Author Topic: H&R Rifle or Encore Rifle set up  (Read 1623 times)

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Offline northkid

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H&R Rifle or Encore Rifle set up
« on: February 19, 2012, 01:09:09 PM »
Which rifle do you like better the H&R or the Encore, both of them you can get different barrels for them. For the price of the Encore barrel you can get new H&R.   Also posted in the H&R forum and someone mentioned to put it in the Encore, which makes perfect since.

Offline Hopalong7

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Re: H&R Rifle or Encore Rifle set up
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2012, 01:15:31 AM »
    Well, Sir....I LOVE my ol' Ford 'cause she just gets-r-done, but...If I really could afford it....I guess I'd drive the Lincoln 8) .
Walt

Offline kynardsj

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Re: H&R Rifle or Encore Rifle set up
« Reply #2 on: February 20, 2012, 01:25:47 AM »
I've owned them both. Excellent quality and performance with the Encore platform. Not so much with the H&R's and NEF's I've owned. I know a lot of folks here feel differently but IMHO, Encores ain't cheap but they're worth it.
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Offline shawlerbrook

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Re: H&R Rifle or Encore Rifle set up
« Reply #3 on: February 20, 2012, 07:38:35 AM »
The Ford/ Lincoln analogy is a good one. I own both NEF and Contenders, and the fit, finish and quality doesn't compare. But the NEF guns are pretty good shooters.

Offline dave29

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Re: H&R Rifle or Encore Rifle set up
« Reply #4 on: February 20, 2012, 12:42:50 PM »
I own several of both. I like them both, and they both have their places for me.

I like that you can buy just about any caliber, accessory, or nice stock set you want for the Encores. I like that the H&R's are cheap and the second hand barrels are cheap, they just need a little hand fitting.

Next on my list is my first Contender. I want one in 7x30 waters, if they ever come back in stock anywhere. I'm not paying more for a used one than I can buy a new G2 for.

Offline yooper77

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Re: H&R Rifle or Encore Rifle set up
« Reply #5 on: February 27, 2012, 01:04:20 AM »
I bought my Thompson Center Encore as a blued 10" 44 Magnum pistol in 1997 and have had numerous rifle and pistol barrels on it and each worked flawlessly. I also never had to mess with its smooth and crisp trigger or any other after market gimmick adjustments.
 
I once bought a used NEF Handi in 243 Winchester with a Burris full field 3-9 scope for a steal, but quickly returned it since I never liked the case ejection, looks or feel.
 
My Encore can be used as a pistol which is something Handi's cannot do, so for me there is zero comparison.
 
yooper77

Offline Buckskin

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Re: H&R Rifle or Encore Rifle set up
« Reply #6 on: February 27, 2012, 05:40:41 AM »
Gotta go with the Encore set up. I love that you can get anything you want for fine tuning, modifications, calibers, etc. And they are shooters.  My 204 is my favorite caliber for my Encore and am in the process of tweaking a load for it now.
Buckskin

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Offline revbc

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Re: H&R Rifle or Encore Rifle set up
« Reply #7 on: February 28, 2012, 02:06:45 AM »
I have had all 3, encores h&rs and contender.  The contender is my newest venture and I can say I really like it.  The encore I had was a good rifle, but the price and accuracy of the h&r platform outweighed the encore's appeal.  It is a fact the fit and finish of the encore is better, but $400 or more better?

Now the small,  light contender package is very nice.  Also, the ability to have certain unusual calibers is a strong point (7-30 Waters).
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Offline Dalgo

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Re: H&R Rifle or Encore Rifle set up
« Reply #8 on: February 28, 2012, 04:59:01 AM »
Buckskin, that is one heck of a nice group. I have just one Encore. In 7mm-08. Standard factory barrel, I'm going to start reloading for it. So far, the groups are decent (around 1"). I feel I can do better. I'm using a 1.5 X 5 scope on it now, and I feel that I could do much better w/a 3 X 9 glass. Will put one that weighs around the same, because the current set-up balances beautifully. Point is, they are great guns! Need a little bit of "TLC" to get the most from them. I'm a great believer that you get what you pay for.  They are worth the added money. No question. And, the versatility? Barrels are very reasonable. Even custom barrels. Next barrel: .22 K-Hornet.


Dalgo
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Offline David D.

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Re: H&R Rifle or Encore Rifle set up
« Reply #9 on: February 28, 2012, 12:43:26 PM »
Never owned a Handi but have shot a few. After that I never will. They just didnt meet my expectations! My opinion is yes the Encore is well worth the extra $$$.
Dave D.

