Author Topic: ENCORE 12 GAUGE SLUG GUN ROUNDS (Read 1423 times)

buckythdrslyr · « **on:** July 09, 2005, 02:17:08 AM »

could some one advise me on a good tight shooting round for the encore 12 gauge rifled barrel. I just set it up and im trying to save a little money after all this costs about 500 to build.Not to mention the violent recoil. im looking for 2 in at 100 yds. off a bench rest. should be easy with the right load i hope. I have a mossberg 695 that will do it and under 2in some times with winchester sabots.Hope i didnt just blow 500 for nothing

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 09, 2005, 04:52:50 AM »

The most accurate slug I have found is the Remington copper solids. I have used them in several different barrels and got great results in all. I even have a 208 yard kill on a deer last year with this slug.

poncaguy · « **Reply #2 on:** July 09, 2005, 12:00:22 PM »

I see that Hornady has just brought out a SST shotgun slug that has good 200 yard perfomance for rifled barrels. Looks like the sabot and bullet used in black powder loads. Pointed Super Shock tip, muzzle velocity of 2000 feet per second.

Sandy Flakeman · « **Reply #3 on:** July 09, 2005, 04:26:46 PM »

Federal Premium Barnes Expander 2-3/4" , 3/4 oz Solid Copper Hollow Point.

Get a rough zero with some cheaper SABOT rounds and fine tune with the Federal Premiums after cleaning the barrel. These rounds are expensive but give same hole performance out of my Encore with a factory barrel at 50 yards. I shot a doe this past season at around 80 yards with iron sights from a tree stand. One shot kill, full penetration, both lungs and it was running dead for about 50 yards. Blood everywhere. I think these outstanding slugs move out at 1900 FPS and expand like a razor sharp peeled banana.

They also make a 1 oz version but it's not needed on whitetail in my opinion.

FWIW

buckythdrslyr · « **Reply #4 on:** July 09, 2005, 04:30:50 PM »

Tc recomends 3 in rounds for this barrel

buckythdrslyr · « **Reply #5 on:** July 09, 2005, 04:35:08 PM »

bought the federal 3 in vital shock with hydra shock slugs today model p151ss around 1525 fps. waiting for a calm day. we had 20 mph crosswinds on the range today

Sandy Flakeman · « **Reply #6 on:** July 10, 2005, 02:59:39 AM »

Quote from: buckythdrslyr

Tc recomends 3 in rounds for this barrel

Are you sure about that? I know they stamped 3" on the barrel but that is just to let you know it CAN take the 3" magnums. Any shotgun chambered for 3" can also take 2-3/4".

I only fired a couple of 3" mags out of my encore. Gave the rest of the box of 5 away. Check the ballistics on the 2-3/4". It's pretty impressive with significantly less recoil.

buckythdrslyr · « **Reply #7 on:** July 10, 2005, 03:48:46 PM »

accordng to TC you need to use 3 in because the slug wll have 1/4 in of play in the barrel when fired therefore causing small discrepancies from shot to shot. all i know is ive fired 2 3/4 in and they dam near blow your shoulder off. still havnt fired the 3in federals yet. waiting to forget about the recoil first lol.

Sandy Flakeman · « **Reply #8 on:** July 10, 2005, 04:55:29 PM »

Quote from: buckythdrslyr

accordng to TC you need to use 3 in because the slug wll have 1/4 in of play in the barrel when fired therefore causing small discrepancies from shot to shot. all i know is ive fired 2 3/4 in and they dam near blow your shoulder off. still havnt fired the 3in federals yet. waiting to forget about the recoil first lol.

Federal Premium Barnes Xpander 2-3/4" rounds give same hole bullseye performance out of my 24" factory TC 12 gauge barrel at 50 yards.

