I just reconfigured my Encore to the .444 Marlin with a T/C Arms Katahdin 18 inch ported barrel and forend.
What a beautifully balanced gun and the fiber optics sights are sweet.
I will be field testing soon and will update the results.
Anyways, I love the Encore. What a well made action.
Much better than the Contender.

OMG!

I just fired 2 rounds at a stump in my backyard (just checking recoil/noise level) and all I can say is I love this firearm.
It didn't kick at all with 240 gr. XTP's and 47 grains of 4198.
Although, it did knock some pictures off the wall inside my house.
Glad I had my ears on. :D

Had to go outside and shoot it one more time. I had a jug of chainsaw oil on this huge oak stump about 70 yards down in the woods. I took a quick offhand shot and nailed it. I have not put this on paper or adjusted the sights as of yet. This is hitting dead on right out of the box. If that jug had been a big ole buck he would have been history, for sure.
Quite impressive except now I need to pick up some more chanisaw oil. :)


btw, where is a good place to buy brass for the .444? Midway the best?