retrieverman

I hope you have better luck out of your Encore ML than I did. That was going to be my new gun last year, but I tried several loads and could not find one that would work for me. Once again, I went back to my Knight (that was actually given to me by a friend and then Knight rep Steve Borsa).Wanting to shoot my Knight this year is somewhatsentimental since Steve was killed in an auto accident last month. Don't get me wrong, I love Encores, butmy MLshot like crap. I am just glad I had my Knight to fall back on. What is the weather like where you are? I am hoping the hurricane in the Gulf will bring us some relief.

Pittsburghunter

I do have great results with my Encore. It shoots great. 120g FF T7 and a 250g+ bullet flatpoint or pointed bullet work great. Using a .44 bulllet with sabot.

cayugad

My understanding is the BC of the 250 Barnes Expander is .189 so I ran it at 1950 fps speed and dead on at 100 yards. The numbers are;
100 yards = 0.0 -
125 yards=-1.6 - 1501 fps- 1251 energy
150 yards=-4.2 - 1423 fps- 1125
175 yards=-7.8 - 1351 fps- 1013
200 yards=-12.6 - 1284 fps- 915
225 yards=-18.7 - 1223 fps- 831
250 yards=-26.3 - 1168 fps - 698

So it looks like the SST hangs a little flatter in the ballistics and the speed and energy are about the same. I guess it boils down to which design you like the best. The Expanders really do a number when they hit according to all the posts I have read....

hope this helped..

If you figure it at the same hold over of the Expanderof 133 feet to true 0 then the whole numbers change a little. At 125 yards the Expander is still 0.6 above the bull with 1501 fps and 1251 energy and all the numbers as far as drop are about the same with the SST although the SST retains a little more speed and down range energy then the Expander.

retrieverman

cayugad
Thanks for the info. I can attest to the bullet performance with the Expanders. I have killed 10 deer with my Knight and all using Expanders. Of the 10, only 1 took a step (that 1 only traveled about 25 yards), butI haven't shot anything past 100 yards. I did kill 2 does with one shot last season at about 80 yards, and the bullet passed cleanly through both deer and neither took a step. I am sold on Expanders, but if the SST's are even slightly better, I am willing to try them.

cayugad

250 grain Barnes Expanders and 85 grains of Goex 3f is my standard hunting load in my 22" barrelled Knight Wolverine II. When I can not find them I switch and use the 240 grain T/C Mag Express XTP's. So far (I have not even own the Knight hardly a year) the deer have not cooperated in the bullet testing department. Maybe this year.. Good luck to you and everyone else this hunting season and above all, be safe out there. No deer is worth an injury or worse to you or anyone else.

Hogwild61

Well, I went and did it, heres what I got =Decidedon the TC Omega.50 Cal SS, Thumhole and Bushnell 4200Elite 4-16 x 40 scope. I plan on sighting in this weekend and start with the 250 and 300 Shockwaves. It seems most are using 100-130 grains of powder, dont see much about 150 grains. Seems as though this load is performing well in most cases. Im curiousabout the comparison of what 130 vs150 grains (pellets) will do accuracy wise at the 200-250 yard mark, using 250vs 300 Shockwave results.Some seem to have had better accuracy & tighter groups at 200-250 yds with the 300 Shockwave, but cant remember the powder charge data.

Roskoe

I don't think I'd rule out trying 150 grains (three Pyrodex pellets). I got a little better accurcy with 130 grains of pellets, and less recoil - but your gun might shoot tighter with the heavier load. I think I would stay with the pellets above the 120 grain charge level, though. Same deal with the 250 gr. vs. 300 gr. Shockwaves - I would try them both. 250's shot a little better in all three of my T/C rifles - Knight Disc still likes the 250 Expander MZ the best.

One comment - scope seems a little on high magnification side for a muzzleloader. I would imagine it would be best to leave it 4X while in the field.

Hope you have a great 2005 season. I am counting the days (10) until we head up to the high country for elk season.

cayugad

I kind of agree on the scope. I actually think the best power is the 2-7x40mm. I went with the 3-9 because of the price. On the range at 100 yards I use 6X and the target is perfect. The cross hair hides nothing and it is clear as a bell and easy to center.

There is nothing wrong with my 1.5-4.5x32 scope. On the lowest power it is a great stalking rifle. I just wanted something more powerful because I really like to sit on the range and shoot all day. That is my big enjoyment.

I also like the 250 grain shockwaves although if I were going after elk I would probably go with the 300 or the 250 Barnes Expanders.

Hogwild61

I agree with the scope comments, in most cases this is accurate. But for me I use the extra power to zoom in to verify the legality of the buckdeer. Here we have a three point rule, basically it must have at least 3 points on one side and each point must be at least 1 inch in length. At 200-250 yards I find the extra power to come in handy and use it quite a bit to size the animal up in general. Also, I find it of benefit when sighting in at long range. Works well for me IMHO.

cayugad

Well then I can sure understand your reasoning for the extra power... sounds like an excellent set up you're going to have..

Good luck.