Got the new GAP Extreme Hunter in 6.5 SAUM !

GA Precision Extreme Hunter
6.5 SAUM

Templar Extreme Hunter action
Bartlein 8.7 twist, fluted barrel @ 24� # 3 contour
Vias brake
Manners 100% Carbon Fiber SL stock
APA bottom metal
Jewell HVR trigger
Talley LW rings
NF 2.5-10x32 scope



GAP Extreme Hunter




here is George, Pat and mine in background. First 3 built in the new Extreme Hunter series.


These rifles are stupid accurate. Been incredibly impressed so far.

Zero'd at 200 and tested out to 839 yards this weekend at the Icebreaker III shoot. About 50 rounds downrange so far.

Cinch was spotting and I had first round hits at 509, 710, and 839 yards. The 140's and 130's are both very impressive.
15.2 MOA at 839 with the 140 AMAX.

will post more results soon. Gonna be very impressive platform !!

Impressive, that's a sweet looking rig.

How do you like the APA bottom metal? Would like to use one on a rifle if I can ever come across one.

Awesome rifle Scott. Bummed I couldn't make it out and watch you guys shoot them.

I see a rebarrel of my 7saum in manner t5 90 carbon fiber coming real soon ! The 4s is making me drool with the way y'all are saying its preforming ! Thank keep us updated on the progress .....Isaac

Sendero, do you know how much that rig weighs? Looks schweeeet.

What size barrel would y'all go with in this platform in the 6.5 saum 4s ! I'm thinking Remington varmint with rad or vias break ! What ya say

Really a fine rig Scott - when you get a chance please post up some more pics. Bet that will be a heck of a antelope getter:)

Scott,

That is sweet! My non typical arrives on Tuesday and I'm already planning for my next GAP after seeing your's and Pat's.

All three of those guns the same chambering?

Very nice, Scott! How do you like the NightForce vs. Pat's S&B?

Believe so

that's a nice rig Scott.

i like the concept, and the scope you chose is in my estimation a very good match for a fairly handy field rifle--i like smaller objective bells in hunting rigs.

when you've shot for a few decades, it's nice to just keep riding the moa current to the end--you know, much like a carpenter not wanting to give up the good old one inch/one foot tape measuring system, in exchange for a metric measuring system--for the old and familiar is like sound and echo...

I have been doing some reading up on the cartridge since the recent resurgence of interest in it as of late. It has a lot of good things going for it.

The fact that a few more notable shooters are running it and writing about it on the web will do nothing but help and sell rifles)

One thing I really like that is purely asthetic is that flectarn type pattern stock. It is just has unique/cool points oozing from it.

A very slick package overall.

What is the brass situation like currently in regards to availability?

Very cool rig

Bartlien #3 would be perfect!

These are cool!
Can somebody explain how the 6.5 saum betters the 7 saum? I dont have enough data to make one beat the 7 with a 162 amax? As a 260 fan I'd love to see the numbers

Similar velocities with a 140 grain bullet having a similar BC and less recoil.

A 6.5mm 140 Berger Hybrid has a BC of .62, and the GAP crew was telling me pointed 6.5mm 140 JLK's were coming in at over .7 BC for them. Either of these can be driven faster than 162's (.625 BC) in the 7mm, and with slightly less recoil as a bonus.

You pay a premium for those projectiles, though.

.7+ G1 for pointed JLKs.... holy smokes!! Not a whole lot of competition for that bullet at 3100fps....

Very happy so far, only ten mag dumps so far, but really like how it is integrated into the trigger guard. nice clean look and functions better on the hunting platform.

If it was a tactical rifle, the M5 style is where it is at.

The barrel on this is a # 3 contour, I will weigh it very soon and post it.

Seriously nice rig..

Sweet! Cant wait to get mine!!!

Thanks!
Kind of what I'd seen

Love it!! Look forward to hearing more about cartridge performance from all of you guys....

Bartlein?

I'm getting 3175fps with 139 scenars. I could easily get 3250. The 3175 load shows zero pressure.

I'm necking down 7 SAUM brass(.291 bushing), trimming to 2.020", turning the necks to 15 thou, and using H1000.

Another batch of 20. These are 139's with a COAL of 2.850" and a BTO of 2.120"(5 thou jump).

Are you pointing the 139's Pat ?

Even more better

They come like that.

Sendero Man,
Awesome rifle.
Where and when was the Icebreaker match?

just got back from it.

It is a long range shoot in MT, not a match.

show up and have fun shoot, not a pay to play deal.

