6.5PRC, 6.8 Western, 7SAUM

[joshf303]

7SAUM with 20 in barrel is what I ended up doing when I was contemplating the same decision. Just more versatile if a guy wants to shoot heavies. I built mine with the intent of shooting 155-165 gr bullets. It's pleasant to shoot and solid performance at 600-800, great all around Cartridge.

Same here…
162s out of a suppressed 20" is money.

 

[cajun]

Same here…
162s out of a suppressed 20" is money.

I'm doing the same. Going back and forth on 20-22". At the end of the day 50-60 fps is not a deal breaker. How fast are the 160's running? One thing to consider the 162 eld and 168 berger run about 3.05 ish seated to the neck shoulder area. Too long for any short action set up. You can seat deeper getting them to mag length but the bullet will be taking up some powder room. I went medium action.

 

[JakeC]

I'd be interested in your thoughts on favorite 7saum powders!

h4831sc. It's pretty perfect for the 168. Bullet base tickling the powder is hot but safe and very accurate. It's not perfect for the 180s but it's adequate and accuracy is so ridiculous Im scared to try anything else. The 140 absolute hammers are actually riding rl16, accuracy is also extreme.

I did try imr 7977 now that I think of it. I barely got past start loads and accuracy was bad. Made me uninterested in h1k at the time but some guys get adequate accuracy and a good amount more MV with that. But 7977, the supposed equivalent oh h1k, was no good for me.

Naturally everyone who can get their grubby hands on rl26 for their saums can see the future and grow their hair back. It really seems to be the missing link, so one winter project is to get some n565 or similar and lengthen the 180 eldm out to single feed. We'll see maybe.

 

[joshf303]

I'm doing the same. Going back and forth on 20-22". At the end of the day 50-60 fps is not a deal breaker. How fast are the 160's running? One thing to consider the 162 eld and 168 berger run about 3.05 ish seated to the neck shoulder area. Too long for any short action set up. You can seat deeper getting them to mag length but the bullet will be taking up some powder room. I went medium action.

I'm still burning through a hefty stock of 162 AMaxes. Gives up a little BC, but shorter bearing surface. They still kill plenty good 10-12 years later out of a SA…high 3k-3100 with R26 in several barrels currently.

I don't sweat the .020-.030 here or there with the binderless mags and appropriate throating. Absolutely nothing against the concept of medium actions, but until chassis makers can start offering medium action inlets I'll stick with the SAs.

 

[65x55Shooter]

With the available premium hunting loading commercially available for the 6.5 PRC, I think it covers all the game you intend to hunt. The ballistics are probably the best of those you list. Today's premium bullets from Barnes and Nosler to mention two, allow you to use a 6.5 to take game you mention easily.

 

[MT-JONAS]

With the available premium hunting loading commercially available for the 6.8 Western, I think it covers all the game you intend to hunt. The ballistics are way more than adequate for ranges you listed. Today's premium bullets from Barnes, Hammer, Maker, Nosler and Sierra to mention 5, allow you to use a 6.8 to take game you mention easily.

 

[Byrdman13]

I am a .270 win fan and would choose a 6.8 western. Plenty of good bullets for handloading. Not as many high bc bullets as the 6.5prc but it only takes one good one to kill anything you want. More companies are designing high bc heavies for the 6.8 so I wouldn't worry there. I can't wait to try them out in my fast twist .270 win.

 

[hereinaz]

Ballistically, they are indistinguishable for practical purposes inside 900 yards. My 7mm Sherman Short mag and a friends twin has killed elk and deer at 1000-1100. If you want max distance, only then bullet weight matters.

But, shootability goes down as recoil goes up.

I shot 7mm SS for a couple years, and seeing what it did to deer at 700+ made me buy a 25 SST to make it even easier to shoot and drop a pound off my rifle. Using the 133 SST, I feel like I could go to a 110ish 6mm and kills stuff just as dead.

Terminal ballistics are indistinguishable among your choice if you use the same bullet, except the higher the bullet weight the bigger the carnage. But, the difference isn't massive and you won't be disappointed in a 6.5.

 

[hereinaz]

h4831sc. It's pretty perfect for the 168. Bullet base tickling the powder is hot but safe and very accurate. It's not perfect for the 180s but it's adequate and accuracy is so ridiculous Im scared to try anything else. The 140 absolute hammers are actually riding rl16, accuracy is also extreme.

I did try imr 7977 now that I think of it. I barely got past start loads and accuracy was bad. Made me uninterested in h1k at the time but some guys get adequate accuracy and a good amount more MV with that. But 7977, the supposed equivalent oh h1k, was no good for me.

Naturally everyone who can get their grubby hands on rl26 for their saums can see the future and grow their hair back. It really seems to be the missing link, so one winter project is to get some n565 or similar and lengthen the 180 eldm out to single feed. We'll see maybe.

H1000 is a bit too hot for me in my 7ss, fortunately I still have enough RL 26.

VV has a couple powders that work for 7 short mags.

 

[kgarrett]

Doing a custom build soon. I'm trying to choose between the above calibers of 6.5PRC, 6.8 western, and 7 SAUM.
I'm going to use this rifle for deer and antelope 80% of the time, elk 20% and would like the confidence to go goat and moose hunting in the future when kids are older. I do want to stay short action and go with a lighter setup to take up the mountains. I don't handload at the moment (only shotshell reloading currently) but not opposed to doing it. I don't plan on hunting critters over 500 but would like to be able to target shoot a long ways just for ***** and giggles. I don't shoot competitions at this point.

