Getting my 284 Win XP ready for elk and mule deer this year. The stock was done by a good friend. 162 grain A-Max at 2625 fps.
Recently I sent my barreled action off to Chris Rhodes (Bayside Custom Gunworks) for him to cerakote it.
Some like the blued action and stainless barrel look, but I think this just looks classy now.
While getting a hard zero and confirming drops out to 700 yards, I met a young man who is a dedicated mule deer hunter.
He was getting his rifle ready for high country mule deer hunting. He had never shot at 400 yards with any kind of weapon.
After working on some shooting techniques with his rifle, I asked him if he would like to shoot my XP.
He said, "Yes!" I suggested we shoot at 500 yards, and he told me he had never shot that far before. I said that was no problem and walked him through on how to shoot the XP, and let him practice several times by dry firing. I only had two rounds left.
He shot twice and hit twice. Just under 3". He thought it was so cool that he now wants a XP for high country mule deer hunting.
He shot his smallest group ever at 200 yards - 1.5 inches with his rifle (A Rem 700 chambered in 270 Win./factory ammo) as well.
Before this he was satisfied with 2-3" groups at 100 yards.
I think the hook is set deep with this one.
The smile on his face was priceless when he was telling his hunting buddy what he had just accomplished.

Looks good Ernie! How do you like that barrel contour?

Glad to see you get another specialty pistol shooter hopefully started.

I like that new look of the XP with the all black bbl/action - though my taste would run towards a titanium cerakote with that stock...

.

What's that barrel length?

That's awesome, Ernie! Love the gun, too.

Nice and light, yet still accurate.

Barrel length is just under 18".
If I did it all over again it would be just under 16".

Always fun shooting distance for the first time. A memorable experience. I assuredly remember mine.

I can send you my hacksaw...

I've considered a 284. Still may do one, but not anytime soon.

Nice gun.

at what point is it not really a handgun,,,,and lets call it a pocket rifle. lets set some standards.... define a handgun. ok...just on my soap box. I am guilty of owning a few fine pocket rifles too. I don't consider them to be a true handgun when hunting though.

It won't fit in my pocket...

I consider these as much handgun as any other handgun.

Even Remington considers them pistols... XP-100.... Experimental Pistol-Model 100...

Just as there are diversified selection of "rifles" - i.e. Short light fast handling carbine to heavy long cumbersome bench or target guns , they are still rifles.

And so it is with handguns.

na... not really. not in my book... I don't see rifle hunters sawing barrels off and using open sights or really mediocre ler scopes to hunt. call it what you will. these long range specialty "pocket rifles" are not handguns in my book. And as I said....I own a few. I still don't consider them "handguns" when I hunt. I also don't see crossbows as archery equipment either...

Here we go again . . . .

ummmmmmm ..... never mind

Yeah when I think of handguns I think revolver or semi auto like glocks and 1911, I would just assume use a rifle at this point.

However, since it doesn't have a butt to shoulder it is a handgun, whether it's your flavor or not and why knock or try to down grade what the OP likes? it's his gun and if the guy likes it then why does it matter to you? does his bolt action handgun threaten you or your hunting?

I'm also a traditional archer and in my opinion a compounds and defiantly crossbows are a lower level of archery as they require almost zero skill to shoot, but that doesn't mean they arnt archery tackle and if a guy likes what he is shooting then more power to him.

What makes your opinion gospel? Don't be a elitist, just be happy for the guy that he is happy.

Well, One thing for sure, these Specialty Pistols sure ain't a "Rifle"....

Hey now
I wasn't trying to offend anyone....just making an observation.

Like I said, I own a few too... My favorite long range rig wears a nightforce and a bors. I still don't call it a handgun though...its more like artillery. Point certainly taken about the traditional archery...good analogy and I didn't say I was a preacher...kind a funny.

Ohhhhh he took it to archery..... next thing it will be dodge versus chevy... Yankee's vs red socks. ... lmao. ... to each his own. ..

What are you going to register your goat at SCI as taken with .Don't think they have a class for pocket rifle.

No offence intended.

Using the G7-BR2 LRF I connected on steel at 1270 yards last week. Kind of fun since the LRF adjusts automatically for density altitude and angled shots.
Longest I have shot this SP to date.

Nice poke.

Wow, 1270 yards? I can barely shoot 200. How long does it take the bullet to reach the target?

Kinda fun. Found 3 steel plates set-up where we were hunting on public land. 378, 502, and 1270 yards. Found them on the way back to the vehicle after hunting several draws

Ernie,

Do you have a permit for steel plates? Draw hunt or general? How did the plates weigh in? Pictures!!!!!!!

Doc

Excellent Ernie!

Didn't take pics of the steel targets.
I have a lifetime permit for steel hunting

Steel is always fun and in season. Does bullet time in flight give enough time to get back on target and spot hits or misses?
Thats a loooong poke.

Depends on the distance, cartridge/bullet combo, weight of the SP, optic, type of grip or rest system, and of course TOF.
I this case, yes.