thinking of getting rid of my encore!

[troy_mclure]

i bought my encore pro hunter in .204 ruger for some varmiting.

i bought a .45/70 bbl as a brush/woods pig and deer gun.

after shooting my buddies savage bolt gun in .204 i no longer like the idea of a single shot varmint rifle, i hate having to break weld to reload every shot.

and i got my grandfathers marlin 336 in .35rem, which makes a much handier brush gun than the encore.

i really love the way the gun handles/feels, but the main uses i bought it fore are no longer valid.

should i keep the frame and trade barrels(dont know what i could use/want)? or just sell it off?

i know ill take a pretty good loss on it if i do sell, but is better than having a gun i dont have a use for/wont shoot.

[Grumulkin]

If you're not using your Encore and don't think you will, then sell it.  There are bunches of good guns out there and some people just like some better than others.

It turns out that Encores are what I use most and I have other choices.  I haven't felt handicapped by only having one shot and I really don't understand the importance of the "weld" thing.

[luckydawg13]

i love my encore 454/243/3006/12ga my cold dead hands

[troy_mclure]

It turns out that Encores are what I use most and I have other choices.  I haven't felt handicapped by only having one shot and I really don't understand the importance of the "weld" thing.

its mainly a keeping in area thing, if you have 7-8 targets, shoot, then have to take your eyes off the area to reload, then find the target area again to resume shooting.

[Lawful Larry]

its mainly a keeping in area thing, if you have 7-8 targets, shoot, then have to take your eyes off the area to reload, then find the target area again to resume shooting.

We are talking about hunting and not killing on a battlefield, right?

I am not bragging, but I can't remember the last time I took a second shot while shooting a deer.  If a big game hunter can go hunting for  dangerous game with a double rifle, I can go hunting for less dangerous game with a single shot.

[kynardsj]

I'll be hanging on to my Encores too. For strength, versatility and danged good accuracy they're hard to beat. Like Lawful Larry, no bragging either but I can't remember a second shot on a deer in many years.

[troy_mclure]

its mainly a keeping in area thing, if you have 7-8 targets, shoot, then have to take your eyes off the area to reload, then find the target area again to resume shooting.

We are talking about hunting and not killing on a battlefield, right?

I am not bragging, but I can't remember the last time I took a second shot while shooting a deer.  If a big game hunter can go hunting for  dangerous game with a double rifle, I can go hunting for less dangerous game with a single shot.

its a .204ruger, im not going after deer with it.

shooting into a packs of nutria, or a prairie dogs town is my main use for it.

[Keith L]

Sell it if it is not for you. 

[pozoutdoors]

For me, I bow hunt and mostly use a muzzleloader for deer. So the encore makes sence!!! I love it as a rifle. Very accurate. That is all I need!!!!

[marine]

  I think having that one shot while hunting is kinda cool.  It makes me try just that little bit extra.  Ive had several bolt actions for varmint hunting and i always seem to come back to one of my single shots.  I dont pdog hunt but shoot groundhogs.  I could see wanting a bolt for a dog town but an ar15 would be even better!  In the end its what you want and what you'll be happy with.

[Catfish]

If you don`t need the monry right now keep it untill you find someone that will pay top price for it. You can never have too many guns. The rack in my vault will hold 47 long guns and I have guns stacked in 3 corners. I don`t have to many guns, I just don`t have enoygh rack space. 

[kenfred]

If you know how many guns you have, then you don't have enough.

[revbc]

Troy,

Just traded my encore 7mm-08 for a Savage 110FP in 223 and don't regret it.  The encore was a good rifle, I got the receiver and stocks through a trade and then bought a barrel.  Killed a few deer with it, but found I like my H&R 357 maximum better for deer hunting.  I got the Savage for targets and maybe a  coyote or so, it shoots lights out.  I don't have a problem with the singles(I have a bunch), but like you, I feel the bolt is nicer shooting a group on paper.  You just don't have to move everything.  Hey, it's your rifle, but most of the guns I have sold I eventually wanted them back.  But that's life.  If you can't afford to keep the encore and buy the Savage, sell her, they always make more of them.

