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Posted: 12/17/2007 3:50:35 PM EDT
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I had a friend ask me about these, he says he would like to have one with a few barrels, .308, 22-250, and a muzzle loader in 209x50, My first response was "Ick! a single shot?!?!"  (For Hunting and long range shooting) Honestly, outside of a 30/30 pistol I shot ages ago, I couldn't really comment on their quality. And I agreed with him that he would definitely be saving a bit of money doing it that way, rather than buying three different rifles. Even though the barrels go for just over $300 each, I suppose it would be worth it. Now for just two different chamberings, I would just buy two different rifles. Three and up on the other hand you probably save you a substantial about of dough. I told him I would ask around, you guys have any advice for him? |
Nice rifle and good point, I guess being "repeating-action-less" they are much shorter. |
| I have the plain original Encore. Originaly I had the 308 and .50 muzzleloader barrels but sold the 308 because the muzzle loader barrel can hit a pop can at 100 yards until it is too crusty to load. Its light and easy to clean. If cost is an issue a TC Omega is every bit as good in the black powder department and costs equal to or less than the Encore barrel. (250 at Cabela's) |
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I have an Encore with Walnut stock in .50 Black Powder and .308 cal. Both are extremely accurate out of the box. I paid $479 in total for the black powder rifle. I purchased the .308 barrel at a gunshow for $215 new. Most barrels at gunshows I see (new) run between $215 and $250. Yes they are single shot, but I have never had a problem with that. One shot, one kill. 
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See that ain't to bad really. I'm going to try and talk him into one, so I can play with it. Who knows, if I like his, I may get one. with a few barrels. Hard to believe a muzzle loader can be that accurate, but then agian I have never shot an in-line. |
It is fast becoming my favorite hunting rifle. Check out www.eabco.com They have a huge selection of T/C Encore barrels at GREAT prices as well. |
Those prices do seem lower than many others I have seen. Just curious, Will a muzzle loader forearm work with all the other barrels? Or do you have to buy a new foregrip each time? |
The muzzle loader forearm works only for a muzzle loader barrel. You need a separate forearm for rifle calibers. You only need one though, you can use the same forearm on any caliber barrel. |
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I adore my Encore. I have 7mm-08 barrels in 24", 16-1/2" and 10", and a 15" Virgin Valley .223. I did a Bellm trigger job, I also made little shims from plastic for the fore-end screws. (my idea of a free-float). As a rifle I love to carry it - the stock makes it easy to carry at "ready" and it points better than any other gun I've hunted with. It's very accurate, but finicky with factory ammo - winchester white box and hornady light magnums shoot patterns instead of groups. Remington and black box winchester shoot nice, tight groups. Core-lokts, Sierra 140's and Speer 130's can all give me groups with all touching at 100 yards. As a pistol I'm still getting used to it. The 10" barrel makes a mighty blast! You might do best just buying a frame, grip and forend from your dealer, then shopping around for barrels. If you buy the frame as a pistol you can always use it with a rifle barrel and stock (just don't mount a barrel under 16" with the rifle stock). I've been jonesing for a Katahdin barrel in 45/70 lately --oooh I bet that hurts! Ebay used to be good for barrels - I don't know where all the used barrels went. Ed's TC's will give you a good deal, you have to call him, his website is useless. |
I was thinking the same thing, a .45/70 pistol could be fun. To go with my 1895. |
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I have a Encore 209x50 and had .223 and 25-06 barrels. I tried to use it for praire dogs but lifting off the bags to reload was a pain so I sold them. After taking up some other hunting hobbies I wish I had them back. A Thompson rifle is light to carry and as others said they are shorter. I also have a stainless Contender in .22 lr pistol and have the parts to do a .223 carbine. Later I bought another blued Contender with .17 .223 .357 max .44 and 45lc pistol barrels. That Contender has the stuff for a .17 mach 2 rifle. Be carefull the Thompson sickness will get you 
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It ain't for me, I was just asking for a friend, but I do admit, it sounds interesting.
Uh Oh, you broke the first rule of firearm ownership. Never sell.
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I had my eye on one for a long time. I still like them but don't think I will get into one. To many other guns I want instead. Only complaint I have ever heard is sometimes the trigger is pretty bad. If you get one off a shelf you can test the trigger first. Joe |
If you go to Mike Bellm's site he has the cure for the trigger. You can make it nice and crisp and as light as you want. Be warned - if you ever send it back to TC, you'll have to do it over. For some reason they like heavy, creepy triggers. |
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I like them and think they serve their purpose. In addition, TC products have always been top-notch. Having said this, however, I would rather spend the $300 on a used Remington M700 ADL. I look at it the same ways as having extra AR uppers lying around, eventually I have to build a lower to make it a complete gun. To each his own, and you can't deny they are great weapons for hunting. |
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