Author Topic: Ruger #1 vs T/C Encore...discuss... (Read 2327 times)

WARPhEAGLE · « **on:** December 12, 2004, 02:07:48 AM »

I am soon to be in the market for a new rifle, and these are my current 2 favorites. For the last several years, most of my gun hunting has been done with a T/C .50 New Englander but our new hunting lease has the potential for longer shots with lots of cutovers and creek bottoms. I am thinking about something in the .270-30/06 range as I am primarily a whitetail hunter, but have looking into going out West next year. (Mule deer and/or elk). How do these 2 rifles compare accuarcy wise in these 2 calibers? Any pros and cons of these 2 rifles would be appreciated.

Thanks

Cowpox · « **Reply #1 on:** December 12, 2004, 01:43:49 PM »

Hello WARPhEAGLE, I know little about Encores, except I have a friend who has an Encore pistol in .308. He likes it, and has taken at least two Whitetail deer with it. I own two # 1 Rugers, neither in the calibers you mention, but one comes close, a .280 rem which I have had for over twenty years, and have taken 4 deer with. The longest was about a hundred yards away, and the others were close enough to hit with a rock. In the Minnesota forests, long shots are hard to come by, but it does shoot nice tight 1/12 groups and under at a hundred yards. The other is chambered in .257 Roberts, and I bought it three years ago, mainly to use on Prairie dogs on windy days when my .223 gets unpredictable. It is very accurate, and consistently shots groups under 1 inch with my favorite hand load. The first season I had it, I used it to make the longest venison shot of my life, on a Whitetail doe grazing on a clear cut. My range finder said 270 yards, and the bullet strike was where I planned it to be. I like them both. Cowpox

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #2 on:** December 12, 2004, 01:52:34 PM »

Well I can't comment from experience on the Ruger #1, but they seem like good rifles. However the Encore will allow you the flexability to change out your barrels to match your hunting conditions.

If you become dissatisified with your current barrel or wish for a different choice, it's easy to sell or trade it off for something else, but you keep your same trigger feel, and stock fitting. And you have the versatility to convert it to pistol configurations when the mood suits you.

muzzleblast525 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 12, 2004, 03:32:06 PM »

I too thought I wanted a Ruger #1 several years, and picked a .270 and dressed it out for deer season. Only hunted with it one season because it was so dang heavy. Finally sold it, hard to resell that gun I found out. Put it in gunshop and it sat on the shelf for almost a year before somebody bought it. The feel just wasn't right on this gun.

Now, for the TC Encore. I bought one this year, back in August, and have purchased several barrels in the past seveal months.

If it were me, and had to do it over again, TC would be the way I would go.

Bob

MickinColo · « **Reply #4 on:** December 14, 2004, 02:10:07 PM »

I own both of these types of rifles. The Ruger #1B is a little on the heavy side. The action of the Encore is a little cheesy but it works. The Rugers action is well made and solid. The Encore feels great, the rifle comes to the shoulder and lines up with the eye like no other gun Ive ever owned. I love the feel of the Encore. The Ruger ejects the spent case when you open the action, which is nice, whereas you have to manually remove the case from the Encores breach. Both are accurate rifles on the whole. Ive had more trouble with T/C factory barrels than Ive had with #1. T/C custom barrels are good shooters. Dont get me wrong, I have 3 factory T/C barrels that are excellent, but Ive had 2 that drove me nuts. Ive never had a #1 that I worked with that didnt shoot under 1 or ½ MOA in a couple of months. When I pickup a Ruger #1, I have the feeling that I have a real solid gun in my hands. I dont get that feeling with a Encore.

A decked out Encore or a Ruger #1B are heavy. Neither one of these rifle are light with a 26 barrel.

Its up to you, either of these guns in the calibers you mentioned would do the job east or west of the Mississippi.

If I have to hunt something down,,,,, Ill reach in the cabinet for a #1 but if I accidentally grab an Encore Ill use it instead.

mag41vance · « **Reply #5 on:** December 14, 2004, 06:00:20 PM »

I have always been impressed with the solid actions of any ruger firearm I've owned or handled. Recently I came up on a deal to good to pass up on a .30-06 Encore. The first 3 shot group certainly got my attention.

