short mag build

Some great discussions and everything is a tradeoff.

There are also some good recoil pads out there to help tame recoil. Most of my friends don't notice kick when hunting - but longer practice sessions might lead to some flinching with continued pounding on the shoulder.

Oh and don't be afraid to do a lighter profile barrel like a number 3 or 4. It will still shoot really well and will make a world of difference in overall weight.

Roughrice said:

I recently built a 284 Win on a long action with long freebore and will shoot 180's @ 2830 out of a 26". Hits 12" plate at 1000 with authority but I'm unlikely to attempt an ethical kill shot on deer or elk at that distance.

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Sorry....just realized OP was wanting short action lightweight "mountain" build and this isn't one. It's along action #4 barrel with 24oz scope that I can pack a long ways without a problem.

tomsd said:

Some great discussions and everything is a tradeoff.

There are also some good recoil pads out there to help tame recoil. Most of my friends don't notice kick when hunting - but longer practice sessions might lead to some flinching with continued pounding on the shoulder.

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TRUE, that ^^^ !
2 weeks ago when, I shot my last Elk, I never Felt, the Recoil NOR even heard, the shot !
But "Working up" Loads on the Bench and Practicing IS, a whole nother, "Ball Game" with, the Bigger Cart's !
And the OP,.. DOESN'T want, a Brake on this, Rifle.
The 7 SAUM, 7mm-.270 WSM, or, .284 Win, would be, "good" candidates with, manageable Recoil.

martinakl said:

The 7mm SAUM or one of the Sherman wildcat variants would be my pick in a short mag. Probably build something on a Definace XM length action (allows longer bullet seating).

@Slick8, what length action are you using? Looks bigger than a true short action?

Sherman stuff here:

Sherman Wildcat Cartridges

Precision rifle cartridges with optimized efficiency for extended-range hunting and long range rifle competition.

shermanwildcatcartridges.com

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I concur with your suggestions. No need for XM with Sherman Short reamer I have a few 7 SS and 6.5 SS barrels chambered and can optimally seat the 195 or 156 EOL at or less than 2.9500 COAL

7mm Sherman Max on a Tikka action with carbon barrel and stock.

I know I'm fairly new to the forum, but my 2 cents worth would be drop the short mag and brakeless plan and go with a Christianson Traverse chambered in 300 PRC. I'm a huge advocate of the 6.5 Creeds, but the Traverse with top port brake is amazing to shoot. Recoil is dang near non-exsistant and being able to spot your shot while solo hunting is priceless. Good luck.

I really appreciated this post. It was interesting. The members supplied their thoughts and experiences with respect.

Idaho Lefty said:

TRUE, that ! 2 weeks ago when, I shot my last Elk, I NEVER Felt, the Recoil NOR even heard, the shot !
But "Working up" Loads on the Bench and Practicing IS, a Whole nother, "Ball Game"

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+1. The band gets very narrow sometimes when you want your cake and eat it too. I'm not a fan of recoil after years of leaving a shooting session with a sore shoulder. I'd brake the gun in a heartbeat and go with 30's.

martinakl said:

The new 6.8 Western might be an option to throw out there. It's a a commercially available option that slings high BC bullets and fits in a short action magazine. It's .277 vs. .284 (.007 smaller diameter). Recoil is still stiff but probably manageable. I'm not sure it'll get high praises as a good 1,000 yard Elk round but likely plenty for deer up to or close to 1,000 yards. Elk for a good ways out but I don't want to start a war of words on what that yardage is exactly.the

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martinakl said:

The new 6.8 Western might be an option to throw out there. It's a a commercially available option that slings high BC bullets and fits in a short action magazine. It's .277 vs. .284 (.007 smaller diameter). Recoil is still stiff but probably manageable. I'm not sure it'll get high praises as a good 1,000 yard Elk round but likely plenty for deer up to or close to 1,000 yards. Elk for a good ways out but I don't want to start a war of words on what that yardage is exactly.

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This is the caliber I switched to and couldn't be any happier.

7 Sherman Max. It's a SAUM improved. Load developed for 180's to 2970fps.
If you have to have a short action, Sherman has the 7SS, but the additional length to seat bullets out long is VALUABLE!
The difference in weight between short action and long action is 1.5oz. If that much weight matters, take one cartridge out of the magazine.
The 7 MAX dies and brass are available from Sherman and in stock

I'm building a 7 saum on a Defiance Anti with a Bainey box to answer the OPs Q. If the 180s recoil too much, I can drop to the 168s. I shot those in a 7 Rem mag and they were manageable, for a short range session. However, I'm planning to hunt suppressed and recoil shouldn't be an issue.
I also have a 6.5 SAUM I built for LR deer hunting. I like the 140s out of it more than the 156s. I don't really want to shoot an elk with the 140s. Hence, the 7mm SAUM as a backup to the 338!

elkandeer said:

What about brass availability? My buddy shoots a 7mm wsm and has resulted to buying factory ammo and pulling them apart to use the brass. I don't want to be in that position. Is it easier to find 300 wsm brass or 7mm Saum brass?

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Hornady is now making 7mm WSM brass. It's actually good stuff. I saw some for sale in the classifieds here yesterday.

In your shoes I think I'd go 7 SAUM. 22-24" barrel. Sierra shows 2850 from a 24" COAL 2.900 so with the right short action I don't see an issue. I have a FN 300 wsm action I'm going to have rebarreled and it allows for a 3.00" COAL. But yeah ADG brass and I wouldn't think the recoil would be much more than 30-06. Get a good stock and no brake needed. Fluted #4 contour with a CF stock should keep you right around 7-8lb I'd think for the bare rifle