Anyone shooting a 7mm SAW? basically a 7-08AI without the fireforming. Stumbled across it when looking for ideas for a SA lightweight hunting rig.
Not a ton of info out there aside from the developers...who did a good bit of testing and such.
Seems like a pretty potent round without going to a short mag. But, I just might go all in and make it a 300wsm.
Think Alpha's making brass for it.
Yep...pricey but that's not a huge deal. 100 pieces for a hunting rig is sufficient. Even resizing the Lapua Palma brass wouldn't be a big issue. I do a full prep and size before I load anyways.
Makes the round more appealing than the 7-08ai just because of simplicity.
Using the Montana as an example...7-08 vs 280ai vs 300wsm you're talking a half pound extra rifle...for roughly 100-150fps difference in the SAW vs the 280ai...and 17oz from 7-08 to 300wsm...you'd think the sheep hunters and such would love a spunky short action. I know the 280ai is one of their go-tos.
They are supposed to be getting 2850-2900ish from 162s from the SAW and 2750ish from 180s.
A 308 win from Nosler load data shows 165s around 2700 and 180s under 2600.
Definitely seems interesting. I'm really looking to validate their numbers because they do seem impressive.
Long story short, I fell into a Browns Precision pound'r for a short action....fell in to it at a great price. Already have a Montana I had bored out to 358win. So looking to build something different from this...and that would be a big game rifle I can reach out and kill big game. I don't want to shoot extremely far. 300-400yds under ideal conditions. Realistically upto black bear/elk etc out west 200-300yds.
The build isn't high on the list of things to get done. But like doing the research and planning the builds so if I see parts I will need I can snag them.
I have a hawk hill 1-8" .284 Sporter contour I'm ready to build into a 7-08AI, but going to look more into the saw first.
Ballistically, on paper, they seem very very similar. Not having to blow out cases is kinda nice. WTO rents reamers...or I'd imagine they will chamber your barrel.
Definitely sounds interesting.
I’ve got a Bartlein 2b in hand and a 700 classic s/a ADL on order from McMillan. I’ve got the same goals in mind. I’ve pondered over 284 and 7-08ai. Is the SAW the same as the 7-08 with Palma brass? I’m hoping to shoot 160-162’s myself.
https://westtexordnance.com/7mm-saw/That is where I was getting info. They even have dies and brass and will rent you a reamer or I'd imagine do the chamber job.
Sounds like they get the velocity from Lapua small primer Palma 308 brass...or Alpha is now making brass.
Seems like a neat cartridge. I have a 7mm-08AI and imagine you can run it to about the same velocities as the SAW. Looks like the SAW has a shorter shoulder measurement, no doubt it runs at higher pressures than the AI for a given velocity.
Fireforming doesn’t bother me but it gets a lot of people hung up mentally for some reason. I do however like the idea of the properly head stamped brass, that may matter to you if you’re wanting to take the gun to another country (I’ve had barrel stamp and case headstamps checked going into Mexico for Coues).
I’d go with whichever tickled your fancy. I still find myself grabbing the Montucky 7mm WSM for much of my hunting pursuits.