This is my first TC firearm so only time will tell if they are on par with the Rugers I've owned.

MickinColo · « **Reply #6 on:** December 15, 2004, 02:56:16 PM »

mag41vance,
You have the start of a nice rifle there.

Big Blue · « **Reply #7 on:** December 20, 2004, 03:09:34 PM »

mag41vance,
That rifle's a keeper, good hunting with it.

WARPhEAGLE,
I don't think you could go too wrong with either. They both have a good reputation. I just received my first Ruger #1, a gift from the wife. I've always drooled over them, and the look and feel of the gun is like your holding a future classic. Real solid, and well built. The Encore I've owned was dead accurate, as all of the ones I've seen were. I may yet get another one. My dealer has one now, frame only for $299. I haven't inquired about it yet, it seems a bit steep if it's been used. The only drawback I see with the Encore, is it's pressure limits, and how that affects your choices of calibers. In that aspect, the Ruger stands well above the Encore, being available in some real heavy thumpers.

Don

Sourdough · « **Reply #8 on:** December 20, 2004, 08:15:07 PM »

I have a TCR, a Contender carbine, and an Encore. I throughly love the TCR, and the Contender, BUT I hate the Encore. I have a 30-06, .338, a 22-250, and a 209X150X50 muzzleloading barrel. The muzzleloading barrel is the only one that I like. The 06 and .338 aren't that accurate, and I just don't like the feel of the gun. I haven't shot the 22-250 enough to know how it shoots yet. I'm sticking with my TCR. Thinking about trading the Encore for a Savage Smokless Muzzleloader.

EDG · « **Reply #9 on:** December 21, 2004, 06:38:54 PM »

I own both and think they are both ok. I shoot of a benchrest a lot and I don't like the break open Encore for such shooting. The Ruger requires a long scope to provide easy use without stretching your neck. I would prefer that the Encore be heavier for larger caliber rounds. I actually prefer the Browning 1885 to either.

Ed

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 22, 2004, 12:15:29 AM »

I have both the Encore and a Ruger #1. There are a few pro's and con's to each, but both are fine guns. The Encore is more versatile being able to change out barrels. I like the way the Encore shoulders and how the stock fits me. It feels natural when shooting. The Ruger #1 does not have that feel to me. But I like the strong action of the Ruger #1. The loading and unloading is on both are quick, once you get use to it. But if I could only have one or the other, I would have to go with the Encore.

marlinman93 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 11, 2005, 04:17:22 PM »

I have a couple of Ruger #1's and I love them! I also have a TC Contender, and love it too! Haven't got an Encore, mainly because there aren't a lot of used barrels around for them yet. I bought all but two of my 13 TC barrels used, and so I'm in them pretty cheap. If I could find Encore barrels as reasonable, I might be more inclined to go that route.

armory414 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 12, 2005, 05:44:21 AM »

I recently saw a Ruger #3 in .223 for $400, and thought about buying it. I've always liked the looks of the #1/#3, but I already have a Contender and Encore. So, I can't decide--do I buy the Ruger, or do I keep the money to put toward barrels for the T/C's? I can get 2, maybe 3 (used) barrels for the price of the Ruger.

Mntngoat · « **Reply #13 on:** January 12, 2005, 06:20:40 AM »

I don't think you can go wrong with a Ruger #1 or 3 or the ENcore for that matter. If you don't want that #3 please tell me where I can find it. I have all of them and love them all. The Ruger does has classic looks teh Encore can't compare with though.

Michael
MSLiechty@Yahoo.Com

MSP Ret · « **Reply #14 on:** January 12, 2005, 06:32:24 AM »

Hmmmm....., Ruger #1 vs. Encore...OK given the choices and your intended hunting requirements I would definitely get..and by the way this is also the definitive answer to that age old question...Drum roll please....

