.45/.410 Encore barrel question!

[Dakota30.06]

Hello all...I'm thinking about picking up a .45/.410 barrel for my encore. Just to go out on a Sunday afternoon and shoot some clays, maybe dent a few cans with. How do these barrels shoot? I'm assuming they arnt smooth bore, since they will handle the .45 LC? How does it shoot the .45s? Anyone ever used the barrel for hunting?

Alot of questions I know, I dont like buying something I know nothing about.

[California Mark]

It is a great barrel.  I really only use mine for the .410 application.  It is great out to 40 ish yards on squirrels.  I have not yet tried the .45 since the .410 is so fun to shoot.  Recoil is limited but the noise is loud.  Make sure you have plugs in your ears.  I put a hi viz bead on mine (virgin valley is the barrel).

Mark

[hank]

I have the 14 inch barrel for my G2. Even with the rifling, it appears to do a good job on cans, paper targets, etc. out to about 25 yards or so. I have found Federal Premium 3-inch, 11/16 ounce of 7-1/2, loads work best in mine.

[poncaguy]

great for 410's, forget the 45's.............

[DEACONLLB]

Hi
I have one in 14 inch heavy barrel with rib and internal choke. Haven tried it with 410 yet but with 45 at 100 yards it is all over the place. may be ok at say 25 yrds.
Deaconllb

[chiefs50]

I have a .45 Colt/.410, "Super 14" Contender with the ventilated rib.  I only recently purchased it from a forum member and haven't shot it a lot but I think it is going to be a lot of fun to play around with.  It throws a decent pattern at 25 yards using 3", Federal, 7 1/2's, so it should be effective on grouse at that range - maybe further on rabbit and squirrel.  I was anxious to see how it would do with .45's so I picked up some Winchester, Super X, 255 grain, LRN's and headed out to the range again.  It was windy and around 15 degrees that day so I only shot a couple five-round groups from the 50 yard line.  Groups were around 4" but I think part of that was due to the less than precise, brass bead front sight.  I picked up an inexpensive set of fiber optic shotgun sights that are said to "fit virtually any vent-ribbed shotguns", and am going to try them to see if I can get a little tighter group.  I also have a set of dies, a 300 grain mold, and some 9.3 X 74R brass on order and am going to experiment with those.  Some have reported pretty good accuracy with handloads using a heavier bullet and the 3.47 inch long brass. All in all, I think this barrel is a keeper.