Pros/Cons between using a Rem 700 or XP-100 action for a build

[Steave]

I'm going to get a 6BR and have been debating between buying one or having one built. Obviously a custom action is the best, but for my needs a Remington 700 action as the heart of the build would be fine. In looking at some used rifles I have noticed some built on XP-100 actions. I'm familiar with the XP-100, but don't know enough about the XP action to know how it compares to the 700 when comparing the two as the basis for a custom 6BR.

Any of you guys that are familiar with both actions care to weigh on on the pro/cons of each action?

Thanks for any and all info!

Steave

 

[Eddie Harren]

There have been quite a few BR rifles built on XP-100 actions. The fact that most of them were single shot and, shorter than a 700, made them desirable. Are they more accurate? Who can say but, I betcha some will.

 

[Preacher]

The solid bottom on the XP is a plus, along with the additional recoil shelf that is built into one of them..
A little tougher to find a rifle stock for one of them is the only downside to that, but there are a few stocks out there if you look around...
Most any aftermarket part that works for the 700 will also work for the XP's...
If I can't have a custom action a XP action will more than fill the bill.......

 

[camac]

+1 on Preachers comments, The shorter action with no cutout is a plus. Built a few 223's and 204's on them and they were very accurate. Sorry haven't done a BR but imagine it would be a good choice. The stock is a bit of an issue too as suggested. Ones I built kept the original stock which worked fine but depends on whether you are benchrest shooting or varmint shooting I guess.

 

[DCRYDER]

Wouldn't the trigger and recoil lug be the only interchangable aftermarket parts between the 700 and xp100???

I say if a single shot is what you want then find a XR100 rifle in 22-250 or any 308 boltfaced 40x's.

There may even be some legal problems with building rifles out of pistol actions in some states.

 

[RJ338]

It is legal to make a rifle out of a pistol, but definately not to make a pistol out of a rifle. XP100's will work fine but stocking will be challenging.

 

[Robert]

The XP 100 action has the rear bedding screw placed ahead of the trigger and is of smaller diameter than the front one.
The very short spacing between the two screws and the samller one at rear does not seem to me the ideal to support a long rifle barrel.
FWIW
R.G.C

 

[Steave]

Folks, thanks for all the info!

 

[Eddie Harren]

You know, all of the above responses, that use the "stiffer because of no magazine cutout" theory, fail to address the current design, of many custom actions, that have a loading port and an ejection port. Does this not make these actions less stiff?

 

[Chuckhunter]

Doc, most of the custom actions are much beefier to begin with and the ejection ports are Micro ports, just enough clearance for the fierd case to get out of the action. No where near the amount of metal removed that a magazine cutout requires. XP 100 actions make an excellent choice for a semi custom build, especially if you already have the action and are on a budget.

 

[Eddie Harren]

Chuckhunter, you need to look at some of the actions, other than BAT. Some of the Kelbly actions have just as large of an ejection port as the loading port. I just thought that it is funny how cutting an action for a magazine is bad but double cutting an action is OK.

 

[Preacher]

I've also often wondered about those dual ports, but they are pretty beefy actions..

 

[sdneil]

Steave--6mmbr--built one this year on an xr-100 action ( 22-250) turned out excellent!!! Krieger, Holland, Jewel, I love it. I am not a computer kind of guy and can not figure out how to down size my pictures or I would post a picture. Send me a PM and I will send you pictures if wanted.

 

[butchlambert]

You can make a rifle out of a pistol receiver, but not the other way. Technically if you made it a rifle, it would be illegal to change it back. The rear screw in the receiver can be drilled and tapped to 1/4"x28 for a regular action screw. After market triggers for Mod 7 and Mod 700 hit the rear receiver screw and you would have to deal with that just as you have to do on a Mod 600. I would go with a 700 or Mod 7.
Butch