Remington Sendero .300WM vs Savage 12 Varminter .300WSM

[Varminterror]

I'm looking for a new long range hunting rig that will pull double duty on the bench.

I've been planning on a Remington Sendero .300WM, but I'm also considering a Savage 12 VLP DM .300WSM.

I'd prefer to have the short action, and I'm a fan of laminate stocks (even though the design on the Sendero stock is probably a far superior stock). The reason I'm looking so hard at the Savage is that I LOVE the Accu-trigger (kinda like a two-stage trigger, of which I'm a fan), and my fiancee shoots a Savage 12 BVSS .223 that puts out 0.2-0.3MOA. I've never done it myself, but I also hear that barrel changes on Savages are much easier to do on your own, which would be an advantage.

The only R700 I have is a PSS .308win, so it's a fair representative of the R700 line. AMAZING shooter, and I'd get another one if they still made it (HATE the 700P stock), or if they made the 700P in .300WSM (definitely think the WSM will outlast the RSAUM).

The way I look at it, either the Sendero or the 12 will need a bedding job, and I'd honestly expect ABOUT the same level of accuracy from either, so now I'm down to splitting hairs between the two...

Any opinions to help me make the decision is greatly appreciated!

 

[CanusLatransSnpr]

I will be up front, I'm partial to Savages over Remingtons! However, what I'm about to say is fact. The Savage will come with a button rifled barrel vs. the hammer forged barrel on the Remington. That being said, the Savage will lend itself to "potentially" being a better shooting rifle. Secondly, the Savages barrel will come free floated from the factory, also lending the Savage to being "potentially" a better shooting rifle. Another is the Savage's free floating bolt head which many attribute to the Savages being so accurate. Also, with the Savage you can change barrels on your own without the necessity of a gunsmith. This particular Savage being a WSM, you would have to change the bolt head to fascilitate .308 sized bolt face cartridges but, thats no big deal either. Just some food for thought!

Mike

 

[Rookie]

I own the Remington and after nearly a $1000 worth of work it will shoot with or better than a stock Savage.

 

[whiskey08]

I own the Remington and after nearly a $1000 worth of work it will shoot with or better than a stock Savage.

I disagree with rookie, after $1100 on my remy shoots much better. lol

I would take the remy just becuase I think its a better platform that you can build on for the next 10 years.

I just re did my long action 300 win mag into a 300wsm. I wanted the WSM for its better inherent accuracy, and it uses a butt load less powder than the WM

 

[Rookie]

I own the Remington and after nearly a $1000 worth of work it will shoot with or better than a stock Savage.

I disagree with rookie, after $1100 on my remy shoots much better. lol

I would take the remy just becuase I think its a better platform that you can build on for the next 10 years.

I just re did my long action 300 win mag into a 300wsm. I wanted the WSM for its better inherent accuracy, and it uses a butt load less powder than the WM

How much better? Several shooters at my local club have out of the box Savages that shoot sub 1/2moa with their handloads.
My Sendero will shoot sub 1/2moa but only after spending nearly twice the cost of a Savage just to "tune it up".
I prefer the Remington myself but stock rifle to stock rifle Savage is better hands down.

 

[whiskey08]

sorry, I wasnt calling you out, I was just trying to be funny.
but after at least $1100 it does shoot fairly well.


4 shots
103 meters
varget 44.5 gr
175smk

 

[Nomercy]

My fiancee has a Savage 12 BVSS in .223 with no work (not even bedded) with a Nikon Buckmaster 4.5-14x40mm SF (FAR from ideal) that posts 0.2MOA with ease. She's a remarkably natural shooter, but with that rifle, it only took her 3 months from her FIRST SHOT EVER to post a 0.2MOA 5 shot group. We have a 12 BVSS in .308win and NF BR 12-42x56mm ordered and coming for her soon, so I'm looking forward to seeing what she can do with 168grn Nosler Ballistic tip Boattails at 1k.

 

[Rookie]

sorry, I wasnt calling you out, I was just trying to be funny.
but after at least $1100 it does shoot fairly well.


4 shots
103 meters
varget 44.5 gr
175smk

Nice shooting!!

 

[SS427]

I would call it a toss up and pick the one that feels the best when you handle it, or which one you like the looks of better. So people don't like the accutriggers, so that could be a factor. Not sure how good the newest x-mark pro externally adjustable triggers are; my older x-mark pro breaks like glass but is a 5 lb trigger.

I have a VSSF .223 (same setup as the Sendero I believe) and it outshoots my Savage LRPV .223, even with the heavy x-mark trigger. My guess is it could go either way with a given purchase. I would say the results Nomercy is getting is on the exceptional end of the accuracy bell curve, and on average would not expect that kind of accuracy from a Savage or Remington, or any other factory gun for that matter.

 

[jonbearman]

The good thing about savage is being able to do your own work.You can always go to northlander supply and buy a good barrel and install it for way less than a gunsmith doing a remington.Now with jim briggs remage nut and a replacement barrel from him and other companys it has opened pandoras box as it is the same system used on the savages with a barrel nut and barrel.The first thing you will read next from somebody who doesnt like that idea is they will demonize it.It works from what I have read on the subject.So now you can home gunsmith either action.

 

[bsc4444]

WHISKEY,
IS THAT 44.5 GR VARGET AND 175 SMK SHOT OUT OF A 300 WIN. MAG

 

[whiskey08]

no that is 44.5gr in a .308. Im hitting around 2750fps.

Im still working on .300wsm with 185 bergers and rl - 17

 

[bsc4444]

WHISKEY,
THANKS FOR CLARIFYING YOUR LOAD AND TARGET WAS FOR YOUR .308. I HAVE A 300 WIN. MAG AND HANDLOAD FOR IT. IF SOMEONE DUPLICATED YOUR DATA IN A 300 IT MAY NOT HAVE TURNED OUT VERY GOOD.

 

[zcrackshot]

I have owned LRPV's in 223, 204, and 22-250's in both 12 and 9 twist's. I currently own a model 12 BVSS in 22-250, and a model 16 in 204 Ruger. The reason I got rid of the LRPV's is that they weigh a metric ton and shoot only slightly better than lighter models with proper hand loading, that has been my experience anyways. My model 12 shoots 1/2" groups and my 204 regularly posts in the .3's with a sporter weight barrel. Having said that, I have a Remmy VSSF 223 that shoots as well if not better than any Savage I've owned. It is the older model with the matte flutes not black filled. It is a pre X-mark trigger that my smith tuned to 1.75 lbs and skim bedded. It has a 12 twist barrel. It will only shoot 60's on the heavy side but thats fine as I usually stick with 40-55's in this one. I also just sold one of my favorite rifles to my father-in-law. It was an older blued model Sendero in 7mm Rem Mag. This rifle was skim bedded and had the trigger done and shot lights out! 162 A-maxes or 168 VLD's would easily group under .5". I'm not biased toward either brand as I love them both. My experiences are that either one will shoot if you spend enough time with them. I think remmy's take a bit more work to find their favorite load but once you do they'll shoot with any rifle out there, IMO. I don't think you'd be going in a bad direction with either one but if I had to chose a factory rifle it would probably be the sendero. I like savages in smaller calibers but go other directions for magnums. Hope you find a good rifle!

Zac M.