Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Opinion - 1 Handgun Barrel for Encore

Guys,

Looking for an opinion for an Encore handgun barrel. I was thinking of a 14" 35 Rem with muzzle brake. I have plenty of rifles in the 35 caliber (35 Whelen,358 Win,35 Rem,350 Mag,356 Win) so I have plenty of bullets and brass. Also been toying with the 44 mag caliber also. What do you think ? Did I answer my own thoughts.

Ken

I'm kinda wondering why one would opt for such a platfrom and go with just a single bbl. The benefit for the platform is for allowing multiple bbls and multiple chambering on the same action.
If I was to go with a single shot hadngun and have just a single bbl/chambering, I'd look at something besides the T/C's.
if stucjk with one though, I'd go with the .357 maximum. Beisdes being a fantastic cartridge for tagets, silohuette and hunting, it'll allow shooting the .38 special and .357 magnum and in your case allow the continued use of the .35 cal bullets. in the later, it'll also allow use of rifle bullets as the OAL cartrdige length isn't as factor as it is in revolvers for this round.

357 MAX or if you need the range, the 358 JDJ...(444 Marlin necked down to 358) a real sleeper that would give you a new toy. Bill

I have owned the 35-06 JDJ. Even with a muzzle brake it was mean. But, it was the most accurate of all my SSK barrels. It would consistently put 3 shots into a 1/4" at 100 yards. The JDJ would push 225's 2670 fps. That's 350 Rem Mag rifle ballistics.

I think I would go with the 358 Winchester if it was me.

.357 Maximum.

It'll give .35 Rem. ballistics out of a 14" tube, easily; likely more than that within the Encore frame. And, you can shoot .38s, and .357s in it, should you choose to. So, from plinking with .38 Wadcutters at 850 fps, to slingin' 180s and 200s at or better than .35 Rem. velocities, you've got a very flexible platform.

That said, it really depends on what you want out of the Encore.

Personally, I'd run a .223AI barrel, a 6.5mm barrel (likely 6.5 Rem. Mag or .260 Rem.), and maybe a thumper or three (.45-70 is NEVER a bad choice for one of those rigs)

Here is what I was thinking and the reason for the question. I have 2 Encore frames. Regular blue Encore frame and a blue Pro-Hunter frame. Now my barrels consist of 50 cal muzzle loader, 405 Win, 25-06 and 45-70 in rifle configuration. I've shot alot of deer with muzzle loader, bow and rifle that I thought I might take a few with a handgun, sort of like a challenge. I think I would even try bear over bait. I do own a few 357 mag handguns and shoot 38 +p's all the time for plinking. That's why I leaned towards the 35 Rem but maybe the 358 wouldn't be bad either. Would you muzzle break the 358 ?

Ken

Of the choices you mention, I would go with the 358 Winchester or even a 350 Mag. They'll both give you better performance than will a 35 Remington or a 357 Maximum. They'll also have a better range and probably be easier to get to shoot accurately than a 44 Mag. I think you'll be happiest with your barrel if it has a muzzle brake.

30-06, no brake. Shells can be found anywhere. Good enough for anything up to moose without super nasty recoil. Brakes are just plain nasty noise wise. Don't even think about shooting one this size without muffs.

i'm just getting involved in the pistol end of the encore.
currently i have a 7mm08 with a 2 power burris and and a 45/410 barrel i was totally surprised by the accuracy it has demostrated with a 140 and 154 gr bullets in the 7mm08,but the 45/410 was not that impressive. however the ramp was loose that may have been part of the problem. i'd like to get a 358 max ,or a 358jdj myself down the road. also in the rifle i've got the 7mag and muzzleloading barrel,both have done admirable jobs.
god shoorin with yours. dan

"but the 45/410 was not that impressive."

I assume you mean the 45 Colt isn't accurate. That's because the barrel is bored for the 3" 410 so it's a very long jump for the 45 slug.But if you want to experience poor accuracy, I shot mine with lead bullet but forgot to take out the choke that prevents the shotgun pellets from spreading. Now that was POOR accuracy! Actually, it was more like a pattern!

I liked the 35 rem in a contender I had, never really considered one in an encore. I have a 15" 30-06 with no brake, recoil is not bad enough to need one. tom

+1 for 357 Maximum

357 Max.........................

I have a 14" MGM barrel in .358 win with a brake. It is a great shooter and perfect for deer. It still has quite a bit of recoil on the bench but is fine for hunting. I think it works great for what you are wanting.

358 WIN or my first choice in a 35 cal would be the 358 JDJ.I have 2 JDJ barrels 309 and 375 and they are both high quality tack drivers.JMO
Jim

338 federal

With a .454 Casull you can use the full power loads if you want some serious ooomph (AND punishment) & 45 Long Colt when you don't need the big hammer, down to Cowboy loads for light plinking. Pretty versitile, IMO.

308 Win in a 15" factory barrel with Leupold scope. I have one and it is scary accurate. One half inch groups every time. It is good to 200 yds and then some. The 308 Win in a handgun is 99% of the 30-06 and useable for everything on your list. I also have a Bullberry 708 barrel, a 223 barrel and a TC 260 Rem with MC. The 308 Win is by far my favorite.
Blessings,

Ken,
What animals and what ranges would you want from your handgun barrel?

mine is a Virgin Valley 16 1/4 in 308 win.