Author Topic: Encore 15" .223 (Read 537 times)

New Hampshire · « **on:** May 19, 2004, 01:14:05 PM »

I just started getting into coyote hunting. Im already planning for a full sized .223 rifle bbl, but also want to expand the challenge a bit. Thats why I am looking at handgun options, both for my Encore frame and at repeaters. Ill leave out the repeaters and stick to the Encore bbls (since it is the T/C pistol section :grin: .) I saw a 15" .223 bbl at the local gun store, used but like new, for $150. Im not too sure about this though. What kind of report does this bbl have? Is it loud and almost deafening, or not bad at all? I am planning on picking up a .454 Cassul bbl for deer hunting and am thinking about adapting this to my coyote needs as a possiblity also. Are ther any other good suggestions out there (short of going custom, my funding is not quite to that level yet.) Im not pelt hunting (at least not seriously and not yet.)
Thanks in advance.
Brian M.

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #1 on:** May 19, 2004, 01:20:14 PM »

Brian,

I shoot that out of a 10" & 14" Contender and although the 10" is on the loud side with a bit of flash, the Super 14 without the break is a nice and pleasant shoot. I also have a 14" Hunter in .223 and that one has a bit of a bark, seems worse than the 10".

Now coming out of your heavier and longer Encore, that chambering should be really nice. Today I also just finished scoping my new (to me that is) 15" Encore in 22-250 and choose that chambering as I had the .223 in the Contenders. Haven't fired it yet, probably will do so in the next couple of days.

Buford · « **Reply #2 on:** May 19, 2004, 01:30:53 PM »

Brian, I have a 15" .223 and am very pleased with it - you will be using ear protection anyway, so the report is not that much of an issue. It is accurate, dependable and will do whatever is ask of it. I have a Burris 3x9 scope on mine and it is a good combination. Good hunting.

Bullseye · « **Reply #3 on:** May 19, 2004, 03:41:38 PM »

I have a 14" Contender barrel in 223. Recoil is very mild, and the report is no worse than a 223 rifle to me. As far as flash goes, I get a noticable flash in the daylight if I shoot Winchester factory ammo which I assume uses ball powder. If I shoot reloads using IMR 4198, the flash disappears. I assume a 15" would be better yet.

New Hampshire · « **Reply #4 on:** May 21, 2004, 06:23:26 AM »

Thanks folks. I guess the Bbl will now be added to that growing list of "must have" bbls :-D !
Brian M.

Selmer · « **Reply #5 on:** May 21, 2004, 10:53:46 AM »

Brian, when you decide to get that .454 Casull barrel, let me know, I've been doing quite a bit of load work up that I'll share if you're interested. It can be a pipsqueak with light Unique loads and an elephant gun with H110, I love it because there are so many bullet available and mine likes a few different powders. My next barrel is going to be a 16.5" or 17" .223 so I can shoot it as a carbine or a long pistol!
Selmer

New Hampshire · « **Reply #6 on:** May 21, 2004, 12:30:43 PM »

Thanks Selmer, Ill take you up on that offer when time comes. Just to go a bit off the .223 part of the topic and delve a little into the .454 Casull bbl: I had decided to get a pistol caliber bbl for the Encore to use as an alternate for the 06 bbl I got with the gun. I am afraid about tagging out early during Muzzelloader season (we have to use our regular firearm tag,) so I was planning on the possiblity of not even getting to use my nice shiny new gun :-D . But there are antlerless only tags offered for shotgun only towns. In these towns you can use pistols in; .357 Mag, 10mm, 41 Mag, 44 Mag, 45Colt, and .480 Ruger. Well it was a toss up between .44 mag and the .45 Colt. I decided that I would go with the .454 so I could be legal shooting Colts (and plus p ones at that,) and still have the .454 ability should I want to go into rifle territory and/or hunt black bear. There was also the .480 Ruger, but that would have had to be a revolver option (which would defeat the purpose.) I didnt go straight .45 Colt because of the .410, from what I understood, giving less than optimal results with the Colts. Besides, who doesnt wanna shoot a gun you have to fear whackin ya in the head if you get real careless :-D
:-D
Brian M.

Selmer · « **Reply #7 on:** May 23, 2004, 04:21:57 PM »

The .45 Colt +P loads will be more than plenty for deer, I've decided on some heavier Unique loads for most of my shooting in the .454. The H110 is reserved for heavy loads, and I wanted to work them up to see what it would do. It's kind of like having a classic muscle car that's all souped up, it looks real nice and cruises real well at normal speeds, but it's nice to know you can outrun anything else your run into, so you have to try it!
Selmer