Author Topic: .358 Win in the Encore... (Read 627 times)

Dave2of5 · « **on:** July 31, 2003, 07:35:54 AM »

Has anyone tried one of the set-ups. For the purposes of hunting large game, I think this is very interesting and I was thinking this might be a great cartridge to match with a 12" barrel. I know what the .357 Herret will do in a 10" configuration, and I really believe this would be the next progressive logical step for pratical 35 cal. in a fairly compact package. Good avaliablity of cases, bullets and powders, lots of load data and very respectable velocities to work with. I would think performance would be exceptional.

Even after figuring velocity loss from the shorter barrel this thing still looks VERY good. Every bit a gun capable of good solid hits out to about 200 yards(assuming the shooter is capable).

Any thoughts?

Dave

KYODE · « **Reply #1 on:** July 31, 2003, 07:48:29 AM »

i thought the very same thing, but i think a 15" barrel would be my preference. after i thought about, my 7-08 barrel will take care of my own hunting needs. so, try it and come back and let us hear how it does.

Big Gun · « **Reply #2 on:** July 31, 2003, 12:48:05 PM »

I was thinking the same thing a while back, but eventully came to the idea of doing a 350 Rem Mag. TC Custom shop will chamber it in a pistol length with a muzzle tamer - I think a 15 inch plus MT would be the way to go in order to take advantage of the cartridge's potential. You could easily hand load down to 358 win levels, maybe even 35 rem levels for target practice and deer and on up to factory levels for Elk, Moose, Big Bear. I think it would be the ultimate North American big game hunting pistol set up, very versatile. Just my opinion. This one is about 3rd or 4th on my list of Encore projects at the moment.

HHI 812 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 31, 2003, 09:10:02 PM »

Just wondering if it would be worth the bigger caliber? Don't mind the custom dies cost. Appreciate your opinion.

Big Gun · « **Reply #4 on:** August 01, 2003, 01:01:40 AM »

I was looking through one of my reloading manuals last night at the 35 cal cartridges and came across one that might be just a little better than the 358 win in a 12 inch Encore (that is if you are set on a compact package). That would be the 356 win, it is basically the same thing in a rimmed version - it is/was popular in the lever action rifles. Since rimmed cartridges have the advantage of simple case extraction from a Contender / Encore. Brass, dies, bullets, and even factory ammo (Winchester) are available. I am not 100% certain, but you might even be able to chamber it for 358, then have space cut for a 356 rim to fit and have the best of both worlds - you would have to check with someone that knows more than I about these things, I imagine any of the custom barrel makers could tell you.