Next project questions

[OTTER264]

Good morning, I am looking for a few informed opinions on my next custom project. I have decided to build a 6 Rem. BR Rifle on an XP-100 action. Those two criteria are the only set in stone plans so far. The reasons (for the XP action) is because I have one that has already been trued and a proven shooter. (And the Rem BR instead of the Norma chamber) because I have reamer, guages, dies and a fair supply of R-P 7BR brass.
I don't currently shoot competition, and the intent of this project is not for a competition rifle. However, Benchrest target shooting from 100 to 600 yards is my intent. I just want to build a rifle to test my abilities rather than the rifle's.
I have one varmint rifle that may shoot better than I do, but I want to be sure.
So with this in mind, my first question would be about stocks. Should I try to find a stock that is allready inletted for my XP or buy a benchrest stock not inletted and have it inletted by a third party. Who?,Where?, And how much $ should I expect(for inletting). Also Laminated wood, or fiberglass.
My second question would be about barrels. I have used McGowan (Savage Pre-fits) and Shilen(Rem. actions) barrels and have zero complaints. I have noticed when reading on the site and in the forums that Hart, Krieger, Bartlien, and Shilen, all have thier following. Is there a standout or can I just pick the best deal and expect similar quality from any of these?
That should create enough discussion to last until funds have been raised for stock and barrel.
Thanks.
Ron.

 

[jonbearman]

If you are going to use an xp100 receiver you may want to sleeve it to make it more rigid. I dont know if sleeving will hurt your chances of having a repeater when you are done. If you are thinking about sleeving go with the uninletted and get it done by a good smith,there is a list on the homepage on the left hand side of the page. I would definetely go with fiberglass such as mcmillan and others out there.It will be lighter and stiffer than the wood. When it comes to a barrel it is a toss up. I lean towards a brux cut rifled. The kreigers are as good but the barrel finish internally is outstanding on the many barrels I have scoped. The brux wins .

 

[OTTER264]

Thank you jonbearman.
I went to the list on the left side of the homepage and found a Smith close to me (Albuquerque) but I haven't contacted them yet as work really picked up and things have been really hectic this week. No time for anything else. After looking over the list, I feel sure I will be able to find someone to inlet the stock, I will concentrate on selecting a style of stock, and brand, and then finding one available uninletted.
Thanks again, for your reply.
Ron

 

[NorCalMikie]

As far as using the XP 100 action to build a rifle out of? 8) 8) Got one and LOVE IT!! The action being a "single shot solid bottom" ,won't get much stronger!
As far as glass or laminated wood? I prefer Laminated Wood. Best bet for you (while you're waiting) is to do some looking around and see what's available.
I sent my XP action to Shilen,had them chamber and blue the barrel to match the action. Came out BEAUTIFUL!
One of my favorite shooting rigs. Added a Rifle basix trigger with a safety.
Think hard before you order a barrel. Best way is to build a dummy round set up to the specs YOU want and have the chamber cut to YOUR specs. No '
"off the shelf chambers". Seat the bullet of your choice to the shoulder neck junction, stuffed "INTO" the lands. That way, as the throat wears, (and it will) you can go to heavier bullets and still be able to "jam".
If you feel you have the ability to inlet, find a blank and go for it OR, do some checking and see who inlets for the XP action and what stock styles are available. Good luck on you choice. Be real interesting to see what you choose to do.
Keep me posted, Mike.

 

[deadwooddick]

I had a 221Fireball rebarreled to 6.5X47L. Getting that new (bigger bodied) cartridge into the chamber is "fussy."

I'm thinking the "tray" in the receiver may be cartridge specific. The 7BR is long gone so can't compare.

The larger 6.5 cartridge doesn't seem to sit deep enough into the "tray" to prevent the bullet tip from bumping into the top of the chamber face as the bolt is closed.

Stocking… consider using a Model 7 aftermarket rather than something for the 700. Just plain "fits" better.

 

[OTTER264]

NorCalMikie, Thanks for the encouragement. I have one XP-100 turned rifle in .223AI that shoots lights out. On that project I pretty much took the parts as they came to me and then put the rifle together! No major plan. It started with a silhouette pistol chambered in 7mmTCU, with a rear grip and a Canjar trigger. Midway had a 26" ss Shilen Heavy Varmint barrel 12 twist short chambered in .221 Fireball reduced price, and I had the reamer and guages.
A Ramline syn-tech stock for a model 600 Rem. was improvised and the rest is history.
On this next project I wanted to tailor the parts to the rifle rather than the rifle to the parts.
Thanks
Ron.