elpac3
Member
Just got back from the first range session with the new (to me) Remington XP-100 chambered in .221 fireball.
Gun is a vintage 1963 XP-100 in the original chambering of .221 fireball. Pistol is topped off with a Nikon 2.5 - 8 scope. The single shot action is based on the 40x rifle action and has by far and away the nicest out-of-the -box factory trigger I have shot. VERY clean break at 1.7 pounds.
After reading up on .221 loads and not having any of the favorite .221 powders and bullets (50 grain) I settled on W296 (which I have for the .30 cal carbine) and Nosler 40 grain ballistic tips and Sierra 52 grain Match Kings (which I have for the .222)
Both bullets were measured in the chamber with the Hornady gage for seating depth. Numerous others have found the gun seems to like the bullets just off the lands so both bullets were seated .010 off the lands.
The 40 grain Nosler ahead of 13 grains of W296, running 2539 fps, turned in a .23" group off the bench at 50 yards as did the 52 grain Match King ahead of 12.5 of W296, again with a .24" group. The Nosler group opened up slightly with 13.5 grains of W296, going to .54".
Cases were a little sooty which may be due to the loads being bottom end loads as 296 burns best at the top of the loading.
Will be ordering a Lee collet sizing die as I have fond the Lee collets give very good neck concentricity (typically .001 or less) and do not require case lube.
Next outing will be to the 100 yard range
Gun is a vintage 1963 XP-100 in the original chambering of .221 fireball. Pistol is topped off with a Nikon 2.5 - 8 scope. The single shot action is based on the 40x rifle action and has by far and away the nicest out-of-the -box factory trigger I have shot. VERY clean break at 1.7 pounds.
After reading up on .221 loads and not having any of the favorite .221 powders and bullets (50 grain) I settled on W296 (which I have for the .30 cal carbine) and Nosler 40 grain ballistic tips and Sierra 52 grain Match Kings (which I have for the .222)
Both bullets were measured in the chamber with the Hornady gage for seating depth. Numerous others have found the gun seems to like the bullets just off the lands so both bullets were seated .010 off the lands.
The 40 grain Nosler ahead of 13 grains of W296, running 2539 fps, turned in a .23" group off the bench at 50 yards as did the 52 grain Match King ahead of 12.5 of W296, again with a .24" group. The Nosler group opened up slightly with 13.5 grains of W296, going to .54".
Cases were a little sooty which may be due to the loads being bottom end loads as 296 burns best at the top of the loading.
Will be ordering a Lee collet sizing die as I have fond the Lee collets give very good neck concentricity (typically .001 or less) and do not require case lube.
Next outing will be to the 100 yard range
