45/410 encore

[vanbuzen9]

Hey guys,

These barrels seem interesting.  I was wondering, how is the recoil with the 410 shotshells?  Can you shoot 410 slugs out of them?  Any info on these barrels would be great.  I would probably get the 15" one, because I think it would probably be better for shotshell patterning.

thanks,
vanbuzen9

[encore58]

These barrels are really cool if you like to small game hunt with a pistol. Recoil is not bad even with 3" shot-shells. Very accurate shooting LC. It has a full choke for shooting shot-shells so you do NOT want to shoot slugs with the choke installed. I don't know if you can shoot slugs when configured to shoot 45LC. I wouldn't see why not but it wouldn't be very accurate in my opinion. I'd shoot the LC instead and it is cheaper.

[Bill In SC]

The 45/410 barrels are a Hoot!!!   

At one of our major Skeet tournaments here in SC, on Saturday evening after the registered birds have been shot, we have the "Contender/Encore" event.

Using Contenders or Encores in Pistol configuration we shoot a round of skeet.  Granted we can not shoot doubles, but shoot them as singles from the respective station.  Shooters in the event throw $5.00 in the kitty and winner takes all.  We give out trophy's for the winner and to the one who had the lowest score.

last couple of years it took 15 or 16 out of 25 to win!  I know a few guys that cant hit that many with a 12 Gauge...   

I have shot the Contender with the 10 and 14 inch barrel using standard 410 skeet loads and recoil is about like a 38 special...

Bill

[banjoman]

I have a 10" contender in 45/410 absolute blast for woodcock over the dog. I am planning on getting a 12" encore barrel someday. You may want to try both the 12" and 15" barrel. In my honest opinion the 12" balances and swings much better. Recoil in either the contender or Encore is not even worth mentioning....my 12 yr old even shoots it with a huge grin on his face

[hank]

I have the 14 inch 45/410, in a G2 Contender. I find recoil very mild and pattern reasonable at 25 yards, or less. I have not tried slugs, but would just prefer using 45 Colt, if the need arises. The only thing I do not like about the 14 inch Contender barrel, is that silly looking vented rib. I much prefer the looks of the 15 inch Encore solid rib.

[rickyp]

I got me 2 barrels one is a older 10" contender barrel with normal iron sights. this one shoots 45 colt loads good enough for hunting out to about 40- 50 yards and the 410 patterns well out to about 30 yards.

when I bought my encore I was loaned a 15" 45-410 hunted with it one time and sent it back and ordered a 12" the 15 just doesn't feel right.

The 10" is a bit short and the 15" is a bit too long and the 12" is about right.

[yooper77]

I have the 12” Encore 45/410 barrel.  I also bought some 9.3x74R ammo on clearance, 100 rounds for $50.  I am going to pull some of the bullets and try to make the cases into all brass 410 shells and also load them up with 45 caliber pistol bullets.  Using these cases will eliminate the huge jump the bullets make from the case to the rifling.

You can find the individual that thought up using the 9.3x74R into the 11.4x74R wildcat.
http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php?topic=73740.0;wap2

Question, has anyone taken the rib off of their Encore 45/410 barrels?  If so is it drilling and tapped for a standard front and rear open sights under the rib?

[DEACONLLB]

I had a 15 inch vent rib barrel for the contender did not care for it at all, I never knew where the bullet would go 3 ft to left 3ft to right or 10 ft in front of target. From what I have read on forum I think the real problem is the jump before bullet got to the rifling's I think used as 410 only it would be great for small game. My TCW. Deaconllb

[reelhook]

Does anyone know if the old external choke tube fit the new barrel with the internal tube removed?

[canyon-ghost]

     I picked up a used .410 barrel for the Contender, 10".  I just pack it around for snakes, using dove shot.  Recoil is easy if you only use one hand and don't try to control it. If you get all white-knuckled double gip on it, it pushs back some, not bad though.

[chiefs50]

I had a 15 inch vent rib barrel for the contender did not care for it at all, I never knew where the bullet would go 3 ft to left 3ft to right or 10 ft in front of target. From what I have read on forum I think the real problem is the jump before bullet got to the rifling's I think used as 410 only it would be great for small game. My TCW. Deaconllb

The long jump shouldn't cause that kind of inaccuracy.  My .45/.410 Super 14 barrel shoots 4-5 inch groups at 50 yards and I think that is more typical than what Deconllb experienced.  I don't shoot .410 slugs at all - the .45 Colts outperforms it hands down - even with the long jump before it engages the rifling.   Recoil, even with 3" shells, is not very stout.

mike

[vanbuzen9]

Thanks to all for the good info. 

Can these barrels withstand the high-pressure (ruger) 45 colt loads?  I didn't know if the chamber was weaker than a standard 45 colt-only barrel.

thanks,
vanbuzen9