I've been shooting Encores for over a decade, mostly pistols. I own several barrels and got my first rifle barrel a few years ago, a 7 RM. Every barrel I've ever had, even in 15" pistol barrels, have been sub-moa. One thing too you don't think about until you get one, is their overall length...
Hard to pick one favorite of anything. I don't have any guns that I dislike or only mildly like, because they get sold. Favorite rifle is a custom 270 Win that started as a stainless factory gun. Dad had the barrel cut back, the whole action coated in some 3M thing in the 80's and put in a Brown...
I'm partial to the Marlins. I have a 336C in .35 Rem that's my favorite. Handles every bullet very well and I've shot several sub-moa groups with it. A couple years ago I got an 1895 SBL in 45-70 that's awesome too, but haven't killed much with it. My buddy has a 39A that I've tried to buy from...
I've killed whitetails out of my Super Blackhawk Hunter in .44 Mag with several bullets including 200gr & 240gr XTP's, 210gr Gold Dot, Lyman 429421 Keith bullet and Lyman 429640 280gr cast HP. All have done very well and were pushed with either 2400 or H110/W296. My favorite without question is...
Picked up my first Weatherby, a Mark V Accumark in 257 Weatherby. While not a rifle, I also got a Mossberg 835 Turkey which I bloodied this past weekend. I haven't shot the Weatherby yet but will soon.
I get right at 2900 fps with the 168gr ABLR with Ramshot LRT in a 20" barrel with my 7mm PRC. Great on deer. I haven't tried anything heavier than 168's, but like that weight in the shorter barrel I have.
First time making wild turkey nuggets but they turned out great. I might cut them a little smaller next time. They soaked in buttermilk for the afternoon and just tossed them in flour with seasoned salt & garlic powder.
Went hunting with a buddy from work at my hunt club in SC yesterday. Slow start, we only heard one gobble and he barely responded to his call. We repositioned to a different area and saw a turkey strutting on the road next to a small pair of food plots. We slinked off the road and called a...
Those Hornady hydraulic form dies seem very interesting. I only have one wildcat that requires any brass forming, a 6.5-270 JDJ in a 15" Encore. I had to learn to anneal brass to not lose so many. Even fireform loads were/are very accurate. I've hunted with and shot deer and hogs with the...
You can check the bullet test forums for plenty of pics of recovered AB's. My experience is they have been very consistent in their expansion across multiple calibers and generally 60-70% weight retention.
These pics are of a 160gr Accubond from a 7 RM into a whitetail. Deer was quartering.
I learned a while ago, if there's a bullet I like and it shoots well, I buy a good supply. That way I don't have to worry about it and prices of things are only increasing. I'm like a lot on here, I constantly keep an eye for the Nosler blems/2nds. Much better deal and I can't tell a difference...
Talk about a nice group and consistency with that powder and bullet! Almost looks like it was shot from a different gun. That'll be a very versatile load once you pick a powder charge. Not much a 140gr Partition can't do.
What kind of velocity are you getting and barrel length?
Tikka T3x Stainless Hunter in 6.5x55
Weatherby Mark V Accumark in 257 Weatherby
Sig P220 Hunter in 10mm
Those three are up to deer hunt this year and none have gone hunting yet or a load developed. Also wouldn't mind working up a load in my Marlin 336 in 35 Rem with the RCBS 200gr FN bullets I...
While I have ran some cheap rings before and you don't exactly need to a spend a fortune, I always thought it was funny that some people will spend tons on a rifle and scope and then go the budget route for rings/bases. Stuff happens though and at times, that's all we can afford.
That said...