Sendero Advice

[southpa]

First off let me start by saying hello, ive spent countless hours reading through the topics here and finnaly decided to join and ask my own questions...lightbulb

Heres the short and sweet (sort of short if i can) of my situation,

Ive big game hunted my whole life and have taken my fair share of animals close (within 200 yards). Recently ive been facscinated by the popularity of longe range hunting. Ive been kicking around the idea of purchasing a rifle thats capable of shooting long. I dont have the money to spend on a fully custom rifle so Im looking at the remington sendero chambered in 7 mag and topping it with some good glass, possibly a g7...

I have read what seems to be every article about the Sendero vs. every other production rifle on the market. The weight doesnt bother me, the price is affordable (for me) and from what ive read its hard to beat the 700 action as a platform to build off if i should choose to futher customize down the road? I do not reload but plan to as i dive deeper into this infatuation we all posses. I am not a shooter (yet) im a hunter. Im not yet particulalry concerned with shooting a 5 inch group at 1000 yards but more with being able to make effective, ethical, kills at 5, 6, 7 hundred yards and quite possibly farther should i become competent and and capable.

I realize this topic has probly been beat to death multiple times but is this rifle matched with some good glass capable of doing what i have mentioned? Do you fellas think it is a good choice for a guy who wants to start shooting long but doesnt have 5-7k to spend on a custom rifle? All opinions and experiences appreciated!

 

[Catwhacker]

I'm shooting a Sendero & several guys I know are too. I haven't shot any other factory rifle long range, but I love mine & my friends love theirs. Put good glass on it & you'll be in business for a while. Welcome to your new addiction. Enjoy

 

[MontanaRifleman]

I've got 300 RUM and a 25-06 Sendero's. Both are .5 MOA or better shooters. The Sendero is a good LR platform and as long as you don't get a lemmon you should be able to do what you are planning. A great platform to learn LR.

 

[roninflag]

leup 6.5-20 and a sendero. start reloading soon . get a good laser range finder.

 

[southpa]

Thanx guys,

Montana-how would you know if you got a lemmon? Will it just not perform? Lets hope that doesnt happen.....

Also,
Ive heard a lot about .300 this and 7 mag that and so and and so forth but all of my novice research has leaned me towards the 7 mag as it seems like one of the most popular rounds. Ive heard that the 7m has better down range retention of energy, less recoil, better and cheaper availability of factory ammo, etc. etc. etc. Can anyone give me facts/ideas on this...

 

[Dr. Vette]

I love mine in 7mm Rem Mag.

Bed the action (or have it done), have the trigger tuned or replaced and off you go!

 

[cohunter14]

Choosing between the 7mag and the 300 win or rum is like splitting hairs. I went through this same decision process as well. They will all work and will all get the job done. One thing that steered me a little bit was this article: http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/comparing-berger-210-vld-215-hybrid-88657/. Some great information on what can be done with the 300win. In the end, I went with the 300 RUM just for the flatter shooting bullet, but I will tell you that it kicks a bit and most people would probably want a break on that caliber. Continue to read up on as much as you can, but know that no matter which caliber you choose, you will be in good shape!

 

[MontanaRifleman]

Southpa, with any factory production rifle there is a chance to get a lemon. I've had that unfortunate experience with a Sako. Senderos have a much better track record than most other factory rifles and I think a lot of that is due to the quality stock they are put in as well as the heavy barrel. That said, I have read an occasional bad story with a Sendero, but it has been rare. You will know when you start shooting it. If it's a bad shooter, then best to send it to a smith for a look over and maybe a skim bed job. A timney trigger wouldn't hurt right off the bat.

Good luck, chances are you'll like it.

 

[Rimfire]

The 7rm is a great cartridge. Being that you don't handload its more than spliting hairs, so throw out some of what you have read. Most people that give reviews of a bullet or cal are talking about fine tuned hand loads. You are at the mercy of factory match grade ammo and that for me would determine which cartridge to go with. If i were shooting box ammo it would be a 308 or 300 win. 5, 6, 700 yards can be longer than most are willing to admit under unknown hunting condition. Choose wisely and practice often.

 

[mhiltz]

I like mine really well. I bought mine to get started long range shooting too. I like the idea you have on the 7Rem mag as well, maybe even a 300 Win mag, for barrel life.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[gamehawker]

I have two Remington 700 Sendero SF 7mm STWs.

I have taken them to my gunsmith and he installed jewell triggers and skim bedded both of them.

I really love them and they were consistently shooting .5 MOA three shot groups before the new triggers and bedding work was done and now consistently 1/3 MOA three shot groups.

I handload for these Senderos.

I would highly endorse you getting a Sendero!

I also love my Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 FFP EBR-1 MOA Reticle Scopes that are on them.

I would love to acquire a Remington 700 Sendero SF .338 RUM!

 

[roninflag]

Thanx guys,

Montana-how would you know if you got a lemmon? Will it just not perform? Lets hope that doesnt happen.....

Also,
Ive heard a lot about .300 this and 7 mag that and so and and so forth but all of my novice research has leaned me towards the 7 mag as it seems like one of the most popular rounds. Ive heard that the 7m has better down range retention of energy, less recoil, better and cheaper availability of factory ammo, etc. etc. etc. Can anyone give me facts/ideas on this...

small difference. i have both , only shoot the 7mm mag now. both have brakes. one has a shilen trigger one has a jewell.

 

[fmajor]

I have two Remington 700 Sendero SF 7mm STWs.

I have taken them to my gunsmith and he installed jewell triggers and skim bedded both of them.

I really love them and they were consistently shooting .5 MOA three shot groups before the new triggers and bedding work was done and now consistently 1/3 MOA three shot groups.

I handload for these Senderos.

I would highly endorse you getting a Sendero!

I also love my Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 FFP EBR-1 MOA Reticle Scopes that are on them.

I would love to acquire a Remington 700 Sendero SF .338 RUM!

I don't want to rabbit-trail/hi-jack here so maybe this is better in PM, but......

Gamehawker, I know you must have a solid reason for having duplicate rifles/same chambering - would you please help me understand why this is a good thing?

BTW, i am *dense* in the noggin'....

 

[gamehawker]

I don't want to rabbit-trail/hi-jack here so maybe this is better in PM, but......

Gamehawker, I know you must have a solid reason for having duplicate rifles/same chambering - would you please help me understand why this is a good thing?

BTW, i am *dense* in the noggin'....

Well, the 7mm STW Sendero is a slightly hard to find rifle/caliber combination and Remington stopped manufacturing them in the early 2000's. Mine were manufactured in '97 and '98.

I have been wanting one for a long time and last year I came on an opportunity to acquire a slightly used one from an estate sale at a really good price and then a month later from one came up for sale (only slightly used too and also a really good price) in the classifieds on this website so I bought that one too.

I absolutely love this caliber and it is sort of an addition once you shoot one. A number of members on this website has 3 or more 7mm STWs, i.e., "Long Time Long Ranger" I think has 5 of them. And the Sendero platform can not be beat!

Look at this thread on this website; there is a great following of this caliber:

http://www.longrangehunting.com/for...who-shoot-7mm-shooting-times-westerner-88228/