Sendero 7mag options

[rnhunter]

First off apologize for for my ignorance on the topic but I want to know what options there are to improve a Remington 7 mag sendero for better accuracy. I have decided I can't really go the way of a custom built rifle and know the sendero is a great gun. Would it make sense to put a match grade barrel on or do other custom work to this rifle? I know Remington does some upgrades but is it enough to get sub moa accuracy? Would like to lighten it up a bit also but not sure how you could do that except for a lighter barrel. Any thoughts would be great!

[DesertBull]

Do you reload? If not that is where I would start.

[rnhunter]

Yes I do. I have another rem700 in 7mag and love the gun but she has a lot of miles on her....so two guns is better than one. Right?

Just wondering if I can make it an even better rifle.

[DesertBull]

You could get a barrel with a smaller contour to lighten it up and probably tighten the groups some. There are also a lot of tactical type stocks that would lighten it.

[huntjunkie]

PM sent. With the help of Speedygoss my 7 mag sendero shoots 3/4' groups @ 200yrds

[rnhunter]

Thanks

[gaps]

I have heard nothing but great things about senderos. I would go shoot it first and see what you are working with, it may not need anything. If you decide to do some upgrades check out these videos.

[AverageJoe]

You can do things to it only if you want to but there is no real reason to. With good load development you will get consistant 1/2 moa groups. The only thing i would recommend is getting a new trigger. Get rid o the crappy xmark pro and go timney or jewel. Anything else you do is only gonna be because you want to, not need to. So its up to you if you want to. But if you are gonna change things out, might as well start with a basic rem 700 and not drop 1200 on a gun that you are gonna change. I learned that the hard way. Lol

[cbryant11]

I would say take the one with lots of miles blue print the action and rebarrel with a custom barrel, throw a bell and carlson stock on it and for 1200 or less you have a pretty sweet rifle

[pwrguy]

I have to agree with averagejoe on this one. Trigger first, I nice crisp trigger between 1 and 3 pounds, my preference is 1.5 LBS. Reloads will allow you to tune to your gun and you should be getting1 to 1/2 moa without spending a bunch of money. If you have one of those rare bad barrells, you might consider a new barrell, but I would play with the loads first and see what the gun can do before spending any more money.

[roninflag]

all my magnum senderos have a vais brake. one has a jewell trigger. two have shilen. my 7mm mag has a krieger barrel fluted( 318 plus 95 for flutes and 150 to chamber and thread). Is it a lot more acurate than the other one ? Not that much. i have more confidence in it and shoot it more. less finicky to load for. the stainless fluted ones are light enough for me . having shot competition heavier is better. if i want to go light i carry a different rifle.

[rnhunter]

Ok. I will definitely go with the new trigger. Love my old 700 also. I will eventually try and breath new life back into that gun also. You guys have any thoughts on the carbon wrapped barrels and Is that an option with the fluted sendero barrel?

[NMBPMAN]

On the Senderos, they come with a H-S Precision stock with the full length aluminum bedding block (can't remember the model #). Like others have said, start with working up a load and see how it goes from there. I think someone already mentioned getting a new trigger, I would, the new Remington triggers are pretty rough. With that stock try to torque the action screws to 65 in lbs., it should tighten the groups up a bit. If you have the skills you can bed the recoil lug with Marine Tex.

 

If I had to make one recommendation to you, it is; if you want to change the stock and the barrel to lighten it up just buy a 700 SPS and save money for the changes to want to make. The barrel and the stock on the Sendero are pretty much the added cost on that gun. So spending the extra money from the start and then to turn around and spend more money to lighten it up, not really worth it once your done.

[rnhunter]

Ok. I have purchased the Sendero. Strangely enough that is actually the first rifle I have ever bought for myself. My dad was such a gun collecting nut that I have been fortunate to receive a steady stream of rifles from my dear ol dad. I have the Jewell trigger on order and we will just go from there. I guess carrying a heavy rifle isn't the end of the world, especially if in the end it results in a heavy pack load of venison.

[308Nut]

If you want to trim some weight, one of the easiest is to change the firing pin assembly. The factory assemblies are heavy due to the steel bolt shroud. Some aftermarket version are aluminum. You can get some with lighter firing pins and stiffer springs which give you a faster lock time.

 

Stay away from heavy recoil lugs if you're concerned about weight. The 3/16" factory lugs are much lighter and I've never seen an ounce of difference in accuracy.

 

Also, you can install an aluminum scope rail as well as your scope rings. Of course, a scope can add a lot of weight to a rig in a hurry so select a light to medium weight scope.

 

If you can afford it, install a McMillan edge stock. You can even get an A3 or A3 offspring in the lighter edge. That'll shave at least a pound.

 

As far as accuracy enhancement, here are a few items that can help. As stated, I good clean light trigger will help you squeeze off a shot cleaner.

 

Make sure everything is stress free so that nothing is bound up. Items to look for are: box magazine compression. It should have a bit of play when the stock is torqued to the action. Action screws should be torqued to a consistent value each time it has been separated from the action and evenly. The action inlet should be smooth and uniform so that there is no way for the action to see pressure in a concentrated area when torqued to it. Also make sure that the back of the recoil lug is tight to the front of the lug inlet in the stock. Bedding this area helps ensure this and ensures the action always gets installed the same laterally.

 

The scope rail should be straight and not bowed. If it is, it should be bedded.

 

Make sure the crown is sharp. If not, have it re-crowned.

 

Make sure the barrel is free floating. Especially when there is a bipod attached and its sitting on the bench or ground. It helps if you give a slight push forward (this is called loading the bipod) while shooting prone.

 

Believe it or not, 'truing' a 700 action does little if anything to enhance accuracy. 99% of it comes from your barrel. 700s are among the best for being straight and square.

 

Before investing in a custom barrel, work with the one you have. Most barrels will excel with at least one powder. If you find the right powder, it should tolerate a wide variety if bullets. Some stubborn barrels may only digest one or two bullets with a given powder. Be content with less than maximum velocity. With lasers and high BC bullets, you can afford to take accuracy over velocity.

 

I don't have time to get into carbon wrapped barrels but while its a great concept, it's a bad reality. At least IMO. The proccesses often used actually traps the heat. The manufactures of these barrels say they wick heat. They lie. Period. The fibers can conduct heat indavidually but they dont like to transfer from one fiber to another. If you want a lighter barrel, I think a smaller profile is a good option.

 

M