Author Topic: Showing off my buck and asking for barrel advise.... (Read 1466 times)

flinginairos · « **on:** February 03, 2009, 07:06:49 AM »

Hi guys! I just wanted to show off my buck I got this past season with my Encore .50 ML. I have killed several deer with this gun but this is the biggest. It took three shots to bring him down and they were all good ones!

First shot entered his brisket and exited through his hip socket, he was facing me at about 60 yards. Second shot went through his neck and he was still trying to get away so I put another one through the heart. I guess you could say I was a little excited!

I am wanting to get a rifle barrel but I am not sure what to get. I was thinking a .270 or 7mm-08, maybe even a .308. Most of my shots are under 150 but I want to be able to shoot farther if need be. I dont want something that kicks hard for sure but I want decent knock down power to anchor a buck when I get the chance!

Any suggestions?

pab1 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 03, 2009, 08:38:30 AM »

Nice buck! You must reload fast! Any of the three rounds you listed are great for deer. I prefer the .308, but there is nothing wrong with the other two rounds either.

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 03, 2009, 08:44:37 AM »

First of all, congrats on a NICE buck!!! And then...the good news...no way you could go wrong with any of the three. A little more out reach with the .270...a little heavier bullet with the .308...a good bullet selection with the 7-08. Judging by the background in your pics(which looks awfully much like my Virginia mountains), I would probably pick the .308, but would be very comfortable with any of the three.
GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt

flinginairos · « **Reply #3 on:** February 03, 2009, 09:15:19 AM »

Quote from: pab1 on February 03, 2009, 08:38:30 AM

Nice buck! You must reload fast! Any of the three rounds you listed are great for deer. I prefer the .308, but there is nothing wrong with the other two rounds either.

Its amazing how fast you can reload with a little adrenaline!;D

teddy12b · « **Reply #4 on:** February 03, 2009, 09:57:47 AM »

Wow, that's a nice buck. Many people won't get one like that after a lifetime of hunting. I'm impressed that you could reload fast enough to get three shots off on a buck. I'm still new to the encore 209x50 and reloading it quickly.

Any of those caliber barrels will do the job from what I've read.

flinginairos · « **Reply #5 on:** February 03, 2009, 10:13:22 AM »

Quote from: teddy12b on February 03, 2009, 09:57:47 AM

Wow, that's a nice buck. Many people won't get one like that after a lifetime of hunting. I'm impressed that you could reload fast enough to get three shots off on a buck. I'm still new to the encore 209x50 and reloading it quickly.

Any of those caliber barrels will do the job from what I've read.

The only reason I was able to get three shots is because the first one knocked him down and while I was loading he got up and ran over a cliff and up another hill half way before flipping over backwards. I literally chased him down the hill and got to him as he was trying to get up the second hill. I shot and hit him in the neck dropping him again. As I was walking up to him he was still trying to get up so I let him have it again! He was tough for sure! Bucks like that are few and far between in WV. I had patterned him in bow season and figured out he was bedding in the cliffside that I mention earlier. A neat hunt that I will always remember!

teddy12b · « **Reply #6 on:** February 03, 2009, 10:19:31 AM »

That's awesome. I'm all for firing as many shots as it takes to get the dirty work over. I had to give my last buck a follow up shot because he looked like he was trying to get up and make a run for it. Lot easier to fire a second shot with a lever gun than a muzzleloader.

tomcat · « **Reply #7 on:** February 03, 2009, 02:20:10 PM »

Nice buck!!! Reminds me on my first kill, only I had a single barrel 16 gauge, back in 1958...
I've been using the 260 remington for the last 10 years. Low recoil, good ballistics and it will
do a number on whitetails.
Good luck and happy hunting!
tomcat

flinginairos · « **Reply #8 on:** February 03, 2009, 03:19:17 PM »

Thanks guys! I ended up grabbing a 7mm-08 NIB from the classifieds for $215. Cant wait to try it out! Hopefully I can put a buck down with it next year that is bigger

bulletstuffer · « **Reply #9 on:** February 03, 2009, 03:38:53 PM »

Nice buck! Will you load for your new 7mm-08?

