Encore Rifle pics please

[m0ntels]

I really like the looks of the Ruger #1, but I like the idea of barrel swapping and supposedly better accuracy of the Encore. Just wanted to see what some people have done to their Encores to make them look good. I like the straight look of the #1 as opposed to the extreme pistol grip look of the Encore stocks. Does anyone have an Encore out there that looks as good as a #1?

Randy

 

[gbell]

My Shorty

It may not be that pretty but i love it.

Stainless .308
18" Barrel
Realtree Hardwoods Stock
Nikon Monarch 4-12X40 AO

 

[rbernie]

Crappy pic, but here ya go:

I have three barrels for this frame - a 24" 308 (shown), a 24" 7mm08, and a 26" 25-06. The 24" barrels each wear a VXII 3x9/40 scopes, while the 26" barrel wears a 4-12/40 VXII AO.

I have found that the rifle is very sensitive to buttstock pressure when shooting it. I bought a pepper laminate stock that I don't use because it's the same shape/size as the OEM stock, and I'm not sure that the OEM stock is A Good Thing for me. I just ordered a T/C synthetic thumbhole stock to see how I like that.

The rifle can be scary accurate. For example, I have one load for the 25-06 (Hornady 100gr SP over a buttload of RE22) that gives me .5" five shot groups (100 yards) at least fifty percent of the time, with no group ever getting too large to completely cover with a quarter. My three Encore barrels have all had pretty tight throats, which probably is a big reason for their accuracy but which also means that I've had to be careful in working up loads.

Oh, and don't think that you can change barrels in the blink of an eye. You have to remove the forearm (two screws) and drift out the pivot pin. It's do-able at the range but not something I'd want to do all the time. Switching between two barrels is OK, but switching between three starts to be a chore.

All in all, I love the system. It's just taken me some time to get to know it, since you really don't hear a lot about it.

 

[wanderinwalker]

I'll post up a picture tomorrow, but I just purchased one of the new ProHunter Katahdin muzzleloaders. I'm leary of going down to the blackpowder forum for advice because I can hear the buckskinners already...

My plan is to use it during the muzzleloader season and then maybe swap barrels for the regular rifle season. (The .45-70 Prohunter barrel is a tempting option when it becomes available.) I bought it because I too like the idea of swap-barrel versatility combined with what I feel are good ergonomics. The downside is that the swap-barrel isn't cheap, but I keep reminding myself that it IS cheaper than an entire new rifle. (Roughly 50-60% of the cost.)

After a brief and aggravating range session today (forgot my cleaning gear and general muzzleloading bucket; not a good idea) I decided that the rifle shoots high for me as-delivered and the Flex-Tech stock is awesome! Even after half-a-dozen 2 pellet and a 295gr bullet loads, I feel fine. Kicks quite noticeably, I thought, but no pain. Way cool.

Tomorrow I plan to foray to the range with all of my gear and get is sorted out. Or at least that's what I hope to do... :banghead:

 

[m0ntels]

I just saw the ProHunter w/ FlexTech stock (just pics sadly) and that thing does look pretty good! Not usually a stainless and synthetic kinda guy, but it definetly looks sharp.

Thompson apparently doesnt have their manuals online, so how does that action work? Is it a falling block or break open? Also does the Encore have the hammer that works with rimfire barrels, or is that only the Contender?

Randy

 

[gbell]

Encores have a break open action. By pulling the bottom of the trigger guard back the action opens. I have never heard of rimfire barrels for them, but I guess anything is possible with an encore.

 

[rbernie]

Contenders can shoot rimfire ammo (with the appropriate barrel) but Encore's cannot. They do not have a hammer suitable for use with rimfire ammo.

 

[pdh]

Guys....I bought a Encore Stainless frame with the Camo buttstock and forearm.......
Ordered a Bullberry...26 inch heavy varmint barrel in 243 Ackley Improved...the Camo heavy barrel forearm with the forearm hanging sytem....last Feb. Going to top it off with Leupold 6x18 varix-II target.............
She should be a dandy.......
A buddy of mine has partically the same set up...except his barrel is an Eabco barrel......He partically almost cuts bullet holes at 100 yds with the 243Win loads..... fireforming brass for the ackley.....

Will send pics when I get her sent up..............will get barrel and forearm in a couple weeks..