New guy needs help/advice.....

[Gary O]

I would like to make a start converting my rifle needs over to the T/C system. But I am confused by the different framed, prices, options and so on. I would like to get rid of all my bolt guns and have a T/C rifle chambered for 22 WMR, 17HMR, and an appropriate deer caliber for out here in the West. I am a handloader. How would you folks go about assembling what I would need? Thanks....
Gary O
 :?

[flatlander]

What kind of ranges are you going to be likely to shoot? Deer only or could you go bigger? Longer ranges and larger game tend to lend themselves to the Encore, but that leads to some other issues in order to use the rimfire rounds. We need more specifics about what your hunting situations will cover.

[Gary O]

Deer out to 300 yards; rockchucks out to 100 yards with the 22WMR; ground squirrels out to 150 yards with 17HMR. Had been thinking about 7-08 rem for deer. Thanks......Gary

[KN]

I think your doubleing up on barrels by getting both the 22mag and the 17HMR. The 17 will do everything the 22mag will especially at 100yds. Granted the ammo is still more expensive but that extra $200 will buy quite a bit of ammo. I'm sure this will get flamed by the 22mag lovers but I have been doing a fair amount of shooting with the 17 and am convinced it's superrior to the 22mag. Unless the wind is really nasty. Just my $02   KN

[onesonek]

For diggers and beyond,,,17, 223+ yotes, 7-08 deer. 3 barrels ain't enough. Use your imagination, and checkbook. Have fun, it's a blast!!!

[longwinters]

I have the Encore in 7M-08.  It is a great round.  But there is quite a bit of recoil because the rifle is so lite.  Save yourself some grief and get a Sims Limb Saver recoil pad.  They make them specifically for the Encore (about $26.99). I put one on mine and it was the best thing I have done for that rifle.  The 7m-08 is a great deer round.  Both myself and one of my sons have the caliber and it is great out to 300 yds.

long

[doc-and]

Do you want to use factory barrels or custom?  If you want to use factory barrels and shoot rimfires either 17HMR and/or 22Mag your only choice is the Contender frame in either form (original or G2). Thompson has not made it possible to shoot the rimfire cartridges in the Encore without custom barrel.  Several barrel makers are offering barrels, OTT is offering a new firing pin (offset) to replace the factory, but to shoot centerfire cartridges you have to change it back out.  

The Contender will handle both the rimfire and centerfire cartridges but they are of low pressure (ie 30-30, 7-30waters). Custom barrel makers such as SSK offer a varity of chamberings which are wildcats that may suit your needs.

Depending on your budget, I would get a Contender for the rimfires and an Encore for the centerfire requirements.  I shoot both and love both.
You need to establish which cartridges you need & select the either factory or custom.

doc-and

[SLAVAGE]

I WOULD AGREE WITH THE OTHERS 7-08 FOR THE DEER
THE P DOGS IM NOT SURE SO ILL ADDRESS IT AS IF IT WAS LIKE A GROUND HOG IM IN THE SOUTH EAST NO P DOGS AROUND HERE BUT IT ITS LIKE A GROUND HOD I WOULD GO WITH A 223 ESPECIALY SENCE U RELOAD IN THE LONG RUN IT WILL BE CEAPER UMC 20 ROUNDS FOR $5 50 ROUNDS OF 22WM OR 17HMAG ARE 9.99 U GOT 40 RELOADABLE ROUNDS FOR 50 OF THE OTHER TOO AN ITS A BETTER SHOOTER FOR THE SQUAR. I WOULD GET A HEAVY BARRELED 22 LR SAVAGE MAKES A VERY VERY GOOD ONE FOR 180 WITH A LAM STOCK I KNOW IM GONA GET STONES TOSED AT ME FOR THAT ONE BUT COME ON 200 FOR A BASIC BARRLE IN 17 OR 22 AN A HOLE RIMFIRE RIFE FOR THE SAME PRICE SAVE YOUR SELF THE TIME AN HAVE 8 SHOT CLIP FOR THE SAME PRICE

DAVE

[Flash]

First of all, you might want to decide on which platform to launch all these calibers from. The contender frame is fine for the nice trigger but won't handle the pressures beyond around  35,000 c.u.p. The old style safety isn't repairable due to the introduction of the G2 and for that matter, neither is anything on the Contender frame so if it's a Contender you want, choose carefully and focus on newer ones. The Encore is fine but used ones aren't too plentiful. The aftermarket stocks that are being introduced by www.gunstocksinc.com for all three firearms are fine quality and make good wintertime projects for the handiman. I guess your starting point depends on the calibers you choose and your opinion about used, as opposed to new. I personally like the Contender but must admitt that I've never held a G2 in my hands to say otherwise. Whatever choice you make, you won't be disappointed in the T/C quality or their versatility. Oh, the G2 and Contender will share the same barrels but the Encore is a beast all it's own. The calibers that the Encore is available in are what set's them aside from each other and mainly due to pressure. Good luck in your choice.

[IronMonkey]

I say go for the contender.  Get the 17 hmr barrel and a 30-30AI barrel.  Might as well get a 22lr at the same time.  The ackley can be loaded safely to near 6.5x55 velocities.  Use stronger than 30-30 brass and have fun, (375 win, 256 win, 7x30 waters)  Just my opinion.  dan

[jmsbntz]

An alternative solution for you...

http://www.eabco.com/tclam.html

Encore Rimfire Conversion Kit!

Shoot 17 HMR, 22 Mag, and 22 LR Match in Your Encore!

Our new rimfire conversion kit simply replaces the centerfire firing pin assembly with a rimfire firing pin assembly. No frame disassembly required. Just remove the one screw above the firing pin. Pull out the centerfire assembly and put in the rimfire assembly. Re-install the screw and you’re done. Well engineered, in-line pin function is reliable and strong. And when you want to change back to centerfire, just reverse the installation process. Switch back and forth whenever you want! This system works with our EABCO Custom Encore barrels in 22 Long Rifle Match, 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, and .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire. Order Your’s Today!
ORDER 129-ERF Encore Rimfire Conversion Kit $45

[Steve E]

Encore will handle it all(within reason). I have a rifle barrel in 280 Rem Imp and an 18" 22 lr Match and I don't use the rimfire adapter, it came from OTT which has slightly offset(higher hinge block) barrel and doesn't need the adapter. Doc, OTT doesn't offer an offset firing pin, its the barrel that he offset. I was his guinea pig and have the first one he made, it's marked "Prototype". The Encore is heavier as most people know. It all comes down to what caliber you decide on and then see which one it is available in.

                                               Steve E........