Author Topic: Pro-Hunter/Encore possible buy question (Read 1658 times)

jw4570 · « **on:** November 29, 2006, 12:28:26 PM »

I'm considering selling a few guns I have and getting something new. I am seriously considering an Encore, as I travel now to hunt some, and like the versatility (I have a Contender which I love).

If I did it, I would probably go all out:

Get a Stainless Pro Hunter Pistol

Get Buttstock

Muzzleloader barrel
Rifle Barrel
Shotgun Barrel

Now, anyone have any opinions on the following:

Looks like if you're getting into the Pro-Hunter/Encore system today, the Pro-Hunter is the way to go.

How about Pistol Barrels? The 460 seems like the choice as you could shoot 45 Colt (right???), or maybe go with a Custom in 475 Linebaugh or so? Other consideration is 44 Mag for Ammo availability

Buttstock-who likes their flex tech buttstock, It looks great.

Muzzloader, looks like 209x50 is the choice here.

Rifle, I have a 375 H&H, so I'd be tempted to get one of those barrels along with a Barrel in some other Caliber I own, but common (308 or 30-06, probably 30-06).

I'd get everything stainless and composite, as this is intended as a working gun, though I truly love Walnut and Blue!!!

Has anyone used the Turkey Barrel to bird hunt in a pinch (partiuclarly the really short barrel)? I mean it might look funny, but I'd do it if I were somewhere and had the chance and the Barrel Along, but I'm hesitant to get have to get two Shotgun Barrels, as I do have a good Turkey gun (would I be better with a regular barrel and then using it as a Turkey Barrel?)

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 29, 2006, 01:21:58 PM »

I have a Pro-hunter and love it, I think the flex tech buttstock is a good idea and it works well.

As for the pistol barrel, I would get the 460 Mag, it will shoot the 45 L/C and 454 Casull's also.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #2 on:** November 29, 2006, 02:25:03 PM »

A rifle and an Encore pistol of the same caliber is very convenient. I have done this in 6.5x55. A more common caliber that would work well is 308 Win.

Cheese

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #3 on:** November 29, 2006, 04:40:45 PM »

I know a couple of guys that would debate you on the muzzleloader barrel. I myself prefer the 209/50 but some of my friends swear by the 45 caliber.

Since the projectile is lighter you can push it faster and therefore flatter, or some such nonsense.

majorKAP · « **Reply #4 on:** November 29, 2006, 11:35:25 PM »

"Funny-looking" 12ga. barrel? I think not. And I know for a fact that the gobblers don't find it particularly humorous. It's my "go-to" gun in the springtime.

majorKAP · « **Reply #5 on:** November 29, 2006, 11:43:20 PM »

More pics.

Bullseye · « **Reply #6 on:** November 30, 2006, 12:55:27 PM »

Well I truly love Walnut and Blue also and all my guns are working guns and you guessed it, they are all Walnut and Blue. Oil the things when you get home, refinsih the stock in 10 years years if it needs it and buy what you LOVE.

I would personally buy a pistol barrel in a rifle caliber, just as effective without as much recoil.

Hope you are planning on buying a 20ga shotgun barrel, I see a lot of 12's for sale since they kick the snot out of you in such a light gun.

I have a Contender (or 3 or 4 or 5) and it has been one of my favorite guns for years. Never been a big Encore fan other than in the 209X50 which is the best shooting muzzleloader I have ever owned. I just do not like some things about it like the forearm screwing right into the barrel, I think the contender barrels or 209x50 barrels with the standoffs are a much better system.

Looking back at this post it seemed kind of negative but I am not trying to be, just giving my thought, I do own 3 Encore rifles, two 209X50 barrels, 25-06 barrel and a 45-70 barrel.

jw4570 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 01, 2006, 04:04:19 PM »

Bullseye,

Excellent point, I thought about the Pistol in the Rifle Caliber briefly, but then thought maybe a handgun caliber. But have a rifle and pistol barrel in the same caliber is nice (I have that in two calibers for my contender).

Who has a 308 or 30-06? How does the Encore compare in 308 or 30-06 to the Contender in 375 Win (The worst I have now in the Contender-14" no brake, It doesn't really bother me)? I am definately wanting to stay with common available calibers that I already have since I would like to buy ammo just about anywhere.

JW

southern utah · « **Reply #8 on:** December 02, 2006, 08:20:30 AM »

I have an Encore pistol with 16 1/4 inch barrel in 308. It works fine and girl friend likes to shoot it. The shorter chamber verses the 30-06 give it more rifeling length. Maybe simular velocity with less recoil.

retrieverhunter · « **Reply #9 on:** December 02, 2006, 11:22:08 AM »

I love my Encore(s). I love them so much that I have 4 (but no Pro hunter). I fondled a PH at the range last week, and they are nice. BUT to me, you are paying too much for "fluff". The fancy stock, engraving ,and flip hammer are nice, but for a couple of hundred less, I can have same gun by just using PH barrels on original frames and stocks (which is what I have done).

jw4570 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 02, 2006, 02:49:45 PM »

The main feature of the Pro-Hunter that intrigues me is the Flex Stock, not the rotating hammer, I have used extensions on Contenders, Handi-Rifles, Lever Actions, and it's been fine for me. I could always buy an Encore Frame and buy the Flex Stock I guess, huh? Because I want to buy a pistol to start with anyway, I need to buy the stock seperately.

