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Posted By: mpwolf Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/06/22
After 25 years, I finally drew a moose tag here in NB, Canada. Shooting a 22" 7 Saum. I have 160 AB, 160 FailSafe, 162 ELD-X, and AMax, as well as 175 ELD-X here on the shelf, and RL-22, RL-26, H4831 SC, H4350. Shots are likely to be close, with the odd chance out to 300m or so. I kinda think 160 AB and 4350 is probably the easy button, but I'd love to hear what works for you.
Posted By: beretzs Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/06/22
Originally Posted by mpwolf
After 25 years, I finally drew a moose tag here in NB, Canada. Shooting a 22" 7 Saum. I have 160 AB, 160 FailSafe, 162 ELD-X, and AMax, as well as 175 ELD-X here on the shelf, and RL-22, RL-26, H4831 SC, H4350. Shots are likely to be close, with the odd chance out to 300m or so. I kinda think 160 AB and 4350 is probably the easy button, but I'd love to hear what works for you.

Congrats on the tag! If it were me, I'd be happy as a lark if the 160 AB, 160 Failsafe or 175 ELD X shot well in my rifle.
Posted By: SKane Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/06/22
Originally Posted by mpwolf
After 25 years, I finally drew a moose tag here in NB, Canada. Shooting a 22" 7 Saum. I have 160 AB, 160 FailSafe, 162 ELD-X, and AMax, as well as 175 ELD-X here on the shelf, and RL-22, RL-26, H4831 SC, H4350. Shots are likely to be close, with the odd chance out to 300m or so. I kinda think 160 AB and 4350 is probably the easy button, but I'd love to hear what works for you.


Hot damn! Congrats!
The 160 AB and 4350 is the recipe in my 7SAUM.
Posted By: mpwolf Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/06/22
Originally Posted by SKane
Hot damn! Congrats!
The 160 AB and 4350 is the recipe in my 7SAUM.

How fast are yours going? About all I've shot out of this rifle so far is 120 tsx at 3350.
Posted By: SKane Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/06/22
I'll give a look this eve but if memory serves, just a notch below 2900 (24" barrel).
Posted By: mpwolf Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/06/22
appreciate it. I'll load up a ladder to see where presure/volocity top out, and go from there.
Posted By: SuperCub Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/06/22
Originally Posted by mpwolf
After 25 years, I finally drew a moose tag here in NB, Canada. Shooting a 22" 7 Saum. I have 160 AB, 160 FailSafe, 162 ELD-X, and AMax, as well as 175 ELD-X here on the shelf, and RL-22, RL-26, H4831 SC, H4350. Shots are likely to be close, with the odd chance out to 300m or so. I kinda think 160 AB and 4350 is probably the easy button, but I'd love to hear what works for you.

Hey Matt .... Congrats on that coveted NB moose license.

I think your choice of the 160gr AB is the best of what you have on hand. If the Failsafes shot better, I'd use them.
Posted By: mpwolf Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/06/22
Hi Paul-I lucked into a group of guys established in Zone 3. It's going to be a blast. I really don't think I can go wrong with either the AB or FailSafe.
Posted By: nimrod1949 Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/06/22
I shot my once in a lifetime Idaho Moose with my 7 SAUM. My rifle is set up with AI magazines so I walked around with 120 TSX in the rifle and a magazine loaded with 162 AMAX. My thought was if I had a close shot the 120 would be the ticket and if I had a far shot I had time to swap over to the 162s. I ended up shooting my bull at 30 paces with a 120 TSX. One through the boiler room was all it took.

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Posted By: mpwolf Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/06/22
Originally Posted by nimrod1949
I shot my once in a lifetime Idaho Moose with my 7 SAUM. My rifle is set up with AI magazines so I walked around with 120 TSX in the rifle and a magazine loaded with 1
62 AMAX. My thought was if I had a close shot the 120 would be the ticket and if I had a far shot I had time to swap over to the 162s. I ended up shooting my bull at 30 paces with a 120 TSX. One through the boiler room was all it took.

I have actually considered going that route. It's likely to play out like yours did though- all this agonizing about choosing the perfect bullet, only to have it happen at 50 yards with one and done.
Posted By: beretzs Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/06/22
Originally Posted by mpwolf
Originally Posted by SKane
Hot damn! Congrats!
The 160 AB and 4350 is the recipe in my 7SAUM.

