but I was curious what my new Encore 45/70 pistol would do.
I used Trapdoor spec reloads with 405 grain bullets. I expected the worst, but really, its a B-I-G pistol, plus the somewhat mild (for a rifle its mild) loads meant i only got stung on the first shot, then i learned to keep the fingers of my support hand away from T/C's little underlever protrusion.
Only problem was the rear sight, i got cute and replaced the rear sight with a peep from a T/C Katadhin muzzleloader, and found out i hate that rear sight, although it looks good. It just doesn't have enough elevation adjustment to get it low enough
Groups are only at 25 yards, as this was a "getting aquainted" day --was aiming at the lower target -- first 5 shots that are 10 inches high look more like a pattern from Paul Bunyan's shotgun as i figured out the right way to hold this weird beast --- then i paused to lower the rear sight as much as i could and the last 2 shots went into one hole, 2.5" high and slightly to the left.
I'll try it again when i get some more low speed ammo loaded up and the stock pistol sight re-installed , but in summary, i was really pleased with how it shot so far as i was worried beforehand about the recoil
Now on to the Winchester -- 1942 vintage .32 Special loaded with off the shelf 170 grain soft points (Win Super X i think) -- i didn't have any brass so figured i'd buy a couple of boxes to shoot and give a jumpstart on the brass supply
I took the pic with the rifle on the rest, but i shot this one offhand, I figured the most likely hunting shots i take with this would be offhand, so i wanted to see how it shot --- i will try it from the bench some other time.
I was pretty happy to see that the former owner seemingly already sighted it in for me
I fired 6 and called it a day--- it will get a lot more range time before i go hunting with it for sure, and i was starting to run out of daylight. I'd like to say the shot that went way into the 8 ring was my first "getting aquainted" shot, but i have no idea --- hence the need for more range time before using it for a sporting purpose. Aside from the flyer, my goal is to shoot this way at 50 yards offhand with open sights if i can manage it.
the rest of the rather short afternoon/early evening was spent knocking golfballs and shotgun hulls around the range with the Henry .22. No photos taken of this action though
Seen one bullet riddled soup can or golf ball and ya seen em all
