I have a hankering for a LR Pistol...what do I get?

[mcbain]

I have been out of hunting for too many years, and I want to get back into it...specifically hunting with a LR handgun. I have had an Encore in .270 Winchester in the past, and I wasn't enamored with the platform. This time around I am thinking a Savage Striker or a Remington XP-100R. In all reality 500 yards is about the max I will be taking shots, at least until I spend some time sending a LOT of lead down range, and I am planning to hunt almost exclusively deer and antelope. I am leaning toward a 7-08 or .260, just for ease of factory ammo to get started and that they have decent ballistics. I do handload, but finding components is such a hassle right now that I figure I will start with factory as I scrounge around for primers, powder, brass, etc.

With all of that being said, I am looking to spend ~$1000. What do you all recommend?

Thank you gentlemen!

 

[flylo]

I have a BFR in 450 Marlin & a 45/70 cylinder with a 10" barrel I really like.

 

[Ernie]

Does $1000 include the scope?

I have been out of hunting for too many years, and I want to get back into it...specifically hunting with a LR handgun. I have had an Encore in .270 Winchester in the past, and I wasn't enamored with the platform. This time around I am thinking a Savage Striker or a Remington XP-100R. In all reality 500 yards is about the max I will be taking shots, at least until I spend some time sending a LOT of lead down range, and I am planning to hunt almost exclusively deer and antelope. I am leaning toward a 7-08 or .260, just for ease of factory ammo to get started and that they have decent ballistics. I do handload, but finding components is such a hassle right now that I figure I will start with factory as I scrounge around for primers, powder, brass, etc.

With all of that being said, I am looking to spend ~$1000. What do you all recommend?

Thank you gentlemen!

 

[flylo]

With one cylinder I paid $730, so you should be able to get a quality used scope or a cheaper new one & make budget..

 

[mcbain]

Does $1000 include the scope?

No, the $1000 does not include the scope. In fact, for the right gun I would be willing to stretch my "budget" to $1200 for just the gun.

 

[etisll40]

I'm with McBain, I'd like the same thing in 260 rem or 7wsm, 16" or less barrel, can someone make us 2? I'll start with a cheap stock and go from there.

2 rem actions, order 1 barrel, 32", fluted in the middle, cut it in half, have it chambered, tune the triggers put it back in the stock or another composite.

 

[TXshooter]

I'm a fan of the xp 100. And between the two caliber I'm a 7mm-08 fan. Now finding the xp in a 7mm-08 my be hard.

 

[Ernie]

I am not a striker fan due to their yucky triggers.
You can find a XP-100R for under a $1000-$1200 but you will have to be patient.
None of my XP's are factory rigs.
Depending on the accuracy you want, you may want to save some penny's up and get exactly what you want in terms of length, twist, contour, stock, barrel quality, etc...

If you want a rear grip you could go with a non-designated Savage Target action, and build from there if you wanted to buy some prechambered/threaded barrels say from like McGowen. You would need go/no-go gauges, but it would be cheaper. Not sure who makes custom rear grip stock for the savage target action off-hand.

 

[yorke-1]

If you want a rear grip you could go with a non-designated Savage Target action, and build from there if you wanted to buy some prechambered/threaded barrels say from like McGowen. You would need go/no-go gauges, but it would be cheaper. Not sure who makes custom rear grip stock for the savage target action off-hand.

You can get a rear grip stock from Tony's Forends Home - Tony's Forends and Grips

He'll make them for either the Target action or a standard Striker. With a little work the Striker trigger can be pretty good, but if you put it in a rear grip stock you can just use any after market trigger.

Andrew

 

[Ernie]

Thanks!
I knew Tony used to make them but was unsure he still was.

 

[mcbain]

You can get a rear grip stock from Tony's Forends Home - Tony's Forends and Grips

He'll make them for either the Target action or a standard Striker. With a little work the Striker trigger can be pretty good, but if you put it in a rear grip stock you can just use any after market trigger.

Andrew

Great to know. Thank you, Andrew!

I am planning to use the pistol for hunting, pure and simple. I love the looks of some of the custom guns being shown, but for hunting I want something lighter and that doesn't require a brake.

How much do a standard XP-100R and Striker weigh? How long are they? I have been looking for specs on the factory guns for some time with no luck.

Thank you, gentlemen!

 

[Ernie]

Would probably go with a 260 Rem then, using between 123-140 grain bullets.
Even though the 7-08 with the 162 A-Max would be a hammer

 

[mcbain]

How fast is a 7mm-08 shooting a 162 gr. A-max from a 15" barrel?

I found these loads on Hodgdon's website, how close to real life are they?

162 GR. HDY A-MAX Hodgdon H4350 .284" 2.875" 45.0 2302 42,600 CUP 48.0C 2472 49,800 CUP
162 GR. HDY A-MAX Hodgdon H414 .284" 2.875" 43.0 2276 42,100 CUP 45.0 2388 44,500 CUP
162 GR. HDY A-MAX Hodgdon H380 .284" 2.875" 42.5 2267 42,400 CUP 44.0 2369 45,800 CUP
162 GR. HDY A-MAX Hodgdon Varget .284" 2.875" 38.5 2312 43,400 CUP 41.0 2468 49,800 CUP
162 GR. HDY A-MAX Hodgdon H335 .284" 2.875" 36.5 2253 45,200 CUP 38.2 2338 50,100 CUP
162 GR. HDY A-MAX Hodgdon H4895 .284" 2.875" 37.0 2239 43,700 CUP 39.5 2429 49,800 CUP
162 GR. HDY A-MAX Hodgdon Benchmark .284" 2.875" 36.0 2264 43,100 CUP 38.0 2394 49,200 CUP
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon H4350 .284" 2.800" 44.5 2255 42,600 CUP 47.2C 2404 50,000 CUP

 

[Ernie]

When I owned a 7-08 XP, it had a 14" barrel and I didn't consider the 162 grain A-Max--I don't think it existed back then
My 7-08 XP ran the 140 grain NBT at 2540fps and the 120 NBT at 2700 fps.
My 140 grain load was mild.