Author Topic: Encore 7-08 12in verses 15in (Read 699 times)

timeoff · « **on:** December 17, 2004, 07:20:57 AM »

I bought a 7-08 Encore about 2 years ago and unfortunately choose the 12inch barrel. I have settled on a load of 120gr hornady ssp bullet on top of 38.5gr (i think) H4895. Groups are ok, not great (3 inches @ 100yds). Harvested my first handgun deer last year in Tenn, man what a thrill...

I am thinking of replacing the 12inch with a 15 inch 7-08 barrel, based upon all of your thoughts on the following:

1) Reduced Muzzle Jump and noise
2) Increased Velocity
3) Increased Accuracy

It is a great gun, but I would like to get it to the next level. Am i wasting my $?

flatlander · « **Reply #1 on:** December 17, 2004, 08:03:47 AM »

Are you using a scope? I would say that if you are, you would see improvements on items 1 and 2, but accuracy shouldn't improve based solely on length of barrel. If you are shooting iron sights, the extra length might help with sighting, but the barrel itself isn't necessarily going to improve. You might try some other tricks to improve your accuracy like floating the foreend, and plenty more ideas that you can dig up with a search on this forum. I would think with a scope that you should be able to improve quite a bit from there with a little bit of work.

timeoff · « **Reply #2 on:** December 17, 2004, 08:40:05 AM »

Thanks for the quick reply. I am using a Burris 2-7 scope. I had a trigger job done about a year ago and i put some electrical tape between the forend and the barrel so i could run a piece of paper between easily. Some of the accuracy may be me, i am still getting use to squeezing the trigger consistently.

KYODE · « **Reply #3 on:** December 17, 2004, 09:36:59 AM »

havn't used the 12"er...so can't say, other than you should get a few fps in the longer barrel.
i shoot 41.5gr of h4895 with 120gr noslers(great accuracy!). have ya tried tweaking the load, or anything?

if you like the 12" barrel, just keep trying different powder charges, or possibly the 120gr nosler to see if it likes something better.
it will do better than 3"....i'd bet on it. if it's you.....practice good bench techniques, and practice a lot.

i replaced the electrical tape with stainless washers to float my forearm.

timeoff · « **Reply #4 on:** December 18, 2004, 02:19:54 AM »

I had worked on a load using IRM 4064 and Sierra 130gr ssp spitzers, didn't seem to like that. I noticed an immediate improvement with the 120's and H4895. I'll work my way up on the powder and see how that works.
On the SS Washer, won't that scratch the barrel?

KYODE · « **Reply #5 on:** December 18, 2004, 04:54:41 AM »

well....mine are stainless :? but....it's always covered by the forearm anyway. :wink:

Duffy · « **Reply #6 on:** December 18, 2004, 06:44:36 AM »

When I first started working up loads for my 15" I tried IMR4895 and 140 BT's. While it shot ok it seemed to peak before I could get to the vel I wanted and accuracy went to pot. The 4064 gave good accuracy but also fell a bit short. I tried Varget and that perked things up quite a bit. With 43.5g, WW brass and WW primer Vel went to 2573 and accuracy was very good but it was just a bit warm. I also found Unlike most other shooters this bbl does NOT like the bullet seated .010 off the lands. It is much more happy at .040-.045 and this could be from it being a factory bbl and possably the chamber isn't perfectly centered. What I finally ended up with was VVN550, although not perfect it gives good vel and accuracy to boot. It seems to be a good combo with the BT and Accubond bullets but doesn't work well with Hornady 139's. and other lighter bullets. There I get better results with Varget and 4064.

KYODE · « **Reply #7 on:** December 18, 2004, 07:38:52 AM »

i shot 40.0gr of H4895 with the 120gr nosler for one deer season. it was also fairly accurate.
after that season, i worked up in charge and 41.5gr gave my best groups and 2800fps from the 15" barrel.

if that doesn't work, Varget powder would be well worth trying.
.............and it sure doesn't hurt to practice considerably :grin:

Duffy · « **Reply #8 on:** December 18, 2004, 05:40:07 PM »

Kyode,
Yeh, I wish I would have had some H4895 to try and compare with the IMR. The Hodgdon version of 4350 seems to work a bit better for me also. And yes the practice really helps! It's amazing how little errors really show up at 100 yards. :eek:

timeoff · « **Reply #9 on:** December 19, 2004, 01:59:43 AM »

Duffy
Thanks for the info. Man, i don't think i would ever think to back off the lands, i am 0.10 and never thought twice to go the other way... Might try that.

Kyode
I wonder how that 120gr would perform on the deer as i move up the H4895 from the 38.5 towards the 41 range. I took a 7pt in Tn last year, about 60yd shot. It performed great, retained 75% and ended up under the far side hide. All I saw after the shot was his hooves flip up in the air as it flipped him.

Everyone, I am betting i need to keep practicing, Darn!

Duffy · « **Reply #10 on:** December 19, 2004, 06:58:45 PM »

Timeoff,
If yer liken them 120 BT's go here for a bit of a discount.
http://www.shootersproshop.com

Also if you back them off the lands more you will lose a bit of vel and pressure so you may have to up the charge some to regain vel. I found that the pressure from seating too deep in the case didn't start to rise again until I was at least .080 off the lands so there's quite a bit of leeway.