I'm getting about 2 thou. runout on new, never fired cases, prepped to 6.5. This one has been fired once(loaded twice)and shows less than 1 thou.

Scenarshooter: How about a couple close-up pics of the action area?

Man, wonder what us mere mortals who will never likely shoot at game past 500 yards could do with a 130 accubond...

SAWEEEET!

Never say never likely.....grin!

what dies are you using?? whats the runout on the bullet, thats where I always measure.

With the number's being bantered about, I could see the 6.5 4S being a 'do-all' Western rifle for me...

I picked up a Montana 300 WSM at a very good price. Wonder if George and Co would screw a tube with a custom countour on one?

I was hoping it was a Saturday shoot in Buffalo...

Redding comp dies, 7 SAUM with a .291 bushing.

When the necks are 15 thou. after turning, the runout on the bullet/neck will be the same.

Running the APA bottom metal using Accurate Mags 300WSM mag, with the front plate removed.

It weighs in at 9lbs even, as pictured, with the Montana Sling on it.

It is perfect weight and balance for a do all hunting/ LR shooting platform !

That may very well be the perfect hunting rig

I love it

Great JOb

Awesome rig, Scott.

I like that sheep skull logo on the side too.

Sorry I missed the shoot this year. Hopefully, next year things will work out that I can go.

If you had had a decent spotter, perhaps you could have hit things at somewhat longer ranges...

Thanks.

I am an old carpenter... laffin'

they keep trying to get me to go the Dark side, don't know if I can drink the Kool Aid

George and I will get you converted one way or another....if this old dog can do it, anyone can.

A serious consideration since the rifles only cost 500 bucks and have 200 buck scopes on them. And considering you may only get one shot at your game. I'd certainly be worried about projectile cost.

Might wanna check on fragmenting mono bullets for subsonic 300 whisper loads too if you are price checking...

Sweet rig, congrats!!!

Grin

Wow, those look like .264 WM numbers, gotta love the H1000.

Tag..

It is a serious consideration for most of us... $0.46/lapua vs $0.28/amax ($0.20/ blems) adds up when the benefits are slim. I'll never have a ga precision but doesn't mean I can't piece something similar together. Thanks for your helpful input

I get it rost, I really do. And these particular setup's cost more than most, so the higher cost of the consumables takes longer to become significant.

I was specifically noting the cost of the JLK's, being as they are up to $55/100, which is impressively high for a 6.5 bullet.

But if you can get .338 Lapua type drift numbers out of the system...

did anyone notice bergers reloading manual non of their VLD offerings are loaded much beyond 3000 fps. well at least the offerings in 6mm 6.5 and 7mm which are all I care about anyways. I would be interested is this setup can shoot close to 3200 fps and give decent brass life. decent brass life for me would be 5 or more loadings so 6 total firings, which to most people this would be short brass life.

what brand of brass are you guys using?? I played with 2 different 264 win mags and could never get speed and accuracy together that I wanted. all I played with was VLD bullets, dreaming one day of half moa and a 140 class bullet running at or near 3200 fps. never got there and gave up after trying 8-10 powders and all the VLD bullet brands available.

That is the point, even publik skool grajuates can do mil/mil, which is exactly why the military is going in that direction.

Troops who can't shoot get booted out of sniper school in the first few days typically, the rest who don't graduate can't do math.

Check out the "Re-tooled" post by scenarshooter on this forum. Here's an excerpt:

Scott... You and Pat sure do have me lusting after one of these. My wife is gonna throw a rod! Lol

Does depend on what you are doing... Most of my shooting was CMP service rifle. At which I did somewhat ok. It meant we shot from Feb or so through September every year. Almost every weekend. And some weekends twice. And often 2-3 times during the week at my personal range out the back door plus dry firing.

For that amount of shooting, I had practice ammo, IE stuff that was good but not great, but then there was state, and perry nationals ammo.... Kind of like making a hunting shot...

Lets just say there were some needle sharp mono bullets years ago. I can't recall exactly... but came 20 or so in a box, with foam knockouts where each bullet sat by itself. So sharp you could easily draw blood by the point. CNC turned. HIGH BCs.... over a dollar each IIRC.

I shot them for some time. But never could get them to shoot really well and I dropped them.

But to be able to gain some ground where I could go to nationals and win a match, by a point or X.... well you can't really factor the cost of the bullet at that point. All the prep and travel and such made the cost of the bullet really moot...

So yeah if you can get really good returns.... its often worth the money for some.

BTW fell back to running 90 JLKs out of the 223 and was worth the money. I only wish that Jimmy would have let me know he was selling out.... I"d have bought him out and done what swampy did..... in a heartbeat.