Bulletstuffer

flinginairos · « **Reply #10 on:** February 03, 2009, 03:52:24 PM »

Quote from: bulletstuffer on February 03, 2009, 03:38:53 PM

Nice buck! Will you load for your new 7mm-08?

Bulletstuffer

Thanks! I dont reload so I will be using factory ammo. Any suggestions on what to use? I have always used Rem. Core-lok with my bolt guns with good results. Should I try to stay right around 140 grains?

Camp Cook · « **Reply #11 on:** February 03, 2009, 05:45:30 PM »

That is a very nice whitetail way bigger than any I have shot so far definately a huge congrates on such a nice deer.

At the velocities of the 7mm-08 the Rem Core Lok bullets will stand up and do the job very nicely for you I would go with a 140gr bullet myself.

I just shot my biggest antlered mule deer buck in Nov/08 with a .308" 150gr Rem Core Lok @ 2620fps average muzzle velocity the shot was at 210 yards entered the chest between the front legs took out both lungs went thru the liver then exited the rib cage the deers off front leg must have been way back because when the bullet exited it also broke the front leg.

Here is something that I just heard about bonded core bullets, due to the heat that is used to bond the core to the jacket the bullets will mushroom faster than a standard non-bonded bullet so even thought the Core Loks would work fine I would be tempted to try out Nosler Accubonds, Hornady Interbonds etc...

rickt300 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 05, 2009, 02:44:37 PM »

Out of an Encore I don't see any plus points for short action cartridges as the action length stays the same. I would spend my money on a 30-06 barrel. for interest purposes what load were you using in your 50 caliber barrel? It would seem that with all the choices out there something would work very well on deer.

flinginairos · « **Reply #13 on:** February 06, 2009, 07:06:52 AM »

Quote from: rickt300 on February 05, 2009, 02:44:37 PM

Out of an Encore I don't see any plus points for short action cartridges as the action length stays the same. I would spend my money on a 30-06 barrel. for interest purposes what load were you using in your 50 caliber barrel? It would seem that with all the choices out there something would work very well on deer.

The reason I dont want something like a 30-06 is because of the recoil. My wife and son will be shooting it so that creates a problem. I have a Ruger M77 in 30-06, it kicks like a mule

I am shooting 110 grains of Pyrodex with a 250 gr. TC Shockwave from my ML. It does a number on deer!

hogwire · « **Reply #14 on:** February 07, 2009, 11:43:37 AM »

For even less recoil you can drop down in bullet weight. 140 gr. can give a pretty good kick IMO, I'm kinda recoil sensitive. I have a 260 AI barrel that I'm going to have set up to fit my Encore by MGM. I'm using 100 and 120 gr. ballistic tips but havn't killed anything with it but have lots of reports from others. Lots of people use it with 140gr. bullets for 1000 yard matches. 120's ought to be good for 4 or 500 anyway. I have it in a blued Shilen barrel, very easy to load for when I was shooting it in my Savage. Doesn't take much a lot of power or bullet weight for whitetails IMO but I'm sure some will disagree. My 260 will actually be my larger game rifle. I will be shooting a fast twist 22-243M for deer hunting with 65to 80 gr. bullets. With my bad knees I don't do much still hunting anymore, I'm an ambusher! Don't have to shoot at running deer that way. I think there are some 120 7mm bullets for deer that should work well in you barrel, see what you think of the difference. ....lp

BTW, very nice buck!!!

surveyor47 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 09, 2009, 04:42:11 AM »

For the 50 cal muzzle loader, have you tried 295 grain CVA Powerbelts? My Omega shoots them very accurately, about 4" at 100 yards with open sights. I like full diameter 50 cal bullets with big hollow points. The Powerbelt is an updated Minnie Ball intended for a 1:28 twist barrel like the standard Encore barrel. For 1:48 twist traditional caplocks, I prefer the Hornady Great Plains Hollow Point, which is a lead hollow point, with a thick Minnie Ball skirt. The bullet is soft and hollow point big enough that it should start expanding immediately. You may want to try this bullet as well to see if it works.

I had running deer problems with T/C Maxi Balls and received the following advice from a game warden:
Deer hit with sabots, round balls and Maxi Balls tend to run. Deer hit with big soft hollow points don't go far.

