i almost convinced myself to get a different caliber/barrel for my encore to hunt elk. but, after today, i'll take fred's (bullberry) advise .."the 6.5-284 is a make sense caliber...deer and elk near 500 yds and coyotes at 600 yds". today i filled my "A" tag with a "one shot, one kill" at 330 yd with a 20mph cross wind. the shot entered behind the shoulder, high in the chest and exited the same on the other side (no meat wasted). the deer ran 15 yds and dropped. my brother ain't laughing now at my purchase of a range finder and a ballistics card attached to my encore

My Encore proved itself yesterday(Sunday,Nov23) I tagged out on 2 fine whitetails with my bow a 18.5 inch 8 pt and a 16.5 inch 8 point so Ive been doe hunting and yesterday I took a 120 yrd shot on a big doe and she piled up 60 yrds later. I must admit I was using my .50cal Encore but my caliber of choice for my next barrel is the 6.5x284 from either BB or VVCG. What bullet did you use and what type of groups have you been getting with your 6.5x284

i am using 140gr nosler partitions. i was using 140gr speer grand slams, but i was not impressed with the bullet performance. my groups with the grand slams were .6-.75" at 100yds (5 shots). last week i bought some partitions and used the same reloading data as the grand slams and shot 2 bullets at 100yds .3" apart, same point of impact as the grand slams.

My encore also proved itself this season. Killed a 5x5 bull on Veteran's day down in the Bridger's. The 24" barrel and factory loaded 140 grain Nosler Partitions dropped the elk in his tracks with one shot from my 7mm-08 at 225 yards. Scope is a Leupold VX-1 2-7x.

Next year I'll be trying out some Barnes Triple-X handloads to see if they shoot as well as the Partitions(sub MOA).

I'm only sorry it took me so long to see the light and finally buy a T/C after thinking about one for so many years!

What twist rate did you get the 6.5-284 barrel? My buddy has a Mountian Rifle with a 9.25 twist and it key holes at 100 with the 140s.