the 7mm-08 is safely capable of was a requirement.

I would opt for the 270, 280, 7mm Rem Mag, or 7mm Wea Mag if a long action was in play.

I have at least one of all, except for the 7mm WSM and 270 Wea Mag. My experience, my hierarchy. As with many things, YMMV and you are certainly free to disagree all day, every day, if you want to.

No, I fully appreciate your POV; I've been there.

When it's all said and done, it's a rifle that spits out a bullet.

I don't neglect any of my guns but I shoot he chit out of them this year I will have shot about 75# of bullet by the end of the month. I like shooting not just talking about it.

There have been many years that I smoked a 308 that was properly cared for in about six months barrels are the throw away part of guns. Oh it takes about 8 k to put a 308 in ruins.

I keep about 10 #7 1/10 twist .308 barrels on hand just for grins.



All from the couch of course.

All of the comments assume that you are using the rifle for hunting. If you're interested in competitive type shooting I suggest you give the 284 Shehane some consideration. Norma cases are available for the standard 284 which is its parent case.

I'd talk to your gunsmith. I don't worry about cartridges burning tubes personally; do what my smith and I agree is best for the purpose.

Remember a lot of that burner talk is from competitive shooters who can't let tubes cool between strings. If that's where you're at you're still no where as cool as Fred, who this thread is actually about.

Unlike Fred I prefer talking about shooting. Loud noises scare me .

Seriously talk to your smith and do what pleases you. They make news tubes every day!