Author Topic: 150yd caliber with low recoil? (Read 2460 times)

Gdbyrd · « **on:** July 29, 2012, 07:18:23 PM »

I'd like to buy another barrel for my Encore that other people can feel comfortable using. I have some heavy thumpers that can get the job done, but no one else can shoot them comfortably. So I'm looking for suggestions on calibers for a maximum of 150 yards, 100 yards is more likely.

I do not want to use a breaked gun, not an option for this project.

I live in Tx, so any centerfire is allowable,but I'd prefer to go with something over 223. I am not adverse to reloading, but would prefer to stay with easy to purchase ammunition. It will be scoped with a 2-6x scope.

Game will be white tail, pigs, and possibly coyote.

Thanks guys.

singleshot1 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 29, 2012, 08:29:25 PM »

What about the 6.8spc or even the good ole 30-30, both are deadly out to 150 yds and not to bad on recoil!

bobg · « **Reply #2 on:** July 29, 2012, 09:31:16 PM »

How about the 7-30 Waters? Mine was very east to handle. Sure was a lot better than some of the other calibers i owned. Don't think i would have been afraid to try my Virgin Valley 300-221 at 150 yards either.

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 30, 2012, 12:19:43 AM »

Encore with 30-30Win 15" barrel and Rem Managed Recoil ammo would be my first guess. I've not tried it, but with the weight of the Encore and the reduced recoil ammo it would have to be a pussy cat, plus you get the advantage of a rimmed case. If the ammo didn't prove satisfactorily, the 30-30 lends itself to reloading very well. Good cast bullets and reduced loads would be another viable option, Good luck!!!
Walt

chiefs50 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 30, 2012, 05:38:28 AM »

I would not hesitate to use my unbraked, 14", .30-30 Contender with handloads-especially using Single Shot Pistol bullets. A scoped Encore should be a pussy cat, recoil-wise.

Gdbyrd · « **Reply #5 on:** July 30, 2012, 12:21:55 PM »

I still need to give Ed a call, but 30-30 and 7-30 waters aren't a factory offering are they? What about a 243? They seem to be plentiful. The other two would be perfect but I really don't want to spend a ton on this barrel since it won't be something I'll be using a lot.

sirsloop · « **Reply #6 on:** July 30, 2012, 12:55:12 PM »

.357 magnum will get the job done nicely!! All the power of a .30-30 under 150 yards, lots less bang and recoil.

Gdbyrd · « **Reply #7 on:** July 30, 2012, 03:36:09 PM »

What's the trajectory like out of a 15" barrel?

sirsloop · « **Reply #8 on:** August 01, 2012, 06:20:25 AM »

Depends on the load. .357 magnums in particular have a wide variety of factory offerings, and a wide variety of hand loadings. If you are max hand loading with H110 you should get somewhere around 1900fps with a 158gr bullet. More than enough oomph to kill a deer at 150. .357 also is not as affected by shorter barrel lengths, as its a pistol round after all. Its not like a rifle round that requires 18+ inches to develop velocity.

quick online calculator...

Manufacturer: Sierra Description: Jacketed Hollow Cavity (Sports Master)
Caliber: 0.357 in Weight: 158.0 gr
Ballistic Coefficients: 0.125 [0-900], 0.175 [900-1200], 0.161 [1200-1650], 0.124 [1650-2100], 0.100 [2100-5000] G1 (ASM)
Muzzle Velocity: 1950.0 ft/s Distance to Chronograph: 10.0 ft

Calculated Table
Range Drop Drop Windage Windage Velocity Mach Energy Time Lead Lead
(yd) (in) (MOA) (in) (MOA) (ft/s) (none) (ft•lbs) (s) (in) (MOA)
0 -1.5 *** 0.0 *** 1971.0 1.765 1362.8 0.000 0.0 ***
25 -0.4 -1.6 0.3 1.1 1816.7 1.627 1157.6 0.040 7.0 26.6
50 -0.0 -0.0 1.2 2.2 1670.9 1.497 979.3 0.083 14.6 27.8
75 -0.4 -0.5 2.6 3.4 1560.7 1.398 854.4 0.129 22.7 29.0
100 -1.6 -1.5 4.7 4.5 1461.9 1.309 749.6 0.179 31.5 30.1
125 -3.9 -3.0 7.3 5.6 1370.3 1.227 658.7 0.232 40.8 31.2
150 -7.3 -4.6 10.6 6.7 1287.0 1.153 581.0 0.288 50.8 32.3
175 -12.0 -6.6 14.4 7.9 1212.9 1.086 516.0 0.348 61.3 33.5
200 -18.2 -8.7 18.9 9.0 1152.7 1.032 466.0 0.412 72.5 34.6
225 -26.1 -11.1 23.9 10.2 1102.2 0.987 426.1 0.478 84.2 35.7
250 -35.7 -13.6 29.5 11.3 1059.5 0.949 393.8 0.548 96.4 36.8

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #9 on:** August 01, 2012, 06:39:40 AM »

7 X 30 WATERS nuff said .

sirsloop · « **Reply #10 on:** August 01, 2012, 07:24:36 AM »

read the op's requirements... you gonna walk into walmart and come out with a box of 7-30 waters?

