Author Topic: What's the recoil and muzzel blast like? (Read 1182 times)

centershot · « **on:** November 25, 2005, 08:37:11 AM »

Whats it like to shoot one of the encores in a .308,.30-06 or some other 'rifle' cartridge in on of those 15" barrels. I'm looking to get a new t/c and get into handgun hunting, but those calibers seem huge for a pistol. I'd like a flat shooting gun with some punch for open land mulies, but these seem extreme compared to the older wildcats like a .30 Herritt, or 7 tcu. What do you shoot and what's it like?

poncaguy · « **Reply #1 on:** November 25, 2005, 09:54:32 AM »

My Encore 15" 7mm-08 is loud, but when I shot a doe with it the other evening, I didn't even notice it. Now , when at the bench, I wear ear protection, really loud under our range's metal roof...............

buckeye509 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 25, 2005, 10:34:43 AM »

I have an Encore 15" barrel in 308 topped with a 5X Burris scope. I've shot it from the bench and offhand, always using hearing protection.
This barrel is a real thrill to shoot and by thrill I mean really enjoyable and just plain FUN! Recoil is there, but by no means unmanageable. It's a 15" barrel cranking out a 7.62NATO/.308 Winchester, a rifel round so yes there is some muzzle blast and I would imagine plenty of noise. Try it you'll like it. IMHO the 308 is a very versitile caliber. Good luck!

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 25, 2005, 11:17:59 AM »

I had a 30-06 in my Encore pistol. To me the recoil was very manageable, it was loud though.

doc-and · « **Reply #4 on:** November 25, 2005, 11:49:20 AM »

I shoot both a 7-08 and a 308 in 15inch barrels, they are very managable. Currently using 140gr bullets in the 7-08 and 220gr in the 308.

docand

hobbyist · « **Reply #5 on:** November 26, 2005, 06:03:11 AM »

Centershot, I am fairly new to the TC Encores as well and have only been shooting them for about three years. I now have couple of frames and several barrels for both the rifle and handgun with several variations of custom and std stocks. The best part of all of this is you can switch caliber, barrel length and furniture as you please in a (generally) moa accuracy package. You may have to work with some frame/barrel combinations to optimize performance.

I did a lot of homework choosing the caliber/length combinations as well. Take a look at the previous postings if you havent done so, as there is a wealth of information on this subject on this site. What made up my mind was the below recoil table and the Remington ballistic data:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm
http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/ballistics/

I choose the 7-08 in 12" barrel. It is flat shooting (similar to 270) with plenty of energy downrange for the deer with easily manageable kick. It is no 223, but to me a full power 44mag in a super blackhawk is much harsher. 12 barrel is perfect for my application since I hunt in woods with occasional 150 yrd, shot but for you I recommend the 15 barrel. As you know it will be more efficient burning all that powder giving your higher velocity and energy as well as the muzzle blast and noise should also be less.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Hunter Mann · « **Reply #6 on:** November 26, 2005, 07:38:51 PM »

I am a newbie to the TC World as well. Purchased the .270 Hunter Package two years ago. I find this gun a real hoot to shoot. At 5'4", 135lbs it can be a real bugger after about 10-15 rounds.....but on game, you don't notice it. Once the adrenailne kicks in, muzzle blast, noise and recoil aren't noticed. And it throws a really cool fire ball.

Thinking about having it Mag-na-ported, though.....and a trigger job. Would like to shoot a TC that has had a trigger job. The factory triggers on the new Encores leave a whole lot to be desired.

You guys who shoot the big boys scare me. I have a friend who shoots 45-70. He says he'd love to let me shoot it. He says he'll even catch me when the gun knocks me on my back side. He scares me, too.... :-D

patrick.hover · « **Reply #7 on:** November 27, 2005, 01:00:10 PM »

I have a 30-06 15' , heavy barrel, Encore, rubber grips, from Fox ridge outfitters (T/C's custom shop) I love the combination...I put a Bushnell 3200 elite with Fox Ridges T'SOB 6 screw mount and 3 rings. My barrel is unported. I love to shoot it. I have shot so much factory ammo through it that I spent a small fortune on finding the right load. I setteled on the Hornady Light Mag 165 Interbond checked @ 2700 FPS...you can count on losing about 300 FPS average with the 15 inch barrel from alll listed factory loads...which I tested on my pro chrony. This round my encore lovers...less than a inch @ 100 yds consistantly...Hardest kicking as well but no problem from the bench and even less when shooting an animal like my Mule deer a few weeks ago. I shot in the field and it was not tooo loud at all with out ear protection....maybe because the end of the barrel is even further away at full arm extension then a rifle is normally.

the Heavy bull barrel ads just the right ammount of weight and helps with the recoil.

I use Federal Fusion 180 grain for elk @ 2400 FPS and this kich is less than the Hornady Light Mag 165.

For Mule deer at longer ranges You cant beat the 06 with the 165 Light Mag ammo...it makes the 30-06 a real killer and on par with the 30-06 JDJ!
Ammo is everywhere and you can beef up the bullet weight for Idaho elk and still get some great punch from it when you want ...faster than a 308 can push the heavy weight bullets...it just is more VERSATILE !

I love mine so much I dont want to leave home without it !

30-06 100 years old an still womping Elk and Mulies...and pronghorn and blackbears....and gophers.

PH
Montana.

K.K. · « **Reply #8 on:** November 30, 2005, 01:45:46 PM »

I bought my first Encore pistol in .308 this summer. I must admit to being a little jumpy on the trigger for the first shot, but that afternoon, I shot 2 boxes through it comfortably. I own several rifles that I cannot do that with. It was also very accurate. I intend to try it out next year on some open-country whitetails.

I am a new fan of these pistols, and happily suprised at how comforatble they are to shoot (at least in .308). Already scouting for some new barrels!

jamie · « **Reply #9 on:** November 30, 2005, 05:06:53 PM »

I have a Encore with a 15" 30-06 barrel and a 15"45-70. The -06 is louder than it is recoil wise. Two weeks ago we had about 8 fellas out at the range so I offered it up for everyone to take a turn at. After they watched me shoot it they figured they would give it a try. Every single one of them said they couldn't believe how low the recoil is. Like hobbyist said, full house 44 mag rounds seems to kick harder.

The 45-70 on the other hand is uh, stout. If you are using the 350 grn loads at medium velocity it is not too bad but once you start messing with max ruger #1 loads with the 405's it becomes brutal.

You will be just fine with a 7-08, .270, 25-06, .308 or the 30-06. They do recoil but not as much as you think.

**oneshot** · « **Reply #10 on:** December 02, 2005, 02:30:16 AM »

Don't be afraid! I've let friends shoot my .308 Encore and all they have to say is: " thats not what I expected". It does have recoil but not much different from a 44mag with hot loads. I bought the "hunter package", blue barrel and frame with the black rubber grips and a scope. I was on paper right out of the box.