How fast are yours going? About all I've shot out of this rifle so far is 120 tsx at 3350.

Shoot, I'd be fine with that load myself. Chances are it'll out penetrate the 160 AB anyhow.
Posted By: mpwolf Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/06/22
Originally Posted by beretzs
Originally Posted by mpwolf
How fast are yours going? About all I've shot out of this rifle so far is 120 tsx at 3350.

Shoot, I'd be fine with that load myself. Chances are it'll out penetrate the 160 AB anyhow.

you are probably right, but how can any self respecting rifle looney miss the chance to work up a new, perfect load, for a hunt he's been waiting 25 years for?!?!
Posted By: beretzs Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/06/22
Originally Posted by mpwolf
Originally Posted by beretzs
Originally Posted by mpwolf
How fast are yours going? About all I've shot out of this rifle so far is 120 tsx at 3350.

Shoot, I'd be fine with that load myself. Chances are it'll out penetrate the 160 AB anyhow.

you are probably right, but how can any self respecting rifle looney miss the chance to work up a new, perfect load, for a hunt he's been waiting 25 years for?!?!

I totally understand that! I would be guilty of that myself!
Posted By: SKane Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/06/22
Originally Posted by mpwolf
Originally Posted by beretzs
Originally Posted by mpwolf
How fast are yours going? About all I've shot out of this rifle so far is 120 tsx at 3350.

Shoot, I'd be fine with that load myself. Chances are it'll out penetrate the 160 AB anyhow.

you are probably right, but how can any self respecting rifle looney miss the chance to work up a new, perfect load, for a hunt he's been waiting 25 years for?!?!


You could decide you need a new rifle, get all lathered up about lack of components, put a WTB in the classifieds, bumping it daily, then finally getting components only to find you couldn't get it to shoot in time for your trip. whistle
Posted By: TheKid Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/06/22
My dad has used his to kill elk and a grizzly bear with 160 Partitions. I loaded him a bunch over H4350 to about 2875fps IIRC. Haven’t caught one yet. I see no reason the Failsafe or AB wouldn’t work just as well.
Posted By: Alex38 Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/07/22
I’d use either the AB or Failsafes. Whichever shot better.
Posted By: mpwolf Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/11/22
Originally Posted by SKane
You could decide you need a new rifle, get all lathered up about lack of components, put a WTB in the classifieds, bumping it daily, then finally getting components only to find you couldn't get it to shoot in time for your trip. whistle

lol- don't tempt me. I've long thought that a .338 saum/or maybe Sherman short made alot of sense...
Posted By: 406_SBC Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/11/22
I've only shot one moose with my 7mm SAUM, but I used a 162 A-Max. High shoulder, complete pass through and one very dead moose. The shot was approximately 150 yards. From the options you listed, I don't think you're going to be able to measure the difference from their performance in the field, so I'd pick whichever one you want and be confident that your selection is perfectly suitable.
Posted By: jeeper Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/11/22
H4831 SC has given me great accuracy in the 160 gr. bullet class.
Posted By: Reloder28 Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/13/22
H4350 has been the go-to powder for my 300 WSM & 165 AB’s. I don’t see how the 7 RSAUM would be much different.
Posted By: JGray Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/13/22
Congrats on the moose tag! I'm new to the 7 SAUM so can't offer advice there. I recently rebarreled a Kimber Classic 325 WSM with a Lilja 1:8 in 7 Saum. All I've shot so far is 180 Scenars with RE26 and it's been sub-MOA throughout load development. I would think any of the load combos discussed above would work fine. Good luck on your hunt...
Posted By: beretzs Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/13/22
Originally Posted by JGray
Congrats on the moose tag! I'm new to the 7 SAUM so can't offer advice there. I recently rebarreled a Kimber Classic 325 WSM with a Lilja 1:8 in 7 Saum. All I've shot so far is 180 Scenars with RE26 and it's been sub-MOA throughout load development. I would think any of the load combos discussed above would work fine. Good luck on your hunt...

