The T/C Encore Contender rifle owners CLUB

[R.W.Dale]

"Clubs" - threads dedicated to discussion of a particular make and model of gun - seem to be growing in popularity on THR. It's a tiny movement so far, but up and coming, I predict.
Nematocyst

A pretty cool definition if I ever read one

For starters we'll focus on Thompson Center's single shot rifle offerings but if there's any of the .22 autoloader or even Icon owners feel free to join the "elite"





Here's my run of the mill stainless encore that's had a flex-tech stock set added to tame the recoil of the 460 S&W magnum. The sight is an UltraDot pan A-V

Later on down the road I have plans to add either a 30-60 or 7mm-08 pro hunter barrel.

 

[gbran]

Nuthin special. Stock G2, have 17m2, .223 and 6.8SPC barrels. Plus a trigger job that is now perfect. This thing came with a real crappy trigger.

 

[pdh]

My Encore with a 243AI Bullberry barrel. I have a Eabco accuracy barrel in 30-06AI due to recieve in a couple weeks....

 

[D&T]

I know most of you guys have seen these pictures before but I thought i'd put them all up on one posting...

These guns are in 250 Savage Ackley Improved - Rimmed / 30-30 Ackley Improved, 35X444 Improved and 444 Marlin....

 

[AWMP]

I have an Encore Pro Hunter Frame on the way with Flex Rifle stock and rubber pistol grip. Now just waiting for some good deals on barrels. What a great system. Curious to see what changes are going to happen since they were purchased by Smith and Wesson.

 

[D&T]

I too am waiting to see what S&W is going to do and what changes will take place....


Krochus - what is the felt recoil like with your short barreled 460 S&W with the flex-tech stock?

 

[R.W.Dale]

Krochus - what is the felt recoil like with your short barreled 460 S&W with the flex-tech stock?

I would think 20" would be a LONG barrel for 460S&W. LOL

While 300grn xtp's moving at 2100 FPS isn't painful with this stock I defiantly decided that a scope on my rig would be a BAD idea. You could end up with the cookie cutter effect real quick.

So basically the flex-tech stock makes my shoulder quite happy but it won't keep you from implanting a scope into your forehead.

 

[wanderinwalker]

Not sure I want to be a member of a club that would have ME as a member, but anyway...

It's a run-of-the-mill Encore Prohunter, complete with one 20" .50x209 muzzleloader barrel and one 20" .45-70 barrel. I've decided that 300gr Remingtons handloaded to 1850-1900 fps is about all I care for in this rifle. In muzzleloader format, it is two Triple Seven 50/50 pellets, one 250gr T/C Shockwave lit off by a Winchester Triple Seven primer.

The .45-70 will shoot about 1.5-1.75" at 100 yards; the muzzleloader is more like 2.5" for three shots with the above load.

Now the decision is where do I move to now. If I move to places such as Ohio or Illinois, it may get a 20ga slug barrel. If not, a .308 will be in order.

 

[D&T]

Those "short" barreled Encores with that flex-tech stock does look GOOD!!!

What kind of accuracy are you getting with your "short" 209X50 muzzle loader barrel?

 

[retrieverman]

The "Club" thing is kind of getting old, but heck, sign me up for this one too. I am currently in possession of 2 complete Encores (custom shop 270 and a 50 cal ML) and a naked receiver.

 

[wanderinwalker]

D&T, thanks, gotta agree they're "neat". Sure handy in the woods too.

Accuracy out of the .50? Well, 2.5" at 100 yards with 2 pellets and a 250gr Shockwave. This is good for about 1600-fps or so. With loose Pyrodex (~90-95 grains by volume), I can get 3/4" at 50 yards; haven't tried it at 100 with that combo. My current batch of Pyro seems a little "warm" and chronos at about 1700-1750 fps at that charge level. I do like the pellets for convenience though.

I think the .45-70 is capable of better accuracy too, but at 6 pounds the power-to-weight ratio is a little off, especially when you're accustomed to a 13-lb AR-15 .223 match gun!

 

[D&T]

wanderinwalker,

thank you for the information...

Yeah, I would think there would be a little difference in recoil after shooting a heave 223 semi-auto and then a solid breech 45/70 - OUCH!....