Author Topic: Looking for a accurate single shot pistol (Read 980 times)

wareagleguy · « **on:** January 04, 2005, 07:02:06 AM »

When it comes to accuracy I could be called a nut. That is why I got rid of my Ruger SRH. Just never got it to shoot well. Now, I'm looking at the xp-100 or maybe a Thompson single pistol.

What I want is a ACCURATE pistol that I could shoot at the 200 yard range if I do my part. Any suggestions?

Duffy · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2005, 07:32:56 AM »

A TC gives you a little more versatility than the XP or Stryker and if you go with a custom bbl, eg. SSK, OTT, Bullberry the accuracy will be there. Standard factory bbl's shoot pretty good but you just have to work at it more and can be hit or miss.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 04, 2005, 07:59:14 AM »

I would have to second the T/C. :-)

Randy M · « **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2005, 10:10:27 AM »

Make that a third. I couldn't be happier with my Encore.

Randy

tnwill · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2005, 10:17:26 AM »

While I like my contenders, I would have to choose an xp. Some contender barrels will shoot great with very litte work, some never shoot as they should. I have yet to see an xp-100 that wouldn't shoot. I guess that is why I have so many xp's. Just MHO

Spyro Andes · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2005, 11:31:29 AM »

when it comes to accuracy work, it is darn hard to beat a built bolt gun.

I have 3 guns chambered in 6.17 Spitfire... a forward grip bolt pistol with a 20" full bull barrell, an encore pistol with a 20" heavy varmint barrell and a Rem 700 based rifle with a 24" heavy barrell.

The bolt pistol shoots every bit as good as the rifle and maybe a tad better.

wareagleguy · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2005, 01:33:45 PM »

Considering cost I tend to think the xp might win. I would like to find one in 308 or 35 Rem. I had a Encore in 7mm-08 with a factory barrel that I had shortened down to 18 inches. It was fair as far as accuracy so I would think a custom barrel would be better. But if I had to buy a frame and then a custom barrel I would be out much more money than if I could find a xp.

xphunter · « **Reply #7 on:** January 05, 2005, 07:00:11 AM »

Personally, I am an XP man (and would be willing to put them up against any specialty handgun), but the Encores and Contenders are capable of shooting groups under .5 @ 100 yards. The Strikers for the money are hard to beat when it comes to accuracy with the exception of the trigger pull.
Are you wanting this for group shooting only or for other purposes?

Rmouleart · « **Reply #8 on:** January 05, 2005, 07:12:43 AM »

For the particular purpose you mentioned the TC encore fits the bill better than anything else I can think of, but I'm also a home boy here in NH, and nothing beats those interchangeable barrel setup, as long as your a one shot one kill guy, TC will do well for you, as it has for many others in the past to present. good luck. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

Catfish · « **Reply #9 on:** January 05, 2005, 08:15:04 AM »

I have 3 - Contender frames and 2 - Encore frames so I don`t have to give you my vote. T/C barrels are not bad, but Bullberry are better, they also cost alot more. I`ve never had any of the other after market barrels, but hear some of the others do real well also.

wareagleguy · « **Reply #10 on:** January 05, 2005, 04:59:02 PM »

XP,
I will be using the gun to hunt but will be shooting allot at targets. I have a shooting rage in my yard up to 300 yards (lucky, I know). Over the years I would say that I had started out as a deer hunter but have grown to really love shooting. So, I need a pistol that would fit both.

My thinking is the bolt type actions would have a slight advantage but I have seen many a good shooting Encores. The striker really has my interest. I just wish you could get a accutrigger on one of those.

Am I right that all XPs are made with the bolt on the right side? Everyone I've seen are this way. Being right handed this seems very odd. The striker has the bolt on the left side which would allow a quicker follow up shot.

xphunter · « **Reply #11 on:** January 06, 2005, 06:35:52 AM »

All XP's have a RH bolt (great for lefties like me). For deer out to 300 yards I prefer more than the 7mmBR or 35 Rem (factory XP cartridges). That means a customized XP, which makes the sky the limit, but can be costly depending on what you do. You can have an XP built that is capable of sub inch groups @ 300 yards, but it is not cheap to build one like that. Since you add deer hunting into the equation I would start with the 308 based cartridges with the 260 Remington being my favorite closely followed by the 7-08. My favorite personal cartridge for my XP's is the 6.5-284. My daughter took a small buck at 250 yards with the MOA Maximum in 260 Rem. (14 inch) this past December. This is her third deer in as many years with this handgun. She also shot a 5x5 bullelk @ 70 yards with the 260 Rem. All shots on these four animals have been one shot kills.
I prefer rear grip for a true bench rig but center-grip for everything else.

sawfish · « **Reply #12 on:** January 06, 2005, 09:22:48 AM »

I have both XP-100 and Striker bolt pistols, and they are extremely accurate. My only complaint is the additional overall length created by the actions. Before you make up your mind, have a look at the RPM Hunter pistol, which is now being sold by Gateway Precision Arms. This is a single shot break open pistol that has accuracy comparable to the bolt pistols, with a superior trigger. The RPM can handle the high pressure cartridges like .308 win, etc., and is a good 4-5 inches shorter than the bolt guns. Mine is in .358 Win., and I am considering a .308 Win. barrel to replace my Striker.

xphunter · « **Reply #13 on:** January 06, 2005, 02:10:58 PM »

The competitor is another very compact specialty handgun (cannon breech or rotary action) that has interchangeable barrels and is economically priced.

Lone Star · « **Reply #14 on:** January 07, 2005, 02:37:39 AM »

I have owned both Contenders and XPs, and for ultimate accuracy the XP will win....if you want to spend the money to get it. It costs money to get a really accurate T/C, but IME it is a bit cheaper to get 0.5 moa aggregates (four, 5-shot groups) with the T/C. To get under 0.4 moa aggregates you will need a built XP.

But that is stratusphere accuracy beyond what you'll need. For your use, a good Contender or Encore will be the best. These are much smaller and eaiser to pack when hunting than an XP - the Contender is considerably lighter and smaller than the Encore and IMO makes for a better hunting arm if you walk when hunting. For best accuracy get a custom barrel, although some factory barrels are very accurate - expect aggregates between 0.7 and 1.1 moa depending on cartridge, scope and shooter. All three handguns are easily capable of shooting small game/targets at 200+ yards, if you are up to it.