Author Topic: T/C ENCORE VS. H&R HANDI RIFLE (VS CVA OE) : WHICH IS BETTER? (Read 24459 times)

Swampman · « **Reply #90 on:** January 08, 2007, 01:27:27 PM »

I'll never own an Encore. They are just too unattractive.

Cement Man · « **Reply #91 on:** January 08, 2007, 04:37:03 PM »

I have several Handi's, Contenders, Encores, and a TCR'87. I love 'em all, and enjoy the multi-use capabilities of each platform. The only complaint I have regarding my Encore's is that they are so handsome, I'm afraid to bring them to the range anymore. People always trying to buy or steal them from me.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #92 on:** January 08, 2007, 05:21:17 PM »

For the single shot shooter that can't make up his mind!!!

Tim

http://www.predatormastersforums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=52453363&page=0&fpart=1&vc=1&nt=all

Cement Man · « **Reply #93 on:** January 08, 2007, 05:41:46 PM »

There you go, Tim. I like it! Is it an "Endi" or a "Hancore"? I think the guy did some really nice stock and forend work there. I really would like something like that.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #94 on:** January 08, 2007, 06:03:06 PM »

I'm not fond of the Encore style stock, but he did indeed do some fine work!!

Tim

Fred M · « **Reply #95 on:** January 09, 2007, 08:00:13 AM »

The above is a nice looking stock. But if you don't want to make a complete new stock you can modify an H&R factory laminated Ultra stock to look like the ones below.

This is not anywhere near as much work as making a new one from scratch, and the outcome is quite nice and provides a weight reduction for a light recoiling rifle.
In this case a 257 Roberts and a 6x47 Handi rifle.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #96 on:** January 09, 2007, 08:09:12 AM »

Now that is a great looking stock, great craftsmanship, symmetry, and balance, nothing "star wars" about that beauty, and you will never mistake it for an off center canoe paddle either....<><....

quickdtoo · « **Reply #97 on:** January 09, 2007, 08:27:27 AM »

Fred, I drool over those stocks every time I see em, they are indeed a work of Art......or a Fred, I should say!

Tim

Fred M · « **Reply #98 on:** January 09, 2007, 12:16:41 PM »

Thanks Tim and Andy.
The nice part of these H&R lamination is the subtle color variation. Neither me nor H&R used stain. This of course brings out the natural color of the wood.
As you can see my finish and the factory finish lower picture are almost identical.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #99 on:** January 09, 2007, 02:46:18 PM »

Fred, what did you use for finish? I usually use Tung Oil and have had great results with it on my stocks. I do not usually like a high gloss finish, especially on my hunting guns but prefer instead a low sheen, your however look outstanding. I have a plain brown laninate buttstock which H&R occasionally uses instead of the pallet wood which I have finished with a waterbase rosewood stain and several coats of Tung Oil. The different layers of laminations are all pretty similar in color and do not show as much distinct color variation as your set of laminates. Do you have any ideas of what they may look like if I strip them and use Tung Oil with no stain on the wood? I was thinking of even a green or gray stain, any thoughts. They are a fun set for hunting and are laminate with a recoil pad and now in a non Monte Carlo configuration....<><....

Fred M · « **Reply #100 on:** January 09, 2007, 03:49:39 PM »

Andy.
I use the Birchwood Casey Tru Oil 12oz spray can. Several coats with sanding in between until all pores are filled. It is not all that shiny it is linseed oil and other oil based. It drys very fast and it is clear and stays clear and preserves the lamination colors.. Pretty tough too.

You can remove a bit of the old finsh and use some Birchwwod Casey True Oil with no stain that will tell you how it look. Actually you can tell the final color by just mopping the spot wth methal hydrate.

I used to buy some laminated stock blanks fro Herters in Maple/walnut 1/8" laminations. When these stocks were finished they sure looked nice and were stable as a rock.

