Encore slug barrel

[smokey66]

there has not been much talk about Encore slug barrels on this forum. I am very interested in hearing some discussion and comments about the 12 gauge Encore. anyone have any info?

[Muddyboots]

First is OUCH! :-D Second, they shoot great but make sure you have a scope with plenty of eye relief or you will have your eyebrow removed cleanly. I've not had the pleasure but have seen it performed. Anything less than 4" eye relief requires plenty of gauze and pads to soak up the mess. This was done with 450 gr full bore slug reload at 1550 fps (chronographed) so it had some punch. Shot great basically one hole groups at 50 yds. I would try sabots first and try to reduce the recoil. I would also put a Sims recoil pad on it which really helps it a lot. The Encore is a pretty light rifle for slug loads so anything you can do the reduce the recoil (pain) is always a good thing. I grew up shooting slugs off bench from upstate NY and really don't mind the recoil (brain was affected I think) but anyone of slight build will be punished (I am 6'4" 265). I have a friend who placed lead in his forend but hasn't tested it for reducing recoil but it sounded like a good idea. I also have a 20 Ga slug barrel and love the way it shoots over the 12. I killed nice 6Pt at 65 yds perfect hit behind shoulder so it has all the accuracy you need plus energy is still over 1,000 ftlbs at 100 yds (Federal Barnes Expanders) which makes it fine for most applications. I shy away from porting since the muzzle blast is hellacious. Anyway, my 0.02.
Muddyboots

[adirondacker]

i have one of the rifled barrels,only shot it with the t/c sights.i had a bunch of old slugs,not saboted ,that i shot out of it.i fired prob 5 round to get the sights close then we just used up the rest,about 20 or so, blasting gallon jugs of water and stuff.we were able to hit a gallon jug at 75 yds,thats with open sights and regular 2 3/4 magnum 1 oz. slugs.recoil was not as bad as my 50 alaskan barrel but it will get your attention.the sims recoil pad comes as a custom application for the encore and  does help.standing and shooting is not bad it's the bench work that will put a hurtin' on you.muddy boots was right about the eye relief.i am waiting for an order of bushnell red-dots i'm going to put one of those on it.eabco.com has them on sale for $49 i just ordered 3 should be here on the 22 nd.they will mount way up on the scope rail shouldn't have to worry about scope eye abit.i had called t/c about the projected accuracy of these barrels.they would not guarantee it but said"it should shoot less than a 3" group at 100 yds."i beleive that the high velocity winchester sabots are supposed to be the most accurate.i'll let you know after i get that red-dot sighted in.merry christmas,shoot straight,shawn

[smokey66]

Great posts guys! yes i know about the recoil, my Encore 209X50 has cut me a couple times. since then i have installed the limbsaver recoil pad (money well spent). i'm glad to hear that these barrels are accurate. i will most likely put a Leupold scope on it, they normally have around 4 inches of eye relief. who knows, maybe even a port job. my 300 win mag is ported, so i know about the awful blast.... thanks guys.

[smokey66]

one more thing. does anyone make a 12 gauge Encore slug barrel in stainless. i can't find anyone who does.

[adirondacker]

i looked for ss last yr couldn't find one ,maybe a custom?i think you would have to want one real bad to pay the $.i think the blue looks ok with the ss frame,shawn

[smokey66]

does anyone have a pic of a stainless frame witha blue barrel?

[Stan M.]

I shoot a TCR 87 with a rifled slud barrel. It is VERY accurate but kicks like a mule. I use a Past Mag. strap on shoulder pad when sitting at the bench. That pad is money well spent. I might be punch drunk when I finish a shooting session  :-D  but I won't be bruised or hurt.  :wink:  
 Also, I have cut my eye with this same gun and I solved the problem by using extension rings and moving the scope forward for more clearance.
 I'm going to buy an Encore 50 cal. muzzle loader soon. If it proves to be as accurate as my 700ML and not that hard to clean. I will use it over the slug gun and may retire the 700Ml as well.
Hope this helps,
Stan

[Gitzit]

smokey66, like the others have said mine is very accurate.  It does kick somewhat because of the light weight but not as much as the turkey loads in the turkey barrel.  Make sure you have a good recoil pad, I like the Limbsaver, and a scope with plenty of eye relief, I use a Nikon 2-7x32 shotgun scope.

