Newish to the Encore. Need advice

[wesman1039]

Hey guys.  I am familiar with Encores and Contenders. In fact my first deer was shot with a 7X30 waters that my girlfriend's dad let me borrow many years ago.  I've finally bought my own.  It's a pistol setup with a 12" .44mag barrel with 2X Nikon EER scope.  I got it last week and killed a doe with it Saturday afternoon.  It was awesome.  I want to buy a rifle setup for it now.   I have a .450 Bushmaster upper on an AR that I use for 150 yards and under hunting.  So my idea is to have a 3 gun setup. The .44 mag pistol for up close work.  The .450 for 75-175 yard potential shots, and a flat shooting long range rifle barrel for my Encore frame.  Shots up to 500 yards would be possible from some of our bean field boxes.
 
I had a .257 WBY in a Vanguard that I had to sell last year when I got a case of the "shorts".   I loved that caliber.  I'm not particularly recoil sensitive but I like to target shoot too so...  I don't reload yet so I need a caliber that offers factory loads.  I really like having something besides a .270, 30-06, 7mag, or 25-06 which 90% of hunters around here shoot. 
 
What are your suggestions for rifle calibers and where to get it? 

[Grumulkin]

If price isn't much of an objective, get a barrel by Match Grade Machine.


As for cartridges:


1.  You really liked the 257 Weatherby so why not get another one?
2.  Since you want something other hunters don't shoot, you could consider the 270, 7mm and 300 Weatherbys.
3.  If you want cheaper more available ammo, consider the 300 Win. Mag.

[243dave]

Sounds like you need a 260(or 6.5x55, 6.5 Creedmore, etc,etc.) maybe a 280 would work well also and on the heavy side, the 300 win mag like Grumlkin suggested.  It all depends on the size of game being hunted to 500 yards.  If its deer, the 260 is a good one and not everyone has one.  The 280 is a great cartridge too when reloaded that few people have and the 300 is a great round at long range for bigger deer and perhaps elk.  Honestly for me the 308 does all I need to 500yds, my 300's have been sold since I no longer live in Alaska and the biggest thing I hunt is deer.  As for what brand barrel, I'd go with a TC barrel(if chambering is available) or Match Grade Machine.  Even though my Bullberry barrel in 308 shoots great the wait is a loooong time.
Dave