.308 Encore questions...

It has been a while since I posted, but I have been lurking around.

Our deer season in Alabama is still in full swing, only problem is the weather. LOL was 82 yesterday and hitting the 80's for the next 3 days. So instead of sweating in a tree stand, what a better day for us to break out the guns and go shoot. I took both my 7x30 G2 and my .308 Encore. Everyone else had long guns.

Anyway I was shooting factory 150g. Fusion Ammo in the .308 and could not get it to group. The tighted I could get was 2 inches. I cleaned the barrel, let it cool, feed another shell and it was just not grouping at 100. I have a 2.5x7 Burris on top. I was shooting 3/4" groups with the 7x30 with both factory and handloads. I shot the .308 last year with the hornady custom factory loads and they shot well. I couldn't find any at the gun store so I bought some fusions since they look so close to the speer grand slam I load in my wifes .270 sendaro.

I have a set of dies in .308 and now I need some imput on where to begin. I know not all guns shoot the same, but does anyone have any ideas on a few loads where I can begin. Has anyone got factory ammo to group in an Encore?

Have plent of time our season runs through the end of January and the rut won't start until the last 2 weeks of January. With the drought and weather, i've been spending my time shooting sucks in SE LA, but it is time to get ready for some deer hunting.

Thanks for any help

I suggest you re-check your scope mounts, rings, etc. for tightness. If the Burris has Posi-Lock, be sure the PL screw is snug (not tight!). If those are okay, try another type of ammo, or bullet weight. I have a .308 Striker that consistently shoots better groups with 165 gr bullets than with anything else. The sole exception to this is Winchester 150 gr. Power Point ammo (Wal Mart Special).

I have a .308 Lone Eagle that prefers 165-180 gr ammunition over anything else. Although, I am sure some will disagree, overall my short .308 guns like 165 gr ammo better than 150 gr, but individual guns differ in their preference. If you have an "off/on" muzzle brake, try it in both positions. Good luck.

Hey Bama, not sure about factory 308 cuz I don't shoot the stuff, but mine does shoot almost any MilSurP hardball into 1" to 1 1/2" groups all day long. It's my second caliber of choice at Dan B's SWPA long range handgun shoot. My 7-08 is 1st choice but only because it's what my Striker is chambered for. It kills many more water of his water and milk bottles at 300-350 than it misses and it hits it's fair share at 400. The Hardball at 400 just whistles through. My accuracy handload for it is a 150 or 165 Nosler and IMR 4064 or Varget. The 165 with 42.5 is not fast but it makes clover leafs on paper and kills deer to boot. I love the 308. I always have a case of MilsurP on hand for plinking and my NBT's for hunting. They shoot to almost the same point of aim at 100. Only the trajectory changes. Good Luck!!

Hey Bama,I have a TC ENCORE in 308 and reload my own ammo.I have had good luck with using hornady 130gr bullits for ssp and these 3 powders-hodgon varget 43grs, hodgon 4198 36.5 grs, and hodgon 322 41.4 grs.At the shooting bench all these shoot 3 shot groups that can be covered with a quarter.Can't help you with your choice of factory ammo cause I never use the stuff.Good luck.

Hey Bama, where in 'Bama are you located?

Thanks for all the help and info. I foiund the problem. I took the gun to my friend who is a gunsmith and showed him the target. It seems the scope was in a bind, mounted too tight. Heck I don't know I'm not a gunsmith, but it shoots like a dream now. I had bought a scope and then played swap some scopes with the local outdoor store and have 2 guns that didn't shoot good.

Here is a kicker, when we started looking at the .44 RSBH, the mounts were lose on it. Also last year a friend bought a new long gun from them with a kales scope and it wouldn't shoot. He shot 100 dollard worth of .270short mag ammo before I told him to takke it to my buddy Holcomb.

Live and learn.

kingfisher, I live in wetumpka, just north of Montgomery