Almost all modern shotguns are chambered for 3" shells, Remington, Mossberg, Winchester etc. Never heard the TC theory before but I'll take your word for it. If you think the 2-3/4" slugs were bad, you're in for a special treat with the 3" mags.

buckythdrslyr · « **Reply #9 on:** July 10, 2005, 05:00:23 PM »

OK YOU GET SAME HOLE PREFORMANCE AT 50 YDS. HOW ABOUT 100 YDS ? HOW ABOUT 150 YDS?IM LOOKING FOR 22/ 250 PREFOMANCE

Keith L · « **Reply #10 on:** July 10, 2005, 05:28:47 PM »

Quote

OK YOU GET SAME HOLE PREFORMANCE AT 50 YDS. HOW ABOUT 100 YDS ? HOW ABOUT 150 YDS?IM LOOKING FOR 22/ 250 PREFOMANCE

I am going to try my hand at fortune telling. If you are serious then I predict disappointment in your future. There are a couple of differences between a 22/250 and a shotgun slug.

buckythdrslyr · « **Reply #11 on:** July 11, 2005, 02:51:51 PM »

ok so i exagerated a little looking for 22/250 preformance. But sub 2 in groups at 100 yds is not to much to ask is it?

Sandy Flakeman · « **Reply #12 on:** July 11, 2005, 03:37:10 PM »

Quote from: buckythdrslyr

ok so i exagerated a little looking for 22/250 preformance. But sub 2 in groups at 100 yds is not to much to ask is it?

Sorry about any misunderstanding. Computer messages have no tone or inflection and can be offensive to people even though no offense was intended.

My point is that 2 MOA off the bench at 100 yards is possible with a scoped and properly zeroed rifled shotgun barrel. 3" magnums are not required for whitetail deer in my opinion. Most 2-3/4" sabots are well over 1400 FPS. The lighter, solid copper versions approach 2000 FSP. All I'm saying is try the 2-3/4" rounds. Lightfield Hybrids (2-3/4" at 1400+ FPS) are another round I've used in my old Mossberg 695. Again, same hole performance at 50 yards and yes, sub-2 MOA at 100 yards with a Leupold fixed 4X shotgun scope. I have yet to scope my Encore but will let you know the results with the Federal Premiums at 100 yards and beyond when I do later this year.

Seroiusly, a shotgun slug past 150-170 yards, in optimal conditions, against game, is pushing it to the extreme. Wounding is more of an option than a clean kill. FWIW

Sandy F.

williek · « **Reply #13 on:** July 11, 2005, 03:41:54 PM »

Do yourself a favor and buy a 25lb bag of shot to place between the stock and your shoulder while you're sighting that beast in. There is no reason for you to take that punishment while dialing in the gun. You will find it to be very pleasent to shoot with the lead absorbing the recoil. Place the bag inside a strong plastic bag and wrap it with duct tape to remove any chance of breathing any lead dust. You will be able to use the bag for that purpose for the rest of your life and not have your brain scrambled by excessive recoil.
Once your are on target, shoot two or three rounds from your shoulder only to be sure it shoots to the same place without the bag.
A shotgun is not a rifle so don't be disappointed if you don't get under two inches; however, I really hope you do. It's a goal worth working for.
Good Luck,
williek

Sandy Flakeman · « **Reply #14 on:** July 11, 2005, 05:44:25 PM »

an old sock full of sand (double sealed and taped in a plastic bag) works also.

huntswithdogs · « **Reply #15 on:** July 12, 2005, 10:05:39 AM »

I've been shooting a slug gun, Moss 500, for years. I've shot the 3'' and the 2 3/4" slugs and will tell ya that the short ones have always been more accurate(at least for me).

HWD

Mike357mag · « **Reply #16 on:** July 13, 2005, 07:01:34 AM »

In the 3 different slug guns I have own 2 3/4 has always been more accurate also.

Thompson encore
Rem 870 Hastings barrel
Mossberg 695

Federals have also been the best brand, I never tried the Rem coppers because of earlier problems with hastings barrels.

Mikes 2 cent with

buckythdrslyr · « **Reply #17 on:** July 13, 2005, 02:57:26 PM »

Starting to think i shoulda spent the 500 that it cost to build the encore on a new trigger for the mossberg. long creep on that beast. however with a totally stock model 695 im able to shoot sub 2in groups off a bench in a vise with hi impact winchester sabots. bought the 3in federal barnes expanders the other day I believe they are p151xs. some where around 1800fps waiting to try them in the encore for when i forget a little about the recoil. Losing patience. might have a 12 gauge fully rifled encore barrel with maxima steel rings and TC magnum reciol proof 1.5 to 5x scope for sale cheap. ill keep ya all posted

buckythdrslyr · « **Reply #18 on:** July 13, 2005, 03:00:25 PM »

oh sorry the sub 2 in groups out of the mossberg 695 are at 100 yds

buckythdrslyr · « **Reply #19 on:** July 13, 2005, 03:02:49 PM »

has anyone shot the hornandy sst out of the encore, or out of any gun for that matter. Impressive ballistics

Sandy Flakeman · « **Reply #20 on:** July 13, 2005, 04:35:46 PM »

You need to chill out my friend. Take it easy.

