Winchester X-150: Where to start?

[Branson]

Just wondering on some combinations that might work well out of my Winchester X-150 .50 caliber rifle? I previously had the .45 cal barrel on the gun and did "okay" with powerbelts and triple 7 pellets, but all that's out the window at this point. I was thinking about some 250-300 grain shockwaves to start, and possibly going to loose powder (not sure what brand). Any good loads to start with, or is it more or less stumbling onto a combination that works well? I'd rather not spend too much, but want a reliable, accurate load. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
-- B

[frontier gander]

I tried the hornady SST sabots 250 grain with 90 grains pyrodex rs and i managed 1 1/4" @ 100 on a windy day. My advice to you is to remove the barrel from the stock, but before doing so, take note and mark the areas of the stock that rub the side of the barrel. 2" was normal with my x-150 before i did the stock work and then free floated the barrel. 5/8" groups @ 100 with 80 grains pyrodex rs and a 385 grain great plains conical. Excellent shooting rifles IMO.

[Branson]

Thanks. That was exactly what I was looking for. Hopefully my gun will like that load, too. As for free-floating the barrel, is it just filing away the material that touches the barrel? Mine's gotta be touching over 2" of the barrel...

[frontier gander]

I used brass shims to float my barrel. PM me with your mailing address and i'll be more than happy to send you a few shims to lift the barrel. You'll want to beable to run a piece of paper between the barrel and stock and beable to do it smoothly. I'll take some pics of my stock tomorrow so i can help you walk through it. Very simple to do but kind of scary when youve never done anything like this. I used engine bearing shim and trim and cut the pieces to fit perfectly and then used a couple drops of rubber cement to hold them in place. I added new shims a few days ago, made out of a stronger and thicker piece of brass and hope to try it out soon and see how the accuracy is.
Pics comin in the A.M

[Branson]

PM sent. Thanks a bunch.

[frontier gander]

Heres some pics.


Floated up to the front barrel lug.


Rough up the rear barrel lug and apply a thin layer of JB Weld. Without the epoxy there, the lug will eat into the rear of the stock as i found out some years later. I used a small screw driver and just took my time and layed out a nice thin bed for it. Let that dry for atleast TWO days before putting the shim and barrel on.


With shims installed and rubber cemented in. Just a little dab in each corner will be good.


And heres a Limbsaver recoil pad i had installed some months back. This puppy is worth every penny. The original recoil pad was ok, but this new pad makes shooting the bigger bullets a dream.

[HiVoltg30]

I havean X-150 in .50 Cal and have always been impressed with it, minus the sights ( [:@]stupid damn things!). Anyways, I've used sabots in many brands and sizes, I did like the way it shot the 300 Gr. Knight Red Hots with 90 grains ofPyrodex powder.

But by far my first choice is the Powerbelt 348 Gr. (lead) with 3 Pyrodex Pellets, I know it's kind've the "give em Hell" way to go, but after playing around with different loads I can consistantly make 1.75" groups at 100 yards.
~ My two cents

[Branson]

Thanks for all the advice y'all. FG, I think I'll see how it shoots before I float the barrel. Chances are, I'll eventually do it though. It seems simple enough. The other day I picked up some T/C "Big Shot Sabots" (400 grain XTPs) at BassPro for cheap. They were on sale. I'll see how they shoot, but I'm not expecting much. That seems like a bit much for my little .50 cal and a 120lb deer, but we'll see...

[frontier gander]

lol yeah thats over kill. Also buy some hornady great plains and some tc maxi hunters. They shoot excellent out of my rifle. And free floating the barrel is simple.

[Branson]

$0.40 a pop is hard to beat. I figured I'd try 'em and end up giving 'em to my buddy.