I am looking at getting my first non muzzleloader barrel for an Encore, and looking to get everyone’s opinion. Is a rimmed cartridge like a 30-30 a better option in a single shot break action Vs a non rimmed cartridge? I would only use it for woods hunting inside of 100 yards. Looking to get it from MGM.

If you’re going to do a MGM barrel, you have lots of choices. Bobby Tomek, here on the fire, is a great source of T/C calibers and might have some good input for you

Inside 100 yds most any rimmed cartridge will go the trick. .30-30 won’t give any regrets.

The Contender is a much better platform for the 30-30 than the Encore.

378 Winchester? Be Well, RZ.

.30/30 is fine, but never a factory option for the Encore AFIK. Custom is pricey, but you get what you want.

Encore .308 and .30/06 barrels are everywhere for about $300. If you handload, there’s a .30/30 in the box too.

How so?

I would like a contender in 30-30, it just seems like a nice trim package, but I already have the encore frame and stocks, and I like the way it fits me. I have been looking around at prohunter barrels, but they are longer than I would like, and fluted, so it would look funny if I chopped it. I do reload and I guess I could go with a 308, but I had heard it was better to headspace off the rim and just wondered if there was any truth to that. Thanks for the input gentlemen!

The 30-30, and cartridges based off of the 30-30 and .444 were designed for the smaller frame.(a nice trim package). Better trigger too. The Encore is larger and heaver. Designed for higher pressure cartridges. I wouldn't want my 22lr or 22Khornet on an encore platform. Likewise, the 30-30 is perfect for the Contender.
I understand the OP has an Encore frame, and "push came to shove", I would find a custom barrel, properly chambered to eliminate any headspace issues. I don't recommend the prohunter barrels.

If you’re looking for 308ish performance and want a rim maybe look at the old 307 Winchester.

Contenders and Encores will handle rimmed or rimless cartridges equally well.

This.

Treat it like your car.

Use as much throttle as you need.

I've found the 30/30 isn't throttle heavy friendly. The cases are the weak link.

Thanks for all the replies. I think I will try a rimless round first. (One I have brass and dies for the way things are these days)

You can have a rim cutout on a 308 barrel, and shoot both 307 & 308. Rimmed might be easier to grasp with gloves on for extraction, but that’s about it. unless you’re looking at a straight wall cartridge, the encore is gonna headspace off the shoulder....so stuff with wimpy shoulders used with a breach face headspace gap (break open, single shots) are sometimes tempting trouble....35 rem, regular hornet, and such....or so Mike Bellm has told me.

Well, MGM had a 6.5 creed barrel pop up on the in stock list. Bought it, and one of their scope bases, and had it in a week. The finish an workmanship look fantastic. I put on a spare vx1 3-9x40 I had on the bench. Shot it on Saturday using 140 gr factory amax’s I had on the shelf to break it in. After following their break in procedure, I switched to some 120 gr nosler BT’s I loaded .005 off of the lands with a mid range load of imr4350. The three shot group went into 0.6” ctc. Very happy with it.

Thanks for the input, everyone. Now I just have to find more of the BT’s...

That's the way I see my Contenders and Encores. Put the right fuel in their tank and get top performance. Be Well, RZ.

Once you by one MGM barrel for your Encore they are going to multiply.

Great choice in both caliber and barrel maker!