Encore / Prohunter

[RKellogg]

I am getting closer to get my Encore . I am looking at a 50 cal ML . But I might get one in 308 first . I have a couple question though . What is the differents between all the different " Encores " . I see encore , prohunter and another one that cost about $200 more , I can't rememmber the name of that one . They look the same to me .

My other question goes for all guns . Do I need stainless steel . I clean my guns all the time so rusting isn't an issue . And I have heard that the blued guns shoot tighter groups . What do you guys think about that .

 

[HOLY DIVER]

do u need stainless steel? not if you take care of your rifle,as far as carbon steel shooting tighter groups i'm not sure about that i've seen both shoot very very tight groups(not in encores though) witch leads me to my last point if your concerned about accuracy than an encore is prob not the rifle for you i had one in 30-06 and the best it would shoot was 2moa and for an $800 rifle thats not good at all but good enough to kill a deer at 100yards i know at 500 possible if your lucky

 

[mt_dren]

I would agree that accuracy is not the best with encores (i'm sure others may disagree). I have a prohunter in .30-06 and getting 2-3 inch groups was like pulling teeth. I tried almost everything to get it to shoot as I really wanted it to be a good shooter (trigger job, many different handloads, etc).

It is now looking for a new home. Got a tikka now. Within the first 20 rounds with factory ammo the groups were under 1 moa.

mt_dren

 

[RKellogg]

Wow , I thought Encore would be better than that . You guys are makeing me rethink the encore thing now . I have been looking at the Icon . More money but maybe it is worth it . What do you guys shoot for black powder guns . Thats the reason I was looking at the encore . I thought I could get the encore and when I had an extra $400 I could have a good shooting rifle in what ever cal. I wanted . I don't know if that is a good idea now .

 

[scythefwd]

Look at Mike Bellm's<sp> website. He does a lot for accurizing encores and contenders. I haven't heard any complaints about the aftermarket Bergara barrels for the encore, but I haven't heard much at all.

http://bellmtcs.com/store/

If you are looking for a cheaper option, there is the CVA Optima Elite. You loose the custom options of the encore, but you keep the barrel swapout ability for a couple hundred less. I plan on taking mine out next month to see what she can do if you are willing to wait for a range report.

 

[RKellogg]

scythefwd , Thanks , I can wait . Please let me know how it shoots . Can you use 150 gr of powder in the Optima Elite .

 

[scythefwd]

Yes, the manual states you can use 150gr in pellets... something like 120 in loose powder if I recall right, but I have never done it. I only hunt areas where I can see MAX distances of 100y or so. The furthest away I have seen a deer was about 50y, and there wasn't a clean shot on him. I could see outline.... and brush. No need for that type charge in my case.

The optima elites are coming with the Bergara barrels as well, if you didn't look at it. One member here was knocking out .8 inch groups with handloads that weren't tailored to the gun out of one of the bergara barrels in .30'06. That was on his Encore... he sold it all as he didn't like how the rest of the barrels shot.

To see the chambering selections for the CVA, go to www.bergarabarrels.com
The Apex from CVA has even more options and is supposedly a very accurate gun.

 

[HOLY DIVER]

RKelogg i bought the encore i had for the same reason black powder/swap a barrel out and its a 30-06 . but after i shot the 30-06 barrel i was so upset i just sold the whole thing black powder barrel and all at a gunshow lol took the money and bought a Remington 700 bdl in 7mm-08 and i'm extremely happy with it

 

[scythefwd]

All CVA break-action muzzleloaders are capable of handling a “magnum” powder charge of 150
grains when using pelletized powder (typically charges of loose powder exceeding 110 grains will
not fully burn in the barrel). Such “magnum” loads should never be fired in sidelock guns or in
any other CVA in-lines that do not feature the one-piece Monoblock barrel design.

I was wrong about the loose powder load. This is directly out of the manual.

http://www.cva.com/pdfs/OptimaEliteWarrantyBook.pdf

 

[jbkebert]

I have a heck of a nice Encore Pro-hunter for sale in .270 or .223 barrels. With some extra's for $650. I own two pro-hunters and I am nothing but happy with how they shoot. The one I am selling if for a buddy who spent to much money on other guns and his wife wants him to sell. Anyway if interested pm me. The rifle is in my safe so I could easily answer any questions.

Yes I know a shameless self promoting plug

 

[RKellogg]

000buckshot , What do you shoot for a ML now .

 

[HOLY DIVER]

plain old cva i got for 100bucks i can't even remember what model it is/its an inline model i know that much lol it shoots great/bought it used at a gunshow (guy was sitting on his tailgate smoking a cigarette bought it of him right there) i have never tried to shoot it much past 100yards because around here its hard to find a shot that far

 

[lopezni]

Get a walnut stock encore, they can look very nice with some boiled linseed oil and some rotten stone. Then check out E Arthur Brown and get your custom barrel and Encore accessories. Their custom barrels cost only $25 more than what MidwayUsa wants for a standard 26" encore barrel.