I'm interested in buying an Encore rife. I would prefer a walnut stock as it looks beautiful to me.

I have several questions, so hopefully I can get some opinions...

Are there drawbacks or disadvantages to having wood or synthetic besides the durability?

I really wish I could get this in the .260 caliber, but don't think I can. If it's possible, I would like to hear where at.

I'm thinking of getting the rifle in a .243 for whitetail deer. Off the bench, what sort of accuracy will this rifle achieve... assuming I'm doing my part as the human behind the gun? I've heard of lack of accuracy issues due to the way it's built or by the way it folds over. ???

Can anyone offer advice, etc?

Thanks,

Marksman :)

Marksman,

I'll try to answer some of your questions as being a Riflesmith who specializes in the T/C Encore, I see a lot of different things with these rifles that a lot of guys don't...

WOOD STOCK vs. SYNTHETIC - I would recommend the synthetic stock set because in the past 10 years, my records indicate that I have repaired and or replaced in excess of 100 of T/C's walnut stocks. Most all of them have broken in the grip area....

260 REMINGTON - Midway list a 15" handgun barrel as well as a 24" rifle barrel. Both barrels are blued....

BEST ACCURACY - a trigger job, oversize hinge pin and heavy duty locking locking bolt springs will start you off in the right direction. With good handloads, you can expect to at least keep 3-shots inside a 1" circle at 100 yards....

ACCURACY ISSUES - the "problem" with accuracy in the T/C Encore has to do with the chamber itself. Seeing somewhere close to 1,000 barrels a year, out of that many barrels, I actually see less than 50 - (fifty) that have chambers that are in perfect alignment with the bore. With a barrel turning in the lathe and a CO-AX Indicator used to set the bore to run true, most all chambers are from a few thousandths to as much as .036 off center! By dialing-in on the bores this way, I can lathe bore the chamber to run concentric with the bore before it is rechambered and after rechambering, the chamber/throat/bore will them be in perfect alignment as what it should have been in the first place from the factory...

All 308 based cartridges are rechambered to 444 based cartridges because the longer chamber allows for correct alignment between the chamber/throat/bore plus, with the 444 Marlin case being "rimmed" it helps control headspace as well as offer an increased accuracy potential because of the rim....

I hope this information helps....

A

I really wish I could get this in the .260 caliber, but don't think I can. If it's possible, I would like to hear where at.

I'm thinking of getting the rifle in a .243 for whitetail deer. Off the bench, what sort of accuracy will this rifle achieve... assuming I'm doing my part as the human behind the gun? I've heard of lack of accuracy issues due to the way it's built or by the way it folds over. ???


I have an Encore; bought it with a pistol barrel and added a .260 Remington barrel soon after. I love my Encore. I do not have one of the factory walnut stocks I got mine from Eabco.
http://www.eabco.com/encorestocks.html
I got the laminated nutmeg stock and forend. Hogue grips and forend were purchased for the 454 Casull pistol barrel, and am much happier with it. I don't like the composite stocks available currently and prefer the look of the laminated.

I consider the accuracy of the factory .260 Barrel to be just fine. I can cover 3 shots with a dime at 100 yds. After the third shot, and the barrel warms up, it will throw a flier. But I don't intend on ever needing more than 2 rounds on a deer. If I do, I didn't do my part on the first one.

You will have many opportunities to add barrels, rifle and pistol, with this setup and be fore-warned, the bug can bite pretty hard. I would have a few other barrels, if I hadn't made another purchase on another rifle that I just had to have!! Get one, you won't be sorry.

I really appreciate the replies gentleman. I know it takes a commitment to spend time typing and thinking out a decent reply. Your answers have taught me a lot and I did do some searching because of it.

Not only I learned from what was said here, but from my search because of it, I learned the .260 isn't a standard barrel and has to be bought separately. I did find the place that had the 15" and 24" blued barrels. Thanks.

The technical answer on the accuracy issues really showed me a good start to get the accuracy I am looking for. I know the rifle will outshoot me by a longshot(pun intended), but it's nice to know the rifle I'm carrying will hit what I'm aiming at and all I have to do is do my part. The confidence factor will help too.

Sometimes it's a hassle to type out long replies, but I've taken some time myself to help others in a different industry, so I know what it takes to help someone out. For that I want to say "Thanks" for your help!

Much appreciated.

Marksman

Glad to help and good luck and good shooting....

A