Author Topic: Lightweight Encore rifle. Your Thoughts (Read 1006 times)

PoorAim · « **on:** August 24, 2004, 01:24:10 PM »

Hello new here and looking for thoughts/comments.

I am in the planning stages for my ideal mountain rifle.
The primary use would be for deer, with a little mtn. goat, sheep, and SOME Elk.

I would like something that is lightweight, fairly flat shooting, and most importantly it has to break down (also reasonably priced). This has lead me to Encores with a custom barrel, and eventually a Kevlar/composite stock when I can afford it. The broken down length has to be less than 23" to fit a custom case/pack that I already have. This would put the max barrel length at 19-20" once a scotpe is added.

Right now I'm thinking starting with 260 Remington. Recoil should be very manageble, and based on the reading I have been doing, should do the job on elk at sub200yards with high quality bullets (like an X bullet). If Elk ends up on the agenda more often I could always go for another (probably longer) barrel in a "real" elk caliber. Another thing, is the Encore would open up the door for Pistol hunting, which is something I hope to try and would give me the ultimate compact package for packing.

Any advice or comments on the plan? Anyone have an idea of how much a fairly light tapered 20" synthetic Encore would weigh? Anyone have the LoneWolf Kevlar stock offered by VirginValley or there any other lightweight stocks out there?

I was also considering 7mm-08 and 270, but after looking long and hard at balistics, sectional densities, and testimonies I thought I really need to try the 260. The beauty of the Encore is that I can always "uprifle" for a fairly low cost.

Thanks in advance,
PA

ciscoman14 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 24, 2004, 02:46:59 PM »

Hello, I have a 270 26" Virgin Valley custom gun with the Kevlar stocks. AWESOME.......I have my Colorado bull Elk tag and cannot wait to go!!
The barrel is a heavy taper and really balances well.

I also have a 7mm/08 and believe it to be a better option than the 260...just my 2 cents. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Loosecat · « **Reply #2 on:** August 24, 2004, 03:57:12 PM »

G'day...

I have been using a rem model 7 in .260 - its a great round just about perfect for a lightweight - with the right 120 - 130gr bullet (120gr Barnes X) it still has plenty of grunt and flat shooting in a 20" barrel. I have been using this on Red Deer (couple of BIG ones) with great results ie instant kills and I am now planning a Encore in 7mm-08 for the same purpose. I would have gone with the .260 or 6.5x55 but being in New Zealand means that sourcing a custom barrel would be a mission to say the least - so Im going the 7mm-08 factory route. I will be doing the same though - cutting the barrel back to 20/21" and eventually a kelvar stock. The .260 in a lightweight is a perfect combo - very straight shooting, more hard hitting than you would think and a real pussycat in the recoil department. Can I reccomend a scope that would compliment this type of rifle? Sightron SII 4x32 - 9.8 oz 9" long with 4.5'" eye relief. Awesome little scope - great optically - I have taken a couple of 200 + shots no problems at all.
http://www.sightron.com/index.php?action=view_category&cat_id=1047415711
Anyways Im very interested in any feedback you get as well.

Cheers.......

reelhook · « **Reply #3 on:** August 26, 2004, 04:15:19 AM »

You know about opinions- well mine os for the 260. With the barnes triple shock-it is good for elk as long as you do your part

PA-Joe · « **Reply #4 on:** August 26, 2004, 05:15:24 AM »

The encore is no light weight. You should look at a contender or the new G2 they are about 1 pound lighter than the encore.

SLAVAGE · « **Reply #5 on:** August 26, 2004, 07:41:19 AM »

well ill put my vote on the encore all so in 7mm-08
what i did is take the 24 inch factory barrel have it choped down to 16.5 an had a 2 inch brake put on it an all so went with the folding stock an the limb saver grind to fit recoil pad i tell you what the hole thing with the stock folded is i think like 23 inches lol with a sling on the back it dosent stick out at all to get hung up on any thing all so when shooting it with the brake an limb saver pad the recoil is way less than my 243 ruger i can actualy shoot it one handed when its rested on some thing so ther might be another path you might wish to look into the folding stock cuts even more weight off of it an makes it even smaller to pack in an i agree with the Sightron scopes i have ther 2-7x32 dimond rectical an i love the thing it has been on 4 different guns an every one its has out done it self every time droped it down a hill side on my 06 a few years back dident even lose zero
dave

Loosecat · « **Reply #6 on:** August 26, 2004, 10:39:31 AM »

On the T/C arms website they give the weight of a standard factory Encore as a little shy of 7 pounds. As there seem to be several factory combos availble - is this the weight of a Synthetic standard taper or wood, bull barrel etc? Can any one tell me the all up weight of a factory standard synthetic stocked encore?

Cheers........

ms · « **Reply #7 on:** August 27, 2004, 03:08:02 AM »

my opinion is I don't care for light rifle. Lighter the rifle the more recoil. IF I was going on a guided hunt where the guide does all the care taking of the the game carring the game out I wouldn't be concerned about weight. Now if you are doing all the work that is a different story. my choice of caliber would be a 270 win. I Know you said that you would limt your self to 200 yards for a big game like elk. I would hate to see A trophy elk beyond 200 yards that somrthing to think about.. :lol:

PoorAim · « **Reply #8 on:** August 27, 2004, 07:29:33 AM »

Thanks for all the responses.