That sounds like a sharp rifle! Those 180 Scenars are easy huh?
Posted By: JGray Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/14/22
Not sure if it's the bullets or the barrel, but it's been boringly consistent. Sight in and load work done in one session and 12-15 rounds 😎

I did have my 'smith check/tweak the bedding and gave him dummy rounds to set throating to maximize OAL for the magazine.
Posted By: beretzs Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/15/22
Yep, they were drills in my Mashburn as well. Just easy to get shooting.
Posted By: SuperCub Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/15/22
Originally Posted by mpwolf
lol- don't tempt me. I've long thought that a .338 saum/or maybe Sherman short made alot of sense...

A plain old M700 in 7mag with 160gr NPs would be a lot simpler. smile
Posted By: mpwolf Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/16/22
Originally Posted by SuperCub
Originally Posted by mpwolf
lol- don't tempt me. I've long thought that a .338 saum/or maybe Sherman short made alot of sense...

A plain old M700 in 7mag with 160gr NPs would be a lot simpler. smile

lol- and where is the fun in that?!?
to throw another twist into the decision, I just nabbed a box of 175 partitions…
Posted By: las Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/20/22
Don't overthink it. Moose die easy IME ( 20+). Those eastern are quite puny compared to Yukon-Alaska.

.243, 30-30, 270, 30-06, .338 WM, 12 ga slug. Not in any particular order. Gonna try the .260 next if possible.

It's where, not what. They just take awhile with most anything except CNS. BTDT too.

OK- OK - once a spike took 4 250 gr. .338 WM before he went down. 3 if you don't count the knee shot off with the 2nd round. The other 3 exited on the far side of his lungs through basically one hole. Entry wounds were quite un-similar. All were fatal on their own. smile
Posted By: SuperCub Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/20/22
Originally Posted by mpwolf
Originally Posted by SuperCub
Originally Posted by mpwolf
lol- don't tempt me. I've long thought that a .338 saum/or maybe Sherman short made alot of sense...

A plain old M700 in 7mag with 160gr NPs would be a lot simpler. smile

lol- and where is the fun in that?!?
to throw another twist into the decision, I just nabbed a box of 175 partitions…

I have a BDL 7mag here you can use if you want. Pretty sure I have dies down there as well if needed. smile
Posted By: mpwolf Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/20/22
Originally Posted by SuperCub
Originally Posted by mpwolf
Originally Posted by SuperCub
Originally Posted by mpwolf
lol- don't tempt me. I've long thought that a .338 saum/or maybe Sherman short made alot of sense...

A plain old M700 in 7mag with 160gr NPs would be a lot simpler. smile

lol- and where is the fun in that?!?
to throw another twist into the decision, I just nabbed a box of 175 partitions…

I have a BDL 7mag here you can use if you want. Pretty sure I have dies down there as well if needed. smile

you are so helpful!
Posted By: SuperCub Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/20/22
Originally Posted by mpwolf
Originally Posted by SuperCub
Originally Posted by mpwolf
Originally Posted by SuperCub
Originally Posted by mpwolf
lol- don't tempt me. I've long thought that a .338 saum/or maybe Sherman short made alot of sense...

A plain old M700 in 7mag with 160gr NPs would be a lot simpler. smile

lol- and where is the fun in that?!?
to throw another twist into the decision, I just nabbed a box of 175 partitions…

I have a BDL 7mag here you can use if you want. Pretty sure I have dies down there as well if needed. smile

you are so helpful!

LOL ..... I'll even top it with a Scopechief 4x if you want. smile
Posted By: mpwolf Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/21/22
Originally Posted by SuperCub
Originally Posted by mpwolf
Originally Posted by SuperCub
Originally Posted by mpwolf
Originally Posted by SuperCub
Originally Posted by mpwolf
lol- don't tempt me. I've long thought that a .338 saum/or maybe Sherman short made alot of sense...

A plain old M700 in 7mag with 160gr NPs would be a lot simpler. smile

lol- and where is the fun in that?!?
to throw another twist into the decision, I just nabbed a box of 175 partitions…

I have a BDL 7mag here you can use if you want. Pretty sure I have dies down there as well if needed. smile

you are so helpful!

LOL ..... I'll even top it with a Scopechief 4x if you want. smile

jeez- that offer is getting tougher and tougher to turn down!
Posted By: SuperCub Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 07/21/22
Originally Posted by mpwolf
Originally Posted by SuperCub
Originally Posted by mpwolf
Originally Posted by SuperCub
Originally Posted by mpwolf
Originally Posted by SuperCub
Originally Posted by mpwolf
lol- don't tempt me. I've long thought that a .338 saum/or maybe Sherman short made alot of sense...

