Trying this pistol thing...

[WSMDRT]

Ok first of all go easy on me as I am just dipping my toe in these new pistol waters... To this point I've been only rifles. This is a very preliminary set up to see if i want to jump in. There is zero out there on this chassis from XLR came out in 2021 and ordered mine black friday and just got it. In holding it for the first time i think it is perfect for a pistol build. Only info i could find on what i was going for was on the Pork Sword and Elf Owl bolt action pistols. The action was purchased from jaoutdoors (supporting our members) as bare action and registered as such. The bolt is out at LRI getting fluted and threaded for knob. All barrels mentioned were aquired on LRH from generous members(one sent one for free) or fair prices for factory never fired take offs.

First... don't hate the brace! I plan on using this chassis for the occasional rifle action. But will want to find a plug to fill threaded hole in rear when operating as a pistol. And figured might as well pick up the folder from XLR during there great black friday sale this year. This configuration is a factory Rem 700 barrel cut down to 14" measured from bolt face. The bushnell 10x scope is strictly for testing as i have no pistol or long eye relief scopes.

Left to right for comparison 26" Remington varmint with brake. 7mm-08 18" cut down from 22" for rifle testing. 15" factory 308 cut from 24". 14" 7mm-08 cut from factory 22". 13" 243 stainless cut from factory 24". These were all hack saw cut filed then sanded then a brass screw was used with lapping compound on bore. If any of these show promise with my cut/crown they will go to smith for real crown and threading for brake.

All input is welcome, just keep it constructive....if you want me to take down pictures with brace to keep it in the handgun forum just PM me

 

[codyadams]

Looks great! I just got an XLR chassis for my Bat Vampire action, I have thought about getting another one of the Atom chassis like that one and put on a 14ish" barrel and make something like a .270 WSM for fun, and high country ultralight mule deer hunting ha ha. Looks good, have fun!

 

[FrogFire7]

I'm deciding how to build mine currently as well!! Looks like a blast

 

[WSMDRT]

This is with 1oz 3d printed grip instead of 3.3oz ergo also planning on talley rings. And that is not actual bolt just put in for weight. That all with brace. Could lose brace and or folder to save onces.

 

[WSMDRT]

I know it can find your should occasionally or however it is written but dang it is comfortable laying behind this thing.

Cough cough I mean behind it on a bench with my arms straight out.

I would highly suggest xlr atom chassis to anyone looking to build a pistol or ultralite rifle. I also love that has both bolt cut outs and a plug being a lefty i can buy or drop in my lefty 700s too.

 

[WSMDRT]

I will try to post targets this week.

Ernie...if i am looking for a custom one short action 308 bolt face to rule them all, what would it be (animals to 300-400 steel to 6-700)? I have a 6.5x284 and I know you have several but I shoot mine in long action rifle (over 3" COAL). With this I'd be using AICS mags so ~2.9ish is max.

I don't think anyone cuts a break on ordering a short custom barrels. Same price for 26" as for 14" tube.

 

[WSMDRT]

Not the pistol but did some testing with the 18". Testing the 14" this week. Have remainder of same loads to test.

All loads loaded to 2.8 COAL
7mm-08 150gr PPU HPBT

40gr CFE223 avg 2489fps ES 10

39gr Varget avg 2438 ES 8
42gr Varget avg 2671 ES 11

42gr H4350 avg 2377 ES 10
45gr H4350 avg 2511 ES 16

45gr Staball6.5 avg 2525 ES 9
46.5gr Staball6.5 avg 2655 ES 22
48gr Staball6.5 avg 2734 ES 53

42gr of Varget looks really good. Need to test with actual bullet 150gr ELDX. Hoping to stay in the 2550fps range with 14" barrel and use same load in both.

 

[WSMDRT]

14" with LRI bolt and Lumley Arms carbon fiber bolt knob.

7lb 6.4oz

18" had quite the bark and bite after load testing and verified accuracy i plan to have both threaded and braked. Found QD sling plug for rear to lose brace once brake is managing recoil.

 

[WSMDRT]

Ok 14" at the range.

Full load data and all tests loads to come...

But remember this is with a hacksaw cut barrel. Wooden block, sandpaper and brass screw crown job. Started life as 22" factory take off 7mm-08. Bought virgin action as pistol threaded on barrel with factory lug checked headspace with go and no go. Used Hornady OAL gauge and started shooting. No trophies, but pretty fine in my book.

 

[WSMDRT]

Full load testing of 14"
7mm-08 2.8 COAL
150gr PPU HPBT

40gr CFE223 2330fps gross ES

42gr H4350 2169fps ES 6
43.5gr H4350 2279fps ES 34
45gr H4350 2372fps ES 15

39gr Varget 2236fps ES 11
40.5gr Varget 2405fps ES 11
42gr Varget 2457fps ES 15

45gr Staball6.5 2364fps ES 20
46.5gr Staball6.5 2477fps ES 11
48gr Staball6.5 2586fps ES 14

Staball6.5 runs fast...I will do a little more testing to see if i can get usable ES also it is available locally from several stores. If not 42gr of Varget is great load in 18" and 14".

Breaking down both to get barrels threaded. On to testing 13" 243. Then 15" 308.

More to come...

 

[K9TXS]

The only thing I would do to your setup is get rid of the folding stock, brace or whatever you want to call it. It's nice looking with the stock and I'm sure it's accurate, but you cannot trust the ATF.

 

[WSMDRT]

That's the plan. Some muzzle brakes will tame them some so they can be shot from the bench pistol style. Still back and forth between staying with rifle scopes or trying a pistol scope.

 

[K9TXS]

Still back and forth between staying with rifle scopes or trying a pistol scope.

Stay with the rifle scope. After a little practice you'll find it much better than a pistol scope. A brake from Mac's Gunworks or a Holland Radial Baffle is all you need. I have a Mac's brake on two of my SP's and they work as expected. I plan on making a 6BR in the near future and it will have a Hollands brake. I have rifle scopes on both.

 

[WSMDRT]

Swapped to my 13" 243 barrel last night, I will shoot it next Monday. I only have 90gr eldx and 105s to test with. I don't think the 105s are worth trying in factory twist barrel. So will test accuracy with 90s and if acceptable I'll add to muzzle thread pile with 7mms. Then likely the following week I'll test my last pistol barrel 15" 308 with 168 classic hunter and 178 eldm.


Wish list is finding a 22-250 rem varmint barrel someone doesn't want and chopping it down. Or better yet a fast twist 223 barrel i can get rechambered in 22-250.... I'll keep combing the parts forums.