A gunsmith can easily take out the old Bolt stop/bolt release and replace it with an external one which is easy to use and will allow you to unload a a loaded round without taking the bolt out.
If you set-up the bolt-stop correctly you can even unload loaded 284 Win family of cartridges without removing the bolt.
The XP-100 has plenty of caming force to removed fired rounds.
I have XP-100's chambered in the 7mm Dakota and the 338 Lapua Magnum Improved cartridges, and have no problem shooting them to the same pressure level that once can in a Remmy 700 action.
What I meant earlier is that than depending on the spec of the original chamber may be ever so slightly larger in diameter than the specifications of your gunsmiths reamer, so it may not be a clean chamber.
The 7-08 is a great cartridge in the XP.
I would buy a barrel blank from McGowen barrel that matches the factory contour, then have the gunsmith fit and chamber that barrel to your XP-100. McGowen could even do the work for you.
Now you have a new/better barrel than factory.
The 260 Remington would also be a cartridge worth considering as well.
I have taken a lot of game with both cartridges. A bull and cow elk have been taken by my children with the 260 Rem. cartridge.
Cheapest way still is to have your smith see if his 7-08 reamer will give you a clean chamber with the original barrel, then have him install a Wichita bolt stop/bolt release, and you will be good to go.
If you have any questions please email me at
[email protected]
As mentioned I have XP-100's chambered in all kinds of cartridges:
6mmx47 Lapua, 6mm-284, 243 Winchester, 250 Savage Ackley Improved, 6.5x47 Lapua, 6.5-284, 6.5 Winchester Short Magnum, 7mm Short Action Ultra Magnum, 7mm Dakota, and the 338 Lapua Magnum Improved.
Ernie Bishop