JW

retrieverhunter · « **Reply #11 on:** December 02, 2006, 03:40:58 PM »

I got a sale flyer last week from Midsouth Supply, and they had the PH flex stocks on sale at pretty good prices. Buying a frame and adding the stock would probably be a good option.

major257 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 03, 2006, 01:47:24 AM »

You'll love the pistol barrels in rifle calibers. I have a custom .257 Roberts that is 13". No ratcheting and super accurate. I have both the 45 and 50cal muzzleloader barrels 50/50 you pick. Every barrel I get makes me more happy I bought it. Well I guess them now I have 4 frames and always looking for more on a deal. I prefer the blued and synthetic stocks. Good luck

sexton147 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 03, 2006, 07:25:20 AM »

Im not sure on the price diff. in the PH and original encore but on TCs website now they are saying you can send in your original encore and have it "converted" to the PH for $70.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 03, 2006, 07:54:58 AM »

Quote from: sexton147 on December 03, 2006, 07:25:20 AM

Im not sure on the price diff. in the PH and original encore but on TCs website now they are saying you can send in your original encore and have it "converted" to the PH for $70.

That is just for the swing hammer.

http://www.tcarms.com/customerService/

Tracker · « **Reply #15 on:** December 10, 2006, 12:14:22 PM »

Does someone make a hammer extension for the Encore? I recently bought a Encore ML and did not buy the Pro Hunter because I did not like the quick turn breech plug system. However, I am now second guessing myself cause I do like the hammer, stock and ram rod. Oh well might have to send it in for a hammer change after the season.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #16 on:** December 10, 2006, 01:05:19 PM »

I bought a hammer spur for my TC at Cabelas for 19 bucks.

Cheese

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 10, 2006, 01:18:33 PM »

Quote from: Tracker on December 10, 2006, 12:14:22 PM

Does someone make a hammer extension for the Encore? I recently bought a Encore ML and did not buy the Pro Hunter because I did not like the quick turn breech plug system. However, I am now second guessing myself cause I do like the hammer, stock and ram rod. Oh well might have to send it in for a hammer change after the season.

With the hammer extension for the Encore, you may get some light hits on primers causing the gun to hang fire of not fire a all. The Pro-hunter is a great set up.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #18 on:** December 10, 2006, 01:23:47 PM »

Never had a misfire with my hammer spur, 1000+ rounds and counting.

Cheese

quickdtoo · « **Reply #19 on:** December 10, 2006, 01:46:12 PM »

Keep in mind there are very light aluminum hammer extensions and heavy by comparison steel extensions, the steel extensions are the trouble makers from my research on em.

Tim

Cheesehead · « **Reply #20 on:** December 10, 2006, 01:53:55 PM »

Quick

You are right. Mine is aluminum, very light and performs flawlessly.
Good luck with the 10k.

Cheese

Tracker · « **Reply #21 on:** December 10, 2006, 03:32:11 PM »

Thanks for the feedback. I will try to pick up an Aluminum Extensiion till after the hunting season then consider sending the frame in to TC for the conversion. I was reading about the coversion and it seems that they change more than just the hammer. I got real luckly and the trigger on my Encore is outstanding. About the best I have had from a factory gun. It took a lot to buy the Encore. I have an NEF that is a great shooter and I had a hard time convicing myself to buy a gun that may not shoot as well as the one I already had. Was pleased when at the range it did as well.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #22 on:** December 10, 2006, 03:44:43 PM »

The conversion is $69.95 plus shipping. I thought about having it done, but I already did a 2lb-12oz trigger job, they will return it to factory spec which was over 7lbs when I got my frame, so I decided I didn't need the swing hammer that bad.

Thanks Cheese!!

Tim

http://www.tcarms.com/customerService/

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 10, 2006, 03:55:17 PM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on December 10, 2006, 01:46:12 PM

Keep in mind there are very light aluminum hammer extensions and heavy by comparison steel extensions, the steel extensions are the trouble makers from my research on em.

Tim

There is another problem caused by hammer extensions, they can crack the hammer causing the hammer to break off. Remember the Encore hammers are not a solid piece, it had a grove on the underside of the hammer.

But just for your information, I have seen misfires with the aluminum hammer extensions, it does happen. My buddy took his off after he had 5 misfires in a row. Once we removed the aluminum hammer extension, the problem went away. It was not a primer problem,once we removed the extension, we were able to fire the rounds with the light hits and many other rounds without incident. Hammer extensions = problems. It may not ever happen, but I would hate to be the one it happened to, when I had the buck of a life time in front of me. Use what you want, I was just giving my actual experience with them.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #24 on:** December 10, 2006, 04:05:51 PM »

Redhawk's point is well taken, although there is a fix available with the heavy hammer spring, but that may exacerbate the problem with hammers braking at the thin waist with the use of any extension. I don't need the hammer extension on mine and prefer not to use one if I can avoid it, but it had an aluminum ext on it when I got it, so I would like to think it worked ok for the previous owner for the 200 rounds he put down range with it.

Tim