I bought a new Encore about 5-6 years ago. It is laminate stock with thumb hole and SS barrel in .50 cal. I have always liked the way the gun shot. With my current set up it is not as accurate as I think it should be but I am not blaming the gun. I shoot Barnes Spit Fire TMZ that are .451 and 250 grains. I use 100 grains of the powder pellets. I have always heard there are more accurate options out there but always liked the convenience. I have killed a lot of deer with this gun but this year I shot two different deer that I never did find. After that horrible experience I think I need to change my setup before next year. Usually when I site it in I have it shooting a couple inches high at 100 yards. I noticed this year when I sighted it in it was only keeping about a 2 1/2 to 3 inch group at 100 yards. A friend of mine has the same set up and he sites his in the same way. A little high at 100 yards. He said this year he went back to 200 yards just to do it and was surprised to see the bullet was almost 14 inches low. I don't know if it was 12 inches low (14 inches total given his 2 inch high at 100 yards) or if it was 14 inches low (16 inch drop compared to 100 yards). I shoot the 209 primers. I also have a traditions brand scope. It was not the cheapest scope but it was no Leupold either, it is a 3-9x40. When sighting in I always swab my barrel with several of the pre moistened patches then a couple dry patches between each shot. Since I have had the gun I have had 3 occasions to shoot at a second deer shortly after shooting another deer. All three times I have had clean misses. I am assuming that the gun is shooting a lot different from a dirty barrel.
What changes would you guys make to tighten my groupings up and also not have as much drop if I take a shot out a little further? What kind of range should I expect from this gun and still be accurate. I have shot a deer at about 150 yards with it but nothing further then that. I always figured it would be good up to 200 yards but after hearing the report from my friend I have my doubts.
After this season I was almost ready to go back to my shotgun (870 with rifled barrel. I just love the Encore though and would rather get it shooting better then go back to a shotgun.