Author Topic: Encore shooters: advice regarding my first Encore? (Read 851 times)

BigBrass · « **on:** July 18, 2005, 07:46:01 AM »

I have no experience with the T/C Encore; but I plan to order one in a rifle caliber for hunting (270, 30-06, .308, .300 WSM or .300 Win Mag). I would appreciate the advice on these questions of anyone with experience with the T/C handguns:

(1) As to recoil, I have had no difficulty in handling a Ruger .454 Casull revolver or a .44 mag. at the range without any muzzle brake. How big a step up in recoil would the 30-06 class of cartridges, or the .300 mag class, be, in an Encore, with no muzzle brake? (I hate muzzle brakes. They are too noisy.)

(2) Will I experience any loss in inherent accuracy in the Encore if I go beyond the 30-06 category of cartridges (say, with the .300 Win Mag?)

(3) Would I be likely to need modifications or custom work (aside from maybe a trigger job), or a high-end aftermarket barrel, in order to get good accuracy? What work would you recommend getting, at the outset?

toecutter · « **Reply #1 on:** July 18, 2005, 08:14:20 AM »

Great choice of guns! You might want to say what you plan on hunting and at what ranges, before I could offer any meaningful advice. That being said, the encore is easily tuned up if that is within your interests. To start you might give a factory T/C barrel a try. I may have just been lucky but all of mine have been outstanding. I don't shoot with an encore competitively though (not that they aren't accurate enough), just meaning that I don't know what they would be like after many thousands of rounds. Of your choices though, I love the .308, but I might be just as well inclined towards the .270 if deer were your preferred quarry. That being said, the .257 roberts or the 7-08, are plenty of gun for deer, and would not leave you wanting for much. Any way you look at it, you'll have a new toy and plenty of time to fine tune it before the season starts.
Good luck!!

BigBrass · « **Reply #2 on:** July 18, 2005, 08:58:43 AM »

Thanks for your comments, toecutter. I plan to hunt wild pigs, deer and possibly black bear with this thing. As to the ranges, I plan to put a scope on it; but the distance at which I would take a shot at game will depend on how good I can get with the Encore using targets at the range. All my hunting to date has been with rifles. If I can get skilled enough to take a 200-yard shot, or longer, with a hunting handgun, at game, with a high degree of confidence , that would be great; but I expect that that will take a lot of practice at the range.

xphunter · « **Reply #3 on:** July 18, 2005, 09:44:45 AM »

With that being said, (Good questions tc) any of the 308 based cases will be more than sufficient for your distance and game.
Preference wise, I really like the 260 Rem. & the 7mm-08.
If you intend to bump to higher performance (don't need to for range and animals mentioned) the 25-06, 25-284, 6.5-284, and 284 Win. are great possibilities.
FWIW buy a good quality scope. I use Burris LER Variables with great success.

doc-and · « **Reply #4 on:** July 19, 2005, 01:07:42 AM »

Have to agree, BUY A GOOD SCOPE! I have Burris, Leupold, and Nikon scopes all are good glass, though Leupold is getting out of sight prices for their glass.

doc-and

poncaguy · « **Reply #5 on:** July 19, 2005, 03:11:22 AM »

I would start with a Burris scope and 270, 308, 7mm-08, and work up from there. And a good Simms recoil pad.

xphunter · « **Reply #6 on:** July 20, 2005, 02:16:56 AM »

poncaguy,
How does a Simms recoil pad (Is it a glove?) work with a Encore handgun?

poncaguy · « **Reply #7 on:** July 20, 2005, 03:49:06 AM »

xphunter, I was half asleep I guess, I was talking rifle......... :oops:

tcencore · « **Reply #8 on:** August 01, 2005, 10:05:51 AM »

I shoot a 308 15" mag-na-ported encore pistol.I like this set up very well,at first I didn't have it mag-na-ported and I would suggest this option.
I all so agree with the others on use good optics there is a 3x12 burris on my 308 and it is great.

BigBrass · « **Reply #9 on:** August 01, 2005, 02:33:52 PM »

Thanks for your comments, guys.

.358buddy · « **Reply #10 on:** August 05, 2005, 01:52:43 PM »

I am getting in on this late but have to agree with all posts on the .308
case. My wife shoots a 165gr Nosler partition in her 308. The factory barrel in her hands ,shoots all bullets touching at 100 yards.

As far as recoil in the .06 caliber and above. She refuses to shoot
my .358 winchester with any bullets heavier than the 200 grain. Hope this helps.

**oneshot** · « **Reply #11 on:** August 07, 2005, 03:26:11 PM »

I shoot an Encore in .308. The recoil is similar but different than a 44mag, more in line with your hand than over your head. I've shot it both with and without a scope and it is an accurate gun. I worked up a load using 150gr hornady's, that will hold under an inch at 100yds.