Remington Sendero 7mm RUM and 180 gr Berger VLD?

[Nimrodmar10]

I'm thinking about buying a Remington Sendero II in a 7mm RUM but before I do I need a couple of questions answered. First, Berger recommends a 1in9 twist for their 180 gr. VLD bullets. The Remington has a 1in9.5 twist. Will that twist rate stabilize this bullet? Second question, will I be able to load the VLDs to the lands and still be able to fit them into the rifle magazine? I appreciate the info.

[freebird63]

Not having first hand experience with this caliber, this is only my opinion.
I am fairly certain you will not expeirence any stabilization problems with that little difference in twist rate. I know guys are shooting the 240gr SMK out of their sendero 300RUM's and they have a 1/10 twist rate and have heard no complaints. The other part of your question, from my expeirence with sendero's, they are alot like weatherby's, almost like a freebore. My shooting buddy has a sendero 7RUM and he can load out to just shy of 4 inches and still not hit the lands. In my sendero 300RUM I could load out to 4 inches and not hit the lands. You might try emailing Walt Berger about the twist rate or maybe Brian Litz will chime in here??? Good luck

Also if you look on this forum you will find there is a new bullet company out there building a 200gr bullet for the 7MM, I think it requires a 1/9 twist rate but will work with your 1/9.5

[trebark]

1:9.5 twist will most likely stabilize the 180VLD, although there is only one way to know for sure....shoot it!

In terms of loading the bullet up close to the lands and still being able to fit in the mag, I would lean towards probably not. Most factory rifles have very long throats. As a result, you've got to stick that bullet way out there to get close to the lands. Far enough out that it might not fit into the mag.

I had a factory Remington 308 (My 308 1k Rifle - The Evolution Continues!) and loaded the 175VLD in it. In order to load the bullets close to the lands, they would not fit in the magazine.

Unless you have some other intended use than longrange hunting, single loading your rifle does not really put you at a disadvantage.

[mhiltz]

You will have no problems with the twist, I have the same rifle, and have no problems. You will not be able to reach the lands with this bullet. The ogive is too far back. I load mine to 3.650 with very good results and they will still fit into the mag well. I would also recommend using Hodgdon's US869 powder for this cartridge with any bullet as big or bigger than the 168gr. It works great!

[mhiltz]

The mag well is 3.68" on the Rem Sendero II 7mm RUM.

[trebark]

Originally Posted by mhiltz

You will have no problems with the twist, I have the same rifle, and have no problems. You will not be able to reach the lands with this bullet. The ogive is too far back. I load mine to 3.650 with very good results and they will still fit into the mag well. I would also recommend using Hodgdon's US869 powder for this cartridge with any bullet as big or bigger than the 168gr. It works great!

US869 is EXTREMELY temp sensitive. Retumbo is a better option.

[trebark]

Be sure to read this article regarding VLDs...

Getting the Best Precision and Accuracy from Berger VLD bullets in Your Rifle