Anyone have suggestions or expirence with powders, bullet styles and weights for the .30-06 in a T/C Encore. I have a 15" tapered pistol barrel and the hardware to mount a weaver fixed 2X scope. This rig will be used to hunt whitetail deer in mostly woodland type areas as well as some open ground.

Just took a quick inventory of .30 cal. bullets that I have on hand: Seirra 150 gr. prohunters, Seirra 125 gr. Flatnose HPs (.30-30 bullet) and Hornady 165 gr. SST's.

I loaded some 150 gr hornadays with 55gr of H4831 that was comfortable to shoot from my 15" 06 encore with a Pine Ridge 4 Reticle Red Dot Scope that has a http://www.probed2000.com muzzle brake installed .A friend who is a former usmc sniper started firing it and when he shot up the 150's I switched ammo to my normal hunting load of 165 Nos BT's with 59gr of IMR 4831 he noticed the difference immediately but he was still able make a plastic cup dance.Try some 130gr bullets.

Muzzle brake ? I Was hoping that I am recoil-insenstive enough to get away with out a muzzle brake. I'll let you know what happens as soon as I run a few rounds through it to fire-form some new brass. (starting loads) Still waiting on some fancy realtree camo grips and forearms to become availble from Mid-Way USA to finally get this thing put all together. Hope the Weaver fixed 2X scope I ordered holds up on this.

Try working up a load using Allaint's Varget powder
behind Hornad's 150 grain SST's. My 15" Encore will
consistently hit the 8" steel gong at 200 meter with iron sights off the bench with sandbags.