Encore or NEF???

[redneckd1]

Ok guys, I don’t want anyone to get sick of answering very similar questions, but I’ve been bouncing around on this site and it is so full of valuable information and expert knowledge I cannot help but ask to following question(s):
Alabama deer season will be over in 3 weeks and I’ll be looking to replace my current deer rifle (Ruger MKII SS/Syn in .270 with Leupold 3x9x40) my son has a .243 NEF Handi rifle and I really like it, I’ve been tinkering with it wanting to get MOA accuracy out of it, not there yet, but I think I can get there. Anyway I digress; here are the two guns I’ve been considering:

Encore frame – French grayed or other low shine durable finish
20” heavy sporter or med/light varmit bbl in .270 – floated – same finish as frame
Boyd gray laminate stock or lefty thumbhole (would rather keep it ambi, resale value)
Trigger job – looking for 3lbs maybe a little less
Scope? Something like a Burris 4.5x12x50 or similar ($300-350 range)

OR

NEF Ultimate Hunter .270 – action finished similar to above (durable, low shine)  
{maybe the Suvivor in .308 to get the 22” bull bbl, but not sure if I want a .308}
22” barrel – floated – same finish as above (thought about cut and recrown to 20”, but don’t think it is worth the money, I can order the TC bbl from eabco that length)
Trigger job – same as above
If gunstocksinc.com makes an ambi thumbhole like the 10/22 smart stock, that would be perfect or maybe their thumbhole in a lefty model
Same scope as above

Obviously the Encore would easily go over $1000, depending on a few things like optics.
The NEF could be done for at least $300-400 less and cheaper for new barrels, like a .223 or .204 ruger for coyotes

I could fund the base NEF with the sell of my Ruger, I would have to cough up some tight to come by extra bucks for the Encore – so my questions is:

In this excellent group of experts, which gun would you go for and why (pros/cons of each)?

Thx again for your patience!
R

P.S. I’m posting this question in both the Encore and NEF centerfire rifle forums.

[MSP Ret]

NEF, Encore is not worth the money, just plain old straight talk....<><.... :wink:

[Brett]

The Encore's are great guns no doubt about it.  But when push comes to shove are they really that much better than the Handi's or are you just paying a lot more because of the name recognition?

The Encore's generally have a better finish than Handi's, however you intent to refinish the gun so that is a mute point.

Tolerances are more consistent with the Encore allowing for easy barrel interchangeability without smithing or factory fitting.  However you could almost buy two Handi barrels and have them both fit to your Handi receiver for the cost of one Encore barrel.

Reliability/longevity, well the basic H&R design has been around since 1871 so it can't be all that bad.  

I'm originally from Massachusetts so the thrifty New Englander in me would have to vote for the Handi.

[Mac11700]

redneckd1:

I am a Handi-holic...plain and simple...the Encores are sweet...they come in more calibers than the Handi...and they shoot great most the time...however...they do cost a-lot more for your intital start...and then cost more for each barrel you add...which is better...? I can only say for me and what I want to spend... the Handi is a much better buy...including all it's caliber limitations and qusa-quirks...now...if your wanting a magnum class single shot...then the Handi isn't going to fill that urge of yours...and you should opt for the Encore...or even a Ruger #1 or #3 if you can find one...but...looking over the available calibers offered in a Handi...you can't really go wrong in choosing it on the cost issue...and ...if you are in with  the majority of Handi owners...you'll find a accurate rifle that will satisfy your needs...and if you deceide you don't like the barrel for one reason or another...you can swap and sell it pretty easily for different one...or send it in to be factory fitted and trigger job do on it....


Mac

[handirifle]

redneck
That is a tough one.  The pro's are you don't have to send the gun in for a new barrel.  WAY more calibers, and heavier ones too, available for the Encore.  Fit and finish are better on the Encore.

Cons
I've asked on the TC forum here at GB's and, while not as often, the TC's do seem to have some of the same issues the NEF's have, occasionally not locking up, failure to eject, bad barrel, etc.  Mind you If we were to do a real survey, my guess is the TC would fare better percentage wise.  

The ultimate question goes to you.  Are you ever going to want a rifle caliber with more long range power than the 30-06?  If so go with the TC, cause the NEF tops out at 30-06, with the occasional run of 35 Whelen, but same pressures anyway.  So if YOU are going to want a 300 WSM later, go with the TC and don't look back, but if you don't think you ever will, get the NEF and if you don't like it you cand get most of you money back from someone on this forum and buy the TC.

[Terrible Tom]

If I were spending someone else's money, it'd be the Encore all the way.  I really like that you can buy extra barrels without shipping your receiver to the factory.  Used barrels will always fit perfectly.  You can choose from a wider array of calibers in varying lengths and weights and even choose SS or blued.

OTOH, the appeal of the Handi (or a lot of it, anyway) is the value it represents.  If the Handi is 90% of the gun the Encore is for less than half the price, that represents a quite a value.

I don't own an Encore, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't love to have one.

