Author Topic: Encore Wins . . . (Read 1545 times)

Ranger413 · « **on:** October 22, 2003, 04:07:44 PM »

Finally got to bag "the beast" with the Encore. It was opening day of the Arkansas early muzzleloader season. Hadn't spent 20 minutes in the woods when this appeared.

I was using the 209X50 Encore loaded with 100 grains of Triple 7 and a Hornady XTP sabot (300gr.) The bullet entered the front of the right shoulder and exited the left ribcage. He dropped on the spot. When gutting the deer I noted that the heard and lungs were literally mush. When he was skinned the exit wound was about the size of a golf ball and a small piece of lead and jacket was lodged in the hide. It appeared as though the bullet fragmented slightly (i.e. one petal of the jacket and the lead).

Needless to say, it was a good day! Check out the pic.

Ranger 413

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-10/444400/8-Point(ML).jpg

longwinters · « **Reply #1 on:** October 22, 2003, 04:39:04 PM »

Congrats. Sounds like some mighty fine meals coming up!

long

coyote sniper · « **Reply #2 on:** October 28, 2003, 04:56:40 AM »

Ranger,
Congrats on the deer. I couldn't open up the picture though. Is there anyway i could see it another way?

Underclocked · « **Reply #3 on:** October 28, 2003, 07:38:37 AM »

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-10/444400/8-Point(ML).jpg

str8shooter48 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 28, 2003, 12:15:36 PM »

Ranger, congrats on the fine looking 8 pointer. Nice looking gun too. I put the same stock set on my Encore. What a difference between the laminated and the synthetic. Better balanced and mine seemed to cut the recoil down too. What are you using for a scope? Thats my next upgrade. I'm looking for opinions on a good scope. Right now I'm kicking around either a Nikon Monarch 2x7 or Leupold VXII 2x7. So far I've only bagged a doe with it. Its a pretty good rig as it is with the Bushnell 1.75x4. I just want to increase the power a bit.

Str8shooter48

Ranger413 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 02, 2003, 03:43:05 AM »

str8shooter48

The scope is a Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9X40mm. It's mounted in Warne Maxima QD rings on a Warne Maxima base. The medium rings are just right. Enough room for the thumb to get at the hammer yet low enough that I don't have to lift my head off the stock at all when looking through the scope. The medium rings also let the scope get as close as possible to the barrel with the open sights still on. Only about 1/8" to spare.

I'd highly reccomend this set up on top of any Encore ML. The rings and base are a little heavy, but you never have to worry about movement. The scope has excellent clarity and tracks well. The only drawback is the smaller field of view.

The buck I shot was only 25 yards away, so in hindsight I probably could have mounted a 4X scope on my Encore. But, if I ever get the chance to hunt in areas where longer shots will be the norm I'll have the extra magnivication if I need it.

Ranger413

Underclocked · « **Reply #6 on:** November 02, 2003, 05:20:45 AM »

str8shooter, a scope you might want to consider is the Burris 3x9x40 Ballistic Plex in matte finish. I just ordered one last evening after reading several very good reviews. Ordered from http://www.theopticzone.com/ where they still have the "free" 20x Burris spotting scope included at 199 plus shipping. My total was 209.xx. Just seemed a great deal to me and the little spotter might save me a few trips to the target. :grin:

Well, DOH!!, guess I should have checked the optics forum here before spouting off. It seems http://www.riflescopes.com has a sticky at the top of that forum for the same combo at essentially the same (slightly cheaper) price. Sorry GB.

Ranger, that is a nice looking deer. Is that a Boyd Bro's stock set? Pepper laminate? Looks nice.

Ranger413 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 03, 2003, 01:26:03 AM »

Yes, the stock is a Boyd's in Pepper. Purchased buttstock and two forends (one ML one standard rifle) from eabco.com.

Thanks guys for the great comments on the buck and rifle. He'll be hanging on the wall here in a couple of months.

Ranger413