T/C Encore Pro Hunter 12 ga slug barrel report/questions

[bdg146]

As a Christmas present, I was given $$ to go purchase the T/C Encore I've been eyeing. I have a few different plans for this rifle, but I decided that my first barrel would be a slug barrel, since one of the counties I hunt in here in PA only allows shotguns and muzzleloaders. I was trying to decide on whether to go with a 12 gauge or a 20 gauge rifled barrel. I've used my father's and uncle's 12 gauge slug guns before, so I knew it was a pretty punishing recoil. I've never been bothered too much by recoil though, so I went for the 12 gauge...

... and now I'm regretting it. To me, the recoil is way too much. The Pro Hunter series is supposed to have a special stock that reduces recoil... and I guess it kind of works. It doesn't hurt my shoulder to shoot it. The problem is when I shoot it, it feels like I have absolutely no control over the gun. The trigger guard was also hitting my hand during the recoil. Just thought I would post this in case anyone else is trying to decide on a slug barrel for their Encore. In my opinion, go with the 20 gauge.

Now onto the questions:

Anyone know why I'm having such a problem with the recoil? Is it because the Encore is fairly light? Anyone else have a similar experience?

And also, what would you do in my situation? It would be great if I could call the gun shop or T/C and ask to exchange the barrel. I shot 3 rounds through the barrel. Would you call T/C or would you call the gun shop and see if they can do anything? I realize it's my fault for ordering the 12 gauge, but figured it wouldn't hurt to try. I doubt the gun shop will do anything, since they had to order the 12 gauge barrel specially for me. They tend to not like to take returns on special orders. Any advice would be great. Thanks!

 

[marksman13]

First I would try an aftermarket recoil pad like the Limbsaver. Then I would look into getting some reduced recoil slug rounds. I don't think you will find real world performance to be all that different between the RR rounds and the regular stuff. You could probably also have a gunsmith add some weight to the buttstock. Several options for you to try. I doubt that T/C will exchange the barrels. Too many risks involved for them. They don't know that the barrel is not damaged. You may try to go back to the place you bought the barrel from and see how much credit they will give you towards a 20 gauge barrel. Good luck and know that you have learned a very valuable lesson. How effectively you can shoot a gun means much more than how potent the round is.

 

[Grumulkin]

Is the recoil intolerable when shooting off hand or just when shooting off the bench? I had an Encore 375 H&H Mag. barrel and I only benched it using a lead sled yet off hand or off sticks, it wasn't too bad.

I think the reasons the recoil is so noticeable is the relatively light weight of the Encore, the stock configuration which certainly doesn't lessen recoil and a rather hard recoil pad.

 

[alsaqr]

"Anyone know why I'm having such a problem with the recoil? Is it because the Encore is fairly light? Anyone else have a similar experience?"

With a slug barrel the Encore is very light. With a muzzleloader barrel it is heavy. My wood stock Encore with .50 caliber muzzleloader barrel weighs over 8.5 pounds with scope and sling. Recoil is light, even with 150 grains of Pyrodex and a 250 grain bullet.


"Is the recoil intolerable when shooting off hand or just when shooting off the bench?"

Bingo!!! Recoil is always much worse when shooting off the bench. This is why folks who shoot hard kicking guns every day use standing benches.

 

[bdg146]

I was shooting off hand.

So it looks like I'm most likely stuck with this barrel. I guess I'll try some of the reduced recoil loads mentioned by marksman. It cuts velocity down to 1300-1400 fps as opposed to 2000 with the Hornady's I was using, but they should still have comparable energy to a 20 gauge slug. The thing I don't like is the trajectory will suffer, but most of my shots will be inside of 50 yards anyway.

On another note, how is the recoil in an Encore when using a rifle barrel? This experience kind of has me worried about the recoil in my new rifle.

 

[Kimber1911_06238]

luckily, you won't be using the thing for target practice. My guess is that you'll have no problem firing a few sighting shots before the opener. when you shoot at a deer, you won't notice the recoil, so don't worry about it too much. if it really bothers you, get a limbsaver recoil pad and/or one of the pads that goes on your shoulder

 

[bdg146]

My uncle told me exactly that. "You won't notice the recoil when you have a deer in your scope." I kind of agree, but as I said before, my shoulder isn't where the problem is. It didn't hurt my shoulder, and even if it did, I can deal with a sore shoulder. It's the fact that I feel like the gun is out of control when I pull the trigger. I don't like that feeling, and I'm going to be especially wary of it when I'm 10-20 ft up in a tree.

