I can't think of anything much more versatile than the 45-70 in an Encore. Nothing against the S & W rounds, but I simply love the 'ol time proven war horse. Shoot it in my Encore, my NEF Handy, and two Contenders. I'm very careful with the hotter loads for the Encore and Handy to make sure they don't wind up in my Contenders.....Mild to Wild....smokeless to black powder....jacketed to cast...gonna try some paper patched next I think....just no end to the possibilities. Originally bought my 18" Katahdin to make an Encore pistol barrel after cutting off the MT, but just couldn't bring myself to do it after trying it as a carbine, even though I don't care for MT's....Love It!!!
Walt
PS also got the 12ga Katahdin....another hoot!....still want a 209 X 50 Katahdin.