I had plans of building a custom .300 Win Mag....but after realizing that nearly all of my desired features are available in a Remington 700 Sendero, I may be changing my mind. The only significant difference is that I was planning to have a 24" barrel, and the Sendero has a 26" barrel. Other than that, nothing major....

So I would like to hear your opinions on this rifle. Those of you who own them or have shot them....what do you think? Are they usually accurate? My main concern is the factory trigger....what is it like? Does it warrant an aftermarket trigger?

If I go with the Sendero, I may also make some cosmetic changes such as an over-sized bolt knob, fluted bolt....and possibly a Manners MCS-T3 stock.

Any thoughts/advice would be appreciated.

If you screw with taking that Sendero out of the factory stock at all, make sure you contact Remington to determine where to torque the receiver screws to when you re-assemble it. They are torqued at the factory and can be very easily over-tightened. You do that and the groups go completely to crap...

very accurate
very heavy - good as a blind or jeep gun
not a carry about rig.
recoils like an o6 because of the weight.

Eland Slayer

Over the years, due to my job, I have seen several hundred Remington heavy barreled Mod 700's shot.

Early on they were called the Varmint model, later the PSS [the Police version], and the Sendero on the heavier hunting calibres.

I have never seen one, regardless of calibre that did not shoot pretty good. Many shot very, very well.

Most have been in 308, but I have seen a lot in 223, and several in the magnum calibres.

With a heavy barreled 300 Win Mag I would much prefer a 26" barrel, over a 24".

For the money spent they are a hard rifle to beat.

Once you shoot the barrel out, then you can fit a "better" barrel and have the gunsmith see if anything else needs to be done.

What use exactly, is this rifle for?

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:

What use exactly, is this rifle for?

It will be a rifle that goes on lots of exotic and whitetail hunts....and will usually be shot prone off a bipod, off shotting sticks, or out of a box blind.

Well if you are not ging to have to carry it a long way in rough country, it will make an excellent gun for those uses, you have outlined.

I would recommend a scope with a Ballistic Cam, or a Ballistic Reticle, a good laser rangefinder and settle on one load, one bullet, suitable for all the game you will hunt with this rifle, and then a lot of practice.

I have had a Sendero in 7mm Rem Mag for 15 Probably has less than 300 rds thru it. It'll put good 140 - 150 gr. bullets under 1/2 in. at 100 yds. It's what I consider the ultimate deer stand rifle, and an excellent tool, just a bit heavy, for other kinds of field work.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
Well if you are not ging to have to carry it a long way in rough country, it will make an excellent gun for those uses, you have outlined.

I would recommend a scope with a Ballistic Cam, or a Ballistic Reticle, a good laser rangefinder and settle on one load, one bullet, suitable for all the game you will hunt with this rifle, and then a lot of practice.

I plan to top it with a Trijicon AccuPoint 2.5-10x56.....and will probably shoot 165 gr. Barnes Tipped TSX bullets.

I have several of them and they are some of the best and most accurate rifles I own. If you do decide to dismantle it, there is a way to make it shoot better than before. Doubtless is right, the screws for bedding have very definite torque values but you can't go wrong with it.

FWIW,
one of a half dozen I've owned.

Typical.












It's hard to get everything you want in just one rifle and get it cheap.

Price, availability, quality and service. Maybe get two or three, rarely if ever get all four.

Remington triggers are reasonable easy to adjust/tweak. Rifle basic, Shilen and jewell make triggers for Remingtons.
Ernie the gunsmith sells reduced power trigger and sear springs. Install and you can have a two lb. remington trigger that breaks like glass.

You could talk to Matt at Hill Country rifle and buy a "Harvester".

A Sako, new or used will work.......

You might even consider a Sako Classic, Bavarian or Varmint with the set trigger. When set, the trigger breaks a 9 oz.



They tend to shoot pretty fair also
260 Rem.




308 Win.


and the actions are slicker than owl shit.

A Cooper, single shot or repeater shoots lights out and can be had in synthetic or wood, 22"to 26" barrels, and they have exquisite triggers.


Model 22 Montana varminter. 6.5 x 284, 26" fluted barrel, trigger breaks at 28 oz from the factory.

hand loads, shootin' the corners at 200 yds.









