Author Topic: Suggestions on a good Encore Rifle Caliber??? (Read 1007 times)

Lawful Larry · « **on:** September 01, 2004, 05:07:40 AM »

I have just bought an Encore in 209/50 and want to get a long range dear on up size rifle now. I was thinking of the reliable .30-06. I think it would be a great caliber for what I need. It also covers the range of game I will go after. I don't really need to go beyond 300 yards.

A friend said I need a .35 Whelen?? It is a good caliber and carries a hefty size bullet. Just don't know what to do, Help???

Any folks out there have a good choice or personal ideas? :wink:

PA-Joe · « **Reply #1 on:** September 01, 2004, 05:17:20 AM »

7mm 08 is also good to 300 yards. Then you will need a 223 or 22 hornet.

southern utah · « **Reply #2 on:** September 01, 2004, 07:27:31 AM »

30-06 is a great choise. Good up to and including Elk. I stepped up to 300 wim mag but still have the 30-06 as back-up. Ya got to get a 223 also-all mine but the 06 are the stainless 26" HB

rpseven · « **Reply #3 on:** September 01, 2004, 12:23:29 PM »

7mm-08, 7mm RM, 25-06 and I guess the 3006 is okay.

HogFan · « **Reply #4 on:** September 01, 2004, 12:51:02 PM »

I would go with a 7mm-08. I have one, and I feel comfortable hunting all big game animals available here in MT with it.

HogFan

ms · « **Reply #5 on:** September 01, 2004, 03:12:53 PM »

30/06 GOT MY VOTE :lol:

New Hampshire · « **Reply #6 on:** September 01, 2004, 03:24:25 PM »

.30-06 for a factory bbl
or if you go custom then the .35 Whelen.
Brian M.

ciscoman14 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 01, 2004, 04:45:28 PM »

toecutter · « **Reply #8 on:** September 01, 2004, 06:32:51 PM »

Nothing bad to be said for the '06, but for my money, the .308 "Wins"(pun intended) hands down!!

Questor · « **Reply #9 on:** September 02, 2004, 02:50:25 AM »

Lawful Larry:

What is the range of game you are going after? My own philosophy is to use low recoiling rounds like the 270 whenever it's practical to do so. But when hunting truly big game, like elk and moose, to go up to something with more weight and diameter, like a 338 or 35 Whelen, or 375 H&H.

Jim B. · « **Reply #10 on:** September 03, 2004, 04:52:47 AM »

Pick a cartridge you can shoot well. The Encore is not a heavy rifle and larger cartridges can generate more recoil than they might in a bolt gun (although this is highly subjective). I would say get the caliber you will be able to shoot best. If you are at all recoil sensitive I would stay away from the magnums in the Encore, even the 30-06 or 35 Whelen might be more than you are comfortable with. The 7-08 will definitely be the gentlest of the rounds suggested although you sacrifice the heavier bullet weight.

Any of the suggested cartridges will work well. Try to pick the one that fits you best. If you need heaver bullets and more penetration, than the 30-06 or 35 Whelen is the way to go. If you are really only after deer, antelope and varmints then the 7-08 will do all you need with less punishment. The .308 falls somewhere in the middle. One mild advantage of the .308 is there is lots of mil surp ammo available for cheap practice and good reloading brass.

Good luck in your choice - really hard to go wrong.
Jim B.

TnEncore · « **Reply #11 on:** September 03, 2004, 07:29:15 AM »

Just get all the barrels you want, heck you have a Encore you don't just have to get one. :grin:

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #12 on:** September 04, 2004, 02:24:15 AM »

:-D :-D :-D
Hey TnEncore,
Why didn't I think of that one. Here I am going nuts with a choice and I didn't have one to begin with.

Now I have a misson, thanks! :wink:

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #13 on:** September 04, 2004, 02:53:20 AM »

Yes, but the problem remains as to which one first and then the rest of the order. Let fate decide it and the best deal coming is your karma for the first one you will need.

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 06, 2004, 09:42:52 PM »

I would probably opt for the 30/06 too. I am going to get a 06 barrel for my encore here soon. It will be a great do all big game caliber with the availablity of ammo amost anywhere. I have a 35 whelen bolt gun and the whelen is an awsome caliber, highly underrated for all big game hunting. The only reason I'm going with the 06 barrel is when traveling to all the remote villages or islands you can alwasy find a box of 06 ammo but almost never a whelen round. If being able to find ammo isn't a big deal then by all means go with the whelen.

hunting1 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 07, 2004, 02:32:05 AM »

I second the 7-08 or as always the 06 is great. I would have no problems taking elk with a good 140gr and correct shot placement with an 08.

vhunter · « **Reply #16 on:** September 09, 2004, 03:33:00 AM »

I'm not an 3006 fan but it really is an awsome round and ammo can be bought anywhere! Do you really need anything bigger than an 06? shot placement is key and an 06 can do it! I do favor the 35 whelen and just bought a 375 H&H barrel for my Encore. It has power for close range and distance. To me it is the perfect caliber for a handloader and any big game, 200 gr bullets up to 350 gr! Unless you like a certain caliber, I would go with an 06 because it is a versital go anywhere do anything round. Good luck!