And then there is the issue of all components becoming more costly because of material cost and labor. Lets face it, I can't buy a box of 69 SMKs anymore for well under 10 bucks a box either.

Not trying to be too much of a smartazz here, but some costs just ain't a big deal in the scheme of things.

it is only money...

can't take it with ya and getting a GAP will keep the old lady from buying shoes with it .... laffin'

Or 30 pairs of shoes

I'd rather have nice rifles than a 50 thousand dollar truck....

Yes sir !!

Seems I saw where Scenarshooter (Pat) make a similar statement about his high end range finding binocs...

Makes perfect sense to me...

DF

I got my wife working OT on her 2nd job.

If she keeps this up I will have one.

Lol

Not really.

I will buy my own.

Me too. My truck is 9 years old. It's a nice truck. I might trade it when she turns 15.

Mine go around 10 yrs.

But, I do got some nice guns...

DF

My truck is 23 years old. I have several rifles that are worth more than my truck

After seeing George's in action both in Montana last fall on game and steel and the comp rifle at the Sniper's Hide Cup and Icebreaker II, is why I committed to one !

Stupid accurate, great barrel life, performance surpassing caliber and all on a short action !

I really think this is gonna be a record setting / record breaking caliber !

Scott and/or Pat,

Do both of you have the 100% carbon fill SL stock? Assume that's the standard stock for that model?

Yes, I believe that is the standard on this build.

Of course, that is why you go custom, I am sure GAP would do a different stock for the difference in $$

That Manners SL stock is really nice. When I get some time I'll do some picture comparisons to the Hunter's EDGE.

I'll take it!










Wait, wrong section.

update... per George G.

regarding brass

Three steps in case prep, Neck down with a .295 bushing. Pull back through a .264 expander same step, Turn neck to .013-.015 thickness (removes any runout from sizing down) . Size with .291 bushing and trim to 2.025 (2.035 max)

BTW...

Copper Creek Cartridge is prepping brass for sale as well as loaded ammo.

Any idea what a 140 vld oal would be seated to touch the lands in your chamber? Or for the 140 Amax? Wheels are turning.

I like the looks of that APA bottom metal. I have the stiller bottom metal on my creedmoor and it works well but I'd like something that's flush with the stock when the mags out and that doesn't have a lever that sticks way out. I saw that pt&g has a new flush bottom metal out but it has a bigger lever.

Bb

BB,

my 140 Amax test loads were at 2.910" COAL, they shot very well.

the 130 Berger is loaded to 2.900" COAL and I will be testing those very soon !

I am very happy with the APA for the hunting platform, release nicely integrated into the trigger guard. Great for carry rig.

Little better picture of the new rifle...

Some nice looking rifles there.

Thanks, any idea what the freebore specs are in the reamer you used. I like short mags but get frustrated when I run out of room to seat the long skinney bullets out to the lands. Looks like yous works well with that mag and the spacer removed. could you run an Alpha 2 as well? I've been thinking that maybe my next short mag will be on a rem long action and just use the kwik klip bottom metal from cabelas. Kwik klips suck for long action cartridges because they limit length to 3.3" ish but that's pleanty for a short mag. I've always thought a 6.5 saum would be a great replacement for my 264 win which has been one of my favorite deer rifles.

Thanks,
Bb

Notch the feed ramp on the 700 SA and you're gold.

Got more Amax 140's loaded and have some 130 VLD's to shoot too...

Try to get out this weekend and will report back.

Looking forward to the results, although I have a hunch what they will be... grin

I look forward to the results as well!

10 shot Target with H1000 and 140 Amaxes @ 3140 FPS. Found good seating depth and load.

the Magnetospeed V1 is one slick unit !

That is one shooting machine!

Not to derail talk about some sweet rigs, but that magnetospeed looks to be my answer for a chronograph. I'm thinking I have to get one!

don't you get worried about hanging something like that off the end of the barrel?? wouldn't that have an effect on accuracy??

No worries what so ever.

There has been some testing that showed a change in POI and group sizes. Essentially it was concluded that testing for velocity should not be done at the same time as POI/group testing. It likely affects different rifles to varying degrees, and maybe SM's GAP isn't affected at all.

it probably effects rifles with lighter barrels and those with heavier barrels no much at all. does seem like a dream to operate and possibly even a more accurate way to measure speeds. I just don't know if I trust hanging weight off the barrel not effecting it.

That rig is on fire! I love 10 shot groups. They tell the tale. Awesome!

you'd think it would have some effect on barrel harmonics.

