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Forum Index > Rifles general discussion > Remington Sendero II vs Savage 111LRH vs Tikka T3 Varmint

Remington Sendero II vs Savage 111LRH vs Tikka T3 Varmint

28 Aug 2014
@ 10:28 pm (GMT)

Jared Thibodaux

While I have several good rifles I have been thinking about adding a dedicated long range gun in a 7mm or 30 cal magnum.
I have heard fantastic reports on the Remington Senderos, they have quite the following and it is easily the best looking gun on my list, my reservation with it is the last Remington 700 I owned was a piece of crap, I was glad to be rid of it, but that was in 2008, eventually I have to forgive and forget if they fixed the issues.
My current long range rifle is a thin barrel Savage 11 in 270 WSM and like every Savage I have owned I am pleased with the accuracy, and would think a heavy barrel version would be even better, my only reservation is that every Savage I have owned is bullet picky and usually the long pointy boat tails don't shoot nearly as well as my Sierra Game Kings or similar design bullets, my WSM is punching one hole groups and cloverleafs at 100yd with SGKs but it won't do it with a higher BC bullet, if it would I would see no reason to change.
In case someone here has never read me rave about my T3 6.5x55 let me make this abundantly clear, I LOVE my Tikka, pick any load out of the book with any bullet and it drives tacks, combine that with a super smooth action, perfect trigger and a great synthetic stock and it is a top notch rifle, my reservation is I have never even seen a T3 varmint in person, I would have to order one without handling it in person first.
For those who wounder why I did not add the Browning X-Bolt Long range to the list it is because it is a pain in the @$$ to re-barrel a Browning, while I love my little A-Bolt 7mm-08 I would not want one in a high intensity long range caliber that has a 1,500rd or less barrel life since barrels are essentially a consumable item.
As far as what cartridge to use I am a little torn, while the 7mm Rem Mag is the most logical considering the game I am going after I have owned four 7mm Rem Mags over the years, and never a 300 Mag of any sort. For whatever reason I have also had considerably more problems stroking accuracy out of 7mms then any other bore, I have no idea why but it is a noticeable contrast between 7mm and my 270s, 6.5mm and 30 calibers, if they were all the same rifle I would just chalk it up to the gun itself but I have had two Remington 700s, a Winchester 70 and a Ruger 77 MKII now, so I am leaning toward a 300 Winchester Magnum or 300 WSM.
OK I know that was a little long winded, does anyone have any feedback?

Replies

1
29 Aug 2014
@ 01:30 am (GMT)

Bob Mavin

Re: Remington Sendero II vs Savage 111LRH vs Tikka T3 Varmint
Hi Jarad
7mm RM Sendero's are a great rifle & a good investment. I've also used my mates T3 varmint stainless in 7mm rem mag, very accurate and easy to shoot. I can't remember him having any problems with tuning his T3 Tikka 7mm RM. I'm sure Nathan will tune in and give you more up to date advise than I can.
Cheers
Bob
29 Aug 2014
@ 02:32 am (GMT)

Nathan Foster

Re: Remington Sendero II vs Savage 111LRH vs Tikka T3 Varmint
Hi Jared, the purpose of writing the book series was to cover potential issues in detail (and for us to make some income from this website). Others will tell you that the books serve as a sound investment.

There is so much to cover regarding your questions, far more than I can put into one post.

Sorry, I know I am pushing a sale.
29 Aug 2014
@ 07:57 pm (GMT)

Martin Taylor

Re: Remington Sendero II vs Savage 111LRH vs Tikka T3 Varmint
Jared reading your post l think you have answered your own question, buy the Tikka as you have confidence in this platform already!
I have a love hate relationship with my Rem's but my Tikka's just work, straight out.
The Rem's will reward with a bit more $, time & effort, most times, but the Tikka's seem to do it nearly every time.

As for the calibre, accuracy and build questions/issues you have, buy Nathans books for those answers!

Myself & others have said this many times, buy the set and you will see why everybody on here says the same thing and supports Nathan the way we do! No Bullshit, you will refer to these books often!