[tallyho]

Encore is almost twice the price as NEF as you describe it.

Seems to me the basic question to ask (disregarding appearance, personal taste, accessories etc) ..is it twice the gun, accuracy, maintenance, accuracy, and all-round performance-wise?

Answer that and you may have your answer.

Cheers
Kerry

[Badnews Bob]

Handis are junky first rate pieces of scrape metal. That being said I have 8 of them and just bought a .30-30 today gonna send it off for 7.62x39 and a .44 barrell right after I shoot it a couple of time, Yes I am addicted.

[Sourdough]

I have TCR, TC Encore, Savage, Remington, Ruger, and Handi all in 30-06.  Of these I hate the Encore.  I won't even put a scope on it.  It got one of those Red Head light sites with no magnification.  I only use it in the boat while running the rivers, it's the only stainless 06 I have.  That stock just don't feel right.  And more recoil than any of the others.

[handirifle]

Badnewsbob said,

Handis are junky first rate pieces of scrape metal. That being said I have 8 of them and just bought a .30-30 today gonna send it off for 7.62x39 and a .44 barrell right after I shoot it a couple of time, Yes I am addicted.

The key words there bob were "first rate" :grin:

[gwhilikerz]

When you get through all the hype and myth what you are looking at are two break open single shot guns. One has better fit and finish (and a lot bigger advertising budget). The other is billed as a basic working gun. Both do basically the same things.   I made my choice. I chose the H&R models. I can't see spending so much for a single shot.  But to each his own.
btw don't worry about a survivor 308. It is a great gun and 308 will do anything a 270 will. OOPS here we go again :grin:

[mrlizzzard]

I swapped a beautiful ruger77 30/06 w/out scope for 2 NEF 223's,one like new and the other is brandnew.One heavy blue/wood the other regular barrel with a nice tasco 3x9.

Ohio doe not have a rifle deer season,coyotes are all over and woodchucks abound.The only deer I would shoot is a monster buck that avoided me this yr.SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I traded and will sell one or the other with the scope for say $200,then send the gun back to nef and get a 50 cal. Muzzle loader barrel and survivor stock for $150.Sell my new Kodiak 50 for $150 and buy a predator call  and 1000 rds of ammo and take my bride out to eat somewhere nice.

I looked at Encore and Omega,they are fine pieces but I have a 4 day muzzle season and retired,would rather have an Impala than a corvette.

There is a trend starting with these rifles and you know supply and demand.
But whetever I said,it's important to do what YOU want,I would.

lizzzard

[Lynn Alan Kietzman]

You get what you pay for.  Buy what you can afford.

[mag41vance]

I own 5 NEF firearms, and 1 Encore .30-06

The only reason I have the Encore is the deal that came along. $250.00 with a bushnell scope.

 If the NEF and Encore were the same price, the Encore would be the one to own. As it is you can purchase 3 complete NEF rifles with an extra barrel for one of the three  for the same price as 1 Encore with an additional barrel. Wealthy  or not The NEF is the Best buy in firearms. MO

[Mainer]

I did the Encore v. NEF debate myself.  I could afford an Encore.  Originally I liked the idea of being able to buy additional Encore barrels without sending the gun to the factory.

But then I realized that I could purchase two Handis or Ultras plus send one in for an extra barrel for about the price of one Encore.

In fact, I just picked up my first Handi for $187.27 (brand new).  For that price I could almost purchase three complete Handi rifles for the price of one Encore.

My idea is, if you want multiple barrels, then buy two complete NEF rifles.  Then you'll always have one on hand while the other is being sent to the factory for another barrel.

I've read the TC Encore forum and most of those guys seem to recommend having two Encore frames (in case of a breakdown) anyway.

[JPH45]

You're askin' the wrong bunch of folks, , but since you asked,

Why pay twice the price (or more actually) for 10% more gun? I live in Mentone, on Lookout Mountian and hunt out my back door, and one or the other of 4 Handi's has brought home deer every year of the past three years. That said, I don't consider the Handi in the same class an an Encore. I had an Encore 50x209 and traded it to a friend for a 45-70 Handi. Why did I trade? $200.00 + for a barrel. I can get a complete Handi for that. I purchased the Encore with the intent of getting a few extra  centerfire barrels, but price kept me out of the game. I'd rather have a used Handi that shoots in my rack than a barrel I want on my wish list. Yeah, the Encore is or can be chambered for just about anything out there, but just how much need do you have for a rifle barrel in 32 S&W Long?

Obvioulsy you like the Handi and I suggest perhaps spending some more time with your sons and get really clear on why, because that part is the most important part of this equation. For 'Bama, the 270 will kill anything you can see, at any distance you can see it at, with or without glass. I would get a Handi, and then spend the extra money on scope and stocks. The Encore comes with, to me, a very nice fitting stock, but with the money spent on a custom stock for your Handi, I believe you will have an even better fitting stock, and still have less money in your rig than if you start with an Encore.