Cisco, did you by any chance weigh your Kevlar stock? Anyone ever
weigh a factory composite stock? That Kevlar stock is awfully expensive
if it only saves an once or two. Anyone have weights on the folding stock?

The more I think about it, I think the best path would be to just get two barrels. Start with one in 308 as this will do it all (and I will definitely get a Sims pad, I put one of these on a Ruger I have, and they WORK!).
I could then get a 260 at a later date, heck I could get the 7mm-08 too, its just the 6.5 is a caliber I really want to try. There are occasions where I go deer hunting, but also happen to have a cow Elk tag, I would feel fine carrying the 260 in this scenario in the future.

Oh, and I agree super light rifles are usually not the best shooters in several respects, but when you are carrying them up and down mountains on your back, you love em. No guided hunts for me (can't afford them anyway)

The more I think about it, the more I like the Encore concept!

-PA

Loosecat · « **Reply #9 on:** August 27, 2004, 12:17:58 PM »

"weighed my sythetic stocked Encore with factory .308 barrel and Bushnell Trophy 3x-9x40mm scope on it (weaver base and Burris signature rings) and it topped the scales at just a hair under 7 pounds."

Thats what I wanted to hear! Good stuff - that means I probably wont bother cutting down the barrel and losing the fps as it will weigh less and still be shorter than the rem model seven I have been using with 4 more inches barrel length!

As for using lightweights the hunting I do here is done in the "Fiordland" part of the "Southern Alps" in the "South Island" (good names eh :lol: not much imagination our first settlers). Big mountains with glacial valleys - very rugged terrain indeed. Even if your not up on the tops (above the snow line) the bush is very dense and very very wet (temperate rain forest) so a synthetic stainless lightweight is the way to go. I agree that recoil can be a problem but shes only a single shot and hopefully the Sims will help that - although I am curious about some posts on here stating that the 7mm-08 has quite nasty recoil in a encore - I cant imagine what anything with more grunt is like - what is it? Weight of course but has the stock design got something to do with it?

Heres some info about Fiordland if anyone is interested

http://www.doc.govt.nz/Explore/001~National-Parks/Fiordland-National-Park/Fiordland-National-Park-General-Information.asp

Cheers

Mirage · « **Reply #10 on:** August 29, 2004, 04:08:55 AM »

The .260 is a fine choice. I have not shot one yet but research shows it is a real fine round. Roots developed in 1000 yd. bench matches. great sectional density, ballistic coefficient, easy recoiling, hits and penetrates much greater than outward apperaence of cartridge.

I have a 15" .260 bbl. from Bullberry (wood set as well) that is app. 2 weeks away from being tested. Conversations with Fred @ Bullberry convinced me of the .260. He tells me that with the partition and barnes bullets the .260 is adequate Elk medicine(with 15" handgun). Fred would not give misleading advice. His philosophy is to use a more moderate recoilng round that the user can shoot with great accuracy / placement than to use a magnum round that can't be handled properly.

Skyhook · « **Reply #11 on:** September 05, 2004, 11:49:25 AM »

Curious no one mentioned (was I paying attention?) the WSM .270? Even though I am a .308 hunter with several years of profitable hunting w/that caliber- and I like the availability and choices for ammo- I'd really give that WSM .270 one serious consideration were I setting my Encore up for white tail, sheep, elk, etc. It's the ballistics. :wink:

Loosecat · « **Reply #12 on:** September 06, 2004, 08:27:57 PM »

Got mine today after bit of a wait........first reactions - one word AWESOME. Im a convert. No exterior defects I can see - high quality workmanship, locks up solid as a rock and just feels great! Inside of the barrel looks spot on. As for how it shoots Im going to have to wait for the weekend - but im feeling very confident. I will let you know how it pans out.

Cheers.....

Skyhook · « **Reply #13 on:** September 11, 2004, 02:55:44 AM »

Quote from: cknight98

Quote from: Skyhook
Curious no one mentioned (was I paying attention?) the WSM .270? Even though I am a .308 hunter with several years of profitable hunting w/that caliber- and I like the availability and choices for ammo- I'd really give that WSM .270 one serious consideration were I setting my Encore up for white tail, sheep, elk, etc. It's the ballistics. :wink:

Skyhook,

the reason that you didnt see the .270 WSM, or any other WSM for that matter, mentioned is because they are general accepted as to hot for the Encore frame. they generate alot of backthrust and have a huge case head, those 2 things spell disaster for TC's. the manufactors that did make some of them have now stopped making them. the WSSM's are available though, and considered ok for the Encore. all the WSM's that were made for the Encore experienced terrible accuracy unless seriously downloaded to lower power cartridge levels, and thats because of the frame flexing under firing. hope this helps...

Ah, now that had not occurred to me. Thanks. See, this is why I come here. I love this place!!