I don't think that his advice is always 100%, but he checks in deer shot by other hunters every year which puts him in a unique position to evaluate effectiveness.

Tn Jim · « **Reply #16 on:** February 09, 2009, 06:01:22 AM »

I've got a 7-08 barrel for mine and love it. Very light recoil and super accurate. The deer I have killed with it didn't notice it was a smaller caliber, as they died in their hoofprints. For factory 7-08 ammo, check out the Hornady 139 grain Light Magnum.

rickt300 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 09, 2009, 06:22:35 AM »

If recoil is an issue the 7-08 would be what I bought. I reload so recoil using factory ammo has never been an issue for me. I will say I have never felt recoil much shooting game, just at the bench and proper technique goes a long way there. I have never owned a Encore but have had several contender carbines and they do seem to buck more than other rifles chambered in the same cartridges.

flinginairos · « **Reply #18 on:** February 09, 2009, 08:02:05 AM »

Quote from: surveyor47 on February 09, 2009, 04:42:11 AM

For the 50 cal muzzle loader, have you tried 295 grain CVA Powerbelts? My Omega shoots them very accurately, about 4" at 100 yards with open sights. I like full diameter 50 cal bullets with big hollow points. The Powerbelt is an updated Minnie Ball intended for a 1:28 twist barrel like the standard Encore barrel. For 1:48 twist traditional caplocks, I prefer the Hornady Great Plains Hollow Point, which is a lead hollow point, with a thick Minnie Ball skirt. The bullet is soft and hollow point big enough that it should start expanding immediately. You may want to try this bullet as well to see if it works.

I had running deer problems with T/C Maxi Balls and received the following advice from a game warden:
Deer hit with sabots, round balls and Maxi Balls tend to run. Deer hit with big soft hollow points don't go far.

I don't think that his advice is always 100%, but he checks in deer shot by other hunters every year which puts him in a unique position to evaluate effectiveness.

I havent tried those in my Encore, I have always used the TC Shockwave in 250 gr. I have shot several deer and they perform very well. I have shot two deer now in the brisket facing me and both times the bullet has blown right through exiting near the tail on one and hitting the hip socket and then exiting on the other!

Every time I have fired that gun at an animal it has hit the ground, so I am happy!

SM Outdoors · « **Reply #19 on:** February 09, 2009, 08:11:56 AM »

What a terrific deer and what a fine looking territory you are blessed to have hunting access to..
I have each of the 3 calibers you mentioned and as everyone said you cannot lose with those as choices. I was pleased to see that you chose the 7mm-08 as that is my favorite caliber and what I would have suggested.

surveyor47 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 09, 2009, 11:04:58 AM »

About 20 years ago, I made a brisket to tail shot at 5 yards with a 12 gauge slug. The animal ran 25 yards, leaned up against a tree, legs quivering. A kid ran up to the animal, stuck the barrel of his shotgun up to the deers chest and fired, yelling "killing shot". The deer jumped back up again and ran back toward me, getting shot twice more. Not much left. That goofy kid and his gang took the deer; I certainly didnt want it.

SM Outdoors · « **Reply #21 on:** February 09, 2009, 01:35:50 PM »

BTW flinginairos, what did your deer weigh in at?

flinginairos · « **Reply #22 on:** February 09, 2009, 01:58:37 PM »

Quote from: SM Outdoors on February 09, 2009, 01:35:50 PM

BTW flinginairos, what did your deer weigh in at?

I didnt have him weighted but he was probably right around 200. It was TORTURE getting him out of that ravine. It took my dad and I over four hours to get him to the fourwheeler trail, and we were only 150 yards away!

He was standing in the road when I shot him and I guess it was his last "up yours" to me by jumping over that hill LOL!!! We were so worn out after getting him out that we could hardly walk for two days. I swear on my life I wont shoot another one in that spot unless he is huge!!

SM Outdoors · « **Reply #23 on:** February 09, 2009, 02:39:47 PM »

Quote from: flinginairos on February 09, 2009, 01:58:37 PM

Quote from: SM Outdoors on February 09, 2009, 01:35:50 PM
BTW flinginairos, what did your deer weigh in at?