Try the iron sights on the factory TC Encore barrel first.

Get the FEEL of it. Zero in the iron sights. Use some cheap ass slugs.

Clean it and go to the sabots. Mount your scope. Try 25 yards first. Get same hole results at 25 yards (use sveral types of slugs until you find the ones that group best ...I try 3 different brands , Lightfield Hybrids, Fed Prem Barnes in 1oz and 3/4 oz) Once you find a brand that works for YOU, move it to 50 yards. Zero, mark your adjustments on paper and move on. Repeat steps for longer ranges.

This can get expensive and frustrating in ammo costs. It took me 15 years to figure out how to do this so I know what you're going through.

Take your time and remeber we are here to help.

Sandy F.

Sandy Flakeman · « **Reply #21 on:** July 13, 2005, 04:39:38 PM »

Here are the ballisitc for the .7 oz Barnes slug (Fed Premium) 2-3/4 "

Note : 1900 FPS starting veleocity....who needs a 3" mag

12 Gauge BARNES SABOT

PREMIUM VITAL*SHOK® BARNES EXPANDER

Federal Load No.
Gauge
Slug Length
Inches/MM
Slug Type
Slug Weight
Ounces / Grains
DRAM EQUIV.
Use
T.B*

P152XS
12
2.75 / 70
Barnes Sabot
0.7 / 328
5.64
13, 12
30

Velocity in Feet Per Second

Muzzle
25
50
75
100
125

1900
1811
1724
1641
1561
1484

Energy in Foot Pounds

Muzzle
25
50
75
100
125

2629
2387
2165
1961
1774
1604

Wind Drift in Inches 10 MPH Crosswind

25
50
75
100
125

0.3
0.9
1.8
3.1
4.8

Average Range

25
50
75
100
125

0.7
1.2
1.0

-1.9

12-Medium game, 13-Large, heavy game

HP = Hollow Point, Look for the Low Recoil logo on select products for a softer shooting load.
T.B* = Test Barrel Length in Inches.

buckythdrslyr · « **Reply #22 on:** July 14, 2005, 01:21:16 AM »

thanks for all the info guys.Might try the federals today.I remember it took 400 bucks to fnd the slug for the mossberg in ammo costs.Then 2 weeks later outdoor life did an article where they tested 5 slug guns including the mossberg 695 and they came up with the same match it cost me 400 bucks to find out.too little too late. Well i was just trying to shorten the learning curve and the price curve on the encore. thanks again . ill keep ya posted.

buckythdrslyr · « **Reply #23 on:** July 15, 2005, 05:32:58 PM »

Shot the federal barnes expander slugs today,however I used 3in i believe they were p51xs muzzle velocty of 1525fps. not as bad as expected for recoil. The encore seems to like them. 4in group at 100 yds with 20 mph slightly crossing tailwind. I think ill do better under calm conditions. well just thought id keep yall posted. thanks again. Whos shot the new hornady sst. slugs and with what result.

Sandy Flakeman · « **Reply #24 on:** July 16, 2005, 06:51:51 AM »

Sounds pretty good to me. What slug weight were you using?

The 3/4 oz version may tighten up a bit but 4" at 100 yards is a pretty good start. My Mossberg 695 would give 2 1/2" groups, off the bench with 2 3/4" Lightfield hybrids at 100 yards. Scope was a fixed 4X Luepold.

I have yet to scope my Encore. We you using iron sights?
If so, 4" groups are outstanding in my opinion.

buckythdrslyr · « **Reply #25 on:** July 16, 2005, 08:41:29 PM »

The barrel im using is from tcs custom shop although its the same as their stock 12 gauge except mine came with a weaver base mount and no sights at all i believe its 24in but not sure without looking. Federal rounds were 1 oz. i think they will tighten up with no wind. im shooting tcs magnum recoil proof 30 mm scope 1.5 to 5x but i believe i may change to a bushnell trophy elite 3200 3x9 like i have on all my other encore barrels. one note on the scope. it only took 3 shots to blow the hawkin emblem off the scope.