280AI Draws First Blood

Ernie Bishop · October 23, 2021, 03:20 PM

BCG 280 Ackley Improved XP-100. This custom XP-100 shoots so good, and everyone who has shot it loves it.
I finally was able to draw first blood with it on Friday morning. I used the 140 grain Accubond at 2961 ft./s. I set the magnification between seven and eight power, since I expected a close shot, and wanted a greater field of view. I also checked my parallax adjustment as well.
The beauty of the country we live in is, you can see forever, but at times it can be challenging, because they can see you too. It took me some time to figure out how to be able to make the stalk, and him not see me. I had terrain (creek bottom) and sage brush in my advantage, but the wind was almost coming from my back, so I knew there was a chance that could create a problem.
I had to be exposed slightly for a short period of time, before I got down into the creek/draw bottom, but I was far enough away, and he was looking the other direction, so it was not a problem.
I shot this buck at 204 yards. I crawled around 150 yards and then stomach crawled somewhere between 35 and 50 yards to make the shot. I had an opening in the sagebrush to my left, and I had almost made it to the stage, when the buck started moving to my left. Since I was on public\state land, and in a little bit he was going to be crossing on to private land, it was time to get things done.
The gun is so capable of shooting so much further, but the stalk was fun.
I am looking forward to shooting the 160 class bullets out of this, and see how it compares with my 284 Winchester XP-100’s.

stagpanther · October 23, 2021, 04:02 PM

Awesome hunt--and congrats! The 280 AI is definitely in my top 5 favorite cartridges.

Ernie Bishop · October 25, 2021, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stagpanther

Awesome hunt--and congrats! The 280 AI is definitely in my top 5 favorite cartridges.

It is becoming one of my favorites as well

stagpanther · October 26, 2021, 05:06 AM

That's a heck of a rig, too.

Ernie Bishop · October 26, 2021, 05:40 AM

Thanks.
Chris did a great job building it.
I took some newbie's out to shoot (both to XP's and to shooting at distance), and they did great on a piece of 10x12 inch steel at 595 yards.
https://youtu.be/Ipryd46CK3g
https://youtu.be/dCFUfJC0-ZM

taylorce1 · October 26, 2021, 03:55 PM

Ernie, I've always been impressed by your Specialty Pistols and your shooting ability with them.

Ernie Bishop · October 26, 2021, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taylorce1

Ernie, I've always been impressed by your Specialty Pistols and your shooting ability with them.

Thank you sir!

Seedy Character · October 27, 2021, 02:50 AM

Outstanding

.280 is an outstanding, often overlooked and underappreciated round.

reynolds357 · November 1, 2021, 06:44 PM

Yep. If I were not so heavily invested in the 7 WSM platform I would get one.

Ernie Bishop · November 2, 2021, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reynolds357

Yep. If I were not so heavily invested in the 7 WSM platform I would get one.

I have had a 7mm WSM specialty pistol as well. I have killed game at a really long ways with it and have used one as benchrest specialty pistol as well.
Nothing wrong with the 7mm Wizzum!

Over a grand/162 grain A-Max

At a grand at a 1000 yard match/ 180 grain JLK

October 23, 2021, 03:20 PM	#1
Ernie Bishop Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2019 Posts: 122	280AI Draws First Blood BCG 280 Ackley Improved XP-100. This custom XP-100 shoots so good, and everyone who has shot it loves it. I finally was able to draw first blood with it on Friday morning. I used the 140 grain Accubond at 2961 ft./s. I set the magnification between seven and eight power, since I expected a close shot, and wanted a greater field of view. I also checked my parallax adjustment as well. The beauty of the country we live in is, you can see forever, but at times it can be challenging, because they can see you too. It took me some time to figure out how to be able to make the stalk, and him not see me. I had terrain (creek bottom) and sage brush in my advantage, but the wind was almost coming from my back, so I knew there was a chance that could create a problem. I had to be exposed slightly for a short period of time, before I got down into the creek/draw bottom, but I was far enough away, and he was looking the other direction, so it was not a problem. I shot this buck at 204 yards. I crawled around 150 yards and then stomach crawled somewhere between 35 and 50 yards to make the shot. I had an opening in the sagebrush to my left, and I had almost made it to the stage, when the buck started moving to my left. Since I was on public\state land, and in a little bit he was going to be crossing on to private land, it was time to get things done. The gun is so capable of shooting so much further, but the stalk was fun. I am looking forward to shooting the 160 class bullets out of this, and see how it compares with my 284 Winchester XP-100’s.

October 23, 2021, 04:02 PM	#2
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,772	Awesome hunt--and congrats! The 280 AI is definitely in my top 5 favorite cartridges. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

October 26, 2021, 05:06 AM	#4
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,772	That's a heck of a rig, too. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

October 26, 2021, 03:55 PM	#6
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,242	Ernie, I've always been impressed by your Specialty Pistols and your shooting ability with them. __________________ NRA Life Member

October 26, 2021, 05:40 AM	#5
Ernie Bishop Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2019 Posts: 122	Thanks. Chris did a great job building it. I took some newbie's out to shoot (both to XP's and to shooting at distance), and they did great on a piece of 10x12 inch steel at 595 yards. https://youtu.be/Ipryd46CK3g https://youtu.be/dCFUfJC0-ZM

October 27, 2021, 02:50 AM	#8
Seedy Character Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2021 Location: SW Okla Posts: 201	Outstanding .280 is an outstanding, often overlooked and underappreciated round.

November 1, 2021, 06:44 PM	#9
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	Yep. If I were not so heavily invested in the 7 WSM platform I would get one.