As someone who does not reload yet which would be the best for an Encore with a 15" T/C factory barrel with iron sights.

I know there is no real difference between the 2 up to 350ish yards and negligible to very small differences at 500+ yards.

It will be used for hunting(hog mostly) and target shooting/plinking.

There's a wider range of bullet weights in .308 cal; factory and especially handloading.

Do they make such a thing? Flip a coin. I tend to lean towards the larger hole, all else being equalized. Ballistic coefficient probably not much of a factor with irons.

they do both in blue and stainless here eabco and grafs have them for $275 vs $340+ from t/c

in most situations I'll also lean toward the bigger hole and as was mentioned the 30 has tons of bullet options both in factory ammo and for the reloader.

Not really much difference in the two. 7-08 Might shoot a bit flatter when comparing bullets of simar sectional density. The 308 will have a bit more energy with bullets of similar sectional density.

Really comes down to personal preference, and your intended use.

Regards
Rog

With iron sights, flip a coin.

IMHO you will have more problems lining up your sights than the marginal differences in ballistics. Particularly under 300 yards.

FWIW, you can get on JBMbalistics . Com and have fun comparing the two. Hodgdon . Com has pistal data for each.

Duane

Non-reloader... 308 using Hornady TAP with the 168 grain.
Awesome performance!

Ernie, that's the exact load I use in my encore. It's a tack driver and plenty of punch.

i am leaning toward 308 mostly because of ammo price and ammo availability and availability of cheap practice ammo.

Would be a good choice. Better yet, chamber in 307 Winchester and you have the option of a rim.

Ed's contenders has a 12 inch 480 ruger with the muzzle tamer on it that I am waiting for him to email me back on but according to the guys at greybeards outdoors he will be gone for 2 weeks so I will wait till i can get a hold of him before ordering a barrel because I really like the idea of the 480/475 chamberings.

Unless going with the 475L there is really no need for a brake. The 480R is not that hard of a kicker. Emailing Ed can be a futile exercise at times, the phone works better for me.

I will most likely get it reamed for 475l in the future but I think it is a 12" tc factory barrel with the tc factory brake on it since it is 480 and not 475l

also according to gbo he is gone for 2 weeks to Alaska as of June 25 or 28 ish.

Absolutely call Ed if you want to get in contact with him. I've never had any luck with him returning emails, but I've had excellent results calling him on the phone.

Regards,
Rog

He answered my email and when i get paid on monday I will most likely be ordering a barrel from him.