7mm SAUM loads

[als008]

Hi All, has anyone had or tried to load N170 in their SAUM using the 180gr projies. Im in the process of testing a new rifle and these are the components I have on hand. The n170 has a comparable burn to 2217 so im thinking somewhere in the order of 62+ gr would be a good starting point.

Cheers

[pjifl]

This may be out of place here but I will mention it.

I have the better part of a small container of N 160 which I will never use. A few years old.
I tested it in a 284 behind 180s and it takes about 52 - 53 grains.
I reckon it would be a good powder for a 284 but I do not want to get involved with something that has a problematic supply.

If anyone wants it, I can bring it to the NQRA shoot in about 6 weeks time.

Peter Smith.

[Tim N]

Tim, both my saum barrels like 55.8gr of 2209, 180vld & CCI BR2. The 30" barrel is 2950 fps and the 26" barrel is 2900 fps. cases seem to holding up very well without any pressure signs.

Just a quick update on the project, last Saturday I tried 55.8 of 09 behind a 180 VLD which produced 10 Xs in a row
It was only at 300 yds but looks promising.
Thanks for the info.

[saum2]

I have 2 saum barrels using 2217. 1 likes 63gns and the other likes 61gns or there abouts for the same speed and accuracy, so I suggest you start lower than 62gns.

[John T]

Hello mcreid.

You are in good company using 2209. Two of the best in the country who were also major contributors to the Raton victory use 2209; albeit with 57.0!! At 2950, you are close to permitted ME. As your 55.8 is performing, it is well worth considering.

I have chronographed 2209/56.5; E 23, S 12, 2950 and N550/53.8; E 7, S 3, 2928; in my 30" Obermeyer barrel. N550 is slower than 2209/H4350 on the Hodgdon scale (122-v-117) but has higher energy and possibly requires 2 grains less powder (think recoil). When my SAUM barrel is back in, I will test the N550.

If we believe all the rumors, we won't use even 2209, which has been less available than N550 at times. Winchester and Nioa will continue to treat us with the contempt they deserve. We need to be flexible and not assume there will be certain supply of any one powder. Have your favorite, but look for a near alternative. Be prepared when you are let down. Peter, your N160 is about the same as 2213. Would you use 2213 in a 7 REM SAUM?

Mcreid, a question from my heart; a theory expounded to me is that a 26" barrel is more accurate than a 30" barrel, all other specs being the same; is this your experience with vertical?

Regards,
John Tracey.
6.4.2016

[pjifl]

North Qld had bad shortages of 2209 (and others) 1 - 2 years ago.

The N160 was originally tried as a possible replacement if 2209 became unavailable.
And as a possible powder to use outside Australia because I do not like putting all eggs in one basket but the supply situation within Australia went the opposite way and Viht seems now not worth considering. Is there any more recent news on availability of Viht powders that I dont know about ?

I think it was a good powder for a 284 and possibly a 7 SAUM but never tried that one. But I do have loads for the N160 in a 284.
The only reason I would expect someone to want it is if they have developed a nice shooting load using N160 and now cannot any more.
I never want to be dependent on anything exotic and difficult to get.

As I said, if anyone wants some it will be available at the NQRA Queens. Just let me know.

Just starting off a 32 inch Bartlein 5R 1 in 9 inch twist 7 mm SAUM now and took a guess at 55.7 as a conservative load with my present batch of 2209 and V measurements indicate that my usual load of 56.5 with this batch is spot on for about 2950 - 2960 f/s. In fact, just finished loading 25 for next Sunday to test this load. I could have gone there right from the start but always begin a bit down in a new barrel.

A 32 inch barrel will turn into a 29 inch then finally a 26 incher one day. I think they can all shoot extremely well.

Peter Smith.

[John T]

Brett.

By my theory, your Short should have about 10% better vertical than your 7RSAUM. What say you?

Regards,
John Tracey.