Which caliber would you choose in a 16 inch Encore barrel for
targets to 500 yd. & whitetail deer? 7-08 or 308

Not a big difference in my opinion. Either will work fine. However, I am a little inclined to lean toward the 7mm. I like that caliber & good bullets with decent BCs are available for your longer range targets. I think that the higher BC bullets in the 30 caliber get a little heavy for handguns.

Ellis,

I love mine in 7-08, but either would work perfectly for your needs...

Are you reloading or planning on shooting factory loads?

For me--7mm-08 every time!

reloading

7-08 with some 160 grain Accu-Bonds would be my choice.

I'd pick the 7mm over the .30. (I'm partial to the 6.5 - 7mm for their better BC's in the lighter - handgun - weights.)

I also agree with the 7mm consciences. 500 yards is a LONG range for a handgun though, IMHO. I know it can be done and there are folks on this site that extend that range but it just seem like there are a lot of factors (including ethics unless you are an expert marksman) that come into play at that range.

Expert marksman or not.... S...T still happens.

And the further you extend your shooting ranges, the better chances of S...T happening, and the game animal is the one that suffers ultimately.

Any argument so far?

Stalking a wary animal and closing the distance to make a more sure kill can be an ultimate challenge.

Any argument here?

On the other hand, shooting at them so far away that they don't realize they are being shot at, well, that is not what I consider a fair hunt for the quarry.

But, as has been said before here on this site, to each his own. Do what you feel is ethical for you and within your skill level.


Not trying to start a fight, just giving MHO.

I'm just glad to see another guy from Texas County!!!
Ellis Prairie---I'm from Summersville---Welcome to the madness!
Mark Hampton

I guess I wasn't clear in my original post,but targets only at 500 yds.Where I hunt most deer are killed at 100 yds or less sometimes a lot less.(13 yds with 375 JDJ) In 30 some years of hunting deer I've only killed two over 100 yds
The longest range I've shot is 426 yds with my best groups being 3.5 inchs using a 14 inch Contender chambered in 7mm Bower. You are right a lot of factors do come into play at long range.

Hey Buddy your preaching to the choir here. I've passed on a lot of shots while hunting with rifle, bow & handgun that were well within my skill level just because things weren't quite right.
So no argument here because like you said S**T HAPPENS I've even had S**T HAPPEN while shooting targets. I think you were just giving YHO but you did come across a little condescending

Well I vote for the 308 in the Encore --If you were shooting an XP I might vote for the 7-08--Bit more barrel-- I just think you have some very good choices with the 308-- 125 BT HV load-- 150 BT Hunting load--and maybe a 155,168 or 175 Berger VLD for long range. More load data than the law will allow. Bullet choices are endless-- last I like the heavier bullets and the 308 has a bit of a leg up there.

Just what does make a hunt fair for the quarry?

HOWDY NEIGHBOR ! We've never met face to face but did talk to you on the phone in 96 about airlines & handguns while planning a Alaskan caribou hunt . The information you gave was most helpful.
Jefferey Shelton

Looking at the paper ballistics, the 7mm probably wins, ie. Ballistic Coefficient.

That said, I am a .30 caliber advocate, especially if there are elk or other larger game in the future.

WELCOME TO THE SIGHT BOTHBARRELS!!!!!

Ya... We have beat that dead horse more than once... Just remember, if someone can hit a prairie rat at 1800, They can ethically hit a game animal at 1000+ yards. I think there is a big difference for someone who is willing to put in the time and effort into their sport.

Something to think about... The average Military sniper shot is 800-1200 yards... with a FMJ.

Oh yes... 7mm O8!!!!

Well, which barrel did you get?
Also, I have seen 7-08's shoot accurately beyond 500 yards;)

Leaning toward the 7-08 thinking about getting a Bergara barrel then cutting it back to 16- 17 inchs.

Just remember... WE LIKE TO SEE PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!

Man you ask alot of a guy . I'm barely smart enough to post on here.

LOL

Get them both!!!!

I tend to lend toward the 6.5mm and 7mm because of bullet selection and easier on the Hand, but with still good enough to make the shot , if you can. What I found out over the years is that with T/C stuff the gun will out shoot the person behind it.
Just MHO also.

I went with the 308 as I am used to the round. I just got a new to me Bbl again and will be checking to see if it shoots as I remember.

My 2 cents

If we were talking Deer Hunting at 50 thru 200 yards ONLY I would say 308, and did you ever consider the 358 Winchester.

I take it you will probably shoot more at targets than game with this barrel. Probably several 50 round boxes at targets to every 1 shot at a Whitetail if I know you at all. Probably throw in a few Ground Hogs and a Coyote or two just for practice. And the fact that you like to shoot long range groups. With shooting groups to 500 yards as a main consideration, throw in a few varmints during the year, and only probably 2 shots a year at Deer, I would go with 7-08 or 260 Remington for a more flat shooting round for long range shooting.

Now if all this target shooting is geared towards making that one perfect shot on a deer come November. I would decide which ONE BULLET and LOAD in either 308 or 7mm I liked best for terminal performance for the velocity you would get out of the Encore, and go with that choice.

It is not really a simple choice. It kinda depends on what the main prioritys are. At 100 yards a deer would probably not notice much difference on a heart/lung shot between a 260, 7-08, or 308 with a good bullet picked for the mission at hand.

If you need me to check with Will to see what brass, bullets and reloading dies he has on the shelf, let me know. I am much closer than you are.

I would consider the 260 Remington if I didn't already have dies & components for the 7-08 & 308. Thanks for the offer BobR.
I haven't been been down to Pine Crest in over a year. Sounds like Wills still there.

Guys, I am five minutes from Will's place at Pine Crest. Let me know if I can help. Mark Hampton

Im a bigger is better kinda guy so as for hunting id not think twice about the 308. I think you would be best off having all the bases covered and get both LOL