[cg]

Alright I got a 15" Encore in .308 for deer hunting, and so far I like the gun a lot, but it is a bit large in the grip for my liking. That and the heavy barrel makes this gun slighly difficult to balance accurately. So I'm going to get the rubber grip for it as it fits and feels much better than the walnut imo, and take another year to get to know the gun before I hunt with it. I'll also use a pair of sticks or a rest for shooting. But I'm wondering if anyone has shot the encore and also the Savage striker to give a comparison in how they both handle and carry. I was originally wanting the striker, but couldn't find one locally. So when this encore showed up I grabbed it. Would I possibly be happier with the striker?............ Uglydog, if you're out there I know you said you liked yours. How is the balance? How does it carry? Have you ever used an encore?............Also to everyone, what is your favorite carry rig for your Encores and strikers? Where did you get it? Thanks.

 

[huntswithdogs]

I've got one of the Encores.Like you,I find the wood grip to be just too much. I held, did not shoot, an Encore with the rubber grip. The gent who owns it has paws that are much bigger than mine and HE didn't like the wood either. He explained that one time wearing gloves or in damp weather I'd be looking for a set also. I'M LOOKING. I've handled the Savages but have not shot one of them. The one that I handled had a right hand grip on it. It would have been interesting for me to shoot it lefty.


HWD

 

[uglydog]

I enjoy my Striker, it seems relatively well balanced, all things considered. I have not owned an Encore but have shot them in a couple of different calibers a bit. The Encore seemed to be a bit nose hevy to me which I guess is to be expected with a 14" barrel and a rear grip. The wood grips were a little large for my hand but not objectionable. I did not like the rubber grips that much but then I don't care for them a whole lot anyways. The rubber grips seemed to scrape against my hand a lot more than the wood but then that might have been due to the caliber, 30/06 for the rubber vs 7mm/08 in wood. I did own a Contender for a bit, it was much the same as the Encore as far as balance but was a lighter a frame and not so much of a handful. It's "drawback" was not being able to handle the larger, high pressure cartridges that the Encore is capable of. This was negated by the advantage of a smaller framed, somewhat lighter gun in my eyes.
Using sticks is a good idea, buy the bipod and not the monopod. The single stick is as tough to balance as off hand at best and often worse. The two leg models are much easier to hold steady and aren't any harder to carry. I have a bipod mounted on my Striker which is nice for the stand and antelope hunting for which I've used it most often. In any event, a rest of some type is a necessity with any of these pistols, more so than with a rifle or standard handgun.

 

[cg]

Thanks guys. sorry about the "hit and run" post, but I had to go away on a damn hunting trip. I promise I won't do it again. :wink:..... HWD, Thanks. It's good to see that I'm not alone when it comes to the grips on this gun. I put in my order for the ruber grips today.......Uglydog, Yes I made the mistake of trying a monopod. What the hell was I thinking? :roll: I'm looking into either a bi-pod or just using my back pack as a rest. But either way I've yet to get out and shoot it some more. I got the opportunity to handle a striker and it is better balanced, but I'd like to shoot one 1st in order to make a decision. I'll probably just end up buying the gun and see how I like it. It's kind of a habit of mine. :wink: Thanks........Anyone have any recommendations for a bi-pod? Things to look out for?

 

[uglydog]

I bought a monopod first so I know what you mean. It still works well if it can be rested against something, I use the monopod with ground blinds and lean it agains the shooting rail. The ladder stands I have have too arge of openings in the floor weave and the foot will fall through. My current bipod is one I picked up from Cabela's as it was the least expensive one I could find. It is pretty decent but is best from a fixed position like a stand as it does take a fair bit of fooling around to get the length right. If I were carrying one in a still hunting or stalking situation I think I would rather use the Safari Stix type rest. They are long enough to use standing but the height is determined by the distance the legs are spread. It seems quicker to use than the telescoping styles in the little I've used them. I also made a set of similar sticks by using a pair of large dowels and a small bungee cord. It isn't as polished looking and is a little thicker than the Safari Stix but works well enough and was cheap. I've got two more days to hunt in WI and then my big game season will be mostly over.

 

[cg]

Thanks dog, that's exactly what I was looking for. I'll keep it in mind during my search. I also thought of using a pair of tent poles myself, but thought I might look a little "retarded" to some of the guys so I bailed on that one. Maybe I'll try it while shooting alone and see how it works out? :lol: Where are you hunting? I was in Adams/Marquette for the opener. Saw an unusual abundance of average/less than average bucks being taken. Lots of small does too. I didn't get a shot but my buddy managed to take a 5 pointer. It was the very first deer I've seen taken with a .223. About a 100 yard shot and it fell 50-60 yards later. No trail to follow, but the bullet appeared to do some pretty good damage considering the small caliber/weight. Small rack but was a nice sized deer. Family and dogs alike are eating good this week! ........... Might go back for the muzzleloader and spring turkey. I love the area, but dislike the whole pumpkin patch thing. Too many people too close for my liking. Muzzleloader should be more relaxed. Well thanks once again. Good luck on your hunt. 8)

 

[cg]

Anyone use the new sling stix?

 

[uglydog]

I've been hunting in the St Croix Falls area with a buddy as his wife is having some medical problems that are keeping him from the normal haunts around Winter. I took deer with a .223 as a favor for some friends as they wanted an opinion on the effectiveness of the Bear Claw bullets in this cartridge. I personally feel the .223 is too small for most usage on deer but for culling fawns and yearlings it is marginally adequate at best if one carefully picks their shots. Fortunately, nothing large came by to tempt me. Now I'm using something bigger, let the "turdy point buck" show himself now!

 

[cg]

Re: re: Comparison of T/C and savage?

I've been hunting in the St Croix Falls area with a buddy as his wife is having some medical problems that are keeping him from the normal haunts around Winter. I took deer with a .223 as a favor for some friends as they wanted an opinion on the effectiveness of the Bear Claw bullets in this cartridge. I personally feel the .223 is too small for most usage on deer but for culling fawns and yearlings it is marginally adequate at best if one carefully picks their shots. Fortunately, nothing large came by to tempt me. Now I'm using something bigger, let the "turdy point buck" show himself now!

I'm with you. When he 1st mentioned he was bringing that gun I gave him the look, and he said, "It's legal, and i want to see how it works." Well now he knows, and he said he won't do it again or even recommend it to anyone else...............You've seen the "turdy pointer"? :shock:

 

[uglydog]

After a few Leine's, all deer will have at least "turdy points" on them.

 

[cg]

Oh man, the taxidermist must love this time of year. I can just picture the line going out the door and all the fellas hollerin' at him. Poor guy. :lol: