I hope this helps make up some folks mind about shooting the 30-06 in an Encore 15' unported or braked pistol.
I took the Chrony and a bunch of factory ammo along with some Handloads out to the range after breaking in my new stainless bull barrel T/C custom shop(Fox Ridge) 30-06 with the 6 screw TSOB and a Elite 3200 2-6 power Bushnell on the top and factory rubber grips on the bottom.
Conditions- tested over a few days,All shots 100yds off concrete bench with pistol rest(very solid). temps in the 50-60 range. winds sometimes light and others strong at 15-MPH cross.
Some observations...
A. Trigger pull is stout at about 4 lbs but breaks extremely clean.
B. Scope and mount are superb. (shot in 6 power for the range)
C. Bull barrel balances nice with the scope on it.
D. Ammo-
Best factory ammo setup for my barrel was Hornady Light mag 165 grain Interbond, chronyed a true 2700 average over 40 roundsless than 20 FPS dev.. average on all groups was between 3/4 and 1 inch. Unless I botched it up.
Box lists velocity at 3015 FPS.(full length barrel)
all velocity drop due to barrel length was right at 300 FPS from advertised factory ammo across the board, as well as published handload data.
Worst was Hornady Light Mag 180 grain interlock grouped at 2.5-3.5 inches.
around or in-between those groups were the new Fusion 165. and the Federal with 165 gameking. The Winchester supreme line with Nosler Failsafe 165, and the Winchester Supreme 180 Accubond CT.all grouped around 3 inches.....not nery impressive.
Only handload I tried was the 190 grain(yes 190) Hornady interlock BTSP. loaded with 56.2 grains of IMR4831 and seated to just touch the lands. CCI large rifle primers. Frontier brass, neck sized and trimmed to 2.484 form shooting all the Honady light mag ammo. Book says 2700 FPS(rifle), clocked at 2430 average. First group I shot was an honest .9 inch 3 shot...couldnt belive it ..started jumping up and down at the range...thought I found the magic load on the first try. only loaded 4 rounds so more testing is need to validate.
I shot about 160 rounds in 3 days. Recoil was very managable wit just a light leather Justin glove. NO BRAKE Necessary for me.
My barrel seems to be quite sensitive to heat once its get about 3 rounds down her things start to open up a bit. If I let her cool completely after a string of 3 then I am good to go...wish that was better for a bull barrel.
Overall very impressed with the Factory load of the Hornady light Mag and 165 Interbond. Nice ballistic co. as well at .447. I ran the numbers and at 2700 FPS 200 yard zero 2011 ftlbs at
200 yards and 300 is only 8.4 inches low with 1736 ftlbs I will use this for my up comming elk hunt and hope tom report good news.
For those of you thinking about the old 30-06 in the Encore GO FOR IT ! It really is fun to shoot ,and a deadly handgun cartridge as well...165@ 2700 FPS!!!! too cool.
Patrick Hover
Montana