Bobby

[Lawful Larry]

Troy,

Hey, it's your rifle, but most of the guns I have sold I eventually wanted them back.  

Bobby

Ya know I used to have that problem and then I quit selling 'em.  Now I need another safe!!!     

[gunrac]

If it's got to go, you will probably do better parting it out. I went thru your dilemma a year ago and have no regrets. I ended up with 3 new guns for what I got out of all the Encore stuff.

[Ahab]

Interesting, I bought the Encore .204 to replace my Savage that keyholes every once in a while. Have no problems with a single shot. What is welding?

[Keith L]

"cheek weld" is what they refer to when you are in the ideal position on the stock to have the perfect look through the scope.  With an auto or a bolt you can keep the weld while putting in the next shot.  With a single shot you can't.

If the stock and scope mount height fits you well it will come to the proper spot every time you mount the gun.  With a less than perfect fit you have to creep up or down to get to the right spot.

[surveyor47]

I compete with individuals whom I have witnessed firing 1 to 2 inch 100 yard, X ring groups, standing, no sling, no optics.  The guns?  1860s era muzzle loaders and breech loaders firing loose ball and powder. I have yet to see one of them complain about "cheek weld".

[David D.]

Like the ole saying go's, different strokes for different folks. That's just one of the good things about America, lots of choices. Some drive Chevy's some drive Fords. If the Encores dosent work for you by all means sell and shoot something you like! All guns have one thing in common. Enjoy the ones of your choice!

[Dezynco]

I've never felt handicapped with my single shot rifles, especially in a stand where I pick most of my shots.  However, I've got a bolt action 30-06, an AR-15 chambered in 300 Whisper, a fine old Winchester 30-30, and a good old Ruger 44 Carbine.  I usually take one of those if I'm expecting a "jump shot".  Most of the time I take my Contender pistol or carbine because I preferr to climb a tree for an ambush.  Here in Mississippi, we are still able to deer hunt with chase dogs, most of the time you need a good long barreled shotgun with buckshot and a good revolver on your hip.

If I were worried about "cheek weld" I would stick to my AR-15 because it has almost no recoil and stays on target for follow-up shots.  With the AR, you can set it up with DOZENS of different stocks and cheek piece configurations.

[wallacem]

You have the one bbl I don't understand, the 204.  Very limited in usage.  Consider selling that bbl and buying another one that has more flexibility.  I have owned a 22-250 for 35 years, and killed 40 deer with it before retiring it from deer hunting in 1984. Since them I have only taken my 10' 357 Contender deer hunting.  Point is the bbl you have won't cross many lines. Another bbl will allow you to use it more.  Wallacem in Ga.

[B. Miville]

I had my factory .30-06 barrel chopped by SSK industries to a neat 18".  It is, IMHO, a wonderful brush gun (don't buy into the hype about the slower and larger caliber bullets being les prone to brush deflection if that is your worry).  It is now shorter than any rifle you could be hauling in the thick stuff but not short enough to really mess with it's balance very much.  I actually noticed a slight increase in accuracy too from the factory loads I was using (not drastic mind you, but noticeable.)  I throw my scope magnification to 2 and go at it.  IMHO if I jump a deer in the thick stuff I am still going to opt for trying one good, well aimed shot if possible.  Frankly letting a magazine's worth of lead let fly quickly never seemed very safe, but then again I don't know the area you hunt.  I am just saying for where I go it does not.  While I am not exactly "near" any house in a practical sense I am usually within a mile of one at any given time....

Brian

[Lawful Larry]

Here in Virginia we can't hunt deer with anything less then a .24 caliber.  I personally would never use a .22 caliber to hunt deer!  I still think that the M-16 is not a gun we should be using for combat either!  But that is another topic not for this form.

