I am considering the following barrels from Virgin Valley for my Encore rifle:

.225 Win
6mm/30-30
30-40 Krag Improved.

Anyone have any experience with any of these or any load data to share? Thanks!
I'm also going to have them build a .375 H&H flanged magnum but will supply the reamer and go-gauge myself. I'd be interested to know about this one, too if anyone cares to share.

Good Hunting,

Andy,
In my particular needs, or wants, my choice would be the 225 winchester. In the Encore I could think a few rounds that I would rather have then the 30/40 krag improved, but that is simply my tastes.
The 6mm/30-30 is a good choice for the contender because of the rimmed case, but I would build a 243 and use 307 winchester brass for a rimmed version. This would take advantage of the higher operating capacity of the Encore.
As far as the 375 flanged there is not much to say, except great choice.
Dave

I agree with Dave. The 225 is an exellent round. Rimmed, very good case life and good velocity. Cases are a little tough to find at times, but they are available if you know where to look. www.grafs.com has them on sale for $19/100.

I would go with either 243Win/6mmRem or there Ackley counterparts. You could use 307 cases for the 243 like Dave suggested or 444 cases for the 6mm although the 243 would be much easier to form.

The 6mmx30-30 would work fine, except dies would run at least $100 and you could get better case life and run at higher pressures with another round. Other than that, the 6x30-30 would work fine.

Guys,

Thanks for the info and replies. I have a set of 225 dies and 300 pcs of new brass on hand. Also have 500 rounds of 307 Win brass on order. Grafs is a great place to do business! I may have to pick up a couple hundred more of the 225's at $19/100. Midway has them on sale for $22/50! Oh well, I like Midway too.

These days I've been looking to use nonpremium bullets at nonmagnum velocities and just let those bullets do the job for which they were intended. I really believe that is what gave the .257 Roberts and the 7x57 such good reputations. Besides, I rarely take a shot beyond 150 yards. Seems like bowhunting has taught me to get closer than 400 yards! Maybe I'm just getting old.

Good Hunting,