Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Encore ? - Opinions wanted

Last year I picked up a Encore 50 Cal ML. This past weekend my dad picked up an Encore in 280. Needless to say, it got me thinking. I am thinking I should buy a 20 gauge bird barrel and slug barrel and then a rifle barrel in a suitable deer caliber. I would have to sell some things to do this, so it would leave me more or less with this set-up to do everything. Am I crazy for thining this way? I love the idea of the simplicity of one gun to do it all. Also, I am wondering if the Encore makes a good all-around whitetail rifle? I am just trying to get over the single shot idea.

spond like a sound idea. I am getting a g2 contender for the same reason. Not for a deer rife but varments, turky and the big one just because. like the old saying one shot one kill. Think about it how many times have you needed a second shot for deer?

There's a LOT of guys going that route these days...can anyone really fault them?

I like the concept in the handgun version...way too many choices for a loony.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

If you ever want it as a handgun, by it as a handgun.

If you only want it as a rifle, then get it as a rifle. This has been beat to death over at the Single Shot's forum here.

Otherwise, they are a very, very good option, and T/C's customer service is (IMHO) the best in the business.

Got my Encore about two years ago in a pawn shop. It was set up as a rifle in .223 Rem. Thought I'd try it on Coyotes.
I fell in love with it. Took a nice whitetail with my .308 Win. barrel last season and a bunch of pheasants with a 26 in, vent rib 12 ga. barrel as well. I love to hunt with Beagles and I carry the Encore with a 26 in, vent rib 20 ga. barrel and Composite stock and forearm as my "Light" gun for bunnies. Both shotgun barrels come with screw in chokes. I just purchased a 12 in. 44 mag. pistol barrel and grip and forearm
just for fun. Encore components can be pricey but the concept of one gun---multiple functions has its place. I , like a lot of Encore owners , got into "Trading" components. (Check Ebay).
You can buy used barrels, shoot them for a while, and trade them off for something else ! Lots of fun. Sometimes you can actually make a dollar or two. ( I've got an extra, NIB 20 ga. 26 in, Vent rib barrel with choke tubes and composite forearm for sale if you're interested ) I sure have had fun with my set up...Rabbitdog

Thanks for the input. I just needed to hear from someone else that I am not crazy for thinking what I am.

I started with a Contender in 1978 and I have not looked back since. I now have all Encores, I deer hunt with a 15" 7-08 and occasionally I will use my 257 wthby mag barrel. I coyote hunt with my 15" 22-250 and wild hog hunt with my 16.25" 500 S&W.

7-08

500 S&W

257 Wthby. Mag.

Happy Birthday, Encore257Wtby!

And, nice rigs!

I just got suckered into the encore deal myself. My shooting buddy just happened to mention he had a ss .308 win encore pistol, and a bit of trading resulted in me bringing it home. The fact that it also doubles as a rifle frame hasn't missed my attention, specially with a 25-06 tube as a possibility.

458 Lott;

Before you change that pistol to a rifle, please read the thread in the Handguns section on the Encore conversion.

VA,

I've read that and other threads about the pistol/rifle deal, and figure that if an BATF agent wanted to make somebodies life hell, they could. I know better than to put a rifle stock on with the 15" tube, asside from that, I'm not afeared of the issue. I had a contender pistol/rifle and never ran into problems.

Ditto. Just figured I'd give an fyi...

Do you know if they ever made folding stocks for the encore? I figure with an 18-20" tube, it would be crazy compact.

Not sure. Never seen one if they did, but you're right, it would be a slick rig.

Encore257Wtby

slick looking rigs, is that paint job a DIY?

I picked up an encore stainless/walnut prior to the prices going nuts, glad I did. Mine was originally purchased as a .50 black powder but this year I picked up a 24" .243 barrel & topped it with a matte silver burris ffii 3-9 40.
I like it a lot, i've only taken 3 deer with the smoke pole barrel & haven't shot anything but paper so far with the .243 barrel but I'm happy with the .243 accuracy for sure.

I did see a folding stock for the encore in the last Fox Ridge Outfitters catalog.

Encore257Wby,

Who did your paint jobs?

I did the paint job myself, I use this pattern and colors on all of my guns.

O.k., well I'm jealous. What kind of paint is it? I want mine done so bad. How about I send you mine?