TEST RESULTS: Encore 12 Gauge Slug Gun

[Booneandcrockett]

I took my new 12 gauge Encore slugger to the range today.

Test range was 50 yards, laser measured +/- 1 yard.
Sights were factory set TC iron sights.
Temperature was 85 F with 96% humidity, zero wind and lots of bugs.

Tried 3 types of sabot ammo:

1) Lightfield Hybrid, 2-3/4" standard slug
2) Federal Premium Barnes Expander, 3/4 oz. 2-3/4"
3) Remington solid copper 1 oz., 2-3/4"

I was told on this forum that the Lightfield slug would pierce the primer, which it did on the first round.  Point of impact was less than one 2 incehs from center of target , low and to the left.  Test ended due to primer being peirced.   This was the first round I fired in the TC Encore.  I've had very good luck with Lightfields in the past and hate to put it aside but so be it.

Next up was the Federal Expander .  I've had a few people recommend this slug from this forum so I gave it a try. Price was high to say the least.  Accuarcy was outstanding.  Less than 2" --5 shot group  (1 called flyer) with 4 shots in a 1-3/4" circle, 2 shots touching.  Recoil was STOUT but manageable.

Last up were the Remington slugs that were on sale.
I've never had much luck with Rem slugs and today was no exception.
First shot was almost 14" high and barely hit the target holder at all.
Since this was the last round tested, I figured I'd try some long range with this slug.  They were all over the place at 100 yards.  Not worth commenting on except for the appearance of the slug itself.....they appeared to be seated crooked.

Overall impressions of the 12 gauge Encore Slug gun were very good.
I expected harsh recoil.....don't get me wrong, it WAS harsh but manageable.  3" mags would be serious overkill ,in my opinion, and not needed.
Grip and trigger were outstanding.  Walnut stock is of a quality and caliber I did not expect.  Sights were outstanding.  Best shotgun sights I've ever seen.  In short, I'm hooked on the TC.  Next up will be the black powder and .308 barrel for the total one gun hunting package.

PS :  If anyone else has a slug suggestion , please let me know.  These things cost a fortune and my wallet is whining already (not to mention the old lady).  

Thanks

[rickyp]

if you reload for 12 ga whjy not try cast slugs

[TnEncore]

Try some Winchester supremes, heard alot of good things about them.

[Muddyboots]

Strongly recommend the Hammerhead slugs at:
www.shotgunslugs.com, I've had terrific luck with reloading and terminal performance outstanding. Accuracy is phenominal for a slug. I've got .75 3 shot group (basically one hole) at 50 yds out of a Hastings barrel but I would hope it does same out of Encore. Be curious if you try them, post up with results.
Muddy

[Bob_K]

Muddyboots..

What was your load for the hammerhead slugs that did so well in the Hastings?

[Gregory]

I returned my slugs to Lightfield and they refunded my money for the same pierced primer problem.

I bought ten boxes of the 20 ga Barnes Expander from Natchez, they gave a small price break for quantities of 10.  They have them on sale now:
http://search.cartserver.com/search/search.cgi?bool=AND&maxhits=20&cartid=a-7002&category=All&keywords_1=*&keywords=barnes+expander&go=Find+It%21

[Muddyboots]

Bob K:
Best load for me was 42.0 gr IMR SR-4756. Chronographed about 1550 fps which is stout for 450+ slug. I hav never had slugs print so well as these do. Use slow variable speed drill with roll crimper. Engage crimper onto case lip and slowly spin it down until you feel it become snug with the lip of the SPW wad/sabot. If it the SPW wad "rattles" after roll crimping then it wasn't snug enough.  You would have to see it to believe it but I was breaking 50% of the clay birds at 200 yds. Several bench shooters at the range tried my slug gun and were doing the same once hold over was established. Very stable slug, never key holed or tumbled in any manner at any range I shot them. I have literally shot over 100 rounds of them (have shoulder surgery scheduled soon as result " over past year. Bought them bulk which you can get better price break from them. Terminal performance was excellent on deer. Son killed 5 pt last year with the slug which is nice to see terminal performance matched paper results. Interesting enough, Remington came out with similar slug but doesn't have the same wad design which I believe gives the edge to the Hammerhead design. I recommend them to anyone with results I have gotten. Post up results if you try them.
Muddy

[Booneandcrockett]

Thank you to all who replied.

I will contact the dealer who sells Federal Barnes Expanders for a 10 box order.  

As far as reloading goes, I have a ways to go before I jump into that.
Rifle cartridges first.  SG Slugs are for hard core reloaders, which I respect to say the least.

I think I'm going to go with the Fed. Expanders for now.

OT:  By the way, I'm having a custom made leather lace up shell holder made for the very UNIQUE Monte Carlo Encore stock.  It will hold 3 rounds and still retain all the grip and function features of the Encore walnut stock.
The cost is high but so is the quality (around $65).  I can provide pictures when it arrives if anyone is interested.  I've purchased custom leather from this outfit before and they do a top notch job.   For what it's worth.

[RandyWakeman]

Most accurate round I have use is the 2-3/4" Winchester / BRI slug-- same gun as yours. Part #XRS12.

Q? Why is piercing primers a problem? Who cares?

[Booneandcrockett]

Primer piercing should be a concern.  Would you be concerned if a rifle case had holes in the side of it after firing?  The same goes for primer piercing.  The gases are blowing back into the firing pin hole at MASSIVE pressures.  This is not what the firing pin  was designed for.  Repeated expoure to this type of high pressure can and will cause damage.

I feel the reason for  this is that TC Encores use rifle type firing pins on both shotgun and rifles.   Shotgun firing pins are much larger in diameter in conventional shotguns.  Check for yourself.  The only primers I've had trouble with were the Lightfield Hybrids.  These were totally pierced by the firing pin.  All others functioned well.  I've also been told that many 3" magnum slugs (high pressure) also show signs of pierced primers.  

For what it's worth.

By the way, I plan on giving those Winchester BRI Slugs a try soon.
Thanks for the tip.

[hyltoto]

I personally have dropped lightfield like a sick cat, not only for the pierced primer but I have experienced overpressure loads hard to extract. I'm shooting out of a Browning A bolt slug gun. The most accurate slugs I've found are the Remington copper solids. I cloverleaf at 100 yards. Man are they leathal! I killed a buck at 168 yards as he was moving down range, but not fast enough!

[RandyWakeman]

The gases are blowing back into the firing pin hole at MASSIVE pressures.  This is not what the firing pin  was designed for.  Repeated expoure to
By the way, I plan on giving those Winchester BRI Slugs a try soon.
Thanks for the tip.

No more than 12,000 PSI or so, extremely low by rifle standards, also constricted by the small breech face orifice, which itself is blocked. Very small flow is possible.