Thinking of getting a 6.5 saum

I am thinking of getting a 7 saum necked down to a 6.5, this should make a good all around rifle for a lot of uses.

Some folks are shooting the 140 gr bullets with good speed and accuracy, was reading up on the 6.5 4s.

I personally love the 6.5 projectiles. But, I wouldn’t even look at this chambering unless you handload and are proficient in all aspects including annealing brass that has been used several reloadings. What is the velocity of this cartridge, also is this a rifle where many rounds will be shot at a range, or just as a hunting rifle…don’t know if this is a “barrel burner”.

I suppose there will be a few obstacles to deal with. My research I read up on states that the 140 gr. rounds should run 3150 fps. This would make a good gun for range shooting and hunting.

It’s an interesting chambering to be sure. Castle is right, all if this is with the assumption you’re a handloader.

Peak barrel life will begin to fade off before 1000 rounds with this chambering from what I’ve read. That is neither better nor worse than a lot of other hot 6-6.5 chamberings.

There are a lot of options in 6.x chamberings these days. the 6.5-284, 6.5-06, 6 BR, etc.

Grouse

I was with the understanding that I should be able to get 3000+ rounds with the 140 gr. running 3150 fps and still shoot well before the accuracy heads south. I would be ok with that.

I think the round is capable of more speed so running it at 3150 fps would be less heat and pressure.

I had some lengthy conversations with a number of top custom builders at the Shot show. It’s a long time goal of mine to do a build in the 6 or 6.5 platform. 2500 to a little over 3000 rounds were the numbers tossed out by most builders. Pressure, jump, and bullet type were the determining factors. The high pressure short mag loads seem to be the hardest on longevity.

As usual, with barrel life, it’s also down to what kind of accuracy is the individual shooter willing to accept as the barrel wears. For some of the long range comp guys, the answer is significantly different than a shooter whose interest is hunting.

Grouse

It’s good to hear the round count is close to what I have researched. Some stating they are still 1/2 moa at 2500 to 3000 area, it really comes down to pushing the 6.5 bullet in a case that is perfect for H1000, so running a little cooler burn rate and not having to hot rod the system to achieve 3150 seems to be a better system.

Yes the steps in getting the brass necked down will be there, but thats a one time step. From there standard prepping and annealing will be the norm as any other load.

Prior to the 6.5 4s I was looking at the 6.5 Sherman but the 4s seems to be more user friendly in the stages of a complete build.

Randy

You do a lot of shooting and hunting, I know this would be a good round for deer and antelope. But do you think the 140s running 3150 would be to much on coyotes?

Cheers

JH

What’s too much? If you want a nice pelt with minimal sewing If your looking for D.O.L. (Dispersed On Landscape),

In reality, bullet type will determine the damage. Soft expanding/fragmenting bullets will often blow massive holes. solid copper bullets like Barnes TTSX might blow through with a smaller hole…. smaller being the key word. I’ve shot a enough with my 270WSM / 140gr barnes TSX. Some blew into rags, some were salvageable (kind of), and a couple were quarter sized holes in/out. Sparky is spitting .270 x 140grbullets out over 3K/sec at the muz.

I still have an interest in this 6.5 4saum, I think it would be a good all around rifle using something in a 140 gr.round. Otherwise there’s nothing like a good shooting 260.

This goes in hand with trusting a good smith.

JH