mrvmax
12-27-2013, 12:16 AM
Got the Pro Hunter in today, the frame is the SS Weathershield version and I have the 20" 500 S&W barrel. After reading some things about the Encore series on here I was leery about what I had bought. After heading to the range today I can say that I am pleased so far.
The barrel has the Williams peep sight on the rear and a fiber optic on the front and out of the box everything seems to work well. I fired six different loads through it (all loads I had developed for my 4" S&W and all six with factory bullets - I am not casting yet) with no problems. I fired 40 rounds and after wasting 2/3 playing around/sighting in I did get a 50 yard group of about 3" (about all I will use this for is hunting pigs so that accuracy will do the trick for me). Since I am using the peep sights, I have not shot enough to find an ideal load and my eyes are bad that is a decent group for the first outing. I will work on some loads made specifically for this rifle. FYI, I fired 10 500 S&W Special loads and they went without a hitch, there is not a whole lot of info out there on the special loads and I am trying to get one I like (the main reason is that I hate to let the brass I have from the Corbon 500 S&W special loads go to waste). When I get my Belm TC's order in and I check headspace and do a couple of other things I will sit down and see if I can get better groups. I only have 50 pieces of brass so I am prepping the brass now so I can load some more and head back out. I will update if I run across anything worthwhile.
The barrel has the Williams peep sight on the rear and a fiber optic on the front and out of the box everything seems to work well. I fired six different loads through it (all loads I had developed for my 4" S&W and all six with factory bullets - I am not casting yet) with no problems. I fired 40 rounds and after wasting 2/3 playing around/sighting in I did get a 50 yard group of about 3" (about all I will use this for is hunting pigs so that accuracy will do the trick for me). Since I am using the peep sights, I have not shot enough to find an ideal load and my eyes are bad that is a decent group for the first outing. I will work on some loads made specifically for this rifle. FYI, I fired 10 500 S&W Special loads and they went without a hitch, there is not a whole lot of info out there on the special loads and I am trying to get one I like (the main reason is that I hate to let the brass I have from the Corbon 500 S&W special loads go to waste). When I get my Belm TC's order in and I check headspace and do a couple of other things I will sit down and see if I can get better groups. I only have 50 pieces of brass so I am prepping the brass now so I can load some more and head back out. I will update if I run across anything worthwhile.