First time creating a thread. I am thinking of a new build and am leaning toward doing a 6.5 wsm. I have been reading about the 6.5 saum though and don't want to look back and say should have could have. At this point I have not dealt with the 6.5 caliber at all. Now I am interested in trying a couple out. Meaning I have a 6.5-06 AI in the works and looking for the parts to start a wsm/saum. I do most of my own work on my rifles but when there is any kind of machining to do I send or take it somewhere. So I like to start with Savage actions because they are user friendly and I have parts and pieces laying around. I already have a 270 wsm and love it so I have brass. I was thinking of picking up a used 300 wsm and re-barreling it that way it would be a large shank and wouldn't have to mess with the magazine or bolt. This rifle and all of my rifles are intended for hunting with the intent of taking game at a distance that I am comfortable with. In other words practice a lot and if the ballistics say 1500 lbs of energy at 800 yards and the rifle is capable of a 4-6 inch group an elk that is broad side shouldn't be a problem. Note I still haven't felt comfortable with a shot like that but have rifles capable of it. I think from what I have read both cartridges are capable of this. The pro's of the 6.5 wsm; 270 wsm are brass is easy to come by and necking down is one step and I think I shouldn't have to turn the necks. The 6.5 saum requires a 2 step process to neck down from a 7mm saum and will probably need to be neck turned. Also I am not sure but feel a 700 action would be a better choice of actions with the saum and i wouldn't be able to order a barrel and install it without a gunsmith or at least a finishing reamer. The other thing I was considering is actions ( long Vs short). Shooting the 143 grain eldx would I have an issue of magazine length vs ogive. Any help with this would be great. I really appreciate all that I have learned from this forum over the years.