Can a 270WSM be safe in the Encore..?
Can you shoot factory ammo or would you be better of with a 270Win or 308Win or a 7mm-08

A 270 WSM CAN be safe in an Encore as long as you don't load it to the levels you would in a falling block or bolt gun, which to me defeats the purpose of having the cartridge in the first place. I have not used any factory WSM loads so I just don't know to what level they are loaded. A 280 AI or 7mm Mag would be my preference for getting the most you can get safely in a break open action. Of the three cartridges you mentioned, I would choose the 270 Win. over the 308 based cases. There a are some smiths who will not chamber the WSM rounds in an Encore and others who will.
Ernie

I was at the range where I am a member back in the summer and was talking with a member that had an Encore with a custom barrel in 6.5x284. He told me that he had ordered the first barrel in 300 WSM. After working up several loads, he could not get any accuracy out of it regardless of the load he used and he said that brass life was terrible. He called the manufacturer and sent the barrel back for a replacement. The second barrel arrived but still would not shoot the way he felt it should. After another call and lengthy discussion about it, the manufacturer felt that the problem most likely was that a short high intensity round did not have enough case surface in the barrel to grip the chamber walls and was producing excess back thrust on the receiver. The barrel was sent back and exchanged for a 6.5x284 which he is extremely happy with. Like I said earlier, this was told to me by the rifle owner (and I haven't talked with any barrel manufacturers) so you can put what ever faith in it that you feel it is worth. I did see the 6.5x284 shoot however and it shot very well.

Dennis

[ 10-11-2003, 17:57: Message edited by: DennisF ]

tc/nut
WSM's are a no no. I have a good Bullberry SS 16 inch 6.5x284 that I would be willing to sell.
email me if interested. rbartman@dslextreme.com
Rich

Before all of the WSM/Encore controversy began, I ordered a 270WSM from VVCG. So far, I have had no problems at all. Of course, I am more interested in accuracy than maximum velocity. So far, I've had wonderful success with 140gr partitions and 130gr Scirocco's using Reloader 19. Both shoot under 1/2". I am not shooting max loads, but I'm not far from it. Initially, new brass will stretch quite a bit depending on your chamber dimensions and barrel-to-frame gap. At this point, resize the brass just enough so that the shoulder is not set back too far and you get minimal stretch from there on. I'm sure that these cartridges are somewhat borderline, but with a little care and common sense they work.

I don't know whether you had seen this or not. This is from EA Brown's site http://www.eabco.com/WSM01.htm
Keep in mind this is ONE barrel makers opinion and not mine. Sean