Setting up Encore 30-06

[Dr T]

If one defines a bargain as "something you don't really need at a price you can't pass up," I acquired a bargain yesterday.

It is a NIB T/C Encore 30-06: Blue, wood, and sights on the 24" barrel. It was $450 at Gander in Denver. It has a very visible white bead that looks usable.

Now that I have two single shot 30-06's, I have to figure out what to do with it. My other 30-06 is a big game rifle (Ruger #1 RSI pushing a 180 gr at 2650 fps from a 20 in. barrel). I am going to move this one in the direction of a deer/antelope/coyote/bobcat rifle.

I will sight the irons in with a 150 gr. or 165 gr. load as a back up.

Since much of the hunting will be done early morning/late evening, my first step was to order a Burris Fullfield II 2x7 with the 3P#4 reticle. It will be mounted on a Weaver base with QD mounts.

Looking over the bullets now available, the Nosler 125 gr. ballistic tip is appealing for this application. Nosler lists some loads in the 3200+ fps range.

Questions:
1. How strong is the Encore action? It is not likely to be in the same class as the #1, but how does it compare to, say, a Remington 700 action?
2. Does anyone one have experience is making an Encore with the factory barrel accurate?
3, Does anyone have any hunting experience with this bullet?
4. Are their any specific tips for someone new to this platform?

 

[Dr T]

Well, it looks like I won't be using the Quick Detach rings: the ones I have on hand are low and it looks like I will need a medium height to clear the hammer.

One of the advantages of the T/C Encore is the ability to switch barrels. I wish that T/C made a factory barrel in .260 Rem.

 

[NCsmitty]

Bullberry has Encore barrels in 260 Rem, and about any other caliber that you could want.

www.bullberry.com/encore.html


Let us know how the new '06 shoots when you get everything together.




NCsmitty

 

[Abel]

Bullberry has Encore barrels in 260 Rem, and about any other caliber that you could want.

That's sweet! You can get it in 30-40 Krag!

 

[Dr T]

Thanks for the heads up on Bulberry.

T/C has a $50 rebate on barrels through the end of May. My viable (somethig I don't already have and have some appeal) choices in a factory barrel look like , 22 Hornet, 25-06, 280, 7mm Mag, 338 Federal, and 45-70. Decisions, decisions. Right now, the 22 Hornet and 45-70 are the front runners. This could be habit forming...

 

[jbkebert]

I use Leupold QR rings with my Encore setup. I would highly suggest high rings. If your Encore is not equiped with the swing hammer you will need it.

 

[Dr T]

Update: I used medium rings with a Carlson's hammer extender on the 06. The 30-06 is showing potential. I got it on paper with Federal 150 gr. I plan to work on a handload with 125 gr. Nosler Hunting Ballistic Tips and will be shooting for about 3200 fps for a whitetail/pronghorn/coyote load.

Since T/C has been running a $50 rebate on barrels, I picked up a couple. I acquired a 26" blued .223 barrel (topped with a 4 - 12 x 40mm scope made by Mueller and marketed as a private label by EABCO). I also picked up a SS, Fluted 20" 460 S&W with a rear peep sight (it is on the barrel, not the receiver) and "fiber optic" front sight to play with. I have not fired either of these two barrels. Given the cost of the 460 S&W ammo, I need to run up about 20 rounds of working load handloads to do the initial sighting in.