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #11 on:** August 01, 2012, 07:30:00 AM »

Quote from: sirsloop on August 01, 2012, 07:24:36 AM

read the op's requirements... you gonna walk into walmart and come out with a box of 7-30 water?

No I doubt Wal-Mart has it , was Wal-mart a requirement ? Missed it . Around here most gun shops have it which is were I get mine . I seldom buy ammo from Wal-mart myself . To be honest I seldom shop at Wal-mart for anything .

Nope he didn't mention Wal-mart maybe I'm not the poor reader ?

sirsloop · « **Reply #12 on:** August 01, 2012, 07:50:10 AM »

I can't say I've ever seen it, then again I don't look for it either. its certainly not as common as .243, .30-30, or .357 magnum. You CAN go into the Walmarts and get boxes of those though...

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #13 on:** August 01, 2012, 07:54:12 AM »

OK , With the exception of the 30-30 I believe the 7X30 is better . The 30-30 dosen't shoot as flat or recoil as soft . The bullet weights of the 7X30 out class the 243 . The 357 mag isn't even close.

sirsloop · « **Reply #14 on:** August 01, 2012, 08:04:51 AM »

Agreed but we're talking a 100, may 150yd gun here. If the op wants a light recoiling gun that can take a deer .357 is bout as soft as you could go to do it. If the op wants something that reaches further then we're back to rifles rounds.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #15 on:** August 01, 2012, 08:25:50 AM »

Have you shot a 7X30 W ? You can shoot 120 gr bullets at 2700 FPS easy. You can load down if the light recoil is to much. You can load down to 100 gr bullets . With a 357 what bullet works at 150 yards on deer ? is it loaded near max ? I can see where with some loadings either could out recoil the other . The 7X30 W allows more flexablity . The 357 offers more factory loads and as you note more aval. locations to pick them up. At 150 yards will a 357 mag have enough velosity to cause bullets to expand ? I ask , not sure . The 7X30 W will and do so out to 250 easy.

mannyrock · « **Reply #16 on:** August 01, 2012, 08:53:04 AM »

This is an interesting post because of the restrictive parameters.

If you are limiting yourself to Wal-Mart rounds, then I guess you are just stuck with a .243, because Wal-Marts stock darned few calibers these days.

Three very popular rounds that immediately jump to mind (but not Walmart rounds) are:

7.62x39mm
6.8 SPC
6.5 Swede

All three are light recoil and would really shine at 150 yards. All three can be bought at really reasonable prices from the big catalogue companies, like Cabellas.

The .357 Mag, in regular factory loads are really limited to about 110 yards if you are talking about anything bigger than a Woodchuck.

A last thought is the .30-30 Winchester, using the Managed Recoil Ammo by Remington. Folks I've talked to seem to love this. If you go on-line, it says that Wal-Mart carries this. But in two Super Walmarts I have been visted, they don't have this ammo in any caliber.

Hope this helps.

Mannyrock

Some short answers: The .30-30, using the managed recoil ammo by Remington, fits the parameters perfectly. Who cares what the trajectory is out to 150 yards? It is irrelevant for hogs or larger. Problem: cost about $20 per box.

The .357 mag, using the custom high power ammo by Buffalor Bore (or is it Garrett?). Gets you pretty close to a standard .30-30 round. If you just use regular factory ammo, I have to agree that about 110 yards is the max, and that can be a little iffy.

Has anybody thought about the 6.5 Swede, using factory ammo? A very light recoiling and very effective round.

sirsloop · « **Reply #17 on:** August 01, 2012, 09:14:06 AM »

HAHAH I just said walmart as its a gauge on general availability of rounds. Maybe the OP has a few sportmen shops in town and they carry some more exotic stuff.

Have we considered 20 gauge sabot slugs yet? I'm probably getting myself a H&R ultra slugger in 20ga for this years firearm season to replace my remy 870 12ga slug barrel.

IDK if a 20 is even in the runnings here. I've never shot a sabot slug outta one, but its gotta be substantially less than a 12 gauge. Those 12 gauge sabots recoil like a MOFO!!!