Cheers Marty
29 Aug 2014
@ 08:28 pm (GMT)

Jared Thibodaux

Re: Remington Sendero II vs Savage 111LRH vs Tikka T3 Varmint
Quote:
Hi Jared, the purpose of writing the book series was to cover potential issues in detail (and for us to make some income from this website). Others will tell you that the books serve as a sound investment.

There is so much to cover regarding your questions, far more than I can put into one post.

Sorry, I know I am pushing a sale.


No worries, it's your job and you are quite right as much as I enjoy rifles I should invest in such information. I know the Savage 111 Long Range Hunter ans Sendero II are relatively new rifles on the market did you cover them in your rifle book?
30 Aug 2014
@ 05:33 pm (GMT)

Jim Moseley

Re: Remington Sendero II vs Savage 111LRH vs Tikka T3 Varmint
Why not keep the Savage 270 wsm and screw on a 26" Pac-Nor Super match barrel for $420 with a 9 twist and shoot the Matrix 165 gr. You could kill most anything out to 1000yds! You may have to add a new stock also. I have the Model 11 in a 243 with what they the call the "tupperware" stock. I glass bedded the stock (with looks like crap) but it will shoot 3/4" at 200 yds.
30 Aug 2014
@ 11:12 pm (GMT)

Jared Thibodaux

Re: Remington Sendero II vs Savage 111LRH vs Tikka T3 Varmint
I cannot bare to tear down a rifle that is shooting sub 1/2 MOA, I bought my Savage 30-06 with every intention of making a heavy barrel 6.5-06 out of it, but then made the mistake of shooting it first, and afterward I just could not do it. If I were to tear down any rifle I own it would be my Ruger 77 MkII 7mm Rem Mag it is the only bolt action I have yet to be able to get below MOA, I would certainly have to replace the barrel, the walnut stock would at leased need to be bedded and free floated if not completely replaced, the trigger would have to be replaced (MkII triggers are BAD) and have an aftermarket recoil pad or muzzle break added to make it comfortable shooting prone. By time I do all of that how close am I money wise to a new rifle? I have thought about doing it but I do not know anything about the accuracy potential of the Ruger action, not sure it has the same potential as a Savage 110 or Rem 700 which are frequently used as competition match rifles.
03 Sep 2014
@ 12:50 am (GMT)

Mike Gantt

Re: Remington Sendero II vs Savage 111LRH vs Tikka T3 Varmint
Jared,

The debate of Remington vs Savage vs who ever else is an argument as old as firearms themselves. I can tell you my experience with a few different manufacturers tho. I have shot/owned full custom rigs that cost $6k+ and rigs that cost $500. I have NEVER owned a Rem 700 that has NOT shot at least 1 moa with factory ammo and they get even better with handloads. Remingtons have a tremendous amount of aftermarket support as where other rifles (Tikka, Browning, etc) do not have the same amount of support.
So if you do happen to get a rifle that is not obtaining the level of accuracy that you desire, its better to at least have a manufacturer that has lots of upgrades and support.
As far as what is better "out of the box" Rem or Savage? Well, like I said, I have NEVER had a Rem that has shot no less than 1 moa. The Savage that I am currently working on is absolutely HORRIBLE. 1.5 moa (at 100yds). I have changed bullet weights/designs, powder charges, powder manufacturers, burn rates, seating depths, and the list goes on. After further inspection, the recoil lugs on the bolt only had 20% contact on ONE of the lugs, the other lug was completely untouched!! Remember, this was a brand NEW rifle from Savage. Call this a "fluke, lemon, rarity" whatever you like, but this is a simple problem that could have been caught by a proper Quality Control program. Others will say they have had X number of Savages and they all shot great, and the same can be said for Rem owners. My point is this, If I did have a problem like this with ANY rifle manufacturer, I would like to know that 1) I have support to fix the problem and upgrade as I see fit. 2) The the rifle I bought has had a proper QC Inspection. Sometimes its nice to pay a little extra for that "peace of mind". As for me, I will never buy another Savage rifle, or recommend them to anyone else. They are cheaper than a Rem for a reason.
In the end, whichever rifle you choose, is only as good as the guy on the trigger. So proper skills are just as important as the rifle (not saying you do not have skills, this is a generalization). It pays to have good quality componets (bullets, brass, powder, etc) and a rifle that can maximize those components.
In the end.....you cant go wrong with a Remington....they have an excellent reputation followed up by Tradition for a reason.

