I have a XP-100 in 221 Fireball. My boy will be shooting soon. In fact I plan to have him dog shooting this Spring. I'm going to rebarrel it in a cartridge that can be used for both deer sized game and varmints. Sporter taper with a 14-15 inch barrel. I have already decided on the quarter bore.
My question is, what in your opinion is the best cartridge (factory or wildcat)?
Also, do you know of anyone who makes an ambi center-grip stock for the XP or has a used for sale? I have a Fajen thumbhole left-hand that I may try to turn into a ambi. Has anyone here done that? The trigger guard is the biggest problem that I can see. He is right handed, but I would like to be able to use it also.
What do you think?
xphunter

[ 02-01-2003, 09:27: Message edited by: xphunter ]

The .250 Savage is one of the best balanced quarterbores for a 14-15" XP. You can drive a 100 grain Ballistic Tip to 2700 fps, and it makes a terrific deer-dropper. The 85-87 grain bullets can reach 2900+ fps, and the 75 grainers will do 3000 to make for a flat-shooting varmint rig. (For smaller deer, the 87 grain Hornady is a winner for those who prefer lighter projectiles. I used it on a number of deer at 2900 fps and had excellent results)

I can't help you with a stock suggestion as I like the Fajens but don't have a lefty-righty situation as you do.

But I will offer my .02 as to powder and twist: Re-15 and a 1:10.

If you prefer something more exotic than the .250, then how about a .25 BR?

I would go with the 250 Ackley Improved 40. I have shot one for years in a XP100 and it just a wonderful all around cartridge. From P Dogs to Deer, it works well on them all. Russ

Well, without modifying the bolt I would think that either 6TCU or 6.5TCU would be the natural choice since you have the small case head bolt. I realize they aren't the whizz-bang long range cartridges that you are used to, but they are both capable. Personally, I would lean toward the 6mm TCU and then teach discipline regarding shot distance. Best of luck whatever you end up doing with it.

Bret

I have modified one of the Fagen thumbholes once. To work around the trigger guard problem, I made a jig to hold the gun steady, sideways in my scroll saw and very carefully cut all the trigger guard wood out and replaced it with an appropiate size block of Dymonwood, which I shaped into a center located trigger guard. Quite tricky but not impossible, I guess the factory stock is out of the question? mvm

243 WSSM, i may have Fagen laminated unfinished you can have for frt I will look today

[ 02-01-2003, 17:03: Message edited by: Pokerplayer ]

hmmm, i sure like 6mm. 6BR,6x47,6TCU,6x45. can't wait to see something on the .243wssm in a handgun. but i guess if'n your going 25 caliber, i sure like the looks of the .250 savage also.

my gunsmith is buiding 25xWSM and has the reamer

You have given me a lot of considerations. Originally I was thinking about keeping with the 223 boltface and going with a 6x47AI. When I decided to open the boltface up it gave me a myriad of possibilities. I did consider the BR case in both 6 & 25. Then I began to consider that he could easily handle that if not more within a year or two. I never did even think of the WSM or the New WSSM cases. I guess I considered that to much for what I am looking for. Bob Milek in his later years loved the 250 Savage Improved in his XP-100. Yes, there is some sentimental value going on here. I used to read everything Bob wrote. the 250 Imp. is a neat little cartridge that performs well from PD's to deer size game. The 25 Super (25 x 308)is my second consideration at this point. I plan to chamber this without a brake. If I deem the rcoil to much I will put one on, but I prefer it non-braked. This is what my thinking is to date. Nothing is set in stone, yet. I would be glad to hear any other suggestions.
xphunter
P.S.I remembered this afternoon that I have an original Zytel stock from a 7mmBR XP-100. This just may fit the bill and at the same time make it easier for his hands to reach the trigger easier. Still open in this area too.

Just for the record, Bob Milek used a standard .250 Savage, not the AI version, in an XP-100. And, he favored the 100 grain Ballistic Tip for deer and antelope.

My gunsmith has been cutting remington bolts and putting interchangable savage bolt faces on them give the swich barrel a lot of options

Bobby,
Thanks for the correction. I was mistaken. In my mind I had it wrong.
Ernie

PokerPlayer-
Do you know what the 'smith charges for such work? I've always been interested in putting together a switch-barrel XP.

send him action and bolt he will set it up for $125.00 includes parts and labor

Xphunter,

Sounds like a great project and one that should turn out great. About the chambering, I have been looking at a few possible new chamberings for my next XP project.

I think I told you that I am researching the 6.5 WSM but I have also become interested in the new Winchester WSSM case to build some varminting XP's on.

This case is very close in capacity compared to the 284 Win cases but much shorter which means even more usible barrel length in the 15" XP's, more velocity and better powder burn.

If you took this very short case and expanded it to .257", I think it would be a great long range varminter or medium range deer/pronghorn round.

I suspect it would produce more velocity with the 100 gr Ballistic Tip in a 15" XP-100 then the 25-06 would in a 15" Encore.

Recoil would be very low and comfortable and from what I have seen with my own 25 calibers, the 100 gr Ballistic Tip could be one of the most accurate hunting bullets ever made.