Even wrapping your barrel with camo tape has a detrimental effect

Directly from the MagnetoSpeed website. I assume they've tested.

Can the MagnetoSpeed affect barrel harmonics (e.g. the location and size of my shot grouping)?
Last Updated: Dec 31, 2012 12:41PM CST
Yes, with most guns you will be able to see a shift in your point of impact. Some people say it has no affect on their guns so it seems to be a case by case basis. Group sizes seem to be relatively unaffected though by the MagnetoSpeed.

What is that picture/design etched into the side of the action??

That 10 shot group is sweet!! Nice shootin'!!

it is a big horn sheep skull

Pat did a great write up with pics about loading and prepping for the 6.5 SAUM....

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

Thanks!

little over 200 rounds down mine now.... what a dream rifle !!

There is an article in the August Shooting Times by Lane Pearce about the 264 Rocket which is a 6.4 saum. He is just full length sizing 7mm saum, trimming and loading. His results show 140's just over 3000 and 120's up to 3400 fps.

Hey Sendero Man, how about an update on this rifle. Taken anything with it yet?


X-VERMINATOR

I saw 18 big game animals taken with various 6.5 SAUM's this past fall.

the nice thing about this setup is its seems to be able to be repeated. I have had customs not turn out the way I wanted and frankly it sucks when you have waited and waited and the gun just doesn't do what you thought.

I think this setup pushes the VLD bullets about as fast as you accurately can, but the strange thing and I still don't get this is why the barrel life is so long, I know the reason george says its long, but it would seem the answer to ever a big bore barrel burner is just use a bigger case loaded with less pressure. I am not sold on that applying everywhere. I also don't see why the more common WSM case loaded the same way wouldn't do the same thing. none the less its seems to be working well here. If I wanted one I would have GAP build it though and follow exactly what they recommend with it.

If the search function or the Google search function will let you go back far enough, look up some of Ken Howell's thoughts on the matter. Especially those for his purpose of designing the 220 Howell (.22 on a 30-06 case) like he did. It is very close to what George is postulating...

My 6.5 SAUM has 1968 rounds through it and still shooting very well.....my brass is doing pretty well too. This box has been fired and loaded another time since I snapped this pic of the box.

How far off are you at 2.820"?

30 thou.

Here's a mature mule deer buck we took at 80 meters with a 6.5 SAUM and one 130gr Berger Hunting VLD.

How is the 139 Scenar on elk? Seem to hold up well enough for a chest or quartering away shot? Edit: Nice deer! Using that rifle at 80yds seems, well, under-utilized. But it works there too!

I haven't used that bullet on elk yet. I would use it though, and not think twice about it.

My old pal from Iowa with his mule deer buck taken at 360 meters with a single 130gr Berger. The bullet broke both front shoulders and left a nice 1" exit.

Pat,
What would you think of the 6.5 SAUM in a Non-Typical like your 260?
I've been spoiled with light guns. Though the Extreme isn't bad at 9#
Thanks!

PAt,
any thoughts with the 130 berger as far as bullet performance on game, thoughts on meat damge internal organ damage, i know you guys take a lot of big animals with this bullet,
i have a barrel and action going to a smith for this 6.5 catridge....

sorry , as i was typing the same questions were being asked,,,

It would be fine! The recoil without a brake would be about the same as a 30/06.

The recoil with the Vias brake on my 6.5 is about the same as a .243....maybe even a bit less.

Thx. Very nice! If it goes through him, it's definitely making it to the vitals on an elk. And then some in all likelihood. I look forward to the day I can get out and hunt some nice mule deer.

how much has the throat moved out after that many rounds?? This round could end up changing the thinking on alot of different hotrod chamberings, how about a 7mm ultra mag downloaded to the same pressures??

Pat, after considerable time spent afield with it do you still think it's the deadliest combo you've ever shot...?

Maybe I missed it, what are you guys using for seating?


X-VERMINATOR

Without a doubt.

I use a Redding comp seating die(7 SAUM)with a .264 VLD seating cone, instead of the .284.

Perfect, thanks!!

X-VERMINATOR

I'm using the same base to ogive on seating now as I used when the barrel was new.

I swapped scopes this fall to the New Nightforce 2.5-10x42 with the MOAR reticle. Incredible combo !!

Some gun porn...

Scenar', sendero', what do you think of the SL after using it a while?

Incredible stock from all shooting positions. Highly recommend it !!

Ditto......

Thanks, really looking forward to shooting mine this winter.

Great pics!

Porn duely noted!

