I think ill try one of these. I have never reloaded for a 45-70 and I think its time to have some fun with this great old cartridge...Reckon I can get MOA accuracy out of a TC Katahdin chambered in 45-70?......Hb

There be nothing wrong with the Encore or Contenders for that matter, I have two of the latter. What cartridges they are chambered for be another story. Full house loads in a .45-70 in an Encore gonna leave a mark on your shoulder, and IMHO, 20" is not enough barrel.

I briefly owned a .500 S&W Katahdin but did not enjoy shooting it. The Encore has a cushy recoil pad so that was not a problem but the muzzle on that relatively light 20 inch barrel really wanted to jump. A heavy 22 or 24 inch barrel on the Encore seems about right for those calibers and would still be a very handy package.

if you can steer it i see no reason not to get MOA out of it. nice thing about the 45/70 there is loading data from powder puff loads to " i aint going to pull that trigger again", just depends where you want to be.

Recoil is a non-issue with Me when it comes to a 45-70..I have owned many including several Marlin 1895's, Henry H010's and one CVA Apex single shot, but I never reloaded for any of them..My main concern is accuracy, I have owned several Encore rifles (.300 Win, 7 Mag, 243, 7mm-08) but I never found them to be especially accurate with several factory ammo's I tried, more like 2 MOA .....Hb

Yeah, I will try and find a load it likes on the hot side. My bullet of choice will be the Barnes TTSX 300 grain......Hb

A fellow Ike (IWLA) has one with .500, .460, and ML barrels. He loves it, but I've never seen any wonderous groups fired by him with it. I suspect he's getting the snot knocked out of him, but he's never griped. At any rate, that much power in a stubby little rifle might be hard to control even if you don't mind the beating. I started out with 12ga slugs and never minded the kick as a youngster, but these days prefer a bit less fun on my end. My new Contender is a mere .44, and a snowbird to shoot. No need for a .45/70 here unless you just want one. IF I needed one. I'd go heavier. Encores have a bad recoil reputation with heavy loads.

I thought about a 460 S&W in one till I read reviews. Accuracy sucked was the consensus. 2 1/2" groups at 50 yards was about par. Any better than that was a good day.

Damn! This is what im afraid of 😬....Hb

Dunno what the barrel contour on those is, but a full bull might tame one down a bit; that and maybe a couple more inches of length. The short action gives you some wiggle room.

I have one, shoots minute of deer, is great in a canoe, thick brush or when just plain nasty out, short light and drops them in their tracks. Rear peep with orange fiber dots on either site and a green front fiber, perfect Xmas gift from my wife some years ago when they came out.

I'll have a 24" barrel in Monday. Still attached to the rifle, but I could be talked into selling it. Blued.