Encor conversion and 200 XTP success report!
Nov 21, 2010 18:29:28 GMT -5
Post by 10ga on Nov 21, 2010 18:29:28 GMT -5
Well the Encore conversion is all I hoped it would be. Light, short-n-handy, low recoil, carries well and shoots bugholes for me. My intended purpose was a smokeless ML for sneak-n-creep, huntin in the rain, calling stands and spot in the bed type stuff. Well the SMI job on the TC 45-70 Encore barrel was good work. PPosey suggested a light but accurate load, 31 gr. 4759 under blue sabot with a Hornady .40 cal 200 gr. XTP. Due to 60+ year old eyes it has a 3-9X40 bushnell on top. Only needed power and accuracy out to 100+- yds and that is it.
1st doe was a kill in open field. She was about 250 yd. out when I crawled to the field edge. She responded to my "doe bleats" immediatly and walked straight in to less than 40 yds. Shot entered just for ward of right shoulder, into chest through about 3rd rib, through right lung, then liver, then gut, then through groin and bullet lodged on top of left knee just under skin. St shot deer ran about 50 yards. Bullet recovered and fully curled mushroom and weight 167 gr. Lot of penetration for a light load and good bullet performance.
2nd doe was taken from treestand with deer 9 yds from tree and stand 25' high. Guess thats about a 35' shot. Bullet entered between shoulders cutting right side of spine, through heart exiting just to left of breastbone. DRT
3rd was another 40' shot full broadside through both lungs. Deer ran about 20 yards. This shot did not enter the abdomen or pass through the diaphram but ruptured the paunch and liver from hydrostatic shock.
I don't know what the velocity of that load is but I wouldn't want to push that bullet any faster. Chuck is right about that bullet making large entry holes. The entry holes were all about 5/8 in. and the exits were about 3/4 in.
Well got plenty of meat for the freezer and plenty of season left. Here in VA you get 3 "either sex" tags, otherwise known as "buck tags" and 3 antlerless only tags on your big game license and you can buy unlimited bonus antlerless tags. Archery season opens 1st sat. of October, then ML season opens Sat before 1st monday of November, then firearm season opens 2 weeks later and all close 1st sat of Jan. That is about 13 weeks of season. Hope all have good hunting and a safe season! Bob
1st doe was a kill in open field. She was about 250 yd. out when I crawled to the field edge. She responded to my "doe bleats" immediatly and walked straight in to less than 40 yds. Shot entered just for ward of right shoulder, into chest through about 3rd rib, through right lung, then liver, then gut, then through groin and bullet lodged on top of left knee just under skin. St shot deer ran about 50 yards. Bullet recovered and fully curled mushroom and weight 167 gr. Lot of penetration for a light load and good bullet performance.
2nd doe was taken from treestand with deer 9 yds from tree and stand 25' high. Guess thats about a 35' shot. Bullet entered between shoulders cutting right side of spine, through heart exiting just to left of breastbone. DRT
3rd was another 40' shot full broadside through both lungs. Deer ran about 20 yards. This shot did not enter the abdomen or pass through the diaphram but ruptured the paunch and liver from hydrostatic shock.
I don't know what the velocity of that load is but I wouldn't want to push that bullet any faster. Chuck is right about that bullet making large entry holes. The entry holes were all about 5/8 in. and the exits were about 3/4 in.
Well got plenty of meat for the freezer and plenty of season left. Here in VA you get 3 "either sex" tags, otherwise known as "buck tags" and 3 antlerless only tags on your big game license and you can buy unlimited bonus antlerless tags. Archery season opens 1st sat. of October, then ML season opens Sat before 1st monday of November, then firearm season opens 2 weeks later and all close 1st sat of Jan. That is about 13 weeks of season. Hope all have good hunting and a safe season! Bob
