.221 Fireball in XP-100, looking for suggestions and info

[Kenny474]

I picked up an original XP-100 in .221 FB yesterday, which I plan to use for coyote and woodchucks at shorter ranges, along with some paper punching as well.

I have RE7, IMR 8208XBR, Accur 1680 and H-4227, as well as 250 each 40 and 50 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips and 100-36gr Barnes Varmint Grenades for load development. I started today with IMR 8208XBR and the 50gr BT's, and found a load that shows promise, actually it was better than I had hoped for. I plan to try other combinations as time allows.

My question is how long should I limit my shots to? I know the pistol won't have the velocity that a rifle will, and the fireball isn't the fastest round to start with. I was thinking a practical max for coyote would be around 150-175yds, and woodchucks around 200-250 tops. Am I on the right track with this?

I am also not all that thrilled with the Leupold pistol scope which the pistol came with, and have been thinking of just swapping it for a regular rifle scope. I have seen others do this, and I am just wondering how practical it is for field use. I will be shooting from either a bipod or a shooting stick. I just don't get the field of view I want from the pistol scope, though it is a nice scope with good, clear glass. It held zero well this morning, and I was able to make out targets at 150yds without issue.

Should I try the rifle scope, or just stick with the Leupold?

I am also open to any other load suggestions or other info as well.

 

[Preacher]

Only one of my XP's wears a pistol scope (3X12 Burris)all the rest have rifle scopes on them.
My favorite is the 5.5x22x50 NXS... 4 inches of eye relief allows me to shoot big calibers in any of them, especially with a muzzle break....
A friend has a 6x18x40 Bushnell on his and it also will do a good job...
Get used to the pistol with a rifle scope on it and you'll stretch those distances you mentioned...
Push the 40 gr BT's really hard and you'll be surprised at the damage they will do on a groundhog out to 300 yards......

 

[pwdrbrn]

have a 2x7 pentax pistol scope on mine, no problem seeing pd's at 200-250 yds.. 50 gr. blitz, 17.5 4198, rem 71/2 will keep 10 shots under 1" @100 yds.. in my 221 rifle, 22" bbl., 40 gr. vmax needs 1680 to burn clean, but 50 gr. pistol load works fine.

 

[Preacher]

Kenny, here's what you need for those past 300 yard critters ;D
22 inch 1.250 Brux 25-284 Winchester on a XP action, 2 oz jewell, with a 12x42x56 NP2DD NF.... setting in one of my rear grip stocks in Wyoming last week in a PD town.
I got it into some 490 yard shooting and put a nasty dent in the PD's on that ranch...
It's for those guys in Texas that likes em bigger and better ;D

 

[Kenny474]

Wow, I want one!

I guess I need to start saving my pennies and get me one of those NF scopes and a big, long barrel!

That is a very nice rig Preacher. And even though I do like the Fajen stock on my XP, the rear grip sure looks like it would be bunch better on the bags. And 490 from a pistol is impressive regardless of what it's chambered in!

I think a nice 16", maybe 18", 6BR barrel would do fine for my needs. I just don't shoot very long all that often, and have rifle for that kind of stuff. Anyway, I still have a lot of work just trying to figure out how to hold the thing properly. I want to death grip it, as that's my instinct with a pistol, but it doesn't shoot very well that way. I guess I have a lot to learn.

 

[Preacher]

Just let that center grip stock roll back in your hand when you shoot it, and it will behave very nice for you.. It's usually better to stuff it hard into a soft bag like a Bullbag with out any rear support, as it will tend to cause the muzzle to flip up more than is needed if you hold hard under the rear of the stock...
One of the main reasons I like to make the rear grips is you can use a soft bag under the rear.... and you can add a Jewell trigger ;D

 

[bheadboy]

kenny,

my experience is also, loose mid grip,let it recoil up- use soft rear bag just for stability, death grip on this pistol will cause trimmer, let the gun "sit"

bbl over 15 and you might as well have a rifle, for the preformance,


Bob