-Mike
03 Sep 2014
@ 12:53 am (GMT)

Mike Gantt

Re: Remington Sendero II vs Savage 111LRH vs Tikka T3 Varmint
Correction:

A Remington that has shot no WORSE than 1 moa.





Quote:
Jared,

The debate of Remington vs Savage vs who ever else is an argument as old as firearms themselves. I can tell you my experience with a few different manufacturers tho. I have shot/owned full custom rigs that cost $6k+ and rigs that cost $500. I have NEVER owned a Rem 700 that has NOT shot at least 1 moa with factory ammo and they get even better with handloads. Remingtons have a tremendous amount of aftermarket support as where other rifles (Tikka, Browning, etc) do not have the same amount of support.
So if you do happen to get a rifle that is not obtaining the level of accuracy that you desire, its better to at least have a manufacturer that has lots of upgrades and support.
As far as what is better "out of the box" Rem or Savage? Well, like I said, I have NEVER had a Rem that has shot no less than 1 moa. The Savage that I am currently working on is absolutely HORRIBLE. 1.5 moa (at 100yds). I have changed bullet weights/designs, powder charges, powder manufacturers, burn rates, seating depths, and the list goes on. After further inspection, the recoil lugs on the bolt only had 20% contact on ONE of the lugs, the other lug was completely untouched!! Remember, this was a brand NEW rifle from Savage. Call this a "fluke, lemon, rarity" whatever you like, but this is a simple problem that could have been caught by a proper Quality Control program. Others will say they have had X number of Savages and they all shot great, and the same can be said for Rem owners. My point is this, If I did have a problem like this with ANY rifle manufacturer, I would like to know that 1) I have support to fix the problem and upgrade as I see fit. 2) The the rifle I bought has had a proper QC Inspection. Sometimes its nice to pay a little extra for that "peace of mind". As for me, I will never buy another Savage rifle, or recommend them to anyone else. They are cheaper than a Rem for a reason.
In the end, whichever rifle you choose, is only as good as the guy on the trigger. So proper skills are just as important as the rifle (not saying you do not have skills, this is a generalization). It pays to have good quality componets (bullets, brass, powder, etc) and a rifle that can maximize those components.
In the end.....you cant go wrong with a Remington....they have an excellent reputation followed up by Tradition for a reason.

-Mike
[b]
03 Sep 2014
@ 07:54 pm (GMT)

Jared Thibodaux

Re: Remington Sendero II vs Savage 111LRH vs Tikka T3 Varmint
I don't know about all that now, the worst QC I have ever seen on any gun was a Remington (NIB) ADL followed by a (NIB) CDL that would not even chamber a round, followed by an R1 (also new) that would not reliably cycle anything even after a factory rebuild. Remington has had more then it's fair share of foopas as well. but the Sendero seems to have a good reputation, at leased I have yet to meet the person that was unhappy with theirs. if we were talking ADLs or SPSs I would immediately reject that notion without a seconds hesitation, been there done that, NOT doing it ever again.
In contrast I have never had any major defects with the half dozen Savages I have owned, the worst of them is my model 11 270 WSM which has a warped plastic stock that is touching the barrel for it's whole length, but truth be told the gun shoots so well that I hesitate to "fix" it, the other five have been textbook perfect.
When my grandfather died he had over 300 firearms, of those he had two favorite deer rifles. A Remington 700 in 280 Rem and a Savage 110 in 30-06, not everyone is an either or fan.
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