Encore Caliber Selection/Advice ?

[12ring]

I just got my Encore shotgun, and I will be looking for a rifle barrel soon. I  was going to go w/the .280 Rem barrel, but now I don't know if I want it, or the .264 Win. Mag.  
  I already have a .270 and a 7mm Rem Mag. Both in Remington 700's.  I am wanting something inbetween the 2 700's that I have, and the .280 and the .264 Win. Mag both look like they would do.
  I checked a ballistic chart and it shows the .264 Win. Mag. outperforming the .280 Rem by just a little.  At least on paper anyways.  I was wondering what suggestions or experiences you all might have had with either of these calibers.
  I want to be able to shoot confidently out to 350 yards and still have some "knock-down" power.
 Another important factor to me is recoil.  I have never shot either of these calibers (.264 mag, .280 Rem.).  Especially out of an Encore, so I was wondering how bad they kick.  I know my 7 mag packs a helluva kick out of the Rem 700, but I have no idea as to what to expect out of the .280 or .264 mag in this Encore.
 I'd appreciate all the advice I can get.  I guess it's obvious that I'm new to this.
Thanks,  Derek.

[mikemayberry]

Be sure to add the Sims recoil pad to soften the recoil of the shotgun.  It will also benefit you with whatever your choice of rifle caliber.  I went with the .270 and am very happy.

Mike

[12ring]

Mike, are you trying to tell me that this 12 ga 3" is gonna kick?  Does Limbsaver make a precision fit for this Encore?  Where would be a good place to get one, and about how much do they run?  Thanks,  Derek.

ps,  the TC pad looks pretty cushy.  I still haven't shot it yet though.

[mikemayberry]

Mine kicked enough that I was telling myself I would only shoot it once or twice at a turkey so it couldn't be THAT BAD.

I read on Graybeard about the Sims recoil pads and for about $20 I figured it was worth a try since I had seen how well Sims tamed my vibration and silenced my bows.

It was $20 well spent and I bought the size made for my synthetic camo stock.  Two screws out, two screws in and it was done.  I did also put some foam rubber in the hollow area of my stock but the pad is what made it much more pleasant to shoot.

I think they now have a fit for wooden stocks and I know they make a slide on if all else fails.  

I can shooot the 12 guage 25 times now with less bruising that the first five shots with the original equipment recoil pad.  I would think TC would make this standard equipment but they have not yet done so.

Hope this helps,

Mike

[12ring]

Well, I just fired some 3" 2oz #5's of the New Fed Prem w/the flight control.  I NEED A SIMMS LIMBSAVER RECOIL PAD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I ran into some problems though.  These were the first shots ever out of a New Gun.  The gun patterns nearly a foot high, even w/the rear sight as low as it will go.  And this is at 30 yards.  The pattern is super tight, but it puts the center of the group about 8-10" high.  
 I then shot some Winchester 2 3/4" 1 1/2 oz # 6's at the same distance and they are perfect! (still need the limbsaver pad) Put over 30 pellets in the turkey targets neck and head w/the main pattern all close around.  I tried shooting both in a vice and "offhanded" and the results were the same either way.  Any suggestions as to how to make the 3" shells shoot on target?  Or do I use the 2 3/4 for close up, and pop in a 3"er if he hangs at about 50 yards?
  Well, I'm off to search the net for a Limbsaver Recoil Pad.  I'd appreciate all the advice I can get.  Thanks, Derek.
ps.  I assume any rifle caliber above a .243 is gonna thump pretty good as well out of this Encore, right?

[DaddyPaul]

Derek mine did the same exact thing as yours is doing.  Call TC and they will send you a taller front sight and that should take care of the problem for you.  My .270 is a pussy cat with the Sims pad installed but I still don't like shooting that turkey barrel unless it is for keeps.  Good luck.

[mikemayberry]

Ditto to what Paul Kish said.  My .270 is very mild with the Sims pad.

I noticed the same thing when set up with the .44 pistol barrel that when using wood grip and forend it was tough but with the black rubber Encore grip and forend it was very manageable.

Now that I have two frames, I leave one set up for rifle/shotgun and one for pistol.

Hope this helps you Derek.

Mike

[12ring]

I'm with ya on that turkey barrel DaddyPaul.  No warning shots to be fired out of it.  Puts some emphasis on 1 shot, 1 kill. If there was some kind of law against recoil, this turkey gun would be ILLEGAL !  My gosh, I nearly dropped it the first time I shot it.  Like shooting a gal-darn cannon!  The 2 3/4" shells weren't alot better.  I did shoot a low brass dove load through it to see what it would do, and it was at least "manageable".
 I was considering a .280 or a .264 Win Mag, but man, I don't know after shooting that 12 ga.  It kinda scares me.  I hate to have $1000 in a gun that I have to "flinch" to shoot.  

 I can shoot my Rem 7 mag all day long off of a bench. (model 700 BDL). I'm not a little guy either.  6'2, 275 lbs.  But that turkey gun,... whew!

I'm gonna get the simms pad on her, and talk to a few more of you guys to see what everyone has to say about rifle cablibers.  I've read on here that you can put washers under the barrel to tighten groups? I don't have to worry about that until I find a barrel, but hopefully It will shoot fine w/o modifying anything.

Thanks guys, you've been a big help, and I hope you don't mind if I call on ya again later for some new advice.  I'll get w/TC to check on that taller front sight as well.

 I don't know why I even bought this rig, cause I bowhunt most all the time anyways.  I've just always wanted one every since they came out.

I appreciate ya'll,,,,,,..........   Derek.

[DaddyPaul]

Derek don't let the turkey barrel spook you.  I promise my .270 is a sweet shooter.  I can shoot it all day long with no discomfort with the Sims pad.  I don't know about the magnums but the mid-range calibers are OK.

[poncaguy]

I put a Simms on my Stoeger 2000 12 , (Benilli copy) Can shoot 3" now . I'm 64 and recoil is very acceptable now. My black powdetr .50 and 7mm-08 Encore doesn't bother me, but will still be putting a Simms on it to. :eek:

[huntswithdogs]

12 ring,

I got a 300 win mag heavy barrel,shot it with the regular recoil pad and got my bell rung! The Simms pad tamed it down to where it's not unmanagable any longer. Don't get me wrong,the recoil is still pretty healthy even with the heavy barrel.This rifle just KICKS! I shot a friends 300 ultra mag a few weeks back(700 BDL) and I don't think it kicks as bad as my Encore. It must be something in the design that makes it worse.

HWD