Model 52 Jackson Game in 25-06. Not to shabby.


A Nosler custom sporter, Rifle basix trigger that is factory set at 3 lbs.

A Winchester Super Grade

A Browning A Bolt

All can be tweaked.

Heck, if all you're worried about is the trigger, accuracy and a big bolt knob, buy a Savage long range hunter, or model 10 FCP with an accustock and acccutrigger. They will shoot factory ammo with the best of them.





Course they shoot handloads pretty good too, and did I mention the oversized bolt knobs.


One of the things I've discovered over the years, if you do your part, cycling a bolt is the least of your worries.


The distillate of the above,

Buy a few, shoot em, keep a couple you like, sell the rest, and go kill the hell out of whatever yo' little heart desires

best

GWB

Have one of the stainless varmit synthetics in .308. It shoots .5 at 100 yards with 165 grain game kings. I have killed 130 whitetail in 131 shots. I shot a doe at 10 feet with a very bad rear angling shot and she ran. Had to give her a second shot at 240 yards as she stopped at a fence and was too sick to jump it.
I use it on the stand mostly. Used to carry it everywhere, but its over 10 pounds loaded with the big Leupold on it. So, I generally use a lighter gun these days for walking around.
By the way, velocity is higher on the Sendero than the same bullet loaded in my 22 inch barreled 30-06, beats it by 40 fps.

GW,

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice. You have some very nice guns, several of which I would love to own (particularly the Sako Bavarian Carbine).

However, most of those are not something I would even consider for this build/buy. The intent of this gun is to be my new "go to" rifle....and to replace my current "go to" rifle (Browning A-Bolt .300 WSM) in that role. This gun absolutely MUST be a .300 Win Mag....no exceptions. Reason being....it must be a rifle I can comfortably take everything from Whitetail to Elk to Eland with....and I want more ammo choices than what is available for the .300 WSM. Hopefully, this rifle will eventually make a trip or two to Africa as well....Lord willing.

I'm not trying to get a "cheap" gun..... My overall budget (including optics) will be a max of about $3,000. A grand of this is eaten up by the Trijicon AccuPoint 2.5-10x56 I plan to put on the rifle....so that leaves $2,000 for the rifle. Bascially, a Sendero put into a Manners stock with a new bolt knob and a good trigger job should take care of my needs....and will likely use up all my budget.

Have you talked to the guys at Hill Country rifle? IIRC their Harvester rifle starts at around $1800.
You might check their website. As you don't plan to reload, part of their accurizing service is shooting with factory ammo and showing you the results. I had my 338 RUM, Sendero accurized there and had them add a Vais brake. I've only shot it for groups out to 300 yds, but it will do sub inch from 100 to 300 with no problem.

IIRC they have their own line of proprietary stocks, and can take your rifle or action and either accurize or build.
I'd say give Matt at HCR a call.

http://hillcountryrifles.com/

Best

GWB

I had one for awhile Shot good, but too heavy and awkward for me though. Can you shoot your A-Bolt prone? Ouch! Sendero should be better for that.

One more thought and I'll quit flogging your post.

If you don’t have a problem with a pre-enjoyed rifle that can work also. I picked this one up for just over 12 Benjamins. I enjoy letting someone else absorb the “new”.

It is a Remington 700 custom shop KS (Kevlar Synthetic) that started life as a 375 H&H. The gentleman I purchased it from had it re-barreled to a 300 H & H and accurized at HCR.



I added a dab of paint.


I purchased the factory ammo he had. Here is a 3 shot group with the ammo he said that HCR said the rifle liked



And two combinations that show promise.





Bear in mind, I’ll sacrifice velocity for accuracy. With today’s modern ammo, it’s hard to beat their velocities with my handloads.

I do like muzzle velocities around 2800 fps. Yes a 30-06 would do that, but I’ve wanted a 300 H & H since I was a kid reading hand me down gunrags.

