I've been playing with my new toys. Sold all my rifles and went with an Encore. I have a SS reciever and; .50 cal BP SS, tapered 30.06 SS, and a 12 rifled slug blue. I have the real tree thumbhole stock with a limbsaver recoil pad. This is a real shooter. Been reading the posts and was a little worried about accuracy and other issues. I've only had 1 minor one and it's probably not the gun. So far this is what the gun likes:
.50 cal BP - 100 grains Jim Shockey Gold power ffg, 250 grain TC shockwave sabots, Remington Kleanbore primers, Nikon Pro Staff 3x9 40 silver scope. This produces 1.5" groups at 100 yards. Played around with different powder loads but this combo shot best. The JS Gold is true to its name for ease of cleanup. I shot a final 15 sabots once I settled on the load. No cleaning and awesomeeee groups (1.5" at 100 yards). The cleanup was some hot water and quick brush and a few swabs, sparkling barrel. I also had no issues with loading the sabots. Went down and seated very easy.
30.06 - 165 grain Federal Vital Shock Sierra Gameking BTSP, Bushnell 3200 Firefly 3x9 50 matte scope. 1" groups at 100 yards. Best was 2 holes touching with 1 about an inch high, wow, this is not what I was expecting. I also did not add any washers to float the barrel.
12 guage rifled slug - This is set up with a Bushnell 3200 2x7 32 scope, matte. I have shot 5 boxes of the new Hornady SST 2 3/4" 300 grain sabots. Very inconsistent groups. I'll get a good 2" at 50 yards and then all over at 100 yards. At 25 yards I can get them to touch, but move out and no go. Scope is tight.
Any suggestion on different sabots. This gun might not like the fast Hornadys. I have some Remington Copper Sabots. How about the Winchester Platinum tips?
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Overall this gun is a great shooter.
:grin:
