Encore Rifle ?

[tobin2u]

I have been pondering buying an Encore rifle. Since they are relatively new to the market, you don't often see one in being sold second hand. The advantages of having an Encore I believe are that I would be able to switch to a muzzleloader, centerfire, shotgun, or rimfire at any point. I like that option alot as I have become more interested in muzzleloading and the current equipment available. I have traditionally shot a centerfire 7mm for most of my hunts and killed many animals with one shot. It was then that I began to wonder if switching to a T/C was the ultimate answer to all my dreams. I would love to hear anyones experience in general with shooting black powder rifles ( Pros/Cons) ect. The obvious con being not being able to have a round chambered fast enough for the second drop, but I have heard stories to counter as well. My biggest delimna is wether I should hold out for the Encore ( $650 Here/one barrell) or seriously consider switching all together to a Triumph or Hawken for that matter. I like the idea of having the centerfire, but after reloading a bit , I understand the ballistics of just getting a bullet downrange with relative accuracy. Any thoughts , Experience , and wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

 

[tn_junk]

I have a .50 Encore, stainless with thumbhole stock and Nikon scope, and love it. It will group 1-1/2" at 150 yards off of sand bags. 240 grain .44 in sabot with 120 grains Pyrodex RS.
The gun will shoot better than I ever could.

alan

 

[ReadyontheRight]

The Encore with 150 grains of Pyrodex and sabot rounds will be accurate to 100 yards. Probably further, but I've never shot it further, or checked out "group sizes" since I figure I only have one shot with a BP. I have never missed a soda can or paper plate-sized target from 30 to 100 yards with the standard open sights.

The Encore is my only experience with black powder, but I have heard that it will take you a lot more tinkering to get a traditional BP rifle to that kind of accuracy.

It's also a nice, handy rifle to carry on the hunt.

It's spendy, but there is a reason - it's a great rifle.

 

[Buckwacker]

Why wait? Go on out and get yourself an Encore. This gun cannot be beat. I have several barrels scoped-up and ready to go. They all shoot well and travel well. You can save by picking up used barrels. ( most out there often have little wear ) My 50 cal shoots great.

 

[Coltdriver]

I have an Encore. I had the same thought as you, this is the answer to my rifle requirements for ever. Need a new caliber, get a new barrel.

The barrels tend to hold their value, You are not going to get a new barrel price on a use barrel but you won't be down more that 10 or 20 dollars from a new barrel. If you buy used you can usually stay even.

The Encore black powder barrels always go quickly.

I have a 50 cal bp barrel, a .204 barrel and a 45 70 barrel. If you like to reload you can get into some very unique cartridges for the cost of a barrel and the dies. Plus you can set up your rifle in wood, plastic or camo.

There is an active TC group over on www.graybeardoutdoors.com. There is also a great classifieds section for TC stuff including frames. You can put one together for $550 or so. I went new on the frame and first barrel just to get a new one.

Accuracy with the centerfire barrels varies a bit but with very little tweaking you can get all the accuracy you want from an Encore.

 

[Misfire99]

Encore are great guns. But I'm a cheap SOB. I bought a Huntsman Handi rifle in 50cal. I liked it so much I bought another in 45/70. Both of them together cost about what one encore costs. Now I can get another barrel for about $87 dollars or the top of the line stainless at $116. Much cheaper the a fitted barrel from T/C. I think I will get a 7mm-08 for my next barrel.

 

[tobin2u]

Thanks for all the great information. It is good to know the experiences of others. I will keep you posted on my experiences as time goes by. This year it looks like I will just use the old 1917 30-06.

 

[Harve Curry]

TC Encore is a good choice for modern muzzleloader. sighted in with a 200 yard zero, trajectory is -26" and a 6" group at 300 yards.
Load is 150gr of 777 pellets and a 295 grain Hornady bullet w/sabot. Handicap hunter killed a nice bull elk wth it a measuerd 302 yards with one shot.

 

[Wildfire]

Encore.

Hey :
I have been hunting with my Encore for years now. Mine is a hole ragger. I only shoot loose powder, never pellets. You can not adjust your load by 50 grains at a time and expect tight groups. Mine will shoot under 1" at 100 meters with The Hornady 300 SST, 300 T/C shock waves. And the 250 Barnes MZ with 80 grains of Pyrodex "P". This is pistol powder and you will not get away with heavy loads. "p" has a more consistant presure curve then RS. This load runs at around 1600 Fps. and is plenty of stomp out to 175 yards on deer. You will have some drop to deal with but that is what riflemen deal with all the time. The new Remington 209 MZ only primers are much better for tight groups. I fire this thing many hundreds of rounds per year.
Use the lube 1000 bore butter and it will never rust and will shoot well. I have 2 One is blued and one is SS. I much prefer the blued gun. The barrel is tighter and the finish is easier to clean. SS will rust. I have tested 100s of bullets and all of the powders. If you want accuracy stay away from the never clean your gun powders. Always clean that gun. My ss encore only shoots with a dirty barrel, the blued must be cleaned between shots.
Freindly warning 120 grains of "P" may blow your new gun out of your hands.
80 to 90 is all you will ever need. No stepping stones. Go with the Encore and you will never be sorry.