Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Thompson Encore???

Has anyone tried the Thompson Encore centerfire rifle? Been thinking about buying one but was gonna get some opinons first.... all opinions welcome...thanks!!

A friend let me shoot his encore this deer season, very accurate, 3 shots under an inch with store bought ammo, he had the .270 caliber barrel on his, he ended up getting a mule deer doe with it, we figured it to be about a 350 yard shot, he is very satisfied with his encore.

I bought one pror to the current season in 280. I have taken two (whitetail) so far and have no complaints. I got it pretty close to the season and have just worked with one load, very satisfied with the accuracy.

I am left handed, for 33 years I have used two left hand Remington 700's. No real complaints with the bolt guns, but the Encore is somewhat lighter, feels very handy.

They are great for treestands because they're short and easy to move around.

Spot

I dont have one but after hunting with my buddies I ll have one by next November
Great for mountains light wieght, his had a great trigger on it

I too am left handed. With such few offerings for us left handed shooters the single shot rifles are just as quick at reloading as a right handed bolt gun for us left handers. Well almost as quick.

I have one left hand bolt gun left, a M-70 stainless left hand in 270. All my other rifles are Ruger #1's and 4 encore/pro hunters. I varmit hunt with the Ruger #1's and deer hunt with the pro hunters. The pro hunter even with a 28 inch barrel are a very confortable carry rifle and "swings" like a shotgun.

I have never felt under gunned with just ONE shot. The T/C single shots are a joy to carry and a great tree stand rifle.

Tell I tell you they shoot well too. 1" guns on 3 of the 4.

I bought my 10 year old son one. He killed 3 deer with his this year. He also has a 204 barrel to shoot ground hogs this year. Just remove the hidge pin and forearm and attach the barrel...and WA LA...a new gun.

I love the concept of the Encore. I've had great success with a contender. I bought an Encore in 209x50. Accuracy was and remains OK. Not spectacular, just OK.

I bought a 7/08 bbl (normal, not bull) for it and it wouldn't shoot consistently. Some groups as large as 5" at 100.

I contacted TC and, long story short, went round and round with them regarding the accuracy (or lack thereof) of the bbl. In total, we went thru 4 - That's right, 4, 7/08 bbls and none of them would shoot consistently.

I even shot the ammo in a custom rifle to prove it was not the ammon. I put the scope on a custom rifle to prove it was not the scope.

Finally, when talking with a TC technician, I was told "the 7mm is not really known for accuracy" I didn't/don't believe him but was stuck. I told him that if he would send me a .308 bbl. that shot 2" or less, I'd leave them alone. He said it was not supposed to be a target rifle and I responded "I'm not the one that advertises it as MOA accurate".

I got a .308 bbl and it usually shoots 1-1.5". Sometimes, for no particular reason, it will throw a shot and the group opens up to 3-4". I'm not in love with it but I still use it occassionally, when in the woods and shots won't be long.

I still love the concept/length/versatility.

I have friends with the heavy barrel versions and they say they shoot good. They also have the heavy pistol barrels that shoot good.

I may try a custom barrel from SSK or Bullberry.

I can't complain about their Customer Service except for the fact that they refused to refund my money on that barrel. The only thing they would offer was replacement barrels.

I sent them multiple targets. I never got any targets back, only the flap from a box of ammunition that was used to verify that the replacement barrel had been tested.

One last note, my .308 shoots MUCH better if the front bag is located near the hinge pin.

I have an Encore, and have owned about 10 different rifle barrels. I have since sold all but my 50 cal muzzle loader barrel. I do not like the way the Encore slings, very uncomfortable to carry slinged, as the trigger guard digs into your back. The biggest problem I saw was the so so accuracy, my bolt guns are mostly sub MOA, but I only had 2 Encore rifle barrels that would shoot MOA or better (.280 &.300WM heavy barrel) Even then I had to use the Bellm Hinge pin, wich really defeted the purpose of interchangable barrels as the over sized pin is not easy or quick to remove.
The gun is a Novel gadget, but I would put my money toward a nice bolt gun, and that is exactly what I did when I sold all my barrels. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Sorry for the late responce.

One of the best rifles I ever bought <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

50 MZ, SS, 1 to 1.5 Min. @ 100 yards w/ 110 gr of 777. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

223@ 3/8", <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> 30-06 @1/2 minute o'deer, <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> =


WHAT'S not to Love <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

DDD

I have on in pistol format. It's a great time on the range and extremely accurate. It's nice to change things up and grab a pistol once in a while.

I have one in .243 I put together for my son to hunt with. It shoots right about 1" @ 100 yds with just about all factory ammo. Have heard of a few that wouldn't shoot but that was from guys at the rang that wanted single hole groups every time out. Am looking for another barrel for it just cannot decide which one.


7 wby

BTW: it has has taken 4 whitetails in 4 trips hunting from 75 yds to 140 yds. 2 from an 8 yr old (140yd and 105 yd) and 1 each from an 11 yr old (130yd) and 1 from a 36 yr old (75 yd)

I bought one last summer and I really like it. Got the ProHunter with the camo non-thumbhole stock chambered in 280. It shoots less than an inch at 100 with factory Federal Premiums. I did change out the hinge pin before I ever shot it so I can't say what it would have done out of the box. Even with the 28" barrel on the ProHunter it carrys, slings and shoulders just fine.
The Mule Deer and Whitetail bucks don't like it much though. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
The mulie in my avatar was killed with it.
DT

I prefer the NEF Handi Rifle. I hope that T/C under S&Ws guidance will some day produce an attractive centerfire rifle.

I too am left handed, and use the Encore with a 50 cal loader barrel, and also a 20 ga 26" rifled slug barrel with Barnes Expanders, and it is a tack driver. The Buck I shot this year was close, but my targets were out to 100 yds and some slugs were touching...T/C is an outstanding gun, with outstanding service IF you need it. I put a Limbsaver recoil pad on it and the recoil seemed like 50% less, and it made the gun fun to shoot, loader or slug gun. Go for it, you will be glad you did...........Kevin