I've got a good deal lined up on a Remington XP-100 "Custom Shop" chambered in 7-08.

For those not familiar with the Custom Shop XP's this one has a fancy wood right handed centergrip stock and a "bull barrel" as opposed to the normal tapered XP barrel....condition is easily 95% with only a max of 800 rounds run through it.

The original buyer felt the recoil was a little stout for him and wanted a brake installed but he also wanted to keep the overall barrel length of 15", after the brake was installed. So he had a smith cut back the barrel 1 1/2", recrown it, and install a KDF 1 1/2" screw on / detachable muzzle brake.

I've had two 15" handguns in 7-08 in the past without brakes, a rebarreled XP many moons ago and a Encore a couple years ago. Both were tack drivers and the recoil was not a problem to me without muzzle brakes.

If I purchase the gun it's sole purpose in life will be for hunting (deer) and to be honest I'm just not a fan of muzzle brakes because of the noise they generate.

In order to remove the KDF muzzle brake and use the gun I'll have to come up with a blued thread protector nut somewhere, the current owner doesn't have one...any ideas on where to locate one ?

I've heard or read somewhere that for each inch of barrel, you loose aprox. 100fps so for the 1 1/2" I'd be loosing aprox 150fps with a given load.....sound about right ?

Now for the question, if I can get over the fact enough mentally to go ahead and purchase the gun with the barrel sawed off 1 1/2", do you think either I or the deer are going to notice any measureable difference in accuracy or velocity in the missing 1 1/2" of barrel length ?

How about point of impact, does it tend to shift when using the brake vs without it ?

I don't think you will loose 150fps in 1.5in. I have a switch barrel xp and think you have made a goood choice in cal, I don't know what your anticpated max range is on deer. But my thoughts are 125gr to reduce recoil and 3031, bullet choice for expansion is a personal choice. goood choice. ( if you want to sell comp or barrel with comp or trade for another cal let me know at Bradyhawks@aol.com

Ike,

You will loose no where near 150 fps compared to a 15" pipe. I would guess it would be more like 40-60 fps and thats it. This really means very little.

My favorite load in my 7mm08 Encore drives the 140 gr Ballistic Silvertip to just about 2575 fps in the 15" barrel. This is a hot load in the Encore but would be a breeze in the vault-like XP-100 action. If this same load dropped to an even 2500 fps in your shorter barrel I would be amazed.

About you wanting a thread cap for your muzzle, I would contact KDF as they made the break and also make the breaks for the Weatherby rifles which have replacement caps. They should be able to supply you with one. I have no idea at what cost but they should be able to get you one. Also any GOOD gunsmith or machinist could make one for you as well.

There will be zero effect on accuracy with the shorter barrel as long as the crown is clean and square. Like I said, if you can tell the difference from a 50 fps slower load then your much better then I, as far as deer go, they will die the same as long as you hit a good spot.

I use the 7mmBR quite a bit as well for hunting deer under 200 yards and if a 140 gr Ballistic Tip at 2300 fps works as well as it does, and it works very well indeed, then the 13.5", 7mm08 will still be head and shoulders above it.

Anyway, if the price is right, and you can't get over the shorter barrel, a brand new Lilja XP-100 barrel only costs $155 no matter the contour, add another couple hundred for a match quality barrel fitting and you have a 15" match grade XP-100. You really can't loose in my mind. The action along is very valuable.

Point of impact can change with a break on and then taken off, Some do, some do not, as you stated you do not like breaks so I would take it off, possible to sell it if you like and don't worry about it anymore.

Hope this helps a little.

Good Shooting!!!

50

Thanks for the help in deciding gents, I called the fella that has the XP early this morning and it's going to ship on Monday.....now the worst part starts, the waiting.

[ 09-22-2002, 00:32: Message edited by: IKE ]