Just got finished handloading 50 rounds for the Encore. After sighting it in yesterday to 100, I want to see what I can do at 200 yards. This will be the first time I've ever shot at that distance with a handgun.

Good time to get started.
Good luck

200 is just past the starting gate. You'll open a whole new world.

Good for you!!

Good luck! Post some results! What have you got for a scope? Based on someone's posted advice from Ernie I've got a Leopold 2.5-8 waiting to mount on my 30-30 barrel to facilitate long range play. The trick of turning the brass ring to zero worked great with my 17hmr.

Just got in from shooting. It went about as well as I expected, which is to say it could have been better, but it also could have gone worse.



I fired 28 rounds, 20 of which ended up on the paper, and 13 of which were in the 8" circle representing the kill zone on a deer. Not exactly the best shooting I've ever done, but I've still got plenty of time to practice before season.

A Nikon Force XR 2.5-8x28mm.

Looks like you are off to a good start. Any work on fine tuning the load yet? Are you shooting of a bag or bipod? For some reason I shoot noticeably better with a bipod then of a bag.

My preferred rest is a backpack stuffed with pillows. It's actually quite steady. The problem isn't the gun, load, or rest, though. It's all on me.

If you are rested good, maybe its not you. Could just be a load change. Many a time i thought the same....tried more loads n found out im awesome lol. 😇 😆

You are doing good, keep it up!

You may want to try a firmer bag for load development. Your pillow bag may be allowing a bit of wobble as the shot breaks.
I agree with the other guys 100% that you may need to tweak your load for best accuracy.
Keep going you will get tighter groups. Dry fire from your rested position to make sure you are not squeezing your grip as the trigger breaks.

With the IMR4064 yor load will change with the temperature. Keep that in mind when practicing for the big day.

Keep at it and it'll eventually turn out 100% of shots where you want them.

My problem is, since I haven't shot in a while, I noticed I tended to flinch or jerk the trigger every other shot.

Maybe you could try cutting down on the coffee before going to the range. It definitely affects my stability.

Definately no coffee! 2 cups in the morning for a work buddy, n he comes in like a mexican jumping bean. 😖

Try gently squeezing on that trigger until the gun goes off as a surprise. All the while keeping that crosshair centered as best as possible. If that rest is decent, shouldnt be too hard to keep em on. A rest doesnt have to be all that fancy to shoot good. It does need to hold the gun steady for you though.

After shes tightened up real good, try some field rest shooting or offhand. Gain the confidence on paper first imo. All trigger time helps.

Don't do that!

I don't drink anything with caffeine anymore. You're right, it makes a world of difference, and not just on the range.

I have found I shoot better with targets that do not have a defined center...keeps me focused on the sight or keeps me focused on the cross hairs.

The deer doesn't have a defined center.

I use steel plates a lot. If you can hit a 8" plate you can kill a deer. A paper plate would do the same.

What"s the trigger pull on that cannon?

About 1.8 pounds.

Don't do this in the Encore without a snap cap/dummy round.

What KYODE said.

AND

How precise is the GUN AND LOAD at 100 yards. A rock steady rest to prove the gun and load.

Then any rest you prefer to practice accurate shooting on your part.