Researching my first rifle purchase - T/C Encore?

[thirdeagle]

I'm contemplating a rifle purchase and I think I want to go with a single shot platform for their "inherent accuracy." I own an NEF .410 that I love but I don't want to fill up a closet of single shot rifles in a dozen different calibers. I like the idea of dropping in a new barrel when I need a different caliber instead of going to a completely different firearm.  I've been eyeing one of the new T/C Encores, maybe even one of the new "pro" models. I currently live in an area where a 150 yard shot to drop a whitetail is considered "long" but I'll be moving to Montana where a 300 yard shot to drop an antelope is not uncommon.  My hunting is generally limited to whitetails and pigs out east, but will hopefully include mule deer, elk, antelope, mtn goat, and big horn once I make it out west.  I do not reload, so I can't adjust my ammunition for maximum accuracy.  I'd like to hear the good and the bad about the T/C Encore - action, fit, finish, accuracy out-of-the-box, affordability, etc. 

[Chuck White]

I have 3 barrels for my Encore!
They are all 26 inches long!

1. 209X50 Muzzle loader - I can keep this within 1 1/2 & 2 inches at 100 yards!

2. 221 Remington Fireball - This one will stay inside of 1 inch at 100 yards!

3. 204 Ruger - This one will shoot 1/4 inch groups at 100 yards!

I haven't done anything to any of my T/C's except clean them, no customizing what so ever!

------------
My suggestion for a barrel (out west) would be one of the 7mm's
284 Winchester
280 Remington
7mm Remington Mag.

[encore3006]

 

[TC2]

I just bought my Encore early this spring.  I have two Barrels: 204 and 6.5x55 Swede.
Both shoot under an inch at 100 yrds with factory ammo.  the 6.5 is a custom barrel.   
I did find the triger a bit too much and did a trigger job on the action.  It is much nicer now.
I plan on using the 6.5 for hunting this fall.   Ammo is avalable in standard brands but is limited in bullet size (mostly 140gr)
and may be hard to find in some local gun shops.  Sportsmans Warehouse carries at least three different brands of the 6.5. 
There are lots of ammo choices for 30.06, .270, .308 etc.  Any of those (I have a 308 and 270 bolt also) would work well out west.

[Heavy C]

I'd say go for it.  I own two Encore rifles, one in 6mm Remington and a 30-06 Ackley Improved.  While I don't reload at the moment I plan to start in the near future.  Both barrels are from the custom shop and both shoot exceptionally well with factory ammo.  I hope to start reloading in the future to work up some custom loads.  I think the Encore is an excellent platform that affords you a fair amount of flexibility if you want to change calibers.  I feel it is a more economical option than having to buy a new bolt action.  The accuracy of my barrels?  The 6mm shoots .25" at 100 yards with Hornady 100 gr BTSP's.  The 30-06 shoots .50" at 100 yards with Hornady 150 gr SST's.  I plan to experiment with other brands of ammo to have some options.  I don't believe you'll be disappointed.

[Encore28]

RESEARCH CONCLUSION:

BUY AN ENCORE

All kidding aside, I would tell anyone interested in a single shot to get an Encore. I have 2 frames and 3 barrels and each one is a shooter!!!
The biggest problem you will encounter buying an Encore is picking what calibers you want.
Good Luck ThirdEagle
Encore28

[hyltoto]

I would not recommend the Encore for a first purchase. Inherent accuracy is found in a good quality bolt action. A rifle with a detachable fore end is prone to be erratic. The worst I ever hand was a Ruger #1. There are Weatherby, Brownings, and ugly but accurate Savage  with the Accu-trigger about that are more stable platforms for the beginner.

One big disadvantage for the Encore is the rinky-dink scope mounting system. Having to remove the for-end to change barrels is a bummer also. The newere ones seem to have more dimension issues with hinge pin size etc. Scroll down and look around.

If you scroll through these posts, you will see that you can make encores shoot, but it take tinkering.

[Grumulkin]

Actually a lot of guns could use "tinkering."  I believe bolt actions theoretically should be more accurate than a break open gun but I get pretty decent accuracy from Encores and Contenders (from rifles 1.5 MOA at the worst and generally in the range of 0.75 to 1 MOA).  If you'll be happy with nothing more than 0.25 to 0.5 MOA, then I'd recommend a bolt action (but you'll probably need to tinker to get that accuracy in an off the shelf bolt action rifle).  My experience with the T/C line includes 17 HMR, 22 LR, 22 WMR, 357 Magnum, 357 Herrett, 44 Rem. Mag., 222 Rem., 223 Rem., 22/250, 270 Win., 7mm/08, 7mm Rem. Mag., 308 Win., 30/06, 30/30 Win., 375 JDJ, 375 H&H Mag., 454 Cassull and 460 S&W Magnum.  It's obvious I need some more like a 243, a 25/06, a 416 Rigby...

I agree, the Encore trigger as it comes from the factory is too heavy but that is easily remedied by a trigger job.

I've found T/C customer support to be no excuses and the best.

As for calibers, for 300 yard Montana shots I would probably go with the 7mm Rem. Mag.  It will work for close shots as well, ammunition/components are of excellent selection, it has good inherent accuracy, etc.  The recoil is also very acceptable.  I have an Encore 7mm Rem. Mag. barrel with a brake (I ordinarily don't get braked barrels but the price was right) that is a very sweet shooter. It's one of the uncommon barrels that shoots the same place clean or fouled, hot or cold.   I get about 1 MOA or less with Barnes 140 gr. XLC XBT bullets and Hornady 152 gr. A-Max bullets and the recoil is such that a wuss could take it.

[Davemuzz]

TE,

I just bot the new Pro Hunter in 243 Winchester. I do agree that the trigger is somewhat on the heavy side. Mine comes in at 4.5lbs as measured by a Lyman electronic trigger pull gizmo. However, for me in a hunting situation (when it's cold here in PA) I don't like my trigger's at less than 4lb so I'm OK with the trigger lb. The trigger has a very slight creep to it, so I have to get this to a smith to get that part fixed. I would think the lb will change slightly, but we shall see.

The gun will shoot MOA with factory 100 grain Winchester soft points. (Yes, I bot a box and tried this). I do reload and It will shoot sub-MOA with Nosler 70 or 80 grain bullets loaded over BL-C2. Just shoot a "foul-er" shot first as it doesn't like to shoot that first shot with a clean barrel.

I mounted a Leupold Rifleman scope 3-9X 40mm on this barrel. This kept the cost down. However, on my .223 Contender I have the VX-II 50mm 4.5-14, and I must say that the VX-II will spoil you. But, on the whole, I like the gun and would buy it again and would recommend it to my friends.

BTW, my next barrel for this will be the S&W 460. Just because they make it!!!

Dave.

[Grumulkin]

Just a word of caution, in PA you have handgun registration.  If your Pro Hunter barrel is a rifle barrel on a rifle frame, it would be illegal to mount a 460 S&W handgun barrel on it both under State and Federal law.  If you bought handgun frame; no problem.