Here you can see the laminations better.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #101 on:** January 10, 2007, 11:33:29 AM »

Thanks Fred, I still have a small bottle of BC Tru-Oil in the cellar. I used it on my issue revolver stocks many years ago to touch them up as they got beat from work. We stopped carrying revolvers many years ago so it is quite old. I have not opened it in years and it's probably dried up now but you never know. I thought Tru-Oil was one of the so called "China Oils", or actually a tung oil but I may been misinformed. Thanks for your assistance, as usual you are a great help and a weatlh of information, knowledge and expierence....<><....

Cement Man · « **Reply #102 on:** January 10, 2007, 04:50:51 PM »

Fred,
Beautiful job!

kombi1976 · « **Reply #103 on:** January 24, 2007, 04:04:15 AM »

Quote from: Fred M on January 09, 2007, 12:16:41 PM

I have a question for you, Fred.
If you can carve that sort of stock from the factory one do you a Bavarian "hogsback" style stock with the square-cut cheekpiece could be carved from it? $:-\$

MSP Ret · « **Reply #104 on:** January 24, 2007, 09:32:57 AM »

If there was enough wood to start with I am sure Fred could do it!!!....<><....

Fred M · « **Reply #105 on:** January 31, 2007, 11:54:01 AM »

Andy
With a hogs back stock like that you would have to have one of those Green Bavarian Hats with the mountain goat brush (Gams Bart) in silver mounts.

One of those green laminated Ultra stocks would do it. Myself I don't like that stock design, but it would be simple enough to do even with fish scale checkering.

Of course this rifle would have to feature an octagon barrel and Suhler hook mounts. $$$$. If the Handi did not have so many poor parts the project would be worth while.

Swampman · « **Reply #106 on:** January 31, 2007, 11:57:06 AM »

How come Fred has taken to poor mouthing NEF products?

Buckskin · « **Reply #107 on:** January 31, 2007, 12:37:51 PM »

Simple logic.

Swampman · « **Reply #108 on:** January 31, 2007, 12:39:20 PM »

Well, I wouldn't have an Encore to hunt with if it were free. I'll stick with NEF products.

Ditchdigger · « **Reply #109 on:** January 31, 2007, 02:14:23 PM »

Swampman,Fred is not being hard on the Handi's (He has 2 that he redone)He's just being honest.Fred is a very knowlegable shooter that measure's everything on a gun to make sure it's up to spec's.The bore's are almost alway's out of spec's and he's redone his trigger's,springs,and just about everything on the Handi.His website on fixing the Handi is considered the bible on how to make your Handi shoot,by many on the forum. He can turn a Handi into a very good shooting,consistant,and goodlooking gun. Digger

Fred M · « **Reply #110 on:** January 31, 2007, 03:12:45 PM »

Thanks Digger.
As I mentioned many times before, the Handi could be a Ne plus Ultra rifle for a very few extra bucks spent by H&R.

No I am not getting into it anymore, but I am still hoping that H&R will smarten up and rectify the short comings before people quit buying Handi's for good.

There is not a single day go by on the GB forum were new shooters complain and have trouble with this and that. Think about it.

Swampman · « **Reply #111 on:** January 31, 2007, 05:28:22 PM »

"There is not a single day go by on the GB forum were new shooters complain and have trouble with this and that."

Same thing on the Ruger, T/C, and Remington forums. But millions of happy owners don't post that they have no problems at all. 90% of gun problems are caused by operators that don't know which end goes down range.

All my NEF products have been outstanding right out of the box. I haven't had to do a thing.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #112 on:** January 31, 2007, 06:56:26 PM »

Swampy...

We have more problems I think because they aren't cleaned good...and a-lot of the factory ammo isn't sized correctly...not to mention a bunch of them have some chambers & throats bordering on being out of spec's and some that plain just are..... Also that most Handi-holics expect more from their money

Add this all up...and you'll naturally wind up with a bunch of disgruntled people...We do get the majority of them squared away and out enjoying their guns on the NEF forum...and those that we can't..the factory does 99.9% of the rest...Not a bad average for all things considered.but...they could do better.....if they wanted too though...

