My cousin and I just got back from a hunting trip where his .30 cal rifle had failed him and he ended up using my .257 WTBY Mag and fell in love with the quarter bore. The biggest game he hunts normally is the whitetail deer, so .25 cal should be adequate. He doesn't have much money, so I suggested getting a .25-'06 barrel (26" model) for his TC Encore. I don't have any experience with the Encore and centerfire rifle calibers, particularly this round, and was wondering if anyone could share their experiences with the centerfire Encore rifle. Thanks.

I shoot a .257AI rifle barrel and .308 pistol barrel on my Encore and really like them. The rifle barrel performs very well, and is a handy package for hunting. If your pal's comfortable with the "different" configuration of the Encore vs. a bolt gun, I think he'd be well served with a rifle barrel. The .25-06 has a reputation as a fine cartridge, though I can't comment on it specifically as I've never owned one.

Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions.

I have one with 243, 50 cal MZ, and 264 win mag barrels. Shoots great with all barrels. Tell him to get the 26" heavy in the 25-06.

I've been shooting a 25-06 for 20 years or so as a rebarreled high number Springfield. Like it's brothers, the 6.5-06, 270 and 280, it kills deer like lightning!!

I have a 24" tapered Encore barrel in 25-06 and it consistantly shoots under 1" with 100 gr Hornady at about 3200 fps. With a 120 gr Nosler Part at about 2950 fps I wouldn't be afraid to use it on big deer, caribou or an elk with the right shot. I also have a Bulberry 6.5-06AI and it shoots just as well and gives a little more flexibility up to moose if needed. Of course the 270 and 280 are hard to beat too.