I have a bone stock, Remington XP-100, 10 inch, in 221 fireball. I am looking to build a very accurate, very long range (out to 1,000 yards) prairie dog slayer. The problem is that I want explosive terminal performance without suffering a whole lot of recoil as this platform is intended for several long hour sessions where recoil would become a problem. I have a couple of rifles also so the pistol can rest when it gets hot. I usually rotate between the two rifles. I am hopeing to get away from rifles and use handguns exclusively.

I could use some recommendations from the experienced in such things. First, what cartirdige fits the bill? .221 fireball is a fine cartridge but does not have the terminal performance out to those long ranges. Then, should I go with the mid-grip or switch to a rear grip? Other details I think I can handle.

Welcome to the forum. Explosive performance will depend on bullet construction as much as velocity. I'd suggest some of the .22 bullets that are intended for the .222 Rem and such, and then chamber in .223 or .223 Improved.

Or the new .204 Ruger might really fit the bill.

Good luck.

I may be the brand new guy in the forum, but aren't you going to have a hard time connecting with a handgun at 1,ooo yards?

None of the .224's are going to have enough steam for a thousand yard gun, nor will any 10 inch or 14 inch barrel deliver performance to those ranges.

If your really serious about shooting to those kind of ranges your going to need at least something like the 6.5 by 284 or one of the magnum platforms such as the 300 Winchester mag with at least 26 inch tubes and 28 to 30 inch barrels are even better.

As mike suggested the 204 Ruger would be good choice for the xp100, but with short barrel lengths ranges are going to be limited to probably 300- 450 yards for any consistency.

No offense ment.

I have to agree with faucettb on this one. Are you consistantly hitting gophers and ground squirrels at 400 yards? If you are then you still have a long way to go to be able to perform this feat at 1000.

I say at 400 yards because that is probably the longest range you could expect reasonable performace from the .221 Fire ball. You need heavier bullets to shoot longer distances with accuracy. .22 caliber bullets just don't stabilize much past 600 yards.

A wildcat 6.5mag with 160 grain bullets might get you to 1000 on paper but don't expect the bullet performance to be there, from any short barrel.

Regards,
Gene

A 14" 6.5 bullberry contender works well to 400 yds. Well, about 250-275 in my hands!

I have a bone stock, Remington XP-100, 10 inch, in 221 fireball. I am looking to build a very accurate, very long range (out to 1,000 yards) prairie dog slayer. The problem is that I want explosive terminal performance without suffering a whole lot of recoil as this platform is intended for several long hour sessions where recoil would become a problem. I have a couple of rifles also so the pistol can rest when it gets hot. I usually rotate between the two rifles. I am hopeing to get away from rifles and use handguns exclusively.

I could use some recommendations from the experienced in such things. First, what cartirdige fits the bill? .221 fireball is a fine cartridge but does not have the terminal performance out to those long ranges. Then, should I go with the mid-grip or switch to a rear grip? Other details I think I can handle.
The .221 won't come close to giving you what you are looking for.
I have a full custom Gre-Tan XP 100 chambered for the Lazzeroni 7.82 Patriot and shoot to 600yds. Careful considerations to , proper bullet choice (high BC), distance, wind, pressure, all come into play.
If you are really iinterested in shooting long range with a handgun (SP) you really need to go to the Specialy Pistol web site and forum. There are guys there that do shoot to 1000yds with SP's. and are more than willing to help you with your questions.
Good luck

XP's built right can nail PD's beyond 1k. In, fact 2k is my current goal (not accomplished yet).
My PD rigs are also my hunting rigs: 6-284 with 115 DTACS (had expansion on a PD @ 1590 yards).
6.5-284 using 140 A-Max with a confirmed hit @ 1800 yards but dog went into the hole. Had blood all around it but no body :(
I will be using a couple of big 7mm's for 2k goal:
7mm Dakota and a beltless 7mm Rem Mag Improved (XP & MOA Maximum).
I use rifle scopes, but I don't see a full field of view on most of these with the exception of a 20x LER scope modified by Wally Seibert (started as Leupold 36X and converted to 20x Long Eye Relief).