The one place an Encore truely outshines the Handi is in the pistol department. If you want a pistol/rifle combo, the Encore is the only way to go. But as for rifles, why pay more than twice the price for only 10% more gun, unless you just like spending money, but in that case I suggest getting 2 Handis.

[Mainer]

Another factor in favor of the Handi is that you can order one and have it delivered to your local Wal-Mart.

I've ordered that way twice, once for an H&R shotgun and once for my .243 Handi.

I'm at the end-of-the-line here in Maine and both guns arrived in a week.  Plus you don't pay extra for shipping.

Go to www.walmart.com, click "Hunting," then click "Special Order Guns & Ammunition."

Simply print out the page for the NEF or H&R firearm that you want and bring it to your local Wal-Mart (you must order in person).  

The Sporting Goods Dept. will then use the "Wal-Mart Item #" that appears on that page to order your gun (they will use that number to pull up another number (called the "CPU" number I think) on their computer or they may be able to get the CPU number from the special order catalog at the sporting goods counter).  You should call ahead to confirm that the sporting goods clerk on duty knows how to special order firearms, most do, a few don't.

Also, you can confirm whether Wal-Mart's distributor (Sports South) has the gun you want by going to its website:  www.internetguncatalog.com.

If you don't like Wal-Mart, you can check www.galleryofguns.com and buy through a local gun shop.  The prices are slightly higher and the number of guns available is somewhat less than through Wal-Mart/Sports South.

Go ahead and buy a Handi or Ultra.  If you don't like it, you can probably recoup most or all of what you spent by selling it in your local classified ads (first confirm that is legal under your State's laws). :grin:

[rp]

I have an Encore, it's a 209X50 pistol. Now I'm looking at a handi in 25-06 rather than buy a stock forearm and barrel for the T/C which would cost much more. It seems even with an Encore frame on hand the Handi Rifle looks good.

Cabela's and Gander Mt. are moving them out the door almost as fast as they come in.

MAINER - Thanks for the Wally info. I hate sending $ to China, so I stay out of Wally, but this looks do-able.

[single_shooter]

I Have 2 Encores, 2 Contenders, and 2 Handi-Rifles All in Different Calibers.  

I bought my first handi-rifle for my sson in .243, I've used it more than any of the other rifles in the last 6 months.  

I am Really starting to like the Handi Rifles.  I actually like having an ejector on the handi-rifles.

I'll Probably keep buying Handi-Rifles unless I need a wildcat cartridge then I'll probably order a Encore Barrel.

[redneckd1]

Hey Guys! Thx for all the responses! My ethernet card fried and I was suprised when I got back on-line to see all the replys. I think I am going to scout the pawn shops for a handi and maybe work from there, I think it is cheap enough to get a 223 or something to mess around with and if I become a handi holic, oh well!!
Thx again!
R

[Donaldo]

Seems to me it boils down to 1 T/C or 2.5 Handi's.  I don't like that stupid looking stock on the T/C, or that lever hanging down under the trigger guard.  I like my handi just fine.

[redneckd1]

That is just it, I love the TC stock and when I pick one up and put it to my shoulder it just fits! Left or right-handed, I love the feel of the Encore. Now the handi is not bad, I just don't get the same feel from it. I'm going to contact Boyd's to see if they are going to offer a stock for the handi similar to their 10/22 smart stock. That would probably give me close to the same feel as the Encore. I do like the idea of just buying a barrel and slap it on that the Encore has, but at the price I wouldn't be buying very many barrels!! It seems if I can make the Handi feel better in my hands , I can buy a couple whole rifles and then it won't hurt to send an action in to have a new barrel fitted. Thx again for all the expert help and experience opinions. Funny, I got a ton of responses here, but the same post on the Encore forum, got just a few and not much info on why the Encore would be better, just asthetically more pleasing and the barrel fitting issue.

[Mac11700]

Funny, I got a ton of responses here, but the same post on the Encore forum, got just a few and not much info on why the Encore would be better, just asthetically more pleasing and the barrel fitting issue.

That's cause they ain't Handi-holics..    :-D  :-D  

Mac

[handirifle]

hey redneck,
Just make sure you take a look at the serial number item in the FAQ's of the centerfire rifles forum.  It lists the ones using the SB-2 receiver.  that way you can get a lot more accessory barrels.

[buckslayer]

got a .280 handi- synthetic/blued. shoots inside 1'' w/ nearly all ammo. inside 1/2-3/4'' w/ the ammo it likes.........................encore? why? :?

[jeff223]

if you had one of each you could hang with the HANDI crowd and the TC crowd.how would that be?

[Mac11700]

if you had one of each you could hang with the HANDI crowd and the TC crowd.how would that be?

Yes...you could do that...but I'm afraid they may not like it a whole lot...they know...that owning Handi rifles is just like eating Lays potato chips...you just can't have one :wink: and then this sickness begins.........................


Mac

[redneckd1]

If I could afford both, then it wouldn't be much of an issue, I could buy 2 encore frames (pistol/rifle) and some whole handis, then just go barrel shopping everyday!!