Has anyone seen real performance improvements using coated bullets in their Encore Pistols?
I've got a 15" ss 308Win bbl that I'm handloading for.
For my hunting loads, I'm now debating between using Barnes Triple Shock or XLC Coated.
Suggestions/recommendations???
Thanks, Lance

Of the two choices you mention I'd choose the Triple Shock, not because it isn't coated but because it is the newest Barnes technology and has been a good accurate bullet that opens quickly and has held together so far for me in 7mm and .257 dia. The construction of the TSX is supposed to lower pressures as well which seems to address the higher than normal pressures and copper fouling compared to Lead/copper bullets that the older style Barnes had. I don't have anything against coated bullets but since the TSX is getting so many good reviews it would be my choice in this case.

Thanks for the response.
I too am leaning toward the TSX, but want to see if anybody is really touting coated bullets in these short barrels.
Lance

At the velocity levels you'll be operating at, you get ZERO benefit from shooting a bullet such as the TSX -- and in some instances, a standard projectile is actually superior.

I've hunted with handguns for a long time now and can tell you from experience that the reduced velocity levels of the single shot pistols translates into standard bullets retaining more weight & penetrating better than if fired from a rifle at higher speeds. Thus, such performance negates the need for a premium projectile (unless, of course, you are shooting a .300 Buff Tamer with 120 grain powder capacity).

In the .308 you mention, for example, Sierra's 150 grain GK and Pro-Hunter spitzers along with those from Hornady, Speer and the Nosler Ballistic Tip will give you complete penetration on virtually any broadside deer. And for larger, more tenacious critters such as hogs, you can't go wrong with a 165 grainer.

Bullets such as the X and TSX offer their best terminal performance at rifle-type velocities. For handgun hunters, bullet selection is extremely critical for top performance -- and remember, we owe it to the game we hunt to use a bullet that results in a quick, humane kill.

Someone a while back started hyping the premiums for use in the single shot pistols. It was probably the same person who started the rumor that you have to use faster powders when loading for a shorter barrel. Both schools of thought are pure horse hockey.

As to coated bullets, my question would be why (unless your barrel absolutely refused to shhot anything else decently).

Thanks again for the good responses.
I would be using these loads and this Encore Pistol for both Mtn Goat and Caribou up here in AK.
With neither of these being 'thin skinned' like a deer, would this change your assessment at all? These are tough critters and I'm planning on using 165/168 grains once I'm settled in on the 'best' bullet for this bbl.
Thanks, Lance

Caribou and mountain goat are neither hardy nor thick-skinned. A 165 Ballistic Tip would do just fine and give you all the penetration and tissue destruction necessary to record a quick, clean kill. Ditto for spitzers from Sierra, Hornady or Speer. But the BT would give you a wider low-velocity expansion window for any extended range shot. The BTs will expand down to around 1600-1650 fps.

Thanks again!
I think Mtn Goats are a little tougher than you may be giving them credit. They can be tough as nails and take a lot of punishment. I agree though that caribou are not as hardy.
I certainly see your point, and am now thinking that the TSX- and X- may not be the best choice with the lower velocities of the 15" bbl. Your point about lower-velocity expansion from those bullets you mentioned makes a lot of sense. Lower-velocities that I definately would be seeing from both the short barrel and the potential for longer range shots.
Thanks, Lance

Lance-You are correct in that goats are tenacious -- just not thick-skinned or with heavy bone structure. What puts them down the quickest is massive tissue destruction and disruption of the central nervous system. Those that do run after the shot and sometime get the hunter in a rather tough predicament on those shale slopes are the ones popped with tougher projectiles. This is also grizzly country, and I can certainly see why some folks tend to overgun.

Even the smaller goat species are tenacious. I've taken a few catalina along with numerous feral goats. But bullets like the 150 grain BT at modest velocity are what tends to put them down the quickest.

I have used the BT for years in my single shot pistols - black tail & antelope, mostly - w/ .26 and .28 caliber rounds. While I deem them perfect for this size of game, any strike on bone has devestating results. My last antelope was quartering away and the BT exited through the shoulder blade. It was a 5 INCH EXIT WHOLE!

With bull caribou being quite a bit larger than a deer or antelope, you may desire to take a look at the accubond, interbond type bullets. They're more fragile thant the swift bonded, much more so than the barnes, but not quite so much as the regular BT. Just a thought.

Beartrack-

ANY bullet, even a full metal jacketed projectile, can produce a large exit when bone is hit. In fact, the large exit is not actually the product of the bullet itself but instead due to secondary bone fragments.

Back when pelts were actually worth something around here, a local hunter decided to try some 6mm, 80 grain FMJs on coyotes, thinking he'd get a 6mm hole in and a 6mm hole out -- and a pelt that retained all its value.

Well, one day he called me up, asked me to come take a look at something and then told me the bullets must be defective. One coyote had a large exit on the point of the shoulder; the other had a long rip in the pelt from mid-ribs to the flank. I explained to him a bit about terminal performance and some basic forensics and how a large exit doesn't always give a clear picture of what the bullet is doing.

