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.

Well-done, Ernie. Congrats!

Very well done Sir. That's a nice look rig.
Thanks for sharing.

Congrats Ernie nice buck!!!

Congratulations on a fine trophy Ernie!

Excellent! Good details of the hunt. Nice goat.

Mike

Good job Ernie.

Fantastic!

Congrats Ernie! I have had the good fortune to hunt a lot of different animals in a lot of places and pronghorns are still a favorite.

That country out there has a beauty all it's own. Congrats.

What powder are you using with that Accubond?

Just noticed this couple of months late. Love the country and congrats on the antelope.

Thanks guys! This season has definitely been different for me than what I expected in a lot of ways.

Beautiful country. Great story and pics Ernie. How is pronghorn for eating. Here in Indiana it's corn fed whitetail deer. Always wondered how the venison is for you guys out west who have access to mule deer, pronghorn, elk, etc. Looks like a lot of good times for you!

Congrats Ernie and thanks for sharing your story! A Pronghorn hunt is at the top of my wishlist

quote:

Originally posted by Norm Rep:
Beautiful country. Great story and pics Ernie. How is pronghorn for eating. Here in Indiana it's corn fed whitetail deer. Always wondered how the venison is for you guys out west who have access to mule deer, pronghorn, elk, etc. Looks like a lot of good times for you!

Of the three animals, antelope is #3 on preference of taste for me. For other people like Steve Hugel, he like it better than elk.
I have had some awesome antelope meat, and some is more gamey tasting.
Elk is my favorite of the three, but last years mule deer was some of the best deer meat ever.

When you have a chance try Blacktail.

Congrats Earnie.Nice looking lope.

Congratulations on your first animal taken with your
280 AI

Very nice Ernie. Thanks for sharing.
IMHO the extra effort put in the stalk followed by a great shot made the hunt.

Dave