The Knight looks interesting, but for almost $700, I'll just stick with the Pro Hunter. The issue with these break-open actions is the locking mechanism. With the Knight and NEF, they were just designed for the standard 12ga Mag at 13,500psi. We all know the NEF will do more, but no one knowes just how much it can take. As far as the Encore is concerned, it was made for big rifle cartridges. My math puts it at 38,000psi working pressure. I wonder where the Savage limits out? I know the guns can take at least double the working pressure, but how far do you really want to take it? I'm biased with the Encore because I own one, but the Savage is a great gun as well. The thing I liked the most is no modification. Yes, you have to ream it out to 3.85" to get to HELL (12GFH), but no hammer work to fire BMG primers, no custom barrel, nice trigger and it looks and shoots great! For what it's worth.

If you go 3.5" brass or longer The Savage will be
single shot, We have 3.5" cases with regular primer
setup coming from RMC. You can call and get in on
the order. These are turned cases with shotgun primers.
We are trying to get long 12GA FH , 3.85" long
cases made from bmg brass, done in various places.You
can do one in Savage about 11-1200 bucks doing your own work.
Gun 475, barrel 325, stock 200, plus misc.If you get cases
made from BMG brass you have to beef up firing pin.In turned
RMC cases, with regular primer you may get 1400 gr out
at 1200. I recommend going lighter slugs with the powders
we use with regular primers, to keep keep peak pressure ok.
Powders are 4759. 4227, VV110. If you have cases from bmg
brass then the big primer will fire any rifle powder, and you
could use more thus getting more velocity with heavy slugs.
Slugs from Dixie, RG mentioned above, fellows on here, etc.Ed

If your spending that much get Encore as it has
4" more barrel than the Knight. The biggest
grip we have against NEF is with their short
barrel. And suggesting longer didn't get
anywhere. The Savage will take 40k pressures
with our good long case. The Nef with good
long case takes 25k psi and extracts with
extractor spring shimed..Ed

Thanks again Ed. I'll look into it all and go from there. There are many possibilities here, for sure!

Firequest specialty 12Ga rounds

Thought of RIP when I saw these...

The Encore will take more than 65KPSI. I have talked to their engineers and they assured me that they have proof tested Encores well into the 85KPSI range. I have one in 12GaFH and it has held up to some fearsome loads without unlocking. Mine required a spring change to reliably ignite .50BMG primers. Unfortunately it is simply too light and the recoil is to be feared as well as you had better wear welding gloves to protect your fingers from the triggerguard. I primarily use mine with the 3" 12GaFH short ammo to keep things liveable.-Rob