I just received part of my new summer/fall project today. Always wanted an Encore pistol so I ordered a stainless/syn frame and a stainless fluted 15" barrel in .243 win. I will eventually have several barrels. The reason I went with a .243 is that I have never owned anything in that bore diameter before. I will use this to shoot deer, coyotes, woodchucks, and a lot of paper. Bushnell Elite 2-6x32 will go on top.

Does anyone have experience with an Encore 243? Favorite bullets on deer? From what I have read online a lot of guys prefer 95gr tipped bullets out of the 15" barrel. I have no brass or dies yet so I dont mind shooting some factory stuff first. Hornady makes a 95gr SST superformance load that looks good.

Thanks
Brian

It has been several years but I did some testing for a buddies 15" Encore in .243. I basically worked with 3 loads.

#1 was 55gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips loaded with Varget. Muzzle velocity was 3240 FPS with lots of muzzle blast. It was quite accurate though and the 55gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips were quite devastating on the varmints I shot with that load.

#2 was the old 80gr. Speer Hot Core Spitzer loaded with H-4895. Muzzle velocity was 2920 FPS. 5 shot 100 yard groups were generally around 3/4" and the load was very pleasant to shoot. Took two Whitetails with this bullet and load at 250ish yards. Bullet performance was quite good.

#3 was 95gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips loaded with H-4350. Again very accurate load. Never did take any game with this load though.

My buddy wanted one load to use on Coyotes and Deer so we settled on the 80gr. Speer Hot Core Spitzer with H-4895. Not sure if he ever shot anything with it as the barrel got moth balled when he converted the frame to a rifle frame for his girl friend.

Larry

I had a 15" MGM in. 14" twist shot 55 BT's out of it. Was a tck driver. Never could get anything bigger to stabilize. Yours is most likely a 10 twist should be fine up to 85 gr or so.

I also had a MGM rifle barrel 23" 10 twist shot 85 Sierra HP's great. My oldest son shot his first hog with it.

She"s going to be a tackdriver,Several barrels you say, welcome to the madness.

I have one just like yours and one in a Bull barrel cut off from a rifle barrel to 15" and then added a break.
Both shoot the 100grn Sierra Pro Hunter great using Varget. I have taken deer, and prairie dogs with it and loaned it to a guy that broke his scope on a pistol in Wyoming while there and he took a speed goat at 250 yds with the Sierra 100 grn Pro Hunter.
They both also shoot the 95grn Ballistic Tip very well but it is more pricey for playing.
Never tried any lighter bullets.
Shooting a Bushnell Elite on one and a Simmons Pro Hunter on the other.
Good luck and I know you will enjoy.

Mike

It's not an Encore but my daughter shoots a Handi-Rifle in .243 for deer. We've had excellent luck with the Federal Premium 85 gr. Sierra(?) BTHP. Like, dropped in their tracks or take a just few steps luck. I also have a friend who has hand loaded these bullets for years without even thinking of trying anything new due to their performance.

That being said, my Encore 7mm/08 chews up paper with the 120gr. ballistic tips.

My daughter-in-law took this muley buck with her Encore .243 a few years ago; one 95 grain Nosler partition, complete pass through broadside chest; the buck ran just a few yards and dropped.

I like that rig Whit, I guess comfort is the biggest thing for me because of how much land I tend to carry while hunting. Those chest rigs just seem a little obtrusive to me. I have never worn one though.

I think the .243 is very underated,it drops deer way out of proportion to its size. Of course the most accurate load and one you have the most confidance in is the way to go.

85grn Sierras or 95grn SSTs have worked great in my sons 243.
His first deer was a decent mulie buck at 287 yards, 1 shot.
His Antelope was 325 yards, 1 shot.
I agree that the 243 is underrated.