Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Any love for the T/C Encore?

My buddy has one and he loves it (although every time we head out he seems to have something else in his hands). I'm thinking it might make a good backup rifle / rifle for my 12 year-old / muzzleloader / slug gun setup. I don't see them mentioned much here. What is the feeling about this system?

Thanks,

Shawn

you'll get more responses in the single shot forum. I'm fond of my encore by the way.

I'd rather have several different guns, personally. Not a big fan of the concept, but to each his own.

I am a big Contender fan, but I find the Encore heavy and clunky. I also do not like the grip angle. Fortunately for me the calibers I want work on a Contender. Too many shooters buy what they see on the cable hunting shows. T/C sponsors a lot of those shows, so guess what those good ole boys shoot?

I've had an Encore muzzleloader for many years and absolutely love it. I had planned to buy extra barrels in various calibers, but then decided the price difference of just buying a new rifle was not wide enough compared to barrel price.
So, love my mz rifle, but the concept and price I considered not worth it.

In my mind, there is no better way to teach a youngster, than how hunt within their capabilities, and to make the first shot count with a single shot rifle. I started that way, and been using single shots ever since. The TC's (Encore) versatility is hard to beat, imo as well.
It's not hard to cover a whole host of different animals or situations, with one gun and couple extra barrels carried in one case.
I shoot Ruger #1's also, but they are getting to point where I can buy 2 more barrels for the price of one gun, and still have cash left over for glass. And I still have some barrels on my want list.

I just hate the fact that 99% of the hunting shows, which for the most part I don't even watch anymore, feature T/C's.

Shove something down my throat and I'll look the opposite way.

If someone paid me to hunt with one, I would. Put one side-by-side with a nice Mauser, a featherweight model 70, etc. and which would you love. Kind of like comparing Rosie Odonell to one of the Victoria's Secret models.

I won't argue looks with you,,,,, that's for certain!!! I do love a pretty peice of wood or a classic rifle just like most. Just when it comes to hunting guns, I'm more a utilitatian. Looks just aren't important, function and versatility is what works for me. That, and I hunt with a handgun platform more than rifle,,,then the options start becoming more limited also.
But there we are again,,each to their own, in what makes life go around.

Well, you asked.

Trigger sucks.
Too light in heavy kickers.
Not accurate enough in "varmit" bullets.

I must qualify that none of the above matters much to some people, and for them...it's a cool, compact rifle that changes barrels (cartridges) easily.

I purchased a stainless encore magnum .50 muzzle loader with walnut stock and forend around 10 years ago. I thought I was going to do the swiss army knife of guns thing with barrels, pistol grip swaps etc. I purchased a .243 barrel and rifle forend that I never used. I've since sold that barrel, the switcharoo thing never floated my boat.

It's just my muzzle loader. I like it fine for that but it's the most rust prone thing I have ever owned (yes I said stainless).

That thing is terrible!! I've never seen anything like it, you really have to keep after it with an oily rag. I'm currently using wax, going to see how that does for my rust prevention this year.

It's accurate for me and unlike Pat's experience above I find my trigger to be outstanding (possibly this rifle's biggest strength).

But It suffers from thompson encore crud ring syndrom. I use kleanbore primers and american pioneer gold FFG in order to battle the crud ring issue. But 3 shots is absolutely the max before I have to clean it. If I try seating a 4th shot prior to cleaning I can not seat the bullet against the charge.

So, insanely rust prone satin finish stainless and the crud ring are my dislikes for mine.

I cannot express how insanely rust prone this thing is, I'd be better with unfinished mild cabon steel because I think I could keep it oiled well enough to outperform what I have now.

Please see signature.... enough said.

Cerakote would fix the rust issue or Rustoleum if on a budget.

No.

I've had three that I've had to sell for $$$ reasons. Wish I still had them.

I agree, the factory trigger on the Encore leaves some to be desired. But that can be remedied for the most part to acceptable hunting trigger. Not only weight, but the stock design also could be better for heavy kickers. But,,,,both those could be said for many production guns out there.

As for the accuracy, there's a lot of wiggle room there. Depends on how you go about it. I'll admit, I spend extra on custom barrels, needed or not. Accuracy on my varmint rigs will stand alongside most any other, and the heavier cals too. 1/4 moa or better isn't unheard of. The rule? no,,, but one can get there. One of the barrels I have set up for PD's, is plain boring to shoot at 600 yds., and a might farther. It also serves me for my mid fence line yote gun. At that range of 800 yds, it's not the accuracy, it's the wind. Calm days no accuracy issues. Add a 15 20 mph wind, the yote just got a 50-50 chance on life,,,,maybe. I only have one barrel that won't shoot sub moa. That is a .454 Casull shooting cast. That don't bother me in the least, as it is my short range hunter, and does what I need.

When MS allowed our muzzle loader season to become the farce of a primitive weapons season that it is now, I removed my MZ barrel and installed a 35 Whelen barrel. I had owned several barrels through the years that never shot well enough to interest me. When I installed the 35 barrel my interest was peaked. Dang thing shoots very well with handloads. A little cerrocoat and it makes a great truck gun.

Love mine, but I have a Bergara MZ barrel. I use Blackhorn powder and I can shoot 50 times without cleaning because of the previously mentioned crud ring. I am going to Ultra bore coat it and recheck with 777 and pellets. Super accurate, 3 shots touch at 100.

I'd be happy with 10 shots.

I have yet to try blackhorn 209 but I've done everything available leading up to American pioneer gold. It's the best I've tried so far and I'm hopeful that blackhorn will be even better.

I like the Contender platform way better than the Encore.