A H&R Handi rifle in .280 Remington. The Ultra model if your are quick enough but if they are gone then the regular .280 Handi..it is what you need and then some....<><.... :grin:

New Hampshire · « **Reply #15 on:** January 12, 2005, 11:47:49 AM »

I own an Encore but no Ruger No. 1. I wouls simply say this, if you want more flexability the Enore is the choice. HOWEVER, if you know that you are only gonna stick to one cartridge for quite a while the Rugers sure are sweet. Ive heard Encores called ugly, but I think they are neat looking. But a Ruger No 1 is like the Cindy Crawford of rifles.....and they can shoot ta boot!
Brian M.

hornet_hunter · « **Reply #16 on:** January 12, 2005, 03:15:57 PM »

I have got one of each. The encore is a 308 and the #1 is in 300 weatherby. I think the encore is probably one of the most useful guns in the safe. Interchangeable barels, nice to carry and an excellent shooter.

That being said, I love the look of the #1s -- not many guns are that classy. Still working out a load for it, but I am sure it will be ready for hunting season this fall.

MIKE THE BEAR · « **Reply #17 on:** February 13, 2005, 02:14:38 PM »

I have both Encores and Ruger #1s. On average the Encores will be more accurate. That being said, the most accurate big game rifle that I have is a Ruger #1 in 30-06 that will shoot 1/2" groups all day long with 180grain bullets at 3,000fps. Can't beat that.

The Rugers are clearly amongst the classiest rifles ever made. The Encores are more utilitarian. It really depends on whatever makes your socks go up and down!

Mauser · « **Reply #18 on:** February 15, 2005, 12:29:19 AM »

I've owned several #1s over the years and they are probably my favorite rifle. They are kind of the classic side by side shotgun of the mass- produced rifle world. If you want a lighter, handier version of the #1 check out a #1A light sporter in '06 or 270. It is truly a beautiful rifle. With a $50.00 (or so) trigger job it will be a great shooter.

As for the T/C, I held one a few months ago and thought it was a neat concept for the guy who only wants one gun. But what fun is that?

buffalobob · « **Reply #19 on:** February 16, 2005, 02:29:09 PM »

The Ruger # 1 is a really fun gun. It is fore end sensitive and you will learn that it has personality concerning that fore end and what it rests on and how tight the screw is. If you like working on a gun there is a device being sold that claims to eliminate some of the fore end sensitivity, but it require a little inletting inside the fore end, as I remember

The # 1 comes in 270 weatherby and if that had been offered many years ago I would not have yanked the barrel on a NIB # 1 and had Shilen put on a custom 7mm Weatherby chambered barrel on it. A 270 Wby was really fine with nosler partition on an elk I shot at 350 yds with it and I am sure would be excellent at any range a war eagle can shoot. Us alumni of Bear Bryant University of course can shoot further. Roll Tide!

I like Weartherby and I like #1s and would like to have an excuse as good as yours to the get the #1 in 270 Wby.

I retract everything if you do not reload. Shooting weatherby factory ammunition in a #1 might not get you the accuracy you would like. You sometimes need to spend some time tuning the gun and ammo and sometimes not.

WW1 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 25, 2005, 05:17:39 AM »

well thought I would throw in my 2 bits worth.....I love my single shots and have a Browning, several Rugers, and an Encore...by the way dont over look the 280 Remington if you are considering the 270..my reason for that is, especially if you are a re-loader, much better bullet selection and similar velosity usually with a 10 grain heavier bullet...I have used my Ruger in 280 over in Wyoming, and my logest shot taken so far was measured at 385 yards. held right on the heart lung area and he hit the ground before he completely left the scope in recoil..luck?..who knows... I have the TC right now in 7mm-08 and like it also but if reloading, it takes more work to get it right than a solid action...also so far my accuracy isnt as good as my Ruger...weight?...it always shocks me that the Encore seems in the same weight range as the Ruger as it seems smaller..any of the above is more handy to carry than a bolt gun kind of like carring an old 30-30..hahaha...just my thoughts....
WW1