Best

GWB

quote:

Originally posted by Jarrod:
IMO the only thing to consider changing on a sendero might be the trigger. Other than that fluting the bolt and putting an ovesized bolt knob on a sendero is a waste of time and money IMO.
What's fluting a bolt going to save 2 ounces. To cut weight I would get a lightweight rifle.. A sendero is not designed to be a lightweight carry around rifle

I do not want a lightweight rifle. I want an over-sized bolt knob because I hate Remington bolt knobs....they are hideous!! (one of the many reasons I've never owned a Remington firearm)

And I would get the bolt fluted because it looks cool....plain and simple.

And here's something I just don't understand guys....why are some people so adamant about having a "lightweight" rifle for carrying around?

Even the "lightweight" hunting rifles are going to be in the 7.5 to 8 pound range, once a decent scope is added. So if you're going to carry around an 8 lb. gun....is it really THAT much more difficult to carry around a 10 lb. gun??? I'm just an average sized guy (5' 9" 185 lbs)....but carrying a 10 lb. gun does not bother me. The only exception I can think of is if you're a frequent mountain hunter (which I am not)....in that case, I can see where going ULTRA lightweight on everything would be beneficial.

I don't ever hear PH's in Africa bitching about carrying around their 12 lb doubles all day.

ES,

In my younger days, I did not own anything but heavy barreled "beanfield" types. Most of the hunting I did was stand hunting. Fast forward and I'm 61, recovering from double hernia surgery. My strength and stamina are not what it was in my 20's, 30's and 40's. I've noticed a trend toward lighter rifles and fewer magnums. Not exclusively mind you, but a trend.
I'd say, spend your money wisely, get exactly what you want. How many times have you been disappointed by going first class and getting exactly what you want. If you have to, take an extra six months to save, or sell something that can be replaced, come up with the extra bucks and please yourself to a tee. I tell folks that say money can't buy happiness, they have been shopping at the wrong stores. It won't buy your health or peace with your maker. But it sure will make you smile when you handle that dream come true rifle.

Best

GWB

quote:

Originally posted by Geedubya:
ES,

In my younger days, I did not own anything but heavy barreled "beanfield" types. Most of the hunting I did was stand hunting. Fast forward and I'm 61, recovering from double hernia surgery. My strength and stamina are not what it was in my 20's, 30's and 40's. I've noticed a trend toward lighter rifles and fewer magnums. Not exclusively mind you, but a trend.
I'd say, spend your money wisely, get exactly what you want. How many times have you been disappointed by going first class and getting exactly what you want. If you have to, take an extra six months to save, or sell something that can be replaced, come up with the extra bucks and please yourself to a tee. I tell folks that say money can't buy happiness, they have been shopping at the wrong stores. It won't buy your health or peace with your maker. But it sure will make you smile when you handle that dream come true rifle.

Best

GWB

Agreed...

I have had the old senderos and a new SFII and they really are a great shooting rifle especially if you handload. I am not too keen on the SFIIs palm swell as it fills up too much of my hand, but it was the most accurate of the bunch consistantly punching .4 to .6 groups at 200 with a couple of diffrent bullets. That was a 264. The older models I have had the pleasure to play with were not far behind and were in 300 Win and 25-06. The barrels seem much better than most Remingtons as they all shot very well allmost imediately. Most of the other Rems I have had seem to take 100-200 rounds to settle in and smooth out. The only thing I would do is the trigger if you don't like the factory version.

What Geedubya said. Get whatever you want.

I have three 300 weatherbys and a 270 win. The 270 I bought used after I saw the target. Four shots in one ragged hole at 100 yds. This was with his handloads. I gave 750.00 for the rifle, dies and leupold bases. I have a ss 300 sendero I had bedded and floated, custom trigger installed I have never shot. The one I use the most started as a new 300 win mag O ordered. I took it to the smith and had a barrel of my choice installed, re-bored to the 300 wby and a custom trigger. I have a leupold 4.5 14x 50 scope on it. It does about a nickel in three shots.
Save and get what you want.
Okie

I've got two Senderos.One in a 7STW,the other is a 7mag.They are both shooters.Old style factory triggers,break like glass @ 2 1/4lbs.
The 7mag



The 7STW

With only a little tigger tinkering, my .300 Win Mag Sendero shot 1 hole 5 shot-groups right out of the box.

I have one in 25-06 (they don't catalog it anymore) and had a police rifle (same thing slightly different stock in 300 winchester).

