Author Topic: Question about Encores (Read 758 times)

Qtip · « **on:** October 05, 2004, 11:47:02 AM »

I'm trying to sell one of my rifles so I can get a new one. I've looked at Encores and handled them. I love the way they come up. My question is have any of you ever been hampered by it being a single shot while in a hunting situation. I would use it in the Adirondacks for deer/black bear. I've also been toying with the idea of a scoped Mod 94. If I did get the Encore would I be happy with accuracy? What would be a good cal.? .308? 7mm/08? "06? I'd likely put a Weaver 1x3 on either because shots would not be far.

Qtip
Soli Deo Gloria!
To God Alone Be The Glory!

New Hampshire · « **Reply #1 on:** October 05, 2004, 02:47:15 PM »

I have become a mad crazy single shot admirer as of late. I see no problem at all in hunting. I cant personaly comment on my marksmanship skills (dont want to boast ot anything :grin: ,) but everything Ive shot has only needed one round to kill.
As for caliber, I dont have one (yet) but Im sure many people here will vote the 7mm-08. Any way you go the three you mentioned are going to do you just fine.
Brian M.

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 05, 2004, 03:59:37 PM »

I have not found any situation where I was hampered by the single shot in an encore. Usually the light weight, and great handling properties will overcome any percieved limitation.

If you practice with your encore you will be amazed at just how fast you can come up with a second shot too. I have had a couple times where I was able to quickly reload and get off another shot at predators when I have missed or had doubles come in. One time I took shots at a whitetail as it ran across a feild, about 350 yards long. The neighbors thought I was shooting a bolt gun, couldn't believe it was a single shot. Those cartridge holders that go on the stock help a lot with quick reloads. My scope had gotten bumped or something because a normally accurate 25/06 barrel was hitting 17" left at 50 yards when I checked my zero.

Either the 308 or 30/06 would be great choices for all around big game. I have a 24" 30/06 barrel on my encore right now that I plan on using for blacktails and carabou this year. The 7mm/08 would also be an excellent whitetail round for the encore, as would the 280 remington. The only reason I would go with the 06 is the vast number of factory loadings for it and its great versatility. Federal loads the 06 from 125-220gr bullet weights with a few high energy loadings that will give most 300 win mag loads a run for thier money.

I don't have any experience with the 1-3 weaver scope but I use a 1.5-5x20 leupold VXIII on a 45/70 barrel, Leupold 2-7x33 VXII on the 30/06, and a 3-9x40 Burris ballistic plex on a 22-250 barrel. The 2-7 leupold is about the perfect fit for a 24" barrel on the encore and the smaller scopes work great for the shorter barrels.

Ranger413 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 05, 2004, 04:42:40 PM »

First off, to answer the question "will you be hampered using a single shot". I've only had the opportunity to fire one shot from my Encore to date at a game animal. It was on the first day of last years muzzleloader season. One shot, one kill. I muzzleloader hunt quite a bit and I'm not used to a quick follow up shot. But, that's what a single shot does for you. It makes you slow down a bit and take your time. If you know in the back of your head you only have one shot you will make it count.

Although follow ups can become pretty fast with practice the whole point of a single shot, in my opinion, is elevating yourself to a higher level as a hunter. At first people look at you like you're crazy. But when they start to think about it a bit they then think that you may be a better hunter than the guys that sling lead at anything brown screaming through the woods. That is one of the main reasons I bought one - the challenge of getting by with just one shot, and making it count.

As far as caliber goes there are so many variables. If you're planning on short range shots where deer and bear will be the likely targets you may want to consider a heavy straight-walled cartridge like the .45-70. I have no experience with it but I doubt you need the distance of a .308 or 06. My personal favorite, because it is the one I grew up on, is the .308. In a single shot I'd go with the 06 though. You have a bit more versatility with it and a larger variety of factory loadings available. It would do well on either species and would give you the extra range should you ever need it.

Best of Luck to Ya.

Ranger413

tripper · « **Reply #4 on:** October 05, 2004, 04:45:23 PM »

The last 8 years I have deer hunted almost strictly with the tc handgun. If anything the single shot makes you a more ethicale hunter because you become even more persistant on waiting for the good shot and making that one shot count. The only deer I have had to let walk because I didn't like the shot I probly would have let walk no matter what kind of action I would of had. You will soon begin to enjoy the feeling of maybe that little extra challenge.

SLAVAGE · « **Reply #5 on:** October 12, 2004, 07:21:58 PM »

i have the encore in 7mm-08 an love it dont own a 308 but i have a 06 in a marlin, an i actualy got a single shot because ive found my self taken more shots than neaded i dont take the time an aim good an wait the breathing thing all so i just make sure the lane is safe to fire an take the shot if i miss rack the bolt an try again, were the encore i get one shot an if i miss im mostly SOL
so i went with it an dont think i made the wrong choice at all

onesonek · « **Reply #6 on:** October 13, 2004, 04:11:11 AM »

I'm going on 30 yrs of hunting, with only singles shots. As mentioned, the key is waiting for the right shot. And putting it where it needs to go.
If your thinking of being handicapped, by using a single shot. That will be more of a handicap, than the firearm. Any of the chamberings you mentioned will work.
Dave