A plain old M700 in 7mag with 160gr NPs would be a lot simpler. smile

lol- and where is the fun in that?!?
to throw another twist into the decision, I just nabbed a box of 175 partitions…

I have a BDL 7mag here you can use if you want. Pretty sure I have dies down there as well if needed. smile

you are so helpful!

LOL ..... I'll even top it with a Scopechief 4x if you want. smile

jeez- that offer is getting tougher and tougher to turn down!

Will Weaver R&B tip the scales. smile
Posted By: mpwolf Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 09/27/22
Lol- it was a bit of a gong show, but got it done about noon on the last day of the five day hunt. I was so swamped with family and work stuff, that I didn't manage to do any load development. In the end, I grabbed the rifle with the 120 TSX load that I've shot forever. That rifle/ammo combo has been rock solid for years, so I figured I was safe. More on the later. The rut really hadn't kicked off on opening day. We saw one good bull for roughly 30 seconds on the first morning, but couldn't get a shot. After another 2 days of scanning clear cuts, we finally figured out that they were in the strip cuts. I finally got a shot on day 4. 40yards. Supported. Air ball. WTF? I was definitly excited, but really? I wrote it off to shooter error, and moved on. Day 5 morning, same thing happens, but this time I was much more confident in my shot. We finally set up a target. At 25m, I'm a full revolution of the M1 elevation turret high. Well, that certainly explains some things! At this point I'm felling pretty stupid, and dejected. Everthing we've seen up until this point has been fleeting, and numbers are way down. Even locals are shooting cows, and I'm not at all confident we'll get another chance. Then, an hour later, there's a decent sized moose, broadside in a strip cut at 70m. Head was down, so I had no idea if it was a bull or a cow, and didn't really care. I made a good lung shot, and we walked up on a 5 pt eater bull. He went 10 yards. Loonie sized entrance and exit, with lots of lung damage. To say I was relieved is an understatement, and 120 TSX at 3350 sure did the job.

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Posted By: beretzs Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 09/27/22
Congrats on the moose!

Nice stuff, just read it blew on through..
Originally Posted by beretzs
Originally Posted by mpwolf
Originally Posted by beretzs
Originally Posted by mpwolf
How fast are yours going? About all I've shot out of this rifle so far is 120 tsx at 3350.

Shoot, I'd be fine with that load myself. Chances are it'll out penetrate the 160 AB anyhow.

you are probably right, but how can any self respecting rifle looney miss the chance to work up a new, perfect load, for a hunt he's been waiting 25 years for?!?!

I totally understand that! I would be guilty of that myself!


Sounds like a great reason to work up a new perfect load. Being new to the RSAUM, this is an interesting thread. I really like my new to me 300RSAUM. I'll bet the 7 is damn near perfect too. You get a lot in a small package. Mine is like a featherweight with a short 22" barrel, but it keeps up with my 24" 300 Wizzums. I'm really surprised there isn't more of a following for these RSAUM's. Congrats on the moose mpwolf!!!
Posted By: mpwolf Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 09/27/22
the rifle is pretty straight forward, but has proved to be very practical and effective. It started as a SS BDL in 300 WSM, that I put a take off 7 SAUM barrel on, after having it chopped at 22" and rechambering with my reamer, and then bedded it into a Mcmillan Compact stock. Scope is a Vari-X-III 2.5-8 with M1 elevation turret that I bough here on the classifieds. It carries well, handles great, and 120 tsx at 3350 flat out hurts stuff, with pretty mild recoil.
Posted By: rong Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 09/27/22
Freezer filler,that one should eat well.
Way to stick it out.
Posted By: KillerBee Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 09/27/22
You Sir have a lot of excellent eating in your future!

Try Horse Radish on your burgers, makes them extra special. And of course, some ICE-COLD ones so you can relive your hunt!

Congratulations on your beautiful moose!