[Mawgie]

I opted for the TC 20 gauge rifled slug barrel, into which I load winchester supreme slugs: 260 grains, 1900 fps.  I have it scoped with a Leupold Vari-X I 1x-4x, and it is a very accurate gun, with manageable recoil.  My gun has a composite stock set.  I stuffed the butt piece with pink insulation, wich dampens the noise a fair amount, and may dampen shock a little.  It has recoil, but it is more of a sharp push than the nasty wracking thump of a 3" 12 gauge round.  It has sufficient energy to kill deer at 100 yards, which is as far as I think I'd shoot with a slug gun anyway.  I have no regrets in choosing it over the 12 gauge.

My only kill to date was a doe quartering toward me at 50 yards: broke her down through the shoulder.  Absolutely shattered the joint.  If anything, it had too much power.  The meat in that shoulder was useless.

For the guy who wants his in stainless, I think the only choice at this point is to get it treated, by www.eabco.com, or perhaps www.spradlins.com.

Good luck.

[Thomas Krupinski]

There is an article in the TCA magazine "One Good Shot" , Winter 2004, entitled " A Poor Man's Twelve Bore" that talks about the 12 gauge Encore rifled barrel.  Pretty detailed and interesting!

[adirondacker]

another update on that encore slug barrel,we just got back from a trip to southern new jersey for deer.some freinds have a large vegetable farm west of atlantic city and wanted help managing their deer herd.since we were more than happy to help we made the 5 hour drive for 2 days of hunting.
 anyways,my new slug gun worked flawlessly,using remington 3"copper solids,this thing will shoot three rounds touching at 75 yds.remingtons load data is a 1 oz.bullet at 1550 fps,i have not chronographed it.zeroed at 50 yds it is supposed to be like 2.6 inches low at 100yds,i sighted  zero at 75.
 had the chance to shoot at two deer,took both very cleanly with one shot each,one at about 45 yds and the other at like 60.one was a small buck the other a doe.
 i am using a synthetic stock and the sims pad,bushnell red dot,recoil is substantial but not overwhelming.
  just thought you may like to know.

[smokey66]

thanks for the info guys. i have been watching ebay. i missed out on one barrel that was already ported. just didn't wanna spend the extra money. i'm holding out for a great deal. (who isn't)  i have several months to find one....

[Sandy Flakeman]

Got my first deer in Western NY with and Encore in 12 gauge.  I use Federal Premium Barnes Expanders with a 3/4 oz slug @ 1900 FPS.
Accuracy is tops with a factory TC 12 gauge barrel.  Deer was taken with one shot from a tree stand at 50 yards with iron sights.  I also made a coyote kill on opening day with one shot at around 30 yards.  

If recoil sensitive, try 20 gauge.

[rimfire]

Be very careful as they said above.  I have the 20 guage and it is kind of brutal off of the bench.  Sims pad helped a lot.

I also have the 12guage smoothbore for turkeys and regular slugs.  rediculously brutal if the scope is too close.  If you are not absolutely positive it is far enough away...it isn't.  I have never had a gun that begged for eye relief more than this...and I have shot a lot of slug guns.

Get the 20 bore for slugs and I think you would be muchg happier.

T/C custom shop actually suggested I stay away from the 12 for slugs.  Said that they would not even make it except people insisted and begged for it.  They all use and recommend the 20 and try and convince anyone who calls to do the same.  With today's sabot slugs the 12 gains you nothing in performance, but lots in recoil.