I've had my encore for three years,I use 3 tripple seven pyrodex pellets with a 295 gr powerbelt bullet,totally devestating on deer,I should have used the 245 gr power belt but could not find any at the time,I sometime use 2 pellets for a 100 gr charge and they also work well,my encore loves everything I stuff in her,I stopped using the sabot and bullet combo in favor of the power belt so could reload faster and they do shoot amazing,last years deer came at a lazered 223 yards and basically blew the deer up like a balloon from the shock,when we went to gut him I literally did not have to skin it.It looked like the deer had a football under the skin .just amazing.My encore is topped by a leupold european 1-4.5 scope and prints clover leafs at a 100.You will love yours just get out and use it,try to find the load data and makesure before you shoot the magnum load it is safe to do so ,a friend I hunt with uses only 2 pellets and does very well. cheers george