Cheers ~ Darren
Posted By: Jordan Smith Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 09/28/22
Originally Posted by mpwolf
I had no idea if it was a bull or a cow, and didn't really care.
Any moose is a good moose. grin

Congrats!
Posted By: mpwolf Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 09/28/22
Originally Posted by Jordan Smith
Any moose is a good moose. grin

Congrats!

truth!
Posted By: OrangeDiablo Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 09/28/22
Don't think about it too much. Use what you're comfortable with. Many a moose were taken with much less than what you are going with. Load one up and knock em down!
Posted By: gunnut308 Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 09/29/22
Well….The 120 TSX drilled and killed. Lots of good eats to chaw on. Glad it all worked out.
Posted By: Reloder28 Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 09/30/22
Originally Posted by SKane
Originally Posted by mpwolf
After 25 years, I finally drew a moose tag here in NB, Canada. Shooting a 22" 7 Saum. I have 160 AB, 160 FailSafe, 162 ELD-X, and AMax, as well as 175 ELD-X here on the shelf, and RL-22, RL-26, H4831 SC, H4350. Shots are likely to be close, with the odd chance out to 300m or so. I kinda think 160 AB and 4350 is probably the easy button, but I'd love to hear what works for you.


Hot damn! Congrats!
The 160 AB and 4350 is the recipe in my 7SAUM.


Mine too.
Posted By: SuperCub Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 10/01/22
Originally Posted by mpwolf
Originally Posted by Jordan Smith
Any moose is a good moose. grin

Congrats!

truth!

I cut up a small bull moose last night for a fellow. He pasted it with a 358Winchester loaded with 225gr Sierra. Moose was at 50 yds standing looking right on to the shooter. POI was in the middle of the chest. Found the bullet in the rear ham. That's pretty good penetration.
Posted By: beretzs Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 10/01/22
Originally Posted by SuperCub
Originally Posted by mpwolf
Originally Posted by Jordan Smith
Any moose is a good moose. grin

Congrats!

truth!

I cut up a small bull moose last night for a fellow. He pasted it with a 358Winchester loaded with 225gr Sierra. Moose was at 50 yds standing looking right on to the shooter. POI was in the middle of the chest. Found the bullet in the rear ham. That's pretty good penetration.

That 225 Sierra in a 358 or Whelen is some sorta fast killing on deer. Seems like it worked excellent on moose too!
Posted By: Judman Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 10/01/22
Originally Posted by beretzs
Originally Posted by SuperCub
Originally Posted by mpwolf
Originally Posted by Jordan Smith
Any moose is a good moose. grin

Congrats!

truth!

I cut up a small bull moose last night for a fellow. He pasted it with a 358Winchester loaded with 225gr Sierra. Moose was at 50 yds standing looking right on to the shooter. POI was in the middle of the chest. Found the bullet in the rear ham. That's pretty good penetration.

That 225 Sierra in a 358 or Whelen is some sorta fast killing on deer. Seems like it worked excellent on moose too!

Yep Scotty, only sierra’s I like, they Are killin bastards in both chamberings👊🏻
Posted By: beretzs Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 10/02/22
Yeah. If I’m loading for deer, those get first pitch these days.
Posted By: Judman Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 10/02/22
They damn nice on bulls too
Posted By: las Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 10/04/22
Alaska-Yukon moose are the biggest of the breed, and the only ones I've ever shot - 20 something. .243, 30-30, .270, 30-06, .338WM, and 12 ga slugs have all worked. I'm itching to try the .260...or maybe the 7X57.

Shot placement (and good bullet construction- not necessarily premium- which I've gotten away from,) is the key.

Don't over-think it.
Posted By: Burleyboy Re: Eastern Moose- 7 saum - 10/05/22
I took a moose with my 300 wsm. I had 150g ttsxs at 3350 loaded for closer shots and 208g amaxes loaded for longer range. That rifle shoots very different loads about the same poi. I ended up just using the 150ttsx even though the shot was 547 yards. It shot through it diagonally as it quartered towards me. It worked. I don't usually run monos but thought it would ruin less moose meat on a close shot.

With a 7 saum a 160 accubond at 2900 is tough to beat. I've killed deer with 162 amaxes at over 400 yards from a 7 wsm and the bullets came pretty much all apart. It worked but I don't think I'd want to run one into a moose shoulder up close. I also had a 150 eldx blow up on a cow elk at just under 200 yards from an 18" 7-08 that was only loaded to 2650 mv. Quartering away it only made it about 4" into the first lung. The second shot to the neck dropped it. I've since switched to the 180 eld at 2550 thinking it will penetrate better. I've now got 9 boxes of 150s to find a use for.

Bb
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