just took the ml out today to try to find an easier bullet to load that is accurate too. it is a 1.5" gun at 100 with the 250gr. barnes, but they're just about impossible to push down the bbl even when clean. so i tried the hornady 250gr. sst and the 240gr. xtp. only got to shoot at 50 today as the range was crammed, but i managed to get 1" from the sst's. and the xtp's went right at half inch!! and the plus is that they are so much easier to load. both the above loads were with 2 pyrodex pellets and a burris 2x7. i can't wait to get back to try 100...maybe some weekday next week when the range is empty. anyway, just wanted to pass along the update.

I have the same gun and use the same 2 pellets...
I was using 250g T/C ShockWave sabots and getting 1" at 100 too.
I was very pleased..
Those two 50g Pyrodex pellets do rock though. LOL

shawn, i just got in from the range and had a chance to shoot at 100. i managed a smidge over 1.5" with the xtp's for 4 shots with cleaning in between. didn't get to try the sst's because i ran out of pellets and the store where i shoot was out. they only had 2 cans of 4f black powder as far as ml propellants go.....they said they don't usually replenish that stuff until the season nears. but they got some on order now, so hopefully soon i'll get to try them and maybe i'll try the shockwaves too since they're doing good for you. glad you're enjoying that 209x50 after all the time you got in that gun. did you ever get the laminated ml forend done? i remember you said you ordered one that would need to be fitted.

Yep got it all done and sweet looking...

BTW I do a spit patch and dry patch between shots, which will be eazy to dupe when out hunting...
I am amazed at how accute these guns are. I could not shoot my Remington 700ML long bbl that well if I tried all day...

Please try the shockwaves. I can bet they will preform for you.
They seem to shoot the best out of any ML I have shot them from, hense why I use them now since I have a bunch left over from my long bbl days. LOL
Heres a pic of my Encore...

the gun sure turned out nice.....it looks great about the only bullets i've tried that wouldn't give some level of accuracy was the powerbelts. i've tried them all and none worked; lead, copper, plastic tipped in all the various weights. i don't think the base seals well. but anyway, i think i'll try the shockwaves and let you know how they did. good luck with yours as well.

I agree about the power belts.
never could get them to fly well... Ever.
I jumped on board with them when they 1st came out and everybody was raving about them.
They suck IMHO but then again not every bullet will work out of every gun...
I hope the shockwaves work for you..
They are priced decently and work awesome for me...
Thanks for the kind words on the ML...