Need some advice

[Swift One]

I have been saving my pennies for an Encore for quite some time and I am just about ready to purchase.  My original goal was to get a Blue frame and barrel with black synthetic stock in 22-250 24" barrel.  Next year, I was going to get a 30-06 barrel for deer hunting across the state line.

However, I am looking at a Encore in 7mm-08 in 15" blue barrel with blue frame and black grip and fore arm.  It is in great condition, with no marks on it, has about 50rds through the barrel, and is topped with a Bushnell Trophy 2-6 x 32 handgun scope on it.  He said he would sell it to me for $450 and throw in 3 boxes of factory ammo. I could use this configuration for deer in Indiana and set it up down the road in rifle configuration in 22-250.

Does this sound like a good deal to you guys or should I just stick to my original plan and get a new one in the 22-250 rilfe configuration.  I think purchasing a registered hand gun frame in Encore would give me a little more versatility, don't you think?

[Fearless]

I wouldn't wait long...that sounds like a great deal! Fearless

[Redhawk1]

That sounds like a great deal. I would pick it up quick. The 7mm08 is a great round in my opinion.    You can always add a rifle stock and barrel later on.

[Swift One]

Thanks guys.  I think I am going to get it.  I like my Handi Rifle but have to admitt that it feels good to be upgrading to an Encore.  I am excited!!

[S & W 642]

I d jump on that before someone else does sounds great I got a 7mm-08 it works great

[Swift One]

I'm picking up the 7mm-08 tomorrow after work.  I will be like a kid on Christmas.  I have had the Encore bug for about two years now and while I originally wanted a rifle frame, the pistol frame just makes sense for versatility.

I will be new to the world of scoped pistols.  Especially one with such a long barrel.  One thing I have to ask is, is the field of view much smaller in a handgun scope than it is in a rifle scope?  While I will use the pistol configuration for whitetail, I have entertained the idea of trying it out on some coyote hunting. While Coyote targets generally move quicker than deer targets I am wondering if a limited field of view is going to hamper me.

At any rate, I am going to work up a load for this caliber for deer season.  Any suggestions?  I am a Sierra fan so any loads with Sierra bullets would be great but I am open to suggestions.  What kind of accuracy are you guys getting with pistol configurations at 100yds?

I have been reading alot about tips for better accuracy such as the oversized pin and things of that nature.  Are these items that I am definatley going to need to get or should I just see how the weapon is performing first?  I have a handi Rifle in 223 Bull barrel and the forums scream of accuracy tips such as the O ring, sanding the forend, ect, ect.  I have done absolutely nothing to my handi and shoot 3/4-1/2" groups with it. So, I am thinking that each weapon is going to be different.

[Keith L]

Congratulations on the Encore.  I can't speak directly to your gun, but  I do have lots of experience with Contenders so here goes:

1.  The field of view is much smaller in a pistol scope.  It will take practice before you adjust to the scope and field of view.  If I haven't shot one of my scoped Contenders for a while I often have to put the gun up, take it downa and find the target again, put the gun up etc. until I get the sight picture I want.  Practice Practice Practice!

As for the oversized pins etc.  I never found them a help in my guns.  I never had a sloppy pin.  If you get side to side play with the barrel mounted and the action closed you may want to consider one.  If it seems tight I dont"t think you will gain much.  On hard forends that don't connect with a hanger (most TC factory and some custom) I find that using rubber o-rings to float the barrel seems to tighten up groups a little bit.  Its cheap, takes little time and seems to help, so why not. YMMV.

Good luck, and let us know how things work for you.

[jason280]

Good luck with the gun!

[Swift One]

I took my Encore 7mm-08 15" pistol to the range today to try my hand at scoped handgun shooting.  This is an entirely new world to me.  Hre is a pic of my new toy:

I was shooting Federal factory ammo through it (140gr Nosler Partition bullets).  I started off at the 50yd line and once I got the scope adjusted to me I shot a 1.25" group on the bull. Here is a pic:

I felt pretty confident about that so I moved it back to the 100yd line.  I was quickly humbled!!:x   I could not belive how hard it was to shoot a scoped handgun at 100yds!!:x   I was all over the place.  Not even "paper plate accuracy".  I need to practice, practice, and practice alot more before I get confident enough to pull the trigger on a deer at 100yds.  At least I have plenty of time before the season hits.

Can anyone tell me what kind of reasonable 3 shot groups I should be able to achieve with an Encore pistol at 100yds?  Is it possible to pull the same groups as with a rifle?[/img]

[Cheesehead]

I have an Encore hand gun in 6.5x55 and get 4" groups at 200 yards, With God and my Brother as witness I swear this is true. All it takes is a good bench rest, good optics, good hand loads, good practice good technique and the Encore will do the rest.

Good Luck

Cheesehead

[Swift One]

I am going back to the range with an actual handgun rest next time so the front and the back can be stabilized.  I am sure that I will need to work up a load.