Short action magnum Cartridge Choice

[pburton]

I am not trying to start another "which cartridge should I go with" thread. But, I do want some insight from those of you that are running magnum cartridges in a short action. Which one works the best with limited mag box space? I have a Rem 700 SA with a Wyatts extended box mag (max 2.995 OAL) that I will be building off of. I have been considering a 7SAUM and running 175gr Berger Elite Hunters or the 6.5 GAP and running the 140's. There are others out there, like the 6.5 SS. But I am relatively new to reloading and a little intimidated by wildcat type cartridges. Mainly looking for something with factory brass. What are your thoughts?

The goal of this project is a relatively light weight hunting rifle for mainly mule deer and antelope, but elk may also be on the menu.

 

[MudRunner2005]

With a short mag box and the most gains, you will want to be looking at the Sherman SS cartridges.

Rich can help you get started on reloading for his cartridges. He's a nice guy, and a member of this forum. Don't be intimidated by them, they're well-proven designs, and he has lots of load data for them to get you started. He sells dies, hydro-forming dies (for prepping brass for fire-forming), reamers, and go/no-go gauges. He also offers pre-formed brass, formed brass, and partially-formed & prepped brass. And if you know how to, you can make your own brass from SAUM brass.

 

[Barrelnut]

Hornady's new 6.5 PRC would be worth a look. Uses the mag bolt face and geared toward the short action. Hornady makes brass for it AND factory ammo, which will probably be affordable like the Creedmoor ammo. The 147 Eld-X ammo does 2960 from a 24" barrel. COL = 2.960

I shoot a 300 WSM for elk. It is accurate and easy to load for. With a 180 Accubond it goes from close up to 650 yards. It is all I need.

 

[Capt RB]

The sherman shorts realistically at that dimension won't be outrun in 6.5-30 cal. As mudrunner said Rich provides brass you can shoot then it's standard reloading. When I can gets some life issues squared away I hope to send off my components for a 7mm ss. With a 29-30" barrel 3050fps will be pretty easy on the brass for long life. Read up on the various calibers here. Some truly remarkable performance in 24-28" barrels in each rendition. 2950fps with a 195 in 7mm. 3150fps with a 160 in 6.5. 3000+ with a 215 in 30 cal. These match or beat the belted equivalent in the respected calibers through a magazine. Add in the longer barrel life and it really is hard to justify the other short mags. 1000 is a big number for a wsm at these speeds A saum won't get there in your magazine. In a long action 11-1200 rounds max barrel life. The 6.5 saum or 4 s won't give you the barrel life and your brass will last 3 rounds to try to get to that speed vs 12 + for the sherman.
Both brass and barrels are consumables however 2.5 times the barrel life and 4 times the brass life is a considerable margin of savings over time

 

[MudRunner2005]

Not knocking Hornady, but the 6.5 SS will stomp the 6.5 PRC in the dirt when it comes to velocity and ballistics...

If you do some research on the 7mm SS, it's a ****-solid cartridge. Beats both the 7 SAUM and the 7 WSM, and still fits in the mag box with the 195 Bergers.

 

[elkaholic]

The sherman shorts realistically at that dimension won't be outrun in 6.5-30 cal. As mudrunner said Rich provides brass you can shoot then it's standard reloading. When I can gets some life issues squared away I hope to send off my components for a 7mm ss. With a 29-30" barrel 3050fps will be pretty easy on the brass for long life. Read up on the various calibers here. Some truly remarkable performance in 24-28" barrels in each rendition. 2950fps with a 195 in 7mm. 3150fps with a 160 in 6.5. 3000+ with a 215 in 30 cal. These match or beat the belted equivalent in the respected calibers through a magazine. Add in the longer barrel life and it really is hard to justify the other short mags. 1000 is a big number for a wsm at these speeds A saum won't get there in your magazine. In a long action 11-1200 rounds max barrel life. The 6.5 saum or 4 s won't give you the barrel life and your brass will last 3 rounds to try to get to that speed vs 12 + for the sherman.
Both brass and barrels are consumables however 2.5 times the barrel life and 4 times the brass life is a considerable margin of savings over time

I may have to hire you for PR work!!!

 

[trueblue]

Include MudRunner in there as well !

 

[elkaholic]

Yup!!

 

[pburton]

Thanks for the replies!! I have read quite a bit about the 6.5 SS, but have never seen anything on the 7 SS. That sounds like that may be the ticket. I was more leaning towards the 7 anyways. I assume that these rounds will be efficient in shorter barrels, like in the 24" range?

 

[MudRunner2005]

Yup!!

Well, I am currently looking for work, and would love to get back into the industry... If you're serious, shoot me a PM...

 

[elkaholic]

I wish I was that big!!

 

[Idaho Trecker]

I have a 270ss and 300ss. I love both of them. I slammed a really nice whitetail last year at 1110 yards with the 300. 1 shot and done. This year so far my 270ss has taken a doe and buck whitetail. I LOVE 270 and now with 2 options for heavier high bc bullets it's a great round.
I'm running the 225 eld m in my 300 at 2780 with just over 62 grains of rl26. I ran the 215 Berger over 3000 but that was just for testing purposes and not a load to run. They are more comfortable at 2925ish.

 

[elkaholic]

I run the 150's at 3152 in my 270ss with a 21" barrel and 59 grains RL26. Mine is a super light weight 7 lbs., Scope and all, so the 170's we're hard on my shoulder! They would reach 3000' max.....rich

 

[MudRunner2005]

I wish I was that big!!

If you tried to, you could be! Just gotta have faith brother...Everybody starts somewhere, and nobody started out big.