It is my impression that Encores in big game chamberings are less accurate than the other options. I am also under the impression that they will not accomodate cartridges that are more suitable for long range big game targets. Targets exceeding 300 yards. Are these assumptions correct?

I do not believe that I agree with your statement, unless clarification is made on what you consider "other options." While I do not hold myself out as an expert on accuracy, I am acquainted with very good shooters who have gotten extremely good "hunting" accuracy from Encores --- adequate for shots exceeding 300 yds. For example -- I have a close friend (that is a good shot) who has told me that his 30-06 Encore is one of the most accurate of all of his guns (and he has many).

However, I would expect that the bolt action handguns would generally be more accurate than a break-open style.

they are accurate. plenty enough for what most hunters shoot distance wise. the trouble is the platform has pressure on the barrels from the forearm that you will not get from a full floated bolt gun. no matter what you do the barrel is going to touch at least one point of the forearm. a fried of mine did mount a home built forearm on a contender that attached to the hinge pin and the rear screw hole in the barrel. this will be the least amount of stress on it. I own two frames and a few barrels. they all shoot very well at the ranges I use them for 0-300 or so. the 7mm-08 factory barrel I have shoots best and will do .5 MOA IF I am on for the day. but 1 MOA is achieved regularly. now what is long range big game targets in your eyes? a 284 or 6.5x284 will work with the encore and are great big game rounds to a certain distance.

my striker shoots even better granted its a custom set up. im sure others will chime in. farthest shot I have taken with my 7mm-08 encore was 296 on a whitetail with one shot pass through kill. that was off a bipod prone. I found this year I took the encore into the woods and used my striker when on the edges shooting over open fields.

Other options meaning any weapon that is not an Encore. This would include the bolt action options. To go further what Encore suitable cartridges would dispatch an elk size critter at say 500 yards? The effectiveness would obviously be dependent upon terminal velocity needed to properly take advantage of bullet consruction.

recoil,
Accuracy is a term that is thrown around a lot.
The heart of accuracy in a gun is the barrel.
Some barrels are better quality than others, there fore they will shoot better, IF the person using it has the ability to take advantage of its quality.
Is the Encore properly set-up capable of taking game beyond 300 yards? YES!
Is it easier to shoot accurately at longer distances with a properly set-up bolt pistol or MOA? YES!

Can the Encore rival bolt rig accuracy? Yes, at times.
I am not a fan of magnum diameter head size cases being used in the Encore.
the 30-06 is very capable beyond 300 yards on game if the Barrel and shooter is capable.
I think my favorite LR cartridge for the in Encore in 7mm would be the 280AI.
In 6.5 the 6.5-284 or the 6.5-06AI.
I would likely pick MGM to build a barrel for myself if I had a Encore frame.

Recoil,
I was responding to your first post and had several interruptions.
For elk out to 500 I would go with the 280AI or the 30-06AI.
For elk, I would use the 168 Berger in the 7mm, and I would use the 180 gr. Game King in the 30 Caliber or the 168 or 175 grain Berger hunting bullet.

Thanks for your input Ernie I was hoping for your input when I posted this question. I just happen to have a few Encore frames and a .280 AI die. What length barrel would you recommend? I assume a brake would be needed if a rifle scope was to be used. Can MGM supply the needed brake?

Recoil

One of the problems with a TC is the non-free floating forearm.
A forearm that has aluminum pillars that has bolt holes tapped directly into the barrel or the hangar bar system will usually give you the best reliability.
The TC's can be pressure sensitive in terms of forend pressure. If you are aware of that and shoot accordingly you can have a good experience.
If, you are really thinking about shooting at that distance you must be actually practicing from field positions in a variety of atmospheric conditions to determine what you and your gun are really capable of.
I would recommend a muzzle brake (Holland's radial is my favorite). This will let you get the practice in you need without beating you up.
If you want help with LR shooting with handguns there are some long-range shooting schools that would help there as well.
Just contact me if you are interested in one of the schools.
307-257-7431

MGM can put on the Holland Radial brake.
Length is really your call.
I would go no shorter than 15" and no longer than 18"
This is barrel length (Actual barrel length)that does not include muzzle brake.
I would also have them put on a picatinny rail, so you can have the option of moving your rings as far back as possible since you are considering a rifle scope.
Now, what kind of scope, reticle, etc.. are you considering?

