Thompson/Center Encore Pistol

[blue06van]

Hello
I am Starting some research for my next purchase. I am looking for a pistol that can shoot well over 100 yards and still be an effective. I will be hunting deer and hogs. I Like lots of range time. I presently shoot a Ruger SRH 44mag 9.5in and looking for the next step. I also reload. (beginner)

My first option is the Thompson/Center Encore Pistol.
My questions are:
How much for new in box?
What recommended calibers: There are lots.
Does a gunsmith need to drill holes for scope?

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Just a suggestion:

If you're a reloader, why not look at the T/C Contender (now produced as the G2)? The Contender is far trimmer and lighter, has more barrels and componenets out on the used market, and is generally a great piece of gear.

The only advantage I see of the Encore is that it can take certain off-the-shelf cartridges that the Contender can't. HOWEVER (big however) the Contender can chamber cartridges sufficient to take out elephants (.375 JDJ, etc), so how much more power do you need? The best Contender cartridges are handloading propositions, but if you're getting into handloading you should be golden.

If you want to buy .300 WinMag off the shelf and use it, get Encore.

If you don't mind handloading (and getting exactly the kind of loads you want, for less money than retail), then go Contender/G2.

For a rough price idea, check out www.gunbroker.com

Spare barrels run about $150 for used, $200 for new. Most of the barrels I've seen are tapped for scope w/ filler screws in place. Recommended caliber: dude, the world is your oyster with these. I'm not a hunter, but it seems that many like 7-30 Waters for deer-type game, ditto .30 Herrett. I hear .375 JDJ is great for elephants, and should handle pigs with proper shot placement.

-MV

 

[sithanas]

I'll second the T/C Contender. If you can, find a used one that's not the G2 as the G2 has a crappy trigger. I can easily make shots with its .44 mag barrel out to 200 meters, and there's chamberings available for nearly everything.

 

[kimbernut]

T/C

I own the Encore pistol in 22-250 and have just purchased the muzzleloader barrel for this season and am considering a rifle barrel for it as my next purchase. I've never fired the Contender. Just from my study of the Encore and Contender systems the Encore has so many more possibilities.

 

[BullfrogKen]

The Encore is beefier to handle the higher pressure cartridges. But, since its bigger, I don't feel it handles as well as a pistol. Its just merely a personal opinion. You really ought to handle both and form your own.

I have a Contender with a 10" .44 mag barrel, a 22" .32/20 barrel, and a 10" .22 rimfire barrel. The nice thing about the Contender is the ability to handle .22s. You might not consider it now, but it makes it nice to have the ability to cheaply practice with it.

Generally, you can get any Contender barrel already drilled and taped from the factory. You do get the ability for higher pressure cartridges with the Encore, but you do loose a significant amount of the velocity from the smaller barrel length. Truthfully, a Contender .45/70 or .444 Marlin would serve you quite well for that kind of game. I've taken 2 deer with single shot .45/70s. They go down pretty well.