I think the .204 is a great gun for varmint hunting.  I use a .17 HMR, a .22 Hornet, a .218 Bee, and if I had moe space in my safe I would probably own a .204.  Now these are good varmint calibers.

[troy_mclure]

well i have decided to keep the frame and get a barrel in a cheap range cartridge.

[saltydog]

The Encore , as with any other single shot firearm, is a mental issue. Depending on the day you may or may not be ready to enjoy the features / challenges of the single shot. If the repeating rifles are more "fun" then I would sell the Encore as it will probably just gather dust in your safe - even with another barrel.

[yooper77]

Here in Virginia we can't hunt deer with anything less then a .24 caliber.  I personally would never use a .22 caliber to hunt deer!

In Michigan you can use a 22 caliber center fire cartridge for deer.  This year my 12 year old daughter took a seven point whitetail buck in upper Michigan with a T/C Encore 223 Remington 24" rifle barrel, Weaver 2-10x38mm scope set at 4x and my hand loads of Nosler 60 grain Partitions with H4895. She waited for it to stop broadside and place the crosshairs behind the shoulder giving a clear double lung shot. The shot was at 75 yards and she was with me in a 2 person ladder stand. That little bullet took out both lungs and broke a rib as it exited. Blood trail tracking was easy.

I wanted her to use a 243 Winchester or 7mm-08 Remington, but the recoil was too great for her.  I use this 223 Remington barrel for varmints and never thought of using it for deer.

The stock I used was an adult synthetic that I cut off 1” and retained the sling stud, but stuffed the hollow cavity with Wal-Mart bags and slipped on a Limbsaver recoil pad. The bags gave a solid base for the pad, so fit and performance was stellar.  She says she is ready for next year.

Here is the link to some pics of the hunt and story. http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,188156.msg1099174022.html#msg1099174022

yooper77

[Lawful Larry]

Yooper this is what it all about.  I love to see our youth in the field and learning what we are doing and Keeping our heritage alive. 

This is beautiful.  God Bless my friend.

[TLARbb]

I think you are doing the right thing.  In fact, that's the beauty of the Encore.  There's always a good chance that situations will change and the rifle (maybe in a different caliber) will be perfect.  You'll be happy you chose to keep the receiver and get another barrel.  You can sell that .204 barrel here or elsewhere and won't be out much difference.  Heck you might even be able to work a trade for no money.

[Ladobe]

If you know how many guns you have, then you don't have enough.

Agreed with that most of my life, but when the health went south a few years ago I had to stop hunting and so decided I didn't need the firearms anymore.   Found I had 65 firearms, many still new in the box "in reserve"  (plus a truck load of factory/custom Contender barrels).   Been a real PITA trying to sell them all for a reasonable price ever since, so I still have about two dozen rifles and pistols (not TC's).    Sure would have been easier if I was a "one-gun" shooter like I was as a kid.   That is pretty easy to accomplish with a Contender or Encore, and for any kind of hunting.   I found with my Contenders over 4 decades ago like most huters do with their TC's that most of the time "one good shot" was all it ever took no matter what kind of game I was hunting (well, 'cept when under siege by 4-5 coyotes all at once).   

[schuetzen]

well i have decided to keep the frame and get a barrel in a cheap range cartridge.

I just got an Encore .357 Maximum rifle barrel from Ed's Contenders.  I would have settled for a .357 Magnum rifle barrel, but I'm glad I got the .357 Max now.  I'm looking forward to hand loading and shooting it in .38 Special, +P, .357 Mag and .357 Max.

There was a Encore .45 ACP rifle barrel that just sold on Gunbroker.  I was tempted, but it was quite a bit more expensive and not as broad a range of shooting that the .357 Max will allow.

I find I don't want to shoot semi-auto's as much anymore and the slower pace makes the shooting last longer!