Rammer

Well, yesterday it wasn't too bad out so I did some shootin with my new Pro Hunter 7mm-08 barrel.

I worked up a few handloads for it, and here is how she did.



Load was: 140gr Nosler BT, over a max charge of IMR 4350, with Rem cases and WLR primers.

Shot #1 - this was first shot with handloads - previous zero was with 140gr Federal Fusions.

Shot #2 - Cranked 'er up a bit too far.

Shot #3 - Right about where I wanted it. Did some tweakin on scope

Shot #4 - Musta moved when I shot. Didn't go to where it was supposed to.

Shot 5-7 - Shot a group finally. As you can see, gun shoots very well .243" group.

One thing I noticed. My Nikon Buckmaster 4.5-14x40 has a tendency not to move to desired location. Clicks are not 1/4", I'd say more like 1/2", not sure if this scope is going to stay on this rifle long. I think its time to upgrade to a Leupold once the funds allow.

Now once it quits snowing I have a few other loads worked up that I am going to try.

139gr Hornady SST
120gr Barnes TSX
140gr AccuBond
160gr AccuBond

SwampCollie

I wish mine would have done that right out of the box. I picked up a standard wood and blue Encore in 7mm-08 last summer. Wouldn't get under 2" with any factory load and held at about 1.5" with my handloads.

Got an oversized hinge pin and a heavy duty spring and that fixed its wagon. Shoots about .5" now with my TSXBs off the bench! Way better than I can do on my own!

Nice group! Thats a real wallhanger! Its a sweet rifle too isn't it?

Pawildman

Nice. And the good part is that it's probably only gonna get sweeter as the barrel smooths up. Mine likes a good stiff charge of 4350 also in cooler weather with the 140 Accubonds. Keep tinkerin'.............

Rammer

Yeah, I can't wait to get some more time in with this gun. One thing I might do is send the frame off and have the action job done on it to get a nice, sweet trigger. Right now I'm guessing the trigger is breaking around 5-6lbs but its a very crisp trigger.

I'll be sure to keep updating this as I play with more loads. After a few of the horror stories I heard about Encore's, I was kinda wondering if buying a barrel was such a bright idea.

M77man

I'm confused, is it a .243 or 7mm-08?

wyotimberghost

.243" is the size of the group. 7mm-08 is the caliber.

M77man

Oh, ha ha! You threw me off there. Nice shootin'

PaJack

Nice! Is that with or without a trigger job...[:-]

Rammer

Thats before the trigger job, can't wait to get the trigger job .

I think I see a 204 Ruger barrel in my future for the Encore........[8D]

James B

Nice group. Where are you going to get the trigger done? I am looking at a 270 Pro-Hunter. I am going to check out where you got your barrel. Do you know how there stock is on Pro-Hunter barrels? Most outfits don't have many in stock. I guess I would be happy with a stock 24 inch barrel if need be. Keep up the reports. Are you going to be able to chrongraph any loads?