6.5 saum vs. 6.5 wsm

[Deleted member 25294]

I have a 270 wsm that I want to convert to 6.5 saum, however I have a few hundred new wsm cases that could be converted to 6.5 wsm, and the saum norma brass is super expensive. Not to mention that 6.5 wsm dies are about $50, while 6.5-300 saum dies are $200!!

I will be using this rifle for back country elk hunting, and I want at least 1200 rounds of barrel life.

I really like H1000 powder and I don't need more than 3000-3100 fps with 140 grn bullets.

Can I get decent barrel life with the 6.5 wsm if I load it to these velocities, or do I need to spend tons of extra money on the 6.5 saum (dies, and brass) to get that kind of barrel life?

I know I know the 6.5 SS is awesome but It's not what I want to tackle right now, I am set on one of these two options so please only comment accordingly...

Any useful info would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Mikecr]

You should know the 6.5x284 accurate barrel life already. It's ~1200, and is too big for the cal so it has to be downloaded to viable pressures(hurting accuracy).
The 6.5saum is 6gr bigger still, and the 6.5wsm & 264wm are 8gr bigger again..
You don't choose these cartridges for barrel life, or accuracy, but purely for power.

GA Precision can build guns in 6.5saum that are accurate enough(for tactical), even way past peak accurate barrel life. They've worked it all out. So if I were choosing an overbore 26cal, I'd just go ahead and cut a check to GAP for turn-key 6.5saum.
Otherwise, I would avoid anything larger than 260AI(perfect capacity/Lapua brass) in 26cal.

Just opinion of course

 

[CWD]

I have a 270 wsm that I want to convert to 6.5 saum, however I have a few hundred new wsm cases that could be converted to 6.5 wsm, and the saum norma brass is super expensive. Not to mention that 6.5 wsm dies are about $50, while 6.5-300 saum dies are $200!!

I will be using this rifle for back country elk hunting, and I want at least 1200 rounds of barrel life.

I really like H1000 powder and I don't need more than 3000-3100 fps with 140 grn bullets.

Can I get decent barrel life with the 6.5 wsm if I load it to these velocities, or do I need to spend tons of extra money on the 6.5 saum (dies, and brass) to get that kind of barrel life?

I know I know the 6.5 SS is awesome but It's not what I want to tackle right now, I am set on one of these two options so please only comment accordingly...

Any useful info would be greatly appreciated!

I'm in the same position. I have a .300 WSM that I'm going to rebarrel in either 6.5 WSM or 6.5 SAUM. Looking forward to reading opinions.

 

[elkaholic]

I have a 270 wsm that I want to convert to 6.5 saum, however I have a few hundred new wsm cases that could be converted to 6.5 wsm, and the saum norma brass is super expensive. Not to mention that 6.5 wsm dies are about $50, while 6.5-300 saum dies are $200!!

I will be using this rifle for back country elk hunting, and I want at least 1200 rounds of barrel life.

I really like H1000 powder and I don't need more than 3000-3100 fps with 140 grn bullets.

Can I get decent barrel life with the 6.5 wsm if I load it to these velocities, or do I need to spend tons of extra money on the 6.5 saum (dies, and brass) to get that kind of barrel life?

I know I know the 6.5 SS is awesome but It's not what I want to tackle right now, I am set on one of these two options so please only comment accordingly...

Any useful info would be greatly appreciated!

Let me know if I am misreading this but you can not form wsm to saum without a LOT of trouble. The wsm case will end up way too thick in the neck area.....Rich

 

[parshal]

I just went through this and went with the 6.5 WSM using new Norma .270 WSM brass and Redding dies. I found Reloder 26 to be best with 130's. 65 grains gave me 3419 but I've since dropped it to 63 grains at 3371 fps in a 26" Proof Concepts carbon barrel. My best group so far is 3/8" at 200 yards with 130 grain Precision Ballistics bullets.

