I use an Encore for everthing, when I was trying to decide what caliber I was going to use I studied long and hard which caliber to use. I asked myself some questions:

What is the barrels objective?

Can I use it for other game?

What are the advantages/disadvantages?

Do I plan on saving the pelts?

What distance do I want to have the ability to shoot and in what conditions?

I ended up going with the 308 for many reasons, If I go with a 308 it can be used for the majority if not all North American game. It was primarly going to be used for coyotes and deer and I don't plan on saving the pelts. There are more cartridges and bullets types and weights readily available for the 308 than any other cartridge, including lighter weight 110gr. and 130gr. barnes available. The negative to some maybe the recoil. It's really a simple/novel fix PRACTICE,PRACTICE,PRACTICE. But when It came down to the final question it was a no brainer. With the added weight this give flight stability and long range, hince why they still use the 308 for the 1000yard shoots. This past summer I was shooting crows at 200 and 300+yards. I use a 5.5-16.5 Nikon Monarch with the BDC reticle which is truely amazing with this caliber and at this yardage. Just my 10 cents worth.