Encore Shotgun Smoothbore Barrels

[Davemuzz]

I've looked around at the various on-line stores last year for a 12 gauge smooth bore shotgun barrel for my Pro-Hunter. I just wanted one to use for occasional trap shooting and turkey hunting (I didn't want the specific turkey barrel). I was scanning thru the Midway book and came across the http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=394602&t=11082005 these Thompson Center vented rib barrels with the removable chokes.

Has anyone shot these barrels? If they did production run's of these in the past, I've just flat out missed 'em. Any feedback would be appreciated but since I already own the frame and stock, $330 for the barrel and another $40 for a forarm seems reasonable for a good quality shotgun.

Thanks.

Dave.

[Yel95]

I used a 20ga vent rib last year for turkey hunting.   Switching to a 12ga this year.  I really liked mine.

[jw4570]

This place has them for $280 right now:

http://www.wholesalehunter.com/asp/saleprod.asp?productid=44074&title=Thompson+Center+Enc+Blue+Bbl+12ga+3%22+VR+26%22+Choke

JW

[Davemuzz]

JW,

Thanks for the "find" and the link. I just made the order and the barrel and forarm should ship Monday!

Dave

[jw4570]

Dave,

I got one on the way too!  I had been holding out for a better price and that was the best I found.  I had ordered it like the day before.

I've got a bunch of other chokes that will fit (I think, I have Mossberg Accu-Chokes or equivalents).  I'm gonna try shooting it some with various chokes.  I was not intending this to be a primary barrel, but to take along on trips in case I switched to a shotgun.  I'll probably try it on Turkeys too.  The overall length is probably still less than a pump or auto with a 20 or 22" barrel since the Encore doesn't have a long action and bolt assembly.  I might get the Turkey barrel at some point too, but I will probably get the muzzloading shotgun barrel next.

JW

[Davemuzz]

I just got their email today and was surprised to see that the barrel will be delivered to me tomorrow (Nov 7th). I plan on using it for turkey as well. The more I use single shot guns the more I like 'em.

Again, thanks for the link. The price was much better than Midways.

Dave

[Davemuzz]

I "rolled the dice" when I ordered the 12 guage barrel and bot the Pro Hunter forend for the Encore barrel. Since this 12 ga. barrel was going on my Pro Hunter, I kind of wanted the forend to match.....but I wasn't sure if the Pro Hunter forend screw holes for the shotgun would match the Encore shotgun barrel screws.

Well....good news....the screws line up perfectly!!!!

So, my shotgun forend matches the Pro Hunter stock. If I could only shoot as good as this gun looks!   The gun mounts well to my cheek. I'm looking right down the rib.....so I'm anxious to pattern the gun and see how it does.

Dave

[jw4570]

Dave,

I did exactly the same thing, the Pro Hunter Shotgun Forend!  In Black.  Got mine Today. 

Did you notice the shotgun barrel has dovetail slots in the bottom of the barrel like Contenders with inserts to attach the forend?

I'm hopefully gonna try mine at Thanksgiving with some clay targets.

Jason

[Davemuzz]

JW,,

Yeah...I noticed that. I also like the T\C Encore engraving (I think it's lazer engraving) on the side of the barrel. make's it classy! Even if I can't break 20.....I'll still look good...and it didn't cost me $19K like a Berretta (sp).

Dave

[slk54td]

so have either of you, or anyone else, used the 12ga yet? any opinion on how well works, for clays and hunting? i am very interested in getting one, but would like another unbiased encore shooters opinion.

thanks
todd

[jw4570]

I'm gonna try and shoot some over Thanksgiving week with mine.  I'll let ya'll know. 

JW

[Davemuzz]

Same here.....Thanksgiving weekend....maybe sooner, but they keep callin for rain all this week.   I'll post some results as soon as I have some to post.

Dave

[Davemuzz]

I had a chance today to get to the range and set up a piece of butcher block paper at 25 yards to see how this barrel would pattern. I had the full choke in it and was just using some low brass trap loads. Well, this one's a keeper for sure!!

I put the bead under the black bulls eye at 6 O'clock and the pattern was dead center but just a bit low. However, if it were a turkey it would have piled up so I have no complaints. I took a second shot and covered the bull with the dot and that pretty much centered the pattern.

The flex-tech stock does it's job as the gun itself is lightweight for a shotgun. (no receiver and no wood on it for weight). But I like the lightweight for woods carry anyway, so I think it's the best of both worlds. This is one I won't be parting with.

Dave

[jw4570]

Dave,

I shot mine over Thanksgiving.  I patterned mine with numerous Turkey Loads, they all were low at 40 yards.  This seems to be true with Vent Rib barrels on some guns.  I guess if I use the regular barrel, I need to add those clamp on sights (which I might, I have a set around I got cheap).  I didn't do so well on clay targets, but I didn't do well with my pump shotgun either!! (been a long time).

Pattern was great on the Turkey targets though!

JW.

[Keith L]

I have wondered how they would work wing shooting being a rifle stock and not the same shape as a true shotgun.  I would like a .410 barrel for my Contenders and one day will get one just because I want one.

[Davemuzz]

jw4570,

I can tell you that I like the way this Encore smooth bore "fits" me when I compare it to my Rem 11-87. My Rem shoots way under the target. The Williams vent rib fiber optic sight for the rear sight is in two pieces. One piece attaches to the vent-rib and then the fiber-optic sight "slides" onto that piece.

To "make" my 11-87 shoot a pattern where I point it, I leave the rear piece that attache's to the VR on. Because, if I line up the beads on the VR....the shot load will be 18 to 20 inches low at 20 yards. So..when I pull this T\C up and it patterns where I point....I'm a happy guy.

But then, I'm not a big shotgun guy. There are some guys at my gun club that have 10 to 15 shotguns. Heck, one guy has a Beretta that he bot new for $16 big 'uns. If I were to spend $16k on guns....I would have at least 16 new guns!!!!

But hey,,,that's just me.

Dave