Only problem is case availability. Are these things going to stay around for a while or be a flash in the pan?

I've even drawn up an entire line of big bore handgun rounds using this short case. I designed a line on the 50 A.E. case from .358" up to .475" but this case would provide even more case capacity with a better shoulder to headspace on.

About the stock. I have two Fajen thumbhole laminated stocks that I converted to ambi stocks. They are not true ambi's because I left a sizable thumb rest on each one but I did open up the bling trigger guard and contoured it to mirror the opposite side.

I have shot the handguns left handed and they felt ok. If the thumb rest was removed it would fit like a glove. I have a left handed shooting partner that has shot them and loves both of them.

One is my 338 WSM and the other is on my 7mm BR.

All you need is a dremel tool with a rough wood cutting head to contour things close to what you want and then some 120, 240 and 400 grit paper and about three hours.

Mine look like factory built stocks as I finished them both is a satin matte finish which I prefer for hunting rigs.

Good Shooting!!

Let us know what you decide.

Do you know if Handcannon ever got his 300 RUM XP-100 done and back. Curious as to how it is working out for him.

50

XP, you know me, I've always got long-range in the back of my mind. I'm all for the suggestion of 6 wssm, but no doubt the 25 wssm would do it all a little better, especially with the higher b.c. bullets now available from Hornady (SST's). And of course their should be a consideration of elk on the horizon some day. Remember, my elk this year. If my 6.5-284 will do it, I know the 25wssm will too, certainly better than the .250 Savage capacity.

"If" I was building this for myself it would be a larger case design. It will be some time before my boy goes elk hunting. My MOA can easily be converted to a large bore elk handgun. Greg said it would be easy. Plus I have the 284 which will do the job on elk as it has a number of times before.
Fifty,
Let me know what you decide whether it is WSM or WSSM (or both). A 25 WSM sounds exciting, but not for me and this project. I guess with a Vais brake, maybe the recoil wouldn't be to.......
xphunter

Xphunter,

Another look at your question sent me in a different way of thinking.

When I built my 338 WSM, I did it because I wanted the best mix of velocity, trajectory, energy, and bullet accuracy.

The 338 WSM has been a screaming success in the XP-100 as it would be in a light weight rifle.

While it would be much more suited to deer and larger game, what would you think of a 338 WSSM? I know bullet cost is far to high for varmint hunting in any volume but what do you think of this wildcat for deer hunting?

Your son could easy handle my 338 WSM once he got used to the bark as recoil simply is not there with the Holland brake.

Better yet, get a barrel in 243 WSSM and one in 338 WSSM, he'll be set for all seasons.

Just letting the mind play in the wildcat world. Trueth be know, one of my favorite varminting handguns of all time is the original 10 3/4" XP-100 in 221 Fireball. A 50 gr V-Max or Ballistic Tip at 2700 fps is always great fun.

Good Shooting and enjoy shooting and hunting with your son and daughter!!

50

50,
I am not familiar with a Holland brake. From other posts it sounds like a good one. Is it used in competition often? I am wanting to avoid brakes because of the extra length and increased noise levels. At the moment I am going to use a Zytel stock from an old 14 7mmBR XP-100. This will make for an overall lighter gun and better trigger reach. Several of these cartridges sure are tempting though.
xphunter

If you are wanting to start this project as an evolutionary process you might consider just putting a 7 or 700 260 remington take off on your action this cartrige is very flexible and data learned and documented by your young shooter from light to heavy bullets may bring another wildcatter in to the fold

pokerplayer you have PM

Pokerplayer,
I hadn't really thought about the 260 Remington since I already have one chambered in my MOA which my daughter shoots. I braked her barrel so as to take all of the recoil out of it. the XP action w/Zytel stock should be lighter than the MOA.
What does a take-off usually run? Are the barrel threads the same for the Model 7 & Model 700 as the older dog-leg centergrip XP action (In rifles 600 or 660)?
xphunter

They are all the same, I have been experimenting with them on 2 xp's set up as switch barrels use both model seven and pistol stocks depending on barrel length... Tommyn didnot recieve PM e-mail me at Bradyhawks@aol.com depending on cal. Hart barrels will sell new takeoffs $30-60 call and ask about whats available

[ 02-06-2003, 06:03: Message edited by: Pokerplayer ]

I know the factory stock is ugly...but I have small hands too, and it does fit great. Not to change the subject, but how about a Striker switch bbl.? Any comments. mvm

I was just about to go back to the standard 250 Savage, then I am began thinking that I can always use a slow powder in the improved and stay away from the higher velocities and still keep good case volume.
So, as it stands I'm going with the 250 Savage Improved, with an XP Zytel stock that came off a 7mmBR I used to have. Scope at this time will either be a 4 power Leupold or an old 2 1/2x 7 Burris LER that I have had since they first came out.
You guys have a lot of great ideas:
Take of barrels, switch barrels, Savage lug conversions, Differnt stock options,WSM's, WSSM's, and cartridges that would not require me to open the bolt face. That is why this forum is my favorite. There a number of people who have done their homework and are very serious about shooting specialty handguns. THANKS GUYS!
xphunter