More Encore .454 opinions.

[New Hampshire]

Well the .454 Bbl for the Encore got back burnered for this year infortunately.  But the area I have spent hunting this year is just screaming for handgun hunting.  So Im positively gonna get my bbl around income tax time (leaving me plenty of time to practice and tinker.)  Soooooo, the much valued opinions.
Im going scope all the way.  Since evrything is coming at once the price has to be modest.  Ive been looking at Weavers 2x scopes.  Nice price, but hows the quality when topped off on the thumper .454 (even though the majority of rounds to be fed into this bbl will be .45 colts)?  Will she last?
What kinda base should I use?  Ive got a standard Weaver base on the rifle right now, but next year, again, I want to get a new scope for the .30-06 bbl and while Im at it Im thinking of going to bayonet mount rings instead of the QD rings.  Im thinking of going with a similar set-up on the pistol bbl.  Good idea or stick with the one piece Weaver?
Also, do they make 2 piece bases and if so are they suitable for the pistol?
Thanks as usual,
Brian M.

[palgeno]

Consider a 4x scope for the range you will get from that barrel---I use a Weaver 4x on my FA .454 revolver---works and holds up---the 4x replaced a Leupold 2x---not enough x's for me!!pg

[New Hampshire]

I would consider the 4x, but it really would be more magnification than I need.  I cant concieve of taking many shots past 100 yards here where I hunt simply cuz the woods are so tight and dense.  Most of these shots would more likely be taken at much closer, say 50 yards or less.  The only reason I am going with the .454 Casull bbl is that the shotgun only towns allow handguns in certain calibers (of which the .454 is not one.)  So instead of spending more money on a custom .45 colt bbl (I REALY dont want to get the .45 clot/.410 factory bbl,) I figgure on getting the .454 and shooting the Colts.  And as a side benifit the .454 allows me a heavy hitter option should I decide to use the pistol for a Moose hunt when my tag finally gets pulled.  Even then Id probably still want to get real up close to shoot.  But if the majority of you folks say the 4x will be the better option I will seriously consider it.
Thanks again,
Brian M.

[Arizona Jake]

I bought a .12 inch .454 Casull TC Encore barrel from a fellow contributor to this site and promptly removed the factory iron sights and replaced them with an Ultra Dot red dot sight, mounted on a Weaver base.

I don't have to worry about eye-focus distance, and the dot is bright and small enough to work effectively up to 100 yards. I fired over 25 rounds while sighting it in and trying different powder charges with Hornady 300 grn. XTP's. No problems with the red-dot sight, but my right hand got a little swollen from the recoil after I was done shooting. :cb2:

[Selmer]

I'll weigh in on this conversation since I too am a proud owner of a 12" .454 Encore barrel.  I found a good price on a 4x Leupold scope, does great, but I had a 2x Leupold on a XP-100 7mm BR and could hit gophers at 200 yds. with it, and I don't think a 2x would hurt for the type of hunting I do with my .454, Iowa whitetails from a tree stand.  Recoil can be nasty with heavy loads, anything in the .45 Colt range are comparatively pussy cat rounds, but still more than enough for deer.  I can hit gallon milk jugs at 100 yds. every time with a rest or from a modified Creedmoor position, accuracy is wonderful with cast bullets.  If you need load info, I'd be willing to share, I have tried Unique, H110, and HS-6 with weights from 250-395 grs., 300 XTP_MAG are the only jacketed bullets I've used.  Good luck, let us know how you turn out, you'll love the barrel, I guarantee it.
Selmer

[EdK]

The only reason I am going with the .454 Casull bbl is that the shotgun only towns allow handguns in certain calibers (of which the .454 is not one.)  So instead of spending more money on a custom .45 colt bbl (I REALY dont want to get the .45 clot/.410 factory bbl,) I figgure on getting the .454 and shooting the Colts.

Brian, I really think you should think twice before finding yourself in front of a F&G officer trying to explain the "454 Casull" engraved on your firearm.

The state regs read: "Deer hunting is allowed only by shotgun, muzzleloading rifle, handguns in calibers .357 Magnum, 10mm Automatic, 41 Remington, .44 Magnum, .45 Long Colt or 480 Ruger, or bow and arrow in the following towns:"

Note that your handgun will not bear the markings of any of those calibers.

Good luck, Ed

[New Hampshire]

That is an interesting observation.  Ill double check with the F&G dept. but I would not be carrying Casull ammo with me, so I guess I need to clear up this "gray" area.  I just assumed there would be no problem.  Its kind of like the rule about semi-auto rifles cant have more than 5 rounds in them.  The CO says he dont care if its a 50 round drum mag.....as long as you only have 5 in there.  
Brian M.

[Special Ed]

Brian,
You might want to read this recent thread on the 2x Leupold. I went to a 2.5-8 Leupold this year on my 44 Contender. While no shots have presented themsevles so far this deer season, I no longer have any problem seeing until the end of shooting hours.






http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=45775

[Don Dick]

Yea the 2X leupolds are bad so if you want to sell yours let me know.
"I know how to fix them"

[Tom C.]

I have a 2x Weaver on a PC500 Hunter S&W .500 mag revolver. I shoot less than full power loads, but the scope is hanging in ok.

[Catfish]

I`ve got a 1.5 to 4X on my Ruger Red Hawk .454 and really like it, but if I were going to a fixed power it would be a 2X. I have a 4X on my Encore .357 max. and it better for target shooting, but I would much reather have a 2X in the field, even though I killed a deer with it today.