Home > Knowledge Base > .300 Remington Short Action Ultra Magnum
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.300 Remington Short Action Ultra MagnumHistoryFollowing the release of the giant .300 Remington Ultra magnum in 1999, Remington introduced a short magnum based on the RUM case in 2001, designated the .300 Short Action Ultra Magnum. Designed to be housed in the Remington Model 7 carbine which is slightly shorter and lighter than most commercial actions, the .300 SAUM cartridge was a shade smaller than the .300 WSM released the same year. The Model 7 rifle featured a 22” barrel to minimize weight, differing again from the competing Winchester Model 70’s 24” barrel. These combined factors influenced many hunters to choose the WSM for potentially greater power, resulting in lagging sales of the Model 7 .300 SAUM. To counter sales losses, the .300 RSAUM was offered for a time in the longer 24” barreled Model 700 rifle however this also proved to be a limited success. The SAUM’s survived thanks largely to the experimentations and publications of bench rest shooters who found favor with the SAUM case designs. Along with this, the initially rejected Model 7 did eventually gain a small level of popularity for its ultra-light weight and portability. Nevertheless, the success of the .300 SAUM has remained limited. Major rifle and ammunition manufacturers have supported the .300 WSM and presently Remington have also adopted the .300 WSM in their M700 rifle line, the .300 SAUM barely surviving as a chambering for the model 7 rifle. PerformanceThe .300 SAUM is a potent cartridge, whether chambered in the 22” barreled Model 7 or longer barreled rifles. Whether for bush/woods hunting or long range hunting, the .300 SAUM has the power to deliver fast emphatic killing across a wide range of body weights at all practical ranges, providing as always, the projectile is matched to the job at hand. Compared to the .300 WSM, the .300 SAUM is potentially slower by 50-100fps (equal length barrels), a difference that if rifle to rifle variations are taken into consideration, is enough to blur the lines towards near identical performance. Larger velocity differences are however seen when comparing the 22” barreled Model 7 to the 24” barreled Winchester M70. Had Remington initially introduced the .300 SAUM in a 24 or 26” barrel, the initial launch and marketing campaign may well have had a different result. But what is done is done. The .300 SAUM chambered in the Model 7 is faster than the .30-06 by around 100fps and is slower than the .300WSM by about the same 100fps-130fps, placing the .300 SAUM roughly between the two cartridges. The short length of the Model 7 makes it somewhat ideal for bush/woods hunting while its ultra-light weight is ideal for climbing high. As a mountain rifle, as with all light weight platforms chambered for potent cartridges, recoil torque to both the shooter and rifle platform are potential problems. The Model 7 .300 SAUM is an ideal candidate for suppression as a means to tame recoil torque, noise reduction being a secondary ‘bonus’ factor. Apart from this solution, the Model 7 shooter must be truly vigilant of accuracy related factors such as bedding and shooting technique. Factory ammunitionRemington’s light load features the 150gr Core-Lokt Ultra Bonded bullet at a true 3200fps from the now obsolete 24” barreled M700, giving around 3130fps in the Model 7. This loading is versatile for open country hunting of game weighing up to 150kg (330lb) out to moderate ranges. Beyond 200 yards, as velocity falls below 2600fps, the bonded bullet gradually loses its ability to produce fast killing or render wide wounding on lean game. Remington’s mid weight load features the 165 grain Core-Lokt at 3075fps, giving around 3000fps in the model 7. This load is ideal for game weighing between 90 and 150kg and like many 165gr .30 caliber projectiles, has a tendency to give slower kills on lighter animals. Although this projectile is not core bonded, it sheds its frontal area to give deep penetration combined with very wide wounding out to moderate ranges. Remington’s heaviest loading is the 180gr Core-Lokt Ultra, giving 2960fps in the M700 and around 2890fps in the Model 7. Suitable for game between 90 and 320kg (90-320lb), tackling heavier game in a pinch, this is a good moderate range large medium game load. Unfortunately, Remington do not furnish any ultra fast expanding open country loads such as the Accutip. Remington do however produce a match load for the .300 SAUM, featuring the Sierra 190gr BTHP, producing 2900fps in the M700 rifle and 2830fps from the Model 7. Hand loadingWith factory ammunition loaded to maximum pressures it is difficult to increase the velocity of the SAUM with hand loads. In many instances, to increase case life, loads have to be backed off to velocities slightly slower than those obtained by Remington. To further highlight this, when the .300 SAUM and .300 WSM were first introduced, sticky extraction in tight chambered rifles utilizing factory loads was not uncommon. From the 22” barreled Model 7 realistic velocities to expect are 3130fps with 150 grain bullets, 2930fps with 165 grain bullets, 2830fps with 180 grain bullets, 2630fps with 200 grain bullets and 2530fps with 208/210 grain bullets. Top loads will achieve velocities 50fps above these, duplicating factory loads. From a 24” barrel, the .300 SAUM averages 3200fps with 150grain bullets, 3000fps with 165gr bullets, 2900fps with 180 grain bullets, 2700fps with 200gr bullets and 2600fps with 208/210 grain bullets. Again, top loads or individual rifles are capable of achieving velocities averaging some 50fps above these figures. Unlike most magnum cartridges the .300 SAUM (like the .30-06) gives best results with light bullets when loaded with medium burning rate powders such as 4064 and Varget /ADI2208. With 165/168 grain bullets experimentation is required between the medium burn rate powders and slower 4350/ADI2209 burn rates. With 180 grain bullets the 4350 burn rate is optimum, though some rifles give better results with the slower 4831/ADI 2213sc range of powders. As bullet weights are increased to 200-210 grains, the 4831 burn rate comes into its own. For individual bullet performance, readers are referred to the .30-06 text, a cartridge which shares similar traits to the .300 SAUM. Comments regarding performance barriers of individual projectiles within the .30-06 text can be extrapolated, yardages adjusted by 50 yards in favor of the .300 SAUM. Closing commentsRemington’s .300 SAUM has certainly experienced limited success. That said, it is doubtful that the .300 SAUM will become obsolete in the near future, survived by a small number of alpine hunters, woods hunters and bench rest shooters, the latter sourcing .300 SAUM brass to form 7mm SAUM cases where other supplies are absent. The main advantages of the .300 SAUM are inherently related to the rifle it was initially designed for. The Model 7 rifle is under 1 meter long weighing in at around 7.5lb field ready. This rifle has proven immensely useful to bush/woods hunters and Alpine hunters alike. For Alpine hunters, controlling recoil for accurate shooting is a main consideration. Where its 7mm SAUM sibling is well suited to light through to medium weight medium game, the .300 packs a big punch on large bodied medium game out to exceedingly long ranges.
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