Me and the Encore 25-06 (15") went to the range today, the chrono went along for the ride. Three different 120 gr. jacketed bullets over 46.5 gr. of IMR 4350 gave me velocities between 2515 and 2540 fps. When I bumped the load up to 48.5 gr. and fired off the 120 gr. Sierra GK BT it churned out 2640 fps. My Speer reloading manual shows that load cranking out 2990 fps from a 24" barrel, so a 9" shortening of the barrel produced a 350 fps loss in velocity. Just the same, that 120 gr. bullet clipping along at 2640 fps is plenty enough for deer. On the Handloader's web site I see some folks are using 50.5 gr. of that powder and I'm wondering if the Encore is up to the task or is that just for bolt action guns? Anybody know?