Mac

kombi1976 · « **Reply #113 on:** February 01, 2007, 02:45:59 AM »

Quote from: Fred M on January 09, 2007, 08:00:13 AM

The above is a nice looking stock. But if you don't want to make a complete new stock you can modify an H&R factory laminated Ultra stock to look like the ones below.

This is not anywhere near as much work as making a new one from scratch, and the outcome is quite nice and provides a weight reduction for a light recoiling rifle.
In this case a 257 Roberts and a 6x47 Handi rifle.

Fred, which barrels did you have the 257 Rob and 6x47 made up from?

Buckskin · « **Reply #114 on:** February 01, 2007, 05:08:52 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on January 31, 2007, 12:39:20 PM

Well, I wouldn't have an Encore to hunt with if it were free. I'll stick with NEF products.

Well that tops it. Your borderline clinically insane.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #115 on:** February 01, 2007, 05:38:55 AM »

Well Buckskin, Unlike Swampman I would take an Encore if someone gave it to me however I do have a hard time rationalizing spending that much money for something so ungainly looking. One thing I think even you would have to agree with Swampman is is that the Encores are really unattractive, ungainly, and unbalanced looking. That comes from TC trying to find the cheap way out after the fire and instead of rebuilding and continuing with thier fine TC-83 (I think that was the designation) single shot rifle they tried to make a rifle out of a pistol. It may go bang but it does not seem worth putting up with it's disgusting looks and exhorbitant price to me. Especially when these nice little H&R/NEF single shots do the same or better job for 1/3 the price, and they look good also....<><....

Mac11700 · « **Reply #116 on:** February 01, 2007, 07:03:45 AM »

While the ungainly looks might be a detractor for many folks looking for a conventional stocked Encore...It isn't the only ones available for them...Just as there are for those of us that have Handi's...To each his own..as far as this is concerned I say...because I know full well my taste isn't the same as everyones else's...I do say that the prices one pays for a Encore is quite high..but..this is to be expected...with what goes in on manufacturing cost and if your wanting that platform...While some of the Encores are great shooters out of the box...just as some Handi's are...not all from each of them are...and most folks can't argue either way..I guess if you have a great shooter with either..many folks are really more interested in it's performance...than anything else..

There however is a new kid on the block now making single shot center fire rifles...and from all early indications will have the best of both camps...With a low street price ($280.00 for a blued version )..fully interchangeable barrels without having to do any fitting or sending it back in to have done....a strong lock up..using high quality 4140 blued steel barrels...416R stainless barrels..computer controlled processes that make the specs on these outstanding...and a receiver capable of using large belted magnums... and a barrel accessory program available from various dealers..not just the factory...($150.00 blued..$175.00 Stainless)..I'm trying to get a hold on 1 with a couple different barrels to try out...so...we shall see...http://www.cva.com/products/rifle_optelite_center.htm

Mac

Buckskin · « **Reply #117 on:** February 01, 2007, 07:24:46 AM »

I think the Encore is a very attractive piece that looks even sharper when decked out with a bull barrel, scope and maybe even a thumbhole laminate or walnut. I really don't know much about the Handi's, do you really have to send them back to seat a new barrel??? That seems like a shakey design to me.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #118 on:** February 01, 2007, 07:47:47 AM »

Quote from: Buckskin on February 01, 2007, 07:24:46 AM

I think the Encore is a very attractive piece that looks even sharper when decked out with a bull barrel, scope and maybe even a thumbhole laminate or walnut. I really don't know much about the Handi's, do you really have to send them back to seat a new barrel??? That seems like a shakey design to me.

No...you don't always have to send them back to be fitted...but..sometimes you do.It's just the difference in the design actually..and the tolerances...The CVA's are very similar to the Encore..except from what I have been told by the factory..they are held to closer tolerances...and you won't have the frame barrel gap problem as much as what you do with either the Handi..or the Encore..

Mac

Buckskin · « **Reply #119 on:** February 01, 2007, 09:19:08 AM »

Really, the CVA factory told you that??? I can't believe that they would embellish.