280 AI vs 6.5 SAUM

[-WARDOG-]

I was recently shooting at a competition with targets from 100 yds to 1200 yds.
I brought one rifle for everything and it was chambered in 7 WSM. I shot 50 rounds in about four hours. I was wore out by the end. I was shooting 180 Berger VLD-H's @ 2780 fps so they were nothing hot, just accurate. Perhaps a muzzle brake would help with marathon sessions like that, but the rifle is 12 pounds so that helps.
I will be shooting the same course next year, but this time I plan to shoot 100-600 yd targets with my .244, and everything past that will go back to the 7 WSM.

 

[squeeeeze]

If less recoil is truely what you're after then the 6.5 SAUM shooting 140's will provide that. Sweet round. The 6.5 PRC is the latest and greatest, the 6.5 SAUM was a few years ago as well but didn't get the Hornady hype. The 280AI is a great round as well but shooting heavier bullets will provide more recoil. More speed and better ballistic you could step up to a 7mm Mag as mentioned to a 7WSM. My 7WSM is shooting 180's @3,030fps with minimal recoil suppressed.

Probably the most important thing is using the best brake that reduces recoil the most and a good recoil pad helps too. I love Terminator brakes and they do an amazing job. My 28 Nosler with a Terminator T5 shooting 195's kicks less than my .243 without a brake did. All great cartridges though, just different uses.

 

[-WARDOG-]

squeeeeze: "My 7WSM is shooting 180's @3,030fps with minimal recoil suppressed."
Which powder are you using to get to that velocity?

 

[squeeeeze]

squeeeeze: "My 7WSM is shooting 180's @3,030fps with minimal recoil suppressed."
Which powder are you using to get to that velocity?

68.2 Gr Retumbo 2.94" COAL with a very compressed load.
Short action, 26" Lila 3 groove #4 BBL. Suppressor added about 25fps. Would have loved to have built it on a M/L to long action but that's what I had.

Shoots amazing, my most accurate and easy to shoot rifle with my 6mm creed right behind it.