I am in the market for a .300 Win Mag and have narrowed my choices down to either the Remington 700 Sendero SF II or the Remington 700 XCR. The rifle will be used for deer and larger game. Of my two choices, which do you recommend and why? Please list pros and cons. Cost is no concern.
.300 Win Mag Debate
- Thread starter kennyboy
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Shoney
Member
I would choose the Sendero for these reasons:
1. They are noted for their extremely good accuracy out of the box;
2. Have an excellent adjustable trigger;
3. They are slightly heavier than the XCR.
A heavier rifle under field conditions is always more accurate than a lighter one. Try running 25-30 yards up a steep embankment, then shooting an offhand shot at a deer sized target at 75 yards. The heavier rifle will consistently be more accurate (Physics, Newton’s law of motion). I have packed a 13 ½ lb rifle for extended hikes across the prairie, through heavy forests, and up to the high reaches of the Rockies for goat, sheep and trophy mule deer. Never regretted it. IMHO hunters are better served by removing 5 lbs from their backside, rather than removing 2-3 lbs in rifle weight.
1. They are noted for their extremely good accuracy out of the box;
2. Have an excellent adjustable trigger;
3. They are slightly heavier than the XCR.
A heavier rifle under field conditions is always more accurate than a lighter one. Try running 25-30 yards up a steep embankment, then shooting an offhand shot at a deer sized target at 75 yards. The heavier rifle will consistently be more accurate (Physics, Newton’s law of motion). I have packed a 13 ½ lb rifle for extended hikes across the prairie, through heavy forests, and up to the high reaches of the Rockies for goat, sheep and trophy mule deer. Never regretted it. IMHO hunters are better served by removing 5 lbs from their backside, rather than removing 2-3 lbs in rifle weight.
hossdaniels
Member
I must agree with shoney about the heavier sendero being more accurate after running 30 yds, but if you gotta carry the thing 1,2, or 6 miles for hunting with it i'd go with the xcr. after that distance a pound or two makes a hell of a difference. the accuaracy difference between the two rifles will be totally insignifigant in the field, and not much on the bench. and yeah its gonna kick like a mule, but your not taking that many shots while hunting are you? have you felt recoil while hunting anyway? gotta go with the xcr.
Ther answer (like many questions here) is "It depends"...
If you expect to do alot of moving around, go for the lighter rifle...At the end of the day, you be glad. I had a Lightweight Model 70 Winchester, in .270, that weighed less than 7 1/2 lbs with a scope. And, by the end of a day trekking over hill and dale, it felt like it weighed 40 lbs.
If you don't expect to me carrying it alot, 1 lb. doen't make much difference, but if you're conna have to carry it alot, go with the lighter rifle. I suspect both will be adequately accurate for hunting purposes.
If you expect to do alot of moving around, go for the lighter rifle...At the end of the day, you be glad. I had a Lightweight Model 70 Winchester, in .270, that weighed less than 7 1/2 lbs with a scope. And, by the end of a day trekking over hill and dale, it felt like it weighed 40 lbs.
If you don't expect to me carrying it alot, 1 lb. doen't make much difference, but if you're conna have to carry it alot, go with the lighter rifle. I suspect both will be adequately accurate for hunting purposes.
Steel Talon
Member
Hello KB,
FWIW
For me... Of your two choices, I'd go with the Sendaro, the better choice over the XcR .
I shoot a model 70 with scope etc. on it, its about 10 lbs.+. BUT lets not forget its a .300 win. mag. If my focus was to a lighter rifle then I'd carry a lighter rifle in a lighter calibre, with lighter ammo. A box of 180 gr. is pretty hefty in the pack.
Peace
Steel Talon
FWIW
For me... Of your two choices, I'd go with the Sendaro, the better choice over the XcR .
I shoot a model 70 with scope etc. on it, its about 10 lbs.+. BUT lets not forget its a .300 win. mag. If my focus was to a lighter rifle then I'd carry a lighter rifle in a lighter calibre, with lighter ammo. A box of 180 gr. is pretty hefty in the pack.
Peace
Steel Talon
Paker
Member
The Sendero is the one.
- Weight is a concern if you are not in good shape
- You will take less abuse firing it.( I would Either get a kick eez or a muzzlebrake anyway)
- The Sendero will be more accurate IMO.
The .300 WM that I have experience with is a Browning A-bolt medalion with the BOSS system. I can shoot it all day with some hearing protection and the accuracy from year to year doesn't change unless the ammo changes.
Steel Talon
Member
Hello KB,
Take it to a smith, it will need to be threaded on.
Prices will vary based on style of brake, plus labor. My best guess would be about 160.00 +/-.
FWIW. One thing to consider is; Brakes are LOUD they hurt the ears and can lead to anticipation flinch. In prone position firing they send up quite a dust cloud.
Me, I'd forgo the brake, and install a quality recoil pad such as the Kick eez. carry the heaviest weight rifle I am comfortable with., learn to shoot it.
Peace
Steel Talon
Take it to a smith, it will need to be threaded on.
Prices will vary based on style of brake, plus labor. My best guess would be about 160.00 +/-.
FWIW. One thing to consider is; Brakes are LOUD they hurt the ears and can lead to anticipation flinch. In prone position firing they send up quite a dust cloud.
Me, I'd forgo the brake, and install a quality recoil pad such as the Kick eez. carry the heaviest weight rifle I am comfortable with., learn to shoot it.
Peace
Steel Talon
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