Yeah brass availability was a major one for me, saum brass is much harder to come by, and way more expensive
Yeah brass availability was a major one for me, saum brass is much harder to come by, and way more expensive
Doesn't sound like brass is a problem for @Edelweiss. Maybe he could bring some to NZ when he comes
Experience. What you get just after you needed it.
I run the 162gr Amax @2640fps in my 20" 7/08. 500y is well within it's limits in ideal conditions.
If you’ve got the brass already then go SAUM, you can build a light weight rig just do your homework on choice of action, stock etc. I have a few 7mm’s including 708 & SAUM, in a light weight set up the recoil on SAUM is quite a sharp kick, & definitely a step up on 708. Hence choice of stock is important to help manage recoil & promote accurate shot placement. No point attempting 500 yds if rifle/shooter is not consistently accurate
Personally If doing a proper lightweight platform, I'd go the 7mm08 for shoot ability. 162 at 2600 ish will be great medicine at the intended ranges you are talking about.
Been pretty well covered above -Both will have plenty of horsepower for the ranges you are talking about.
The 7mm08 will be easier to shoot accurately from field positions. The 7saum will require your technique to be "on point" but will buck the wind slightly better at extended range due to extra velocity. You will probably be able to have a single load for the 7mm08 but may need to dual load for the 7saum (close range- tough projectile, long range, soft high BC pill)
7mm08 probably easier to on-sell down the track if that's a consideration...
Hi @Edelweiss are you planning to use this in Europe or NZ (or elsewhere).
If you’re thinking about Steinwild or wapiti, 1000 ft.lb (1355 J) at target could be a bit low . For chamois, 7mm08 would be OK.
Have a look at Matunas Optimal Game Weight formula to compare terminal ballistic potential. This gives an output in animal weight and gives more weight to velocity than bullet mass, which seems to match practical experience in longer range hunting. Even so, heavier bullets score better due to higher ballistic coefficients, I think.
You might think that you will fire only a few shots hunting but you will actually need to fire many in practice to achieve / maintain proficiency for 400m shooting. My opinion is that when people talk about shooting past 500m, they are talking about shooting targets, which is sn interest you will develop if you go down this path.
How popular are those two cartridges in Germany ? Do many people still use the 7x64 ? Is the 7mm08 used more than the 7x57 now ?
Was in same boat as you trying to decide
I whent 7prcW (6.5 prc neck up to 7mm)
So plenty of brass options and shooting the 162 elds very well. Simmilar as SAUM
Load development still in progress but I'm very happy so far.
Last edited by riflegus; 08-11-2024 at 04:35 PM.
162eldm from short 17” barrel 7/08 = 2500- 2575fps
162eldm from short 20” barrel saum, prc, rem mag = 2900 - 3000ish
At 500m with 10mph wind there’s only .25 Moa difference in wind deflection.
That’s about 1 1/4 inch on target.
I rekon choose what one makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside.
in Germany we shoot 7x57 and 7x64 thats true ;-) But in Germany people think 7x57 is for 150m and 7x64 is for 250m ;-) for 300m people they need a 300winmag better a weatherby ;-) and discuss if it works on 33pound animal ;-)
some years ago i met a businessman who has ordered a 300 win mag with mouzle break (wrong installed so the hot heat go every time on the left side off and the shooting group went right) and a 25 scoped for hunting roe deer in poland until 200m. was funny to look at him by shooting the scope in. When I told him that I had shot all deer/red stags with .243 for the last 5 years, he didn't believe me.
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