I didnt have him weighted but he was probably right around 200. It was TORTURE getting him out of that ravine. It took my dad and I over four hours to get him to the fourwheeler trail, and we were only 150 yards away! He was standing in the road when I shot him and I guess it was his last "up yours" to me by jumping over that hill LOL!!! We were so worn out after getting him out that we could hardly walk for two days. I swear on my life I wont shoot another one in that spot unless he is huge!!

Man I had a good laugh at that, I have had a couple give me the departing "up yours"

flinginairos · « **Reply #24 on:** February 09, 2009, 02:48:36 PM »

Quote from: SM Outdoors on February 09, 2009, 02:39:47 PM

Quote from: flinginairos on February 09, 2009, 01:58:37 PM
Quote from: SM Outdoors on February 09, 2009, 01:35:50 PM
BTW flinginairos, what did your deer weigh in at?

I didnt have him weighted but he was probably right around 200. It was TORTURE getting him out of that ravine. It took my dad and I over four hours to get him to the fourwheeler trail, and we were only 150 yards away! He was standing in the road when I shot him and I guess it was his last "up yours" to me by jumping over that hill LOL!!! We were so worn out after getting him out that we could hardly walk for two days. I swear on my life I wont shoot another one in that spot unless he is huge!!

Man I had a good laugh at that, I have had a couple give me the departing "up yours"

I am actually glad it happened the way it did. It wouldnt have been as excited if I just dropped him in the road. I had sat in the pouring snow for 2 hours where I had seen him before. After he didnt show I decided to sneak down the road and out a ridge. I started walking and just as I came to a crest in the road there he stood looking directly at me on full alert. It was one of those deals where you shoot NOW, no waiting or he's gone. I shot so fast my nerves never kicked in until he got up and took off. Thats when it got exciting LOL!! It makes the story more interesting LOL

pozoutdoors · « **Reply #25 on:** February 09, 2009, 05:08:12 PM »

Some time you have to work hard for you trophy and that is what makes it a true trophy!!! Good job!! A trophy to be proud of!! If you ever want to come to Iowa, get ahold of me!!! Looks like you really know how to work for your game and thats what is really important!!! No outfitter here, just some farmers that want some deer killed!!!!

flinginairos · « **Reply #26 on:** February 10, 2009, 12:57:04 AM »

Quote from: pozoutdoors on February 09, 2009, 05:08:12 PM

Some time you have to work hard for you trophy and that is what makes it a true trophy!!! Good job!! A trophy to be proud of!! If you ever want to come to Iowa, get ahold of me!!! Looks like you really know how to work for your game and thats what is really important!!! No outfitter here, just some farmers that want some deer killed!!!!

I have always wanted to hunt out there, I just havent had the chance yet. That buck in your avatar is a brute!

teddy12b · « **Reply #27 on:** February 10, 2009, 02:29:18 AM »

Quote from: flinginairos on February 10, 2009, 12:57:04 AM

Quote from: pozoutdoors on February 09, 2009, 05:08:12 PM
Some time you have to work hard for you trophy and that is what makes it a true trophy!!! Good job!! A trophy to be proud of!! If you ever want to come to Iowa, get ahold of me!!! Looks like you really know how to work for your game and thats what is really important!!! No outfitter here, just some farmers that want some deer killed!!!!

I have always wanted to hunt out there, I just havent had the chance yet. That buck in your avatar is a brute!

Yeah, I want to go too! Don't mention free hunts online, you'll get half the members here on your doorstep wearing camo and holding a rifle. Seriously though, if the deer are a problem I'll help out and bring friends if needed.

martineta · « **Reply #28 on:** February 10, 2009, 01:49:03 PM »

I put the new Flextec or comfortec stock on all three of my encores. I hate recoil. The new fangled stocks are so soft shooting, you could shoot them off the tip of your nose. I was thinking about getting a 308 win barrel. Now that 7mm 08 has me thinking different. Might get both.

teddy12b · « **Reply #29 on:** February 11, 2009, 03:07:07 AM »

I put a thumbhole "pro-hunter" stock on my regular encore and it helped out a lot with recoil. It's definately worth it.