Offline Flynmoose

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Re: H&R Rifle or Encore Rifle set up
« Reply #10 on: February 28, 2012, 03:37:17 PM »
I am fortunate to have Encores, G2s and one Handi rifle. The Handi is a 223 and wears a 16 1/2" barrel. It is my truck gun that is more utilitarian than the T/Cs, more a working gun. I don't hunt and the T/Cs only come out in nice weather for gong duty. I do enjoy the pistols too, having a dedicated pistol frame in Encore and G2. Correction... I do send coyotes into the next county with the Handi, I hope to hit one some day!
FM
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Offline Doublebass73

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Re: H&R Rifle or Encore Rifle set up
« Reply #11 on: February 28, 2012, 04:50:07 PM »
I have had all 3, encores h&rs and contender.  The contender is my newest venture and I can say I really like it.  The encore I had was a good rifle, but the price and accuracy of the h&r platform outweighed the encore's appeal.  It is a fact the fit and finish of the encore is better, but $400 or more better?

Now the small,  light contender package is very nice.  Also, the ability to have certain unusual calibers is a strong point (7-30 Waters).

I'm with you rev. I'm not taking anything away from the Encores, they are very nice but for the price of an Encore I can get a Handi in the many known accurate calibers that Handis come in and have enough money left over for a decent Leupold scope plus reloading dies, etc.

I'm with you on the Contenders also. I have a G2 carbine in 45 Colt and the very light weight and availability of solid hunting calibers (30-30, 45-70, 7-30 Waters, etc.) makes it worth the extra money. My 24" 45 Colt setup with blued steel and walnut stocks only weighs 5.7 lbs. and balances perfectly. It's a joy to carry all day and perfect for the thick woods that I hunt.
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Offline luckydawg13

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Re: H&R Rifle or Encore Rifle set up
« Reply #12 on: March 01, 2012, 03:43:29 PM »
get the ENCORE and dont look back
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and drive a F150

Offline VT30-30

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Re: H&R Rifle or Encore Rifle set up
« Reply #13 on: March 02, 2012, 11:43:21 PM »
I also own a Handi rifle in 30-30 Win and it shoots great, I also own Encores. I agree that a Handi is a nice rifle
they're not as nice as a Encore. Just my opinion. But luckily we can own both. Saying that and even though I got
a 45-70 barrel for my Encore, my next purchase is going to be a Handi in 45-70. I like throwing that big piece of
lead.
la mort avent le de'shonneur

Offline Elwood

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Re: H&R Rifle or Encore Rifle set up
« Reply #14 on: March 03, 2012, 04:53:32 AM »
Is this question for real or a joke?
Who shall I take to the prom, he shapely homecoming queen or the chunky, bucktooth, socially challenged cuz from up the holler?
How do you compare the two?
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Offline Keith L

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Re: H&R Rifle or Encore Rifle set up
« Reply #15 on: March 03, 2012, 06:18:53 AM »
I have an H&R 223 that sits in the tractor while my son does field work, then bounces around in the back of the truck the rest of the time.  It has held up well and shoots nearly as well as my Contender rifles.  I can't speak for Encores but the fit and finish on my Contenders is way better than the H&R, and they live in the safe.  Fish from different seas.
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Offline Sourdough

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Re: H&R Rifle or Encore Rifle set up
« Reply #16 on: March 20, 2012, 10:24:49 AM »
I have two Contenders, two TCRs, and one Encore.  I also own nine H&Rs.  My go to guns are the H&Rs and the TCR.  I really like the Contenders, and have taken Caribou and Predators with them.  The TCRs are used for everything from Squirrels, to Turkeys, to Whitetail, to Grizzlies.  So are the H&Rs.  I've taken everything with the H&Rs.

Now for the Encore.  It makes a great Muzzleloader.  I've taken Moose and Black Bears with it as a Muzzleloader.  As for a Centerfire rifle, it's a piece of crap.  I have tried .338 Win Mag, 7MM Mag, 30-06, 270, 243, and 22-250.  None of them shot worth a darn out past 300 yards.  Out to that range they are OK, but beyond 300 yards they can't keep within a 6" circle for beans.  The 30-06 was the only barrel with the Encore that shot decent at that range.  The 30-06 is acceptable out to 500 yards, but no farther.  My H&R and TCR 30-06s are good out to 700 yards.   Plus my the H&Rs have Ejectors.  Try fumbling to get an empty out of an Encore with cold fingers for a second shot, ain't going to happen.

By good, I mean I can hit a gallon milk jug at that range.  The Encore just don't live up to the hype.  But remember it makes a great muzzleloader.   
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