243 Pro Hunter Pistol................

[asquires2]

Ok fellas lead me in the right direction . Next month the Gun /knife show will be here and my game plan is to pick up a Pro Hunter Encore in a 243 for hunting. I had a Remmy 700 in a 243 and loved the round but I cant hunt with it in a rifle but I can in a pistol ( Indiana DNR rules). I've read as much as I could on hunting with a pistol and I've ran across a few questions of my own. Im not sure how the recoil will be on the 243 but I will be putting Packy Decelerator grips on it . I know Im gonna need to practice with it all summer t o master it , which I look forward too.

Question 1:

Would a lite trigger benefit me as far as accuracy goes and if so how lite would you go ? I shoot competition archery and I know that a lite trigger help me in archery ( A supprise release) . In archery with a lite trigger I focused more on aiming than squeezing my release.

Question 2:


Im gonna be putting a scope on it , what power would you suggest ?

Question 3:
Would a muzzle break benifit me in anyway ?

[markc]

Good morning and Merry Christmas.   I only want to address the muzzle break question, having hunted for a couple of years with a TC muzzletamer barrell (7-30 Waters).  They are extremely loud!!!   I think most handgun hunters probably wear hearing protection while hunting, but if you do not, or forget to bring something to protect your hearing, or a buck shows up right in front of you and there isn't time to don the hearing protection, or whatever reason, then it is going to be loud, and potentially damaging to your ears. 

I currently hunt with a super 16" in 35 Rem, and can say that the decelerator grips work great, and without a muzzle break, I have no problem with recoil.  I've never fired a .243 in a handgun, so I do not know what recoil is like from one, but do really like that caliber, and have often considered buying a new frame that could support the pressure so I could get a .243 barrell. 

I hope that helps. 

[10ring]

I have a Encore pistol in 243 and the recoil is light compared to other hand cannons I would not put a muzzle brake on it. The trigger will benefit you I set up mine just the same as my rifles because thats what I'm used to. As far as scope you didn't say how far or close you will be shooting but remember the more power you have then it's harder to find in the scope. Good Luck

[asquires2]

Whats the recoils compared to a S/W 44 mag? I'd like to get it out to atleast 200yrds as for the trigger I felt a 13oz trigger and to be honest it felt sweet. Something that lite will take some getting use to but its possible.I was thinking maybe something around 2lbs though.

[10ring]

On a hunting rig when it's cold I wouldn't do a 13oz. trigger I had mine down to 1.5 pound and it was sweet for shooting targets when you can feel your fingers but when hunting not so good will go boom before your on the target or ready to take the shot

[asquires2]

What would you recommend on the trigger?

[tgonza]

I shot a 15" 243 for some time, but had trouble with accuracy. I'm sure it's me, not the barrel. Anyway, I had a Bushnell 2-6x scope on it which seemed adequate. I had an antelope hunt that I was going to use it for, but swapped the barrel for a 28" 270 because I didn't feel I could hit anything much past 100 yards with the 15" barrel. Glad I did because I ended up with a nice pronghorn at 225 yards. I had (censored word) redo the trigger and I put a spring in that set it right at 3 lbs. I would certainly recommend that, although Thompson doesn't support it and it might void the warranty on a new gun. They are at http://(censored word).com/store.

[22popnsplat]

For accuracy my .223 is outstanding , I can consistantly hit golf balls at 200 meters from a sturdy bench .  the .223 has alot blast and flash , I also can recommend the 7tcu as I have 2 barres that shoot well , its a easy wildcat and recoil i would compare to medium 357 loads . I have a loove for the 22 hornet , It can however be a bit finicky to load for but can also be very accurate . The last time i tried to count my barrels I came up with 18 but I am just about sure I missed some .

[asquires2]

Finally got her together! I had to do some willing and dealing but I pick her up Thursday, this will be the longest 4 days ever. Itll be a 15" blued 243 barrel with the SS Prohunter frame. I will also pick up a set of Pacy grips too. As for the scope I havent pick it out yet, it will either be a Burris or Nikon not sure yet . I talked to a gunsmith and we are gonna go with a 2.5lbs trigger. As soon as I get her home Ill post some pics.Thx for all the advise and info you guys have given me .

[blackhawkencore]

I have a .243 Encore pistol barrel mounted with a Burris LER 1.5-4 scope.  Recoil is quite manageable with 100 grain bullets.  I had a trigger job done on my Encore and it breaks at 3.5 lbs.  That works for me.  I'm increasingly hunting with a 12" .44 magnum barrel on my Encore, but the .243 is a good setup.  Good luck.

[asquires2]

I have a .243 Encore pistol barrel mounted with a Burris LER 1.5-4 scope.  Recoil is quite manageable with 100 grain bullets.  I had a trigger job done on my Encore and it breaks at 3.5 lbs.  That works for me.  I'm increasingly hunting with a 12" .44 magnum barrel on my Encore, but the .243 is a good setup.  Good luck.

What kinda froups are you getting with the 100 grainers? I shoot the Remmy 100 gr out of my Remmy 700 and they are sweet. I shot my Encore lastnite and to my surprise the recoil wasnt as bad as my S&W 629, I will have the trigger worked to a 2.5/3 lbs pull . It is really that bad now but I like a lite trigger , my Remmy's trigger is set at 2.5 and I love it .

[blackhawkencore]

Two inch groups at 100 yards off of benchrest on a good day with slightly larger groups occuring if I'm not having my best day.  I think the caliber and pistol are capable of better shooting, but my limitations get in the way.

[asquires2]

Two inch groups at 100 yards off of benchrest on a good day with slightly larger groups occuring if I'm not having my best day.  I think the caliber and pistol are capable of better shooting, but my limitations get in the way.

Im still in the market for a scope. Im seriously looking at the Burris 3-12x32 IR ballistic scope. Now to find the cheepiest one then Ill be on the range , I cant wait!