After alot of reading here on the forum & web searches, I'm thinking about getting an Encore. I'm thinking about a 15"(???).270 barrel & 10" 44 mag. barrel. That might cover just about anything I'd hunt.

I'm wondering if it's really worth the expense to buy a new frame and buy after market barrels or just find a used encore on one of the gun auctions and and buy the other barrel.

Your advice is appericated. thank you.

Like most answers, it depends. Contender barrels did have have quality problems in the past but I've not heard of that with Encore or new production barrels. I currently have 2 Encore rifle barrels both custom. A .405 from Van Horn and a .500 S&W from OTT. I did have a 7mm Mag. factory barrel but sold it and switched to a SS bolt gun instead. I found belted cartridges a real pain in tip up actions. To me the biggest advantage of custom is to get it the way you want it or in a caliber not factory chambered. In your case the 10" .44 used to be made so you may find one (check http://www.edstc.com) and the .270 is there so I would start with the factory versions and see how they do.

If you are just going to hunt a TC factory barrel will probably do anything you want. I have mostly custom barrels as I expect more than hunting accuracy. Its like getting a 700 Remington hunting rifle and having it rebarreled with a top line barrel. The original barrel will do what you want but pride of ownership and wanting the best you can have is worth it to you then you have it rebarreled. I have never had a horrible TC factory barrel but my custom barrels are more accurate, have tighter chambers and the most important to me I like them. Just my opinion and thats worth what you paid for it.

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If you are just going to hunt a TC factory barrel will probably do anything you want.

Thank you that's the good solid practical advise I need.

So then Jeff has to post pics of those great T/C weapons!!!!

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To me the biggest advantage of custom is to get it the way you want it

That's how I went from a ruger to a freedom arms in one quick step.

O.K. - I get my Encore, would it make more sence to buy it with the 44 mag factory barrel(Deer & Hog hunt ranges 50yrds or less) and buy the aftermarket barrel to hunt with the .270 win. at longer ranges?

7 TCU by OTT

357 Mag by OTT

221 Fireball by OTT

Boss,

Don't sell that .44 Mag short!! I have a Dan Wesson with a 2x Leupold that shoots 4" groups at 100 yds and I've shot deer at 125yds. Last thing I shot was a Corsica Ram at about 65yds running.

Not trying to talk you out of a 270, but in a 15" barrel you burn a lot of powder outside the barrel with slow powder usually used in a 270. I have a 7mm-08, 15" Encore with a 2.5 - 8x Weaver and I use IMR4064 and Varget without too much muzzle blast. Shoots to an 1" at 100 or about 4" at 200 yds. Just another option. I think you'll like the Encore.

A factory barrel should have little problem grouping 1 1/2" for 3 shots at 100 yds, most of them will group an inch or under at that distance. Some of the straightwall pistol chamberings as done by the factory don't do that well, but the chamberings are capable of that level of accuracy.

For a 15" barreled bottleneck round, it seems to me the 308 win is one of the best performers.

Who is OTT?

OTT On Target Tech

Merci'

Ditto Tommyn's thoughts.
I would likely stay factory with the 44 mag and go custom with the 270 (or different caliber). I would use the 06 case or the 284 case as a parent cases for necking up or down. The 06 case would be better for improving since the 284 case is pretty much already improved. I choose cartridges in SP's based on accuracy and performance. The 284 & 06 class cartridges can give great accuracy and performance regardless of efficiency concerns. You can do a lot with a 15 inch barrel and an 284 win case capacity.
whether or not I would choose a 308 based case would depend upon animals to hunt and the distances you intend to shoot at. For deer and antelope I would prefer 7mm on down. If I am thinking elk, I prefer 6.5 on up.

You could always try a factory barrel. You may end up with one that is so sweet you will never want to sell it.