Author Topic: Question for you thompson experts?? (Read 1307 times)

Hawghead · « **on:** August 05, 2003, 05:50:29 AM »

I am seriously thinking about ordering the encore pistol in 7mm-08 with a 15 in barrel.(walnut)(without muzzle break). I am mainly going to use it in Georgia for deer hunting. Gimme your opinions on this setup and what brand/ power scope you would mount on it. or what you would change about my setup. This is going to be my first deer hunting pistol. Looking forward to a new way of hunting deer.. I look forward to your responses and chatting on this board. What kind of range would you feel comfortable shooting this setup at also?? Looking forward to hearing your opinions.

jhalcott · « **Reply #1 on:** August 05, 2003, 06:41:59 AM »

I would use a 2.5x8 Leu variable scope or a straight 4x leupold. 139 gr. bullets will kill deer past 200 yards from this set up,BUT only if you can do your part.
I use a Wichita bolt pistol,14.5 barrel,Harris bipod to kill deer past 200 yards.Most of these are does on crop permits.The caliber is 7IHMSA,Most shots are from prone positions.
I would NOT use the federal lite mag ammo in the encore as it may damage the gun. Hope this helps.
jh

PJ · « **Reply #2 on:** August 05, 2003, 06:50:20 AM »

That sounds like a good set-up get with KYODE for load info he has a 7mm-08 too.As for the scope stay away from Burris :wink: I have had nothing but bad luck with them.Their customer service SUCKS!!!! I use Weaver,Leupold and T/C scopes they have never let me down.If your hunting area is thick woods I would get a 4X Leupold.If its some what thick to open I would get a 2.5 X 7 T/C lighted reticle.Come to think about it I think you would be better served with the lighted T/C scope.For the scope base I would use a Redfield DD or Weaver base with three or four Leupold vertical split rings.

KYODE · « **Reply #3 on:** August 05, 2003, 07:14:41 AM »

i have the 15" 7-08 encore. it's dandy! i took a deer last year(button buck) at a estimated 250 yards. my longest shot ever with a handgun. it turned out i had a perfect rest, and i think is the only way i pulled it off. your abilities or practice will be the only thing that limit your range with the 7-08. 250yards or so would be my limit with any handgun, and then only if i had a steady rest. 250yards is one long shot with a rifle, let alone a handgun. i have only tried one factory load. rem.120gr hp's. they shoot about 1 1/2" at best, to 3" at worst at 100. i like h4895 and 120gr nosler bt's in my handloads. i loaded h4895 at 40.0gr and plan to bump it up some for a test run, as this is well under max. it still performed great.
unlike pj :wink: i like the burris scopes and would recommend a 2x7 model for it's field of view. my 7-08 has a 3x12 and i like it ,but i put a 2x7 on my 30-30AI contender. now i have the best of both worlds. pj's tc 2.5x7 would also be nice, but i'm not sure about it's field of view if you are in the woods.

xphunter · « **Reply #4 on:** August 05, 2003, 08:11:20 AM »

I wouldn't hesitate to use Burris scopes ( I have had break downs with them, but i have had the same problem with Leupold). I have 4 3-12's LER's and one is on a short action Lazzeroni case, the 7.82 Patriot.
I would suggest the 2-7 or 3-12 (ballistic plex reticule), depending on your preference. The 2-7 has a wider field of view @ 7 power than some others do. The Leupold scope is a great scope and I use them also. I wouldn't hesitate to buy either one.
Shots on deer sized animals out to 350 yards is a real possibility with the 7-08 with the right shooter under the right conditions. An old load that I used for a number of years when I had my 7-08 was 40 grains of H-4895 with a 140 NBT out of a 14 inch barrel @ 2540 MV. This was the most accurate load not the fastest one. I have shared this load over the years, it may or may not shoot well in yours. Another load that was used with 120 NBT's was the same powder @ 42 grains runing close to 2,800 @ the muzzle. I like the Burris Signature rings with the inserts. All of my mounting systems have or are in the process of being converted over to that.

Ernie

KYODE · « **Reply #5 on:** August 05, 2003, 08:17:14 AM »

by the way, i'm definately no expert

be prepared for some recoil with the 7-08 if you've never shot one. it's really not bad at all, and doesn't hurt you any whatsoever. just be prepared for some muzzle jump off the bags . just so you won't be surprised :wink: as pj could tell you, the 7-08 is a pussy-cat compared to his 300mag. :eek: as far as scope mounts on the encore. the burris or leupold dual dovetail bases with burris signature rings would be hard to beat. on my contenders, i like a weaver base with burris signature zee rings.

xphunter · « **Reply #6 on:** August 05, 2003, 10:42:36 AM »

Good thought Kyode.
I'm no TC expert either.

