Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Anybody shoot T/C Encore's?

I've had the chance the past few years to shoot T/C Encore's in both rifle and pistol configurations. I must say I'm favorably impressed. The definitely can shoot accurately. Other than some pretty heavy trigger's that can be cured by a good gunsmith, I really can't find much to fault with them. Anyone else out there spent a little trigger time with them? Any pluses or minuses a guy should know about? If a guy a is going to buy a single shot, I'm thinking they are about the best thing going for the price. One could certainly do much worse. Not many rifles out there that you can shoot as a pistol, black powder rifle, shotgun, varmit rifle, big game rifle, and even a little long range shooting. Quite versatile and amazing if you really think about it. I'm thinking there's going to be one in my safe very soon.

I've not got one...yet!!! I've been wanting one for years. Sure seems to be a relatively inexpensive way to play with a lot of different cartridges. The one on the cover of the Virgin Valley brochure (SS with fancy wood stock) sure get my blood pumping.

Don't have one but I've shot my father in laws a pretty good bit. His Encore with the 223 barrel is responsable for my current fever to buy my own 223. Don't know what kind of accuracy they get off the bench but I like the way they feel when shooting offhand.

I've shot two off the bench. One was from the custom shop in .308, the other was a standard factory rifle in .243. Accuracy wise neither would fail to please the owner. We shot the .243 out to 550 yards and rang the gong nearly every shot. I shot the .308 out to 780+ yards and killed every basketball sized rock I aimed at. I doubt I would of done any better with a bolt action. Accurate is accurate, and those two T/C Encores were most impressive. Oddly enough by the way, the factory rifle had the better trigger of the two rifles. In all seriousness if their other rifles shoot this well as a rule the only thing that needs tuning is the trigger. From there a guy could really put the whack on things to waaaaaaaaaay out there, if one had a mind to. One last note we were using the Leica 1200 to get our ranges while shooting those rifles. That Leica 1200 absolutely kicked butt. It's fraction of a second-fast, accurate, and a real pleasure to use. Basically it's everything a Bushnell should be and more.

Shot Pumpguns quite a bit as a ML rifle. Happy!

Also shot up a box of .30-06 from his encore dressed as a pistol. If I remember, my last 3 (5?) went into about a 2" group and 165 yards. Worked for me! It's on my list...

I have a Bullberry built TC Encore. It shoots much better than I do, Which is not all that Hard <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />. I will try to to post some pictures of it.





It is in 6mm Rem. I have shot some pretty big wild Hogs with it.

I think a custom built TC is a bargain. I paid ~800 for the complete rifle about 3 years ago or so.

Greg

Sky, I have been very impressed with the encores. I have one frame and 3 barrels. 30-06 15", M/L barrel and a 243 26" heavy barrel. my son has a 26" 7m and a 26" 25-06. Muley I think the group you shot was smaller than that. most people can not shoot that sized group with a rifle let alone an encore. I was very impressed with your shooting. tom

Big Sky......

I don't have one....YET.....But that will be the next gun I buy....

I wasn't to sure about them....But, I got a buddy that has one (stainless) and I shot it a few times this year.....Man, that is one sweet shootin' gun....

Gotta have one........ <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Newguy, thanks man, that's a beautiful set up you have there. I agree they really are a bargain. There's just not much to dislike about them. Very little can go wrong and they seem to be built to last. Granted I personally think the Ruger #1 and the Dakota single shots have a little more eye appeal, but the T/C Encore isn't exactly an ugly ducking. I find the design of the forearm and buttstock quite comfortable to shoot. Another plus is that heavy barreled Encore's just don't weigh that much in comparison to most bolt action heavy barreled rifles. The heavy barreled .308 custom I was shooting could easily be used as a "carry" gun if the terrain isn't extreme. The standard weight barreled rifles are as handy as any mountain rifle I've ever toted.