Both great rifles.

Glass bed it (the bedding block is just something for the bedding to stick to).

This is my Tikka T3 that has been heavily modified.

Problem with using a Tikka T3 is that the magazine length for a 300 Win is sucking, especially when using VLD bullets.

quote:

Originally posted by Geedubya:
Have you talked to the guys at Hill Country rifle? IIRC their Harvester rifle starts at around $1800.
You might check their website. As you don't plan to reload, part of their accurizing service is shooting with factory ammo and showing you the results. I had my 338 RUM, Sendero accurized there and had them add a Vais brake. I've only shot it for groups out to 300 yds, but it will do sub inch from 100 to 300 with no problem.

IIRC they have their own line of proprietary stocks, and can take your rifle or action and either accurize or build.
I'd say give Matt at HCR a call.

http://hillcountryrifles.com/

Best

GWB

Amen. The guys at HCR do super work. I have three of theirs in a Model 70 and they are sub MOA with Federal factory ammo.

I don't know what they catalog a new Sendaro for you but you can do the following.

2nd hand 7mm, 300 Win, 338, 8mm or 375 magnum M700 ADL, BDL, action whatever $300-500

New tube from Kreiger, Lilja whoever $350

Installed only as most rifles are square enough $150. Or full house job $750-1200 with a new bolt. Krieger charges $270 to install one of their barrels on a M700 type rifle.

Manners stock $560

Glass bed it yourself if you are capable. $50 worth of junk.

Cerakote $150-300.

New trigger $150-250.

Lots of custom M700 clones for $950 to 1500 depending on what you want. Stiller Predator is about $950, maybe you could find a deal. Surgeon is $1400. 99% of the time it is cheaper to buy something like a Stiller than screw with blue printing a M700.

If you wanted to use AICS magazines you'd be into it another $250-450 for bottom metal and a magazine.

$1400-6000 rifle. Depending on how much you do yourself and what parts you use.


I would personally do this if you don't want to use AICS magazines.

Howa 1500 $300

New barrel from Krieger $580 installed I'd order a Sendaro contour, but if you want it to really shoot Army Marksmanship Unit Contour is heavier.

Timney trigger $100

Glass bed yourself $40 worth of tape and compound material.

1913 rail from Warne $65(I think, maybe cheaper).

Cerakote $250.00

Here's the price break down from Manners.
Stock: MCS-T $445.00
Action: HOWA 1500 LONG $0.00
Trigger guard: Other $0.00
Barrel contour: Other $0.00
Finish: GAP MCS CAMO $0.00
Option(s): LIMB SAVERS $79.00
FLUSH CUP 2ea - left side $30.00
SLING STUD 1ea - BTM FOREND $6.50
Grand Total $560.50

$1795.00 for total rifle

You need to factor in another $100-150 for a bolt knob.

On the M700 I wouldn't use a factory bolt. I'd upgrade to the PG bolt. They are about $350 installed.

On the Howa the bolt and bolt handle are one piece of steel.

I love Howas, they are fantastic firearms and totally un appreciated in America.

This new Remington SPS long range might be exactly what you are looking for.

Not sure what they cost, but I am guessing about $650, plus a new bolt $150, and Manners stock bedded and you are into it for 1250-1500.

Whoops here's the link.

Remington's new long range SPS

If I was going to build a $2000.00, 300 Win. Mag for all my serious hunting and liked the Sendero:

- Stiller Predator action
- Krieger or Lilja barrel
- Jewel trigger
- Manners or Hogue full bedding block

I'll echo the praise for the folks at Hill Country Rifles. My Harvester 7mm mag, built on a REm 700 SPS action, is everything they said it would be.....and scary accurate.

quote:

Originally posted by ar corey:
If I was going to build a $2000.00, 300 Win. Mag for all my serious hunting and liked the Sendero:

- Stiller Predator action
- Krieger or Lilja barrel
- Jewel trigger
- Manners or Hogue full bedding block

A rifle this way would be:

Stiller $950
Krieger barrel installed $620
Jewell $250 if you installed it yourself
Manners $560 Hogue $200.

$2380 plus shipping for the Manners and $2020 for the Hogue.

I wouldn't go the Hogue root but to each his own.