I am going to say that the only thing you are going to loose is velocity...

The only barrel that isn’t floated or uses a hanger bar is the 22-250. If I still had the 22-250 it would. LOL

22-250, 100 yards, 1/2in group...


270 Win, 100 yards...


7mm08, 100 yards...




How about a 375 H&H AI 100 yards, 3 shot sub 3/8ths in group...

Thanks again for your input Ernie! I have not gotten as far as the scope or reticle question as of yet. I am just exploring the possibilities of using some of what I already have. If I decide to pursue this further I will surely keep bugging you if you don't mind.

Recoil

No problem.
Give me a call if needed.

My prohunter 308 encore has done 1 1/2" groups at 200 yards and that was with Hornadys SSt 150 gr Factory loading.

What scope(s) do you have that you are considering?
E

PM sent Ernie

300 yards.
7 08 Encore.
Worked for me.

MN

Nice deer. Those Northern whitetails are real bruisers!

I have not got one yet.
E

Hi Ernie,
Could I please have a phone number where I might reach you. Perhaps you could try sending me an email if you would rather not post contact info here. I would much rather talk to you about the particulars of what I want and what you might suggest. I sent you an email requesting said info but I must have messed it up somehow.

Thanks,
Recoil

307-257-7431

Thanks Ernie. I'm going to check out the MGM site and then ask questions.

I have an MGM Encore in 308 Win--I bought 6 boxes of the Wal-mart Remington 150 Core-Lock I figured I could shoot them-zero the scope and use the brass to work up a handload..

The Remington factory load will shoot .75" groups(5 shots)all day--so I have tried 4 different bullets and several powders but have not been able to beat the factory load---Came close with a SST Hornady over varget.

I was able to get 100rnds of Lapula brass from a member here on a trade and I am going to try the 155 Bergers over varget and see how they work.

Can't go wrong with MGM great product at a good price

You will love the 308

I am hoping for better than .75" at 100 yds. I figure that a long range weapon (500 yds plus) should do at least 1/2 of a minute. Any thoughts on that?

For shooting 1000 yards, I want at least 1/4 MOA from the bench.
With that being said, it is what group you can consistently hold shooting from field positions is where the rubber meets the road.
Once load development and the gun being zeroed is finished, you need to stay off of the bench and do all of your shooting from field positions.
I recommend shooting steel that is painted white (easy to see hits) and it is rewarding to hear it hit.
You want to really pay attention to where your first shot goes at distance. Don't use wind flags, when practicing, as they won't be there when you are hunting unless you are hunting in an area where you can set up streamers ahead of time.
It is one thing to shoot nice groups, once you get the conditions dialed in, but it is another thing for your first shot to be within the kill zone diameter on steel of the animal you are hunting.
This where shooting the Encore can be a disadvantage compared to a MOA or bolt rig, because of the forend arrangement.
The field practice will tell you where you are at as far as your realistic max distance.
Also, I would encourage you to practice 200-300 yards further than your max. After awhile 500 yards will get easier and easier.

Intentionally practice in terrible wind conditions. This again will teach where you are at.

Go ahead and give me a call now-I am up and at home.
I can answer a number of questions and give info, that you may want to give to MGM.

This target was shot from 400yds with my MGM .308 and MGM .356--The first two groups tell the story --many of the other holes back and low where from Mark trying to shoot the red thing at the bottom off. For me (I am no Ernie) the 3 shots in 2" with the one flier and the other 4 shots on the 356 will work for anything I see down here in LA There are also several strikes with a RBH 44 Mag took 4 shots to walk it in and I hit it several times (I had about a 30% hit rate at that distance with the 44--I thought that was pretty good--Anyone ever shoot a 44 at 400 yds--almost ran out of scope FOV)

http://www.handgunhunt.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=3078

Now that is a holy ram (Pun intended)
Great shooting there for sure.
I can't always do a 1/2 MOA 3-shot group at 400 yards.

Elmer Keith did, but that does not count, because he did not have a scope!