Just wanted to say thanks. After pretty much getting over my obsession to have an encore frame with several pistol and rifle barrels, I'm back to wanting one. Just spent some time check out the Virgin Vally website, they've got some sweet stuff on there. If I was going to get an Encore I think I would buy the frame from VV. Not much more expensive and they come with a trigger job.

The thing I always like about the Encore is the short overall length. Always thought a heavy 20" 223 barrel would make a compact and handy "truck gun".

LSU Fan,
you are more than welcome just let us know any time you need more ideas for spending your money. lol.
I think my next encore barrel will be the 26" 223 heavy barrel.
tom

BTW boydboys makes some really nice looking laimate stocks for the encore.

I've had one for two years. I have a 50 cal. muzzle loader barrel, a .280 heavy tapered rifle barrel, and a 15" custom pistol barrel, with a boss, in 7m-08.
It was a little finicky at first to shoot consistant with both the .280 and 7m-08. Forearm pressure gave me a fit for awhile.
After free floating the rifle barrel, and doing a "Belm" trigger job, groups average about 1" to 1.25" @ 100 yds with the .280.
Shooting the pistol has been a real challange for me! If I can maintain a consistant "light" grip, I've been able to shoot a few three shot sub 1" groups at 100 yds. The gun is capable, but it's not easy to master.
I really enjoy the challenge of hunting and shooting with the single shots!
The encore is of decent quality and their customer service has been good.
There will be additional calibers/barrels in the future.

LSU Fan, You have no idea how right you are. I bought my Encore as a .50 cal ML. Then I ordered a .250 Sav bbl from Fox Ridge. This barrel is 16 1/4" heavy taper. Slung over the shoulder the barrel does not rise above the base of my neck. The pistol grip stock makes it very easy to actually carry in the hand for long periods, and I can lay it on the seat next to me and keep the muzzle out of the dirt on the floor mats.
BTW, right now I am waiting on my new barrel. A 20" heavy taper barrel in .350 Rem Mag. It should be here in the next few weeks. Sean

Just remember to be completely legal you cannot buy an Encore as a rifle (centerfire or ML) and covert it to a pistol, but you can buy it as a pistol and turn it into a rifle. Either configuration is okay if the frame is bought alone. Just some FYI.

Pointer, that is not correct. it does not matter how it is set up when you get it as they mark it as a handgun because it can be changed. you can not put a pistol barrel on it while you have the rifle stock on however. tom

I have shot the Encore since it first hit the dealers and have formed a couple of opinions. I have used an Encore 15" 7-08 as my deer gun for years now.

My feelings are so-so about the guns and I will be trading my current one this spring on something else - probably an XP. I have had a couple of frames (blue and SS) and shot a few different barrels from 7BR to 308. None of them were consistently very accurate. The poster who mentioned the guns being VERY sensitive to grip was right on - I have noticed a big change in POI going from the bench to the deer stand.

The guns are also sensitive to sizing techniques. I got my best results with partial full length sizing. If you have to slam the gun shut on a neck sized round your groups will likely be strung vertically...

They are also the most prone to corrosion of any gun I have ever owned. I am including the SS guns in here too. I don't know what alloys they are using in these guns, but good Lord do they ever rust. Friends who own them have reported the same problem. We are not lazy when it comes to caring for our guns either.

Still, if you are looking for an inexpensive way to shoot many different calibers they are a good way to go. That wasn't the reason I bought mine however, so perhaps that's why I was disappointed. I wanted an accurate, hard hitting handgun for deer hunting in a state that doesn't allow rifles to be used. They certainly kill deer but they are too damn finicky for my taste.

I am really not trying to bash the guns here...I am just being honest about my opinion after years of shooting them. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

After watching David Blanton knocking deer over on the Realtree video's I began a hardcore craving to get the 209X50...I have managed to stop myself based on the fact that we can't use scopes on Muzzleloaders during ML season...They are fine for general gun season, but I've got Tooo many centerfires I haven't bloodied yet already <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Mike