I would guess you'll get 3100 fps with no problem with a 26" barrel and could get by with a 24" barrel if you want 3000 fps. I'd bet barrel life would be long at those speeds.

 

[Spooksar]

I've had a 6.5 WSM for a couple of years, I'm getting 3150 using a 140 gr Accubond and Reloader 17.

 

[DaleJ]

Let me know if I am misreading this but you can not form wsm to saum without a LOT of trouble. The wsm case will end up way too thick in the neck area.....Rich

Built a 25 SAUM on a 300 WSM case. Wanted a long neck for 135/145 gr bullets. Fed 215, lots of Retumbo gives me 3150 FPS with 135 gr. Just take into account what neck dimension you might need and order reamer accordingly. With properly adjusted die and annealed brass I size 300 WSM in 257 WSSM to make new case. Was sizing to 300 SAUM but found it unnecessary. Used RCBS FL die because Redding dies are not as polished.

 

[elkaholic]

Built a 25 SAUM on a 300 WSM case. Wanted a long neck for 135/145 gr bullets. Fed 215, lots of Retumbo gives me 3150 FPS with 135 gr. Just take into account what neck dimension you might need and order reamer accordingly. With properly adjusted die and annealed brass I size 300 WSM in 257 WSSM to make new case. Was sizing to 300 SAUM but found it unnecessary. Used RCBS FL die because Redding dies are not as polished.

Obviously, you must be inside reaming.....

 

[DaleJ]

Obviously, you must be inside reaming.....

Outside neck turned just enough to clean up for uniform neck tension using bushing NK sizer. Neck reaming creates too much run out.

 

[elkaholic]

Outside neck turned just enough to clean up for uniform neck tension using bushing NK sizer. Neck reaming creates too much run out.

I agree with the runout, I was just wondering how you get away with pushing the shoulder back on a WSM case without leaving a doughnut on the inside? You must not be moving it very far back......Rich

 

[DaleJ]

Reason for OSNT was to eliminate neck donuts. Use splined pilot in KM neck tool. The shoulder is moved WSM to SAUM. Tried moving WSM shoulder shorter than SAUM but its impossible with 30 degree shoulder die. Had a 25 WSSM with 8T barrel that shot 125 gr bullets but throat was a bit short for 135/145 gr bullets.

Long neck 25 SAUM works fine for long range accuracy testing long bullets in a single shot bolt, but my original intention was to move shoulder further south, somewhere between WSSM and SAUM. Wanted a cartridge with long neck, loaded with long bullets and still feed from short action mag.

 

[class3nfa]

Well I've got a 6.5-300 wsm.I love it. 140 Bergers at 3250 out of a 26 inch barrel with no pressure signs. Very accurate and easy to reload for. Started with Norma 270 wsm brass and did a Redding FL size on them. Why limit yourself on velocity when you have the WSm already?

 

[elkaholic]

Reason for OSNT was to eliminate neck donuts. Use splined pilot in KM neck tool. The shoulder is moved WSM to SAUM. Tried moving WSM shoulder shorter than SAUM but its impossible with 30 degree shoulder die. Had a 25 WSSM with 8T barrel that shot 125 gr bullets but throat was a bit short for 135/145 gr bullets.

Long neck 25 SAUM works fine for long range accuracy testing long bullets in a single shot bolt, but my original intention was to move shoulder further south, somewhere between WSSM and SAUM. Wanted a cartridge with long neck, loaded with long bullets and still feed from short action mag.

Sounds like what you wanted was my SS case.......Rich

 

[DaleJ]

Sounds like what you wanted was my SS case.......Rich

What is your SS case? I have tried 243 and 25 WSSM. Both are great cartridges for single shot bolt guns. Gave up on 243 WSSM because brass was garbage and my 6mm bullet dies wouldn't make real good 130 gr bullets. Gave up on the 25 WSSM because throat too short for long bullets. Wanted a cartridge that burns Retumbo better than anything else.