Damn that has got to be about as close to "carry-able" LR hunting perfection as a guy can get..........!

Your thoughts on that particular Nightforce, especially the reticle and it's usefulness as it relates to the 6.5 SAUM's trajectory?

How far will the Talley/Nightforce combo get you when twisting v/s a tapered base?


Bloodied it yet?


X-VERMINATOR

Love it !! Great combo for sure.

I have shot it to 1389 yards so far, U33.2 MOA.
Lots more elevation in the scope and on the turrets. 20 MOA per revolution.

The reticle is great, I always dial for elevation and hold for wind. The Moar has 1 MOA holds that work great .

Critters don't like the 6.5 4S.

My all time favorite rifle picture. Awesome rifle and country.

Ditto great pic

my Desktop background

Answered my question as well, I was reading the whole thread before asking how far you thought you could get with the Talleys.

Usually you see guys with one piece, 20 MOA rails on these long range rigs.

I have a personal issue (ok I hate them) with one piece bases on my bolt guns so am encouraged by this.

Mike

the thing I love about 1 piece rails is I can swap a load development scope really easily. tallys suck to dismount everything has to come apart to get them off. even though it costs me weight I have moved almost all my guns to 20 moa rails. one mounting system for all guns is really nice too.

Oh I agree and on AR's love the pic rails It's just when covering the opening to my action combined with sausage fingers I get in a tizzy

Mike

tag; great thread.

Pat and George run them as well with both using different scopes. They work great for this round

New Harvester Silencer is a badass can !

Group buy on Snipershide right !!!

http://forum.snipershide.com/sniper...-suppressor-6-5-saum-extreme-hunter.html

Had the opportunity to shoot my first 6.5 SAUM today. Kimber7man brought his Extreme Hunter down and we busted a little steel. Got to look through the new Bushnell scope too...

I'm impressed. 2014 is going an expensive year for me.....

Why the muzzle brake? Don't see the need on such a moderate ctg and fairly heavy rifle.

What do you mean, "going" to be??? grin

How you guys liking the new LRHS?

I'm very impressed with it. I liked it better than the VX-6 2-12x42 on my 260. Very clear, bright, and easy to put your eye behind.

The new scope seems to be getting great reviews, is the clarity a big difference between the two, and is the eye box noticeably better than your VX6?

I just got my LRHS last week. Glass looks great. Now the wait for the rifle to be built for it.

How long do you have to keep it in the box....

It has been out of the box, just haven't mounted it on anything. Five more months provided my stock gets here in time. You just had to rub it in? LOL

Just rubbing it in a little, patience is one thing learned from building a custom, the wait will make it much sweeter....

Try ordering a suppresser.... Talk about patience !!

Bumping an old thread with a pic of last year's mule deer, and looking forward to this season!

Nice looking deer.
Congratulations!

Talley makes 30mm rings with 20 MOA built in!!!!!!!!!!They are exclusive to Midway USA.......I have a set they work Great.

Thanks for the text... will miss ya this year ! Have to do some shooting next time and of course another steak !
Good luck this season !

I copied their recipe and built a "FauXtreme Hunter" which I call the fauX. Really a great rifle blueprint, big props to GAP.

Well after banter8ng with myself back and forth for over a year, I finally broke down and decided I needed another present from GA P. After pleasant catching up with Ken and deposit later, now all that is left is the waiting.

For those who have used some of the recent Hornady manufactured brass, what are y’alls thoughts? On the fence between ordering some custom prepped Norma brass or trying the Hornady. The brass prep was one of the issues that had me torn between a 7 saum and the 6.5. Decided I wasn’t going to convert myself and it’s not like I haven’t paid dearly for good quality brass before, so decided to heck with it and went with what I originally wanted. Figure the next several months will allow time to assemble some dies and brass.

Hornaday for me is an easy choice, a little pricey But it works great!

I've heard hornady is about to run a 3rd batch of brass. Might be worth checking it out. Don't push it to hard and it will be fine.

George has already sold the third run of brass. On the fourth or fifth now if I recall correctly.

I've got 7&8 firings on the 3rd run. Holding up great !

I just noticed that Prime is going to start selling factory 6.5 4S ammo, but haven’t seen details on it yet.

Will this 6.5 SAUM brass neck up to 7mm SAUM without problems? Or is it smarter to neck down 300 Saum to 7mm? 6.5 guys used up all the 7 mm SAUM brass left after RP bootlips discontinued it. MB

Bob
That sounds like a lot of unnecessary work. I'd just buy some Bertram or Norma 7SAUM brass and rock on.