He actually heeded my advice, went back to his 22-250 and 52 grain Speer HPs and was a much happier camper when it came time to sell his furs.

Keep in mind that Lance needs to anchor that mountain goat on the spot. That's not always an easy thing to do. That's why the BT is the perfect choice; it gives him the best chance of recovering the goat where it stands and not watching it fall off some 1000 foot precipice into a pile of boulders.

As to caribou, the 165 grain BT will give him all the penetration needed to do the job.

There's a bunch of good commentary here - advice that I can use.

As an aside, and for what it's worth, my 15" Encore .308 really shines with coated ("Lubaloy" or something like that?) 150 grain Combined Technology BSTs. I found some in the ads here and snagged them, thinking they'd be better than 150 grain SSTs (which I found to be like big V-maxes on feral goats). They shoot great, though I haven't shot anything alive with them, yet. Hope to in a couple months.

Thanks again for all the responses.
From what I'm hearing maybe I'm already shooting what could be the 'best' for this bbl and cal.
I've been shooting 168gr CT Ballistic Silvertips and my Encore seems to really like them. Before getting the good comments here, I was thinking that a 'sturdier' Barnes X- may be a better choice for Mtn Goats. Now I'm thinking otherwise. I will probably try some Spitzers from Speer and/or Hornady and compare them to what I'm already getting with the Ballistic Silvertips.
Thanks again, Lance

Lance-If those BSTs are shooting well, you should be all set. But of course, experimenting with various loads is all part of the fun. One thing to keep in mind: you may need to perform a thorough scrubbing of the bore to get rid of all remnants of the coating before trying conventional bullets. Otherwise, potential accuracy could be affected.

Good luck!

Bobby

Thanks Bobby!
I will probably experiment with uncoated Ballistic Tips also. It's sounding like the coated bullets aren't going to buy me much in this barrel.
Lance

Lance: While not as explosive as BTs, Nosler Partitions are quite soft up front but will still penetrate well when bone is hit.

The same weight ranges as Bobby recomended are the ones to look at and it is possible to coat your own bullets if you want to. Partitions also generally work well at handgun velocities but can't be relied on to expand much below 2,000 fps, so that's the cut off between partitions and ballistic tips.

Partitions would be better if you might encounter bear at close range. Ballistic tips would be better for the goats, sheep and carabou, as Bobby has so ablly indicated...Rusty.

Lance, what kind of load are you using? I have a 308 for my Encore as well, it has been a tack driver from day one. I have been very pleased with it so far as paper and some steel targets are all it has accounted for. I have mine somewhat under scoped, IMHO, 1.5x4 Burris. I keep toying with the swapping but don't have a spare for now.
Good topic and a bunch of useful info.
Jeff

jsh - So far I've just shot factory loads thru the Encore (Winchester Supreme 168gr Ballistic Silvertips). They've been shooting quite well, but now it's time to do my own handloading again. I'm in the process right now of loading up some Nosler Ballistic Tips 165gr (non-coated). I'm using the recipes from Nosler and Alliant for the Alliant Re-15 and Federal 210 primers.
I have a Simmons ProHunter 2-6x32 on mine and I like it a lot! IMHO I agree that you're under-scoped. I spend most of my time at 6x.
Lance

Rusty - Thanks for the advise on the Partitions. I may load up some of those also and compare them to the Ballistic Tips I'm loading now.
Lance

Bobby - Thanks again for the ton of good advice. It's been very helpful.
Lance

Lance, the partitions could be used when crossing expected bear habitat, and then change to the ballistic tips or Hornady SSTs for the more open longer distance shooting.

The SSTs are similar to the BTs in performance, although probably a little less accurate across the board, but also less also likely to suffer complete core separations due to the innerlock construction. They are usually offered in a greater range of weights than the BTs and have been exceptionally accurate in some guns. They are worth a try and cheaper to buy than the BTs...Rusty.

lots of great answers here''s my 2 cents, i also shoot a 308 in a savage super striker, for my wis. deer load, i shoot 125 grain sierra spitzers works great 2 bucks back to back years runnin, i tried the barnes x 140 boat tail before one season it acted like a full mettle jacket, my 14 inch barrel just could''nt push it fast enough to make it expand enough, solid copper is dam tough,( don''t )get me wrong i''d be the last to say don''t try them, they Barnes makes a 130 grain tripple shock for 30 caliber ,your in big Bear country your life is in your hands shoot a premium bullet no matter what , there''s many to choose from, example partition golds 150 grain 150 partition,all the bonded bullets, your 15 inch barrel mite dote on coated bullets i''d say try them ,the x bullets are here to stay great stuff, they''ll penetrate the deepest,no offence to anyone boat-tails will lose their jackets many times more than not, the acception would be a bonded core bt. regards to all jjmp