.25-06 Sendero Improvements

[bdubb]

This is somewhat a combo post for a few different things. My first post on this forum to begin with, so thanks in advance for any welcomes.

I have had a Remington 700 .25-06 Sendero with the non-fluted barrel for numerous years now which was originally purchased in order for me to use it to begin to learn how to make adjustments for mid range shooting. I grew up shooting for basic practice and hunting, but my longest shots have probably been between the 200-300y range on 1 or 2 instances. The rifle is currently set up with a basic Redfield 3-9x40 scope and a Harris Bi-pod. I am strongly considering making a jump to the purchase a NF F1 within the next few weeks to put onto this rifle. Once I get my feet wet with the .25-06 I may jump up to a larger cal. rifle in the next year or so that has better long range abilities.

Seeing as the Sendero is in stock form, what basic improvements can I make, or a gunsmith make, to improve what I am working with without diving into it too deep for what it is? True the action, bed the barrel better, jewel trigger? I really don't have much knowledge in this area at the moment, but I am still trying to do some research on my own.

As it stands now I have always had an issue with the bolt release on this rifle. Had one gunsmith fix it which lasted about 2 days before going back to the same thing. The release within the trigger guard will not release the bolt by pressing it. It is actually now a bit more recessed in than I recall where it should be. To release the bolt I have to use something to get in under the bolt release and pry it gently down (out) to release the bolt. With going to a better trigger assembly for other reasons also correct this issue with the original equipment?

Thanks for any feedback, and I am looking forward to hanging around here for a bit.

 

[sjm229]

Re: .25-06 Sendero Improvements

Have someone who knows what they're doing bed the action and float the barrel. Although the HS stocks have the aluminum bedding block they can still be improved upon with proper bedding with either Devcon 10110 or Marinetex. The factory Rem trigger is actually pretty good when setup properly so have the smith do that as well. The bolt release is probably just binding and can be taken care of at the same time.

 

[bdubb]

Re: .25-06 Sendero Improvements

Thank you for the suggestions sjm.

 

[sjm229]

Re: .25-06 Sendero Improvements

No problem....good luck

 

[sjm229]

Re: .25-06 Sendero Improvements

What kind of accuracy do you get now and are you handloading for it?

 

[bdubb]

Re: .25-06 Sendero Improvements

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sjm229</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What kind of accuracy do you get now and are you handloading for it? </div></div>

I honestly don't have a good answer for that. I sighted it in at 100 yards, shot around some for pure pleasure, then put it away as I got more involved in pistols and motorcycle club racing.

I do not have any experience in handloading and have only shot a few boxes of factory ammo through it. I recall having the best results with the remington 120 Core Lokt PSP but never paid much attention to the grouping size. Now that I am putting my interest back into a more body friendly (and possibly cheaper) hobby I will be trying to get some factual results in accuracy with it.

I'll check back in with this thread next week sometime once I get the new scope on and give an update.

 

[Sendero_Man]

Re: .25-06 Sendero Improvements

have a good smith check the crown. some of the sendero barrels benefit by recrowning. 2 of mine were not even and accuracy was greatly increased after the new crown job.

as well as the above mentioned too.

You will greatly benefit with handloading not to mention the Money savings after the initial set up costs.

Welcome to the board.

 

[flyboy]

Re: .25-06 Sendero Improvements

What part of town are you in. There are a number of us in Houston that would be more than happy to show you the ropes.

 

[bowtie4x4295]

Re: .25-06 Sendero Improvements

One rifle I would almost give anything to have back was my Sendero 25-06. Damn good shooter once you figure out what it likes. MIne loved the Nosler Ballistic tip 100gn and the 115 BT's also. The 115 Partitions did great also. Like seeing a deer struck ny lightning.. Do yourself a favor and dont let it go. If you want a different caliber get another rifle, but hang onto that one trust me. The 25-06 is one of the most under-rated rounds on the market in my opinion. Which is why the is not a bunch of different bullets like the 6mm or .308, but still a badass little round. It can push the 85gn in the 3500-3600fps range, very explosive on varmint.

Mike

 

[bdubb]

Re: .25-06 Sendero Improvements

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: flyboy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What part of town are you in. There are a number of us in Houston that would be more than happy to show you the ropes.

</div></div>

I'm on the NW side off 249. Haven't been to a rifle range in over a year, but hope to make it out to American Shooting Center sometime next week. I might have to take you up on that once I get things sorted a little.

 

[flyboy]

Re: .25-06 Sendero Improvements

Your right down the street from one of the guys in the area. and not all that far from me. We'll hook up one of these days and shoot.

 

[bdubb]

Re: .25-06 Sendero Improvements

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sjm229</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What kind of accuracy do you get now and are you handloading for it? </div></div>

sjm -

I was getting between 1/2" - 3/4" 3 shot groups at 100 yards this past weekend shooting a variety of factory ammo. Five shot groups were more in the 1" range. I had trouble being as consistent as I would have liked, but I think it came down to me and not as much the gun. There was a noticable difference in the accuracy of the ammo I was shooting. Next time out I should have a new scope on it and will focus in on what to shoot out of it with hopes that as I get some practice again I'll be able to bring the group sizing down towards a 1/2" group on a repeated basis.

With everything in mind I doubt I'll be doing too much to this gun other than just shooting it for a while now. Possible tune the trigger a little better, but outside of that just shoot it for the time being as I think it has some good accuracy as it sits now.

In order of the best group sizing:
1 - 117 gr Nosler (Old stuff from a local loader who has since closed down)
2 - 120 gr Remington Core Lokt
3 - 117 gr Hornady SST
4 - 100 gr Remington Core Lokt

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: .25-06 Sendero Improvements

Bedding the action and truing the crown would be good initial steps.

The original Remington trigger isn't too bad when properly adjusted; I'd be looking into getting an original Remington replacement trigger, to resolve the bolt release issue.

Personally, I think that the .25-'06 is an awkward chambering; finicky and harsh on bores.

The 6.5-'06 is a step in a better direction, but I'd keep right on going until I reached either the .280 or .30-'06.

Greg