Author Topic: How many hear hunt Elk with your Encore? (Read 818 times)

lmalterna · « **on:** February 24, 2004, 04:03:49 AM »

I have been invited to go after Elk in the area of Williams Creek/Cannibal Plateau next fall and have been warned what the altitude will do to my stamina at these elevations(I am roughly 3500 at home). The Encore would seem to be the most space/weight efficient design I have seen.
How many here have hunted high with yours and what cal/configuration do you use??

Thanks,
Bill

Billyboy · « **Reply #1 on:** February 24, 2004, 06:20:06 AM »

I have a Virgin Valley 270WSM barrel that I used to kill a bull and a muley last Nov. I settled on the 140 partition for all around bullet considering it was a combo hunt. The Muley dropped in his tracks at ~135 yds. The Bull was about 65yds. It staggered and trotted about 35 yds before falling over. No complaints and a joy to carry all day long!

DesertRam · « **Reply #2 on:** February 24, 2004, 08:58:40 AM »

I used my 209X50 to take a nice cow elk here in New Mexico last December. I don't think I'd call this particular rifle light though LOL! Perhaps with a synthetic stock and sporter weight barrel things would be different. As far as a platform for a good elk rifle, there's nothing wrong with the Encore as far as I'm concerned. And you'll do fine up there in the hills. Do some walking before the hunt and be ready to go a little slower than you do at your regular elevation.

skb2706 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 24, 2004, 09:18:25 AM »

although not a Encore I am planning on using my Contender in .358 ***** w/22" bull barrel and full up it weighs 6.25#.

OregonBoy · « **Reply #4 on:** February 24, 2004, 02:34:40 PM »

I'm just getting into elk hunting here in Oregon; I'm using a plain jane Encore, 24"bbl 30-06. At around 7lbs, it's not too heavy, but definitely not a lightweight. I've also been looking at a Katahdin barrel in 45-70, or else I'm getting a Marlin Guide Gun.

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #5 on:** February 24, 2004, 02:50:30 PM »

Bill,

There are two sides to that coin on rifle weight at elevation. I have it's effects every year and it takes a while to get accumimated.

One arguement holds that it should be a light as possible to make you load easier.

The other is that it should be heavy enough so that it is easier to hold steady when you are winded and your blood pressure is up.

Myself I would opt for the ease of holding with a synthetic stock and heavy 26" barrel to keep it steady rather than have it too light and wippy.

Either way I think your Encore should be just fine. There are a number of excellent cartridges and loads that will all work fine.

onesonek · « **Reply #6 on:** February 24, 2004, 04:04:15 PM »

Quote from: Thomas Krupinski

Myself I would opt for the ease of holding with a synthetic stock and heavy 26" barrel to keep it steady rather than have it too light and wippy.

I agree with Thomas. If you live at 8000 ft the a pound or 2 can make a diiference. But if you travel to 8000 and hunt the next day, your legs and lungs ain't goina tell any different. But a muzzle light gun, the scope will tell the difference with every heart beat.
Either way it's no walk in the park. At least you got a couple thousand feet over me. And I plan taking a heavy barreled Encore to Colorado, this fall.

lmalterna · « **Reply #7 on:** February 26, 2004, 11:25:38 AM »

Guys,
Thanks for all your replies. I was planning on carrying my R700, Sendero stock and magnum countour Mike Rock 26" in 30-06. Barrel is a little lighter contour than the Winnie Coyote, had played with the idea of opening it up to 30-06 Imp. It holds very nice and shoots much better than I can, it wears an IOR 6X42 but I have a Bush 2.5X10 that arrived CHRISTmas and will likely end up on this rifle. The thought of a new rifle is always tempting!!
Do many shoot brakes on Encores??

Bill

onesonek · « **Reply #8 on:** February 26, 2004, 12:13:10 PM »

Brakes? only on my varmint or target barrels

lmalterna · « **Reply #9 on:** February 26, 2004, 12:25:15 PM »

I know, I know but for this I wanted to kinda light and a heavy hitter(300 Win)- for me to get the practice I want, it's gonna need a brake! I don't need to start flinchitis after the first 10 rounds... HA!
Ya know, If I could get someone to carry it for me... the AR30 in .338 Lapua has a brake and I bet is is something on Elk!!

Bill

james · « **Reply #10 on:** March 03, 2004, 03:10:48 AM »

Taking my 209 x 50 to Colo for elk this fall. But will have to remove the scope as it is not allowed in Colo. I hope it works as good as my TC Hawken has in the past.

jrcanoe · « **Reply #11 on:** March 03, 2004, 03:36:00 AM »

What you don't use your eyes, only your ears (dam you must be good