Here's my thoughts on each option

6.5PRC- pros- flat trajectory and accurate. Lots of experience from others to garner wisdom. Great factory ammo selection and plentiful reloading info and supplies
Cons- lighter bullet weights so may not be ideal for the 20% of my time I spend elk hunting (and eventually moose). Everyone and their dog has a version of a 6.5 now so low "cool" factor lol

6.8 western- pros- heavier bullet weights that would cover all my hunting scenarios. Ballistically similar to 6.5PRC but not identical (drops a bit more but not by much) but retains more energy downrange. More rare so has a medium "cool" factor
Cons- isn't getting the attention I think it deserves thanks to Hornady and Federal colluding to mutually avoid making factory loads as it competes with Hornady's 7PRC Some decent factory loads but not many. Reloading components can be spotty (Winchester and ADG brass only).

7SAUM- pros- very accurate (pry on par with 6.5PRC). Highest "cool" factor
Cons- practically have to handload and some sources indicate to use the long, high BC bullets you need a medium or long action for proper bullet seating.

I am sure there are other pros and cons I haven't listed here, especially since I don't have hand loading experience.
Fwiw, I purposely did not mention any build components as I've kinda already made those decisions, but I really need to nail down a caliber.
I appreciate the feedback!

I think you nailed it. 7 SAUM is the coolest of the three IMO but requires hand loading. 6.5 PRC fills this niche nicely. 6.8 Western is a little more unique but suffers from ammo availability relative to the 6.5 PRC and component availability relative to the 7 SAUM.

I have a lightweight 6.5 PRC for exactly this purpose and it would be my recommendation. IF I hand loaded, I'd own a 7 SAUM. Not that I think it's better, it's just cool as ****.

 

[cajun]

I'm still burning through a hefty stock of 162 AMaxes. Gives up a little BC, but shorter bearing surface. They still kill plenty good 10-12 years later out of a SA…high 3k-3100 with R26 in several barrels currently.

I don't sweat the .020-.030 here or there with the binderless mags and appropriate throating. Absolutely nothing against the concept of medium actions, but until chassis makers can start offering medium action inlets I'll stick with the SAs.

Yes stock choices being a little limited is the downside of medium. I have an ag composite ordered.

 

[cajun]

Honestly all 3 are solid choices. Your biggest decision is if you want to get into reloading. If not 6.5 prc is the easy button. I'm partial to 7mm. I like the bullet options. I think a 160 7mm is a great do it all bullet.

 

[Ronald W Schaefer]

Doing a custom build soon. I'm trying to choose between the above calibers of 6.5PRC, 6.8 western, and 7 SAUM.
I'm going to use this rifle for deer and antelope 80% of the time, elk 20% and would like the confidence to go goat and moose hunting in the future when kids are older. I do want to stay short action and go with a lighter setup to take up the mountains. I don't handload at the moment (only shotshell reloading currently) but not opposed to doing it. I don't plan on hunting critters over 500 but would like to be able to target shoot a long ways just for ***** and giggles. I don't shoot competitions at this point.

Here's my thoughts on each option

6.5PRC- pros- flat trajectory and accurate. Lots of experience from others to garner wisdom. Great factory ammo selection and plentiful reloading info and supplies
Cons- lighter bullet weights so may not be ideal for the 20% of my time I spend elk hunting (and eventually moose). Everyone and their dog has a version of a 6.5 now so low "cool" factor lol

6.8 western- pros- heavier bullet weights that would cover all my hunting scenarios. Ballistically similar to 6.5PRC but not identical (drops a bit more but not by much) but retains more energy downrange. More rare so has a medium "cool" factor
Cons- isn't getting the attention I think it deserves thanks to Hornady and Federal colluding to mutually avoid making factory loads as it competes with Hornady's 7PRC Some decent factory loads but not many. Reloading components can be spotty (Winchester and ADG brass only).

7SAUM- pros- very accurate (pry on par with 6.5PRC). Highest "cool" factor
Cons- practically have to handload and some sources indicate to use the long, high BC bullets you need a medium or long action for proper bullet seating.

I am sure there are other pros and cons I haven't listed here, especially since I don't have hand loading experience.
Fwiw, I purposely did not mention any build components as I've kinda already made those decisions, but I really need to nail down a caliber.
I appreciate the feedback!

Husker, very good comments. I have both 6.5 PRC (WT deer, Mule Deer, sheep and antelope, hogs) and 6.8 Western (moose, Elk and heavy plains game) and planning a 7 PRC soon...just because...prolly redundant to the 6.8 except for heavier bullets. Couple of additional comments, if you reload there is a new 150 gr, .264 NABLR bullet for teh 6.5 PRC with amazing BC/SD and with real slow powders runs almost as fast as the 140 gr versions--agree there is plenty of good factory ammo. That said, there are four factory cartridges (Win 162 gr, copper, 165 gr. NABLR, 170 gr, coated silver tip BT, and the browning 175 gr, Sierra TGK) available for the 6.8-- all shoot good in my Fierce 6.8 and all running ~2900 with crazy BC/SD--I'm calling OK for Elk and Moose at range and Kudu, Eland. My son is a wildlife biologist, wildlife manager and hunt guide on the Rancho Tres Hijos (hard to impress) and he has become really impressed with the 7 PRC--says it's gonna be his next rig. He says the terminal effects of that cartridge are the deadliest he's ever seen in fifteen years observing a hundred different vanilla to exotic cartridges. I would choose it over the 7SAUM just because of the factory support and boat load of ammo available.

 

[toddlouis]

I have a 7 Sherman max, the saum basically, and it's on a long action but the chamber was cut short. 2.85 is my max length when the Saum is 2.82. Limits my speed somewhat compared to some people's max but I'm in the process of turning my Winchester model 70 300 wsm into a regular 7saum and wouldn't hesitate on anything in Alaska. I've shot a mountain goat with mine and plan on using it for black and brown bears, moose and caribou next season.