New Barrel Help

[LaSouthpaw]

I am in the market for a new encore rifle barrel for deer hunting in south bama. I want something lite and accurate. I am leaning towards getting a 20-22" heavy barrel in 7-08 from the custom shop. If weight turns out to be an issue, I will get the barrel fluted. I would think max shots will be around 300 yds. How does this combo sound? Or should I just get a factory heavy barrel in 7 mag or 300 win? Any suggestions appreciated.

[tcman]

I think a 25-06 would be hard to beat. They are fast, flat and will drop Deer, Elk, Antelope etc. like a bad habit. Not to mention that they are very accurate.

My 26" 25-06 Encore barrel is shooting a 0.44" group at 100 yards using H4831. That group is also with a 3x9x40 tasco scope.....don't know what I would be shooting with great optics.

I've taken a bunch of Elk and Deer with the 25-06 and have never had one much more than drop in it's tracks. I always use a 100 grain Sierra bullet and do a lung shot. Just plain lethal.

[poncaguy]

260 Rem or 7mm-08 would be good rounds and less recoil...... :-)

[Mike357mag]

I would buy a factory barrel of any good deer caliber 7mm-08 would be great.  The money saved on the factory VS. customer barrel would be better spent on a quality scope. Just my opinion.

Mike

[coopershooter]

might try a 6.5x55 swed.!???!!
    shoots flat, not much recoil, (easy to hit with)  and kills out of preportion to it,s energy figures.
 good luck!
 coopershooter

[handirifle]

I hear nothing but good from owners of 7-08 guns.  Sounds like a perfect choice to me.

The 7-08 can be loaded with fairly heavy bullets for larger game than deer, if need be.

Brass is easy to come by, bullets are plentiful, recoil is light.  I doubt you'll need a heavy barrel.  They are only necessary, if you plan on putting a lot of rounds through in a hurry.  If that is the case you have the wrong rifle, in my opinion.  singleshots are not real fast follow up shooters.

Standard contour in 7-08, and like was mentioned, use the diff to upgrade your scope.

[Buckskin]

Good choice.  But I second Mike's comment to go with a factory barrel and put the money toward good glass.  You can get great accuracy with the factor stuff, but a crappy scope will make you suffer.

[Redhawk1]

I would buy a factory barrel of any good deer caliber 7mm-08 would be great.  The money saved on the factory VS. customer barrel would be better spent on a quality scope. Just my opinion.

Mike

I have to agree with Mike357mag also.  

[huntswithdogs]

TCMan,

Would ya care to give up on your recipe for that 25/06? I've been playing with H4831SC, 100 gr remingtons and some Hornady SSTs. 1-1.5 groups are it so far. Oh yeah. I'm neck sizing my RP brass and using WLR primers.

Thanks,

HWD

[tcman]

My particular load is 51 grains of H4831 and a CCI Benchrest primer and Winchester brass with the 100 grain Sierra bullet.

As always, this is what works well for me but all loads need to be worked up individually for each rifle.

[james]

I like my 24 inch 6.5 x 55 sporter barrel because I reload 100 to 160 grain bullets that will all shoot from .75 to 1.5 inch.  I have a 24 inch heavy custom barrel in 7mm 08 that will do a little better but cost considerably more.   If you reload, the 6.5 with its light recoil is a pleasure to shoot and I recommend it highly.  If you will be shooting off the shelf ammo, I would go with the 7-08.  One more gun is always a good choice.  I've never found a gun I didn't like.
james

[huntswithdogs]

TC,

Thanks man! I've been considering changing primers. For some reason the accuracy just hasn't come together yet. I usually try different weights of the same kind of powder then change primers and start all over. Looks like I'll just have to make a trip to the gunstore.

HWD

[RipOne]

We put a Encore Rifle together last year in 7m-08 and it is a shooter / low recoil, hard hitting - we shoot a lot of long distance paper and this rifle has become a favorit.

Frame SS with prem trigger job at 2-1/2 pull (MB)
Barrel SS Heavy 22" ( Short is good - Fox R )
Forend floated.

I enjoy all cal -all firearms / this Encore 7mm-08 is a shooter. We load and that brings it all together.

[LaSouthpaw]

Thanks for the input guys. I guess I left out a few pieces of info. I already have a Tikka 25-06 that I use and I have a brand new leupold Vari-X III 3X10X40 looking for a home. I will try the 25-06 loads and will hopefully get a barrel ordered soon.
Ripone, sounds like your setup is what I am after. Do you have any pics or the weight of the rig?