Downloaded 7mm-08 or 308 for Encore pistol?

[Richard.Howe]

I've been looking and looking for a good used 7mm BR barrel for my Encore...without much success. I've concluded that this is my pick for a medium-recoil deer round this fall.

If the 7BR search doesn't pan out, there are jillions of used 7mm-08 and 308 barrels out there for sale. Question is, can either/both of these rounds be downloaded accurately? Anybody with experience shooting these out of a 15" barrel Encore?

My experience downloading has not been particularly successful, due I believe in part to the fact that reduced charges have powder orientation dependence...

Thanks,
Rich

 

[critter]

I can't address your particular problem, but I have very successfully downloaded a 30-06 to 30-30 levels. Recoil (in a rifle) was very light and accuracy was absolutely unreal. (I used IMR 4895)

I see no reason why a .308 could not be downloaded to 30-30 level in an Encore quite well. Since I deer hunt with a 30-30 Contender, it would seem to be almost ideal.

Good luck as I think you have a fun project!