Marksman mentioned adding weight to the stock. Is there any way to do this in a temporary, easily removable way? The extra weight would be nice for the 12 gauge slugs, but not so nice when I slap on the .204 barrel or whatever.

 

[marksman13]

bdg146, you may want to try posting your questions about adding weight in the rifle forum. There are alot of good gunsmiths on this site, and many of them don't frequent the hunting forum. I'm sure there is a way to add weight to the stock in a temporary fashion, but you'll have to ask somebody over my head how to do it on your particular rifle.

I have never thought of the Encores as particularly hard kicking rifles. Of course recoil is going to be felt more in the light single shot action as opposed to a heavier bolt action or auto, but the Encores I have shot weren't wickedly punishing. I shot one in .308, 22-250, and 44 mag I believe. None of those made me want to scream uncle. Those 12 gauge loads are harsh out of a lot of guns. Don't give up on your rifle just yet. Go into the next caliber with a clear mind free of any predjudices.

 

[biggameballs]

Just get the barrel ported

 

[Grumulkin]

On another note, how is the recoil in an Encore when using a rifle barrel? This experience kind of has me worried about the recoil in my new rifle.

I've shot Encore rifles chambered for a bunch of cartridges like 270 Win., 7mm Rem. Mag. (braked), 308 Win., 30/06 Springfield & 375 H&H Mag. The only one where I considered the recoil bad and made me use the lead sled was the 375 H&H Mag. My 50 X 209 muzzleloader barrel has recoil fairly close to the 375 H&H Mag. though but not quite enough to make me resort to the lead sled.

 

[bdg146]

Just get the barrel ported

Is that a practical option? I know a lot of slug guns have ported barrels, but to be honest, I don't know much about it, besides that it reduces muzzle flip. In a stock-ported barrel, does the rifling stop before the porting, and then resume after the porting? I guess my question is, is it possible to take a fully rifled barrel and port it and everything will still function normally? If so, what would be the typical cost associated with this?

 

[alsaqr]

bdg416, you need to try the Winchester BRI slugs. These are the lightest recoiling 12 gauge slugs that i have found. This is the hour glass shaped slug that weighs one ounce. The velocity is 1,400 fps.

If 12 gauge does not work out for you, try trading that barrel for a 20 gauge barrel. You would have no trouble trading for a 20 gauge barrel.

 

[bdg146]

As an update, I just purchased some Lightfield low recoil slugs. I couldn't find the Winchester BRIs, so I went with these. I'm not familiar with Lightfield, but hopefully they are of acceptable quality. I'm going to shoot in an hour or so, so I'll post more then. How about the lightfields? Are they any good? Guess I'll find out soon enough...

 

[Jeffreii]

you could add weight to the stock by getting one of those "straps" that hold shells on the stock - that should add some weight. That and if you have a synthetic stock, the wood ones may be heavier (don't have them so not sure how heavy they are compared to synthetics).

If you port it, it will make it louder for hunting with. Not a problem if you use protection while hunting, but if you don't....

Perhaps a different grip? Sounds like you just don't have problems with recoil but control. If all fails, get the 20 gauge barrel and mail me the 12 ga one! If you go the muzzleloader route, I have their 209x50 and its recoil is easily handled. Just bagged a deer last season in OH and it worked excellently.

 

[bdg146]

Well, I had a little better luck with the Lightfield slugs. A little more manageable recoil, and they seemed pretty accurate. I don't like the reduced velocity, so I was kind of looking for these to be a temporary solution until I can ship my barrel off to be ported, but...

I then proceeded to help my grandfather sight in my cousin's new 12 gauge slug gun. It bit me. I got a nice gash on my nose that bled for most of the day yesterday.... oh what fun. It's a mossberg with a ported barrel, so that's making me rethink the possibility of porting my barrel.

I'm not sure what's happened since last year and my previous experiences with slug guns. I guess I've changed my shooting stance or something. I can't figure it out. Definitely a disappointing experience, and hopefully I can figure something out here. The guy at the shop I purchased my Encore from mentioned that they have sold a couple 12 gauge slug barrels since I purchased mine. I didn't think of it at the time, but I'm wondering if they'll take mine back to sell used, and hopefully I can at least get half of my money back towards a purchase of a 20 gauge barrel.

Unless, of course, I can sell it privately. Jeffreii, are you seriously interested in a 12 gauge slug barrel? If so, PM me. I've put 8 slugs through the barrel and that's it. 3 Hornadys and 5 of the Lightfields.

 

[Jeffreii]

PM sent...