Ernie

Big Gun · « **Reply #7 on:** August 05, 2003, 12:29:47 PM »

I have had good luck with the Weaver, Leupold, and Tasco handgun scopes over the years and have recently purchased Burris, Bushnell, and TC scopes which have not seen much use yet - but none of which has presented any problems. I agree with KYODE there will be some recoil to deal with, I have not shot the 7-08 but have a 308, for me the wood grips tend to sting the palm of the hand a bit - I think you would be ahead of the game to get the rubber grips. The latest rubber grips have a softer rubber insert along the back side that is supposed to really take the sting out - I just ordered one of these that I plan to use on my 375 H&H.

KYODE · « **Reply #8 on:** August 05, 2003, 04:14:35 PM »

375 H&H ! :eek: where does the madness end!

DesertRam · « **Reply #9 on:** August 06, 2003, 06:21:01 AM »

I shoot a similar Encore (stainless 15" in .308). I like the factory rubber grips as they seem to handle the recoil just fine. I equipped my Encore with a 2-6X32 Bushnell Trophy and have been very pleased with it. It doesn't have the FOV of the Burris, but it does have a consistent eye relief, which is more important to ME - others don't mind adjusting the positioning of the pistol based on the magnification of the scope. The Bushnell, though it currently resides on my .223, handled the recoil of the .308 without a hitch. I use a Weaver base and Burris rings, but have become quite fond of the Leupold DD base and rings on my Contender.

Based on my experience with the .308, I think you'll be well pleased with the 7-08 in the Encore pistol. It's just a nice, well-balanced package for a hunting handgun. I reccommend that you invest in a nice shoulder holster or sling though.

doc-and · « **Reply #10 on:** August 07, 2003, 05:36:19 AM »

Lots of good information here :-) . Have any of you installed a muzzle brake on you 7-08? If so, how has it worked for you! I also have a 15inch 7-08, and was thinking of returning it to TC for a muzzle tamer. Any thoughts

doc-and

Questor · « **Reply #11 on:** August 07, 2003, 05:56:11 AM »

I recall reading a post by a man who put a muzzle brake on a rifle that his wife and kids were to use. The extra blast scared the heck out of them and he took it off. I tend to flinch more from noise and blast than from recoil. By all accounts it will reduce the recoil significantly.

KYODE · « **Reply #12 on:** August 07, 2003, 06:34:21 AM »

i've never shot one with a muzzle brake, but i've heard they are horrendously LOUD! :eek:

Big Gun · « **Reply #13 on:** August 07, 2003, 07:37:31 AM »

It is a must that you use hearing protection when using a muzzle brake. I have a 308 win Encore barrel with a muzzle tamer and like it, I think it really reduces the felt recoil. In fact rather than the muzzle jumping up, it almost feels like the gun pulls down and forward a bit - comparing side by side with non muzzle tamer barrels.

WW1 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 10, 2003, 05:34:46 AM »

have a 7-30 Waters Hunter with a muzzle tamer on it.....I love it as the recoil comes straight back and not up....does make more noise also.... it also has the TC 2.5X lited scope which I love....I have a 2X7 lited TC also but find it harder for me to hold steady even with a rest, and I can see and hit a 10" plate @400from a bench, so who needs the extra......hahaha
in fact it is for sale on another site.......anyway am no expert and never will be but it is my oppinion.....hahhaa....Rob

Ladobe · « **Reply #15 on:** August 10, 2003, 07:49:50 AM »

Well, first off... welcome to the disease they call handgun hunting. But be careful, it will grow on you and fester like a big open sore. :wink: There is no cure as far as I know. I took the plunge over 30 years ago and haven't looked back once.

Here's another vote for the Burris 2-7 scope. Has been one of my favorites for years, and I have a bunch of them. Its just about the ideal handgun scope for deer. I can't speak personally about their customer service cause even my handcannons have never hurt one of them, but I have heard way, way more good than bad from those who have dealt with Burris Customer Service. I personally don't like the Leupolds, and I have had several of them as well. And the 'cheap' scopes are just a waste of time and effort on a hunting gun IMO. If the possability of recoil damaging your scope really bothers you, try to find one of the discontinued Simmons 2-7 Gold Medal handgun scopes, or better yet, a Tasco Pro Class 30mm (also discontinued). I have several of both of these on my big boomers, and they have taken everything I threw at them. Mounts wise I use a lot of the Burris bases and rings, but for the really heavy kickers go with a solid steel one-piece base and either steel Warne or SSK T'SOB rings 'stacked'.

As others have said, a muzzle break will be VERY LOUD! But (depending on which one), they also do a heck of a job of making loudenboomers into pussycats in the recoil and torque departments, and allow the shooter a much better chance of getting a well placed shot off. Get a pair of quality electronic muffs (mine are the Tac 6), practice until it hurts, and then go hunting. BTW, get and learn to use a good pair of folding sticks too - 'leans' are not always available in the killing fields. :-)

Ladobe