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #18 on:** August 01, 2012, 09:53:23 AM »

20 are nice , if I may check out the Savage 20 ga slug gun , bolt action . I have the 12 its a great gun .

sirsloop · « **Reply #19 on:** August 01, 2012, 12:08:21 PM »

yeah the savage 220 is niiiice but some bucks... I think the H&R slug gun can get the job done and save me an extra 200 bucks...

andyhunter · « **Reply #20 on:** August 01, 2012, 02:32:59 PM »

If you reload, i would recommend using a 6.5 JDJ or if not, go with the 300 Whisper. I shoot the 300 whisper on big Illinois deer and it works great and has the recoil of a .357

Gdbyrd · « **Reply #21 on:** August 02, 2012, 09:19:19 AM »

I really don't mind reloading. It's just for simplicity, be nice to be able to buy ammo. I will be happy to reload if that's the best solution to this.

I don't want to order a custom barrel. I wouldn't mind buying second hand though. Really want to keep costs down on this since it's not going to be a primary barrel for me. I think a 7-30 waters would be perfect and I'd be fine with a 30-30 but I don't think either are frequently seen in Encores are they?

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Dixie Dude · « **Reply #22 on:** August 02, 2012, 09:26:44 AM »

What about a 44mag? You can get the Hornady leverevolution pointed bullets. I have a friend who shot a deer at 192 yards with a 265 grain standard bullet before the Hornady bullets came out. He raised his aim about a foot high the deer and the deer dropped right there. 9 pointer. He shot it with an old Ruger auto 44 carbine. His dad was with him and couldn't believe it, so they measured 192 yards.

Gdbyrd · « **Reply #23 on:** August 02, 2012, 12:11:55 PM »

44mag is a caliber I already reload for so that'd be an easy setup. I also reload for 460 S&W, could I use a bulk powder and a lightweight bullet and load it down? Seems like there are better options available though.

On my SRH in 44 with the leverlution ammo I felt comfortable to 125 yards, then groups opened up beyond my comfort level. I'm sure the encore is way more capable.

Doublebass73 · « **Reply #24 on:** August 02, 2012, 12:43:35 PM »

My Walmart carries 7-30 Waters ammo.

I'd go with 357 Mag or Maximum for a low recoil deer getter. Maximum is better suited for 150 yard shots but there are some heavy Mag loads out there that will also do that.

KYODE · « **Reply #25 on:** August 02, 2012, 01:37:30 PM »

Quote

I'd like to buy another barrel for my Encore that other people can feel comfortable using. I have some heavy thumpers that can get the job done, but no one else can shoot them comfortably.

the .243 winchester should do just fine. lots of factory ammo and factory barrels available, and anyone could shoot it.

rosewood · « **Reply #26 on:** August 13, 2012, 02:21:01 AM »

Quote from: sirsloop on August 01, 2012, 09:14:06 AM

HAHAH I just said walmart as its a gauge on general availability of rounds. Maybe the OP has a few sportmen shops in town and they carry some more exotic stuff.

Have we considered 20 gauge sabot slugs yet? I'm probably getting myself a H&R ultra slugger in 20ga for this years firearm season to replace my remy 870 12ga slug barrel.

IDK if a 20 is even in the runnings here. I've never shot a sabot slug outta one, but its gotta be substantially less than a 12 gauge. Those 12 gauge sabots recoil like a MOFO!!!

Isn't this in the TC handgun forum?

Da-Law-Dawg · « **Reply #27 on:** August 13, 2012, 02:37:33 AM »

In factory offerings in the Encore, the 6.5 Swede has been mentioned and ammo is readily found. Another super option in factory form, the 260 Remington. They are super accurate, all the big manufacturers load it and they shoot FLAT OUT! Recoil is on par with the 243, albeit a bit more brisk but manageable. I run a 6.5 JDJ with a 139 SST, it's a hammer. There's a ton of good bullets for the 6.5's to choose from. The "mid bores" often get looked over, but a lot of people are missing out.

An Encore is in my future, with only one barrel in mind.....a 6.5 Creedmoor. Another good option and shoots neck and neck with the 260 with a tad less pressure. Again, factory ammo is readily available.

chiefs50 · « **Reply #28 on:** August 13, 2012, 12:38:20 PM »

.300 Savage is a great Whitetail round and will do 150 yards easy. Recoil may be more than you like. 6.5 Swede is another sweetheart.

xphunter · « **Reply #29 on:** August 13, 2012, 12:56:33 PM »

6 BR
243 Win
250 Savage

All of these will have low recoil and will easily kill out to 150 yards, and further.