New here and new to T/C

[melbaLT4]

First off, I'd like to say Howdy and thanks for having me.  I have been a member for only two days but have found a ton of information.

My birthday was over the weekend and my saint of a wife bought me my first T/C as a surprise.  I noticed my best friend was being a little nosy on our last trip to Cabela's, but little did I know he was doing recon for her, and on Saturday I received a brand new Pro Hunter chambered in .30-06, and a 4-16x scope.

Sunday we went to the range and ran a box of 165gr. core-lockt through it just for grins and to start a collection of brass.  It shot great but the smith at Cabela's didn't tighten the scope mounts down good and the recoil knocked it way loose, so i wasn't really shooting for accuracy this time out, just wanted to get some rounds down range with it.
Could anyone give me some advice on care and feeding of my new rifle? 
I plan on hand loading for the .30-06, but I haven't gathered all of the components as of yet, any ideas on what loads would be a good start?  This gun will share range duty and hunting duty about equally.

Any advice to a T/C newbie would be wonderful, Thanks.

Jeff

[rebAL]

Welcome aboard Melba;  I'm sure you will get lots of hits on this topic from folks more knowledgeable than I.  I have the older Encore wood version in 45/70 so can't be much help. 

[Grumulkin]

My Encore 30/06 does very well with Varget and all the 165 and 168 grain bullets from Nosler, Hornady and Barnes that I've tried.  I use military cases but any of the main brands like Winchester and Remington should do just as well.

[melbaLT4]

Thanks I was leaning to a 165gr. varget combo, but didn't know if anyone used it.  I am also interested in loading some 55gr. sabots for p-dogs and coyotes, anyone tried this?  The trigger on mine seems a little heavy but there is absolutely no creep very crisp and a little heavy.

[Grumulkin]

I've heard that it's difficult to get sabots to shoot accurately in handloads but I have no personal experience with them.

You'll probably like your Encore better if you give it a trigger job.

[Tn Jim]

For a '06, it's hard to beat a 165 grain bullet and IMR-4350. Just start at the recommended start charge and work your way up. Oh, almost forgot. WELCOME!!