I want to start handgun hunting for Whitetails and probably hogs and black bear too. I am planning on purchasing a T/C Encore in

[Joel Harrison]

I want to start handgun hunting for Whitetails and probably hogs and black bear too. I am planning on purchasing a T/C Encore in .308 Win. but wondering about recoil and alternate caliber choices that might be a better choice. Thanks

[Jim in Mo]

harrison,
Sounds like you already got it figured out. The .308 will do the job with moderate recoil. On deer use softpoints, on hog and bear sp's will do but maybe go to something like Nosler Partitions. If your really concerned about recoil think about the 7mm-08, and heavier bullets for bear.

[bonnier-admin_2]

Jim in Mo is right, 308 will do you a better job than a 7mm- 08 or 454 Casull without that massive recoil. I’ve fired an encore pistol with a 444 Marlin barrel with one of my 265 Hornady lever action loads and it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I would chose 150 grain Nosler partition keeping your velocity up for trajectory for out to 200 yards or bitter, deeper penetration and more hydrostatic shock.

[bonnier-admin_2]

not bitter it's better, auto spell trust but varify!

[Ruff Grouse and Woodcock]

.308 will do the job, but also think about a 30-06.

[Jim in Mo]

I should have added that T/C chambers that gun for .35 rem. I doubt you'll lose much velocity out of a short barrel since its a short fat case and mostly used in rifles with 18 1/2 - 20 inch barrels, and it hits with a thump keeping shots at moderate range.

[Jim in Mo]

Coop,
Tell me what you thought about the accuracy of the Lever evolution load out of your gun. From my 35rem Marlin336 the accuracy didn't match the standard factory loads but velocity was increased as they said. I'm wondering if the micro groove rifling had an affect with the higher velocities?

[bonnier-admin_2]

Lever evolution load I've never tried but what I do know about bullets, it should do a fantastic job!

[bomberpride]

Ive shot an encore and they are very good pistols

[blackdawgz]

I had a T/C Encore in .22-250. That is as far as I would go. It made a flash as big as a basketball and barked like thunder. Go no farther than.243. If you survive this without learning to flinch, you have indeed accomplished something..By the way, if you keep your eyes open until you see the flash, you will likely hit dead center, as these are highly accurate.

[rudyglove27]

The .308 will do the job with moderate recoil!

[rudyglove27]

The .308 will do the job with moderate recoil!