I just ordered a 24 inch Encore barrel in 375 H&H. I am already started to regret it. It will be a 7.5-8lb slammer. Somebody that has shot one please tell me it is not that bad.

I haven't personnally shot one, but a guy I used to hunt with set one up to do a Buffalo hunt in N.E. New Mexico, and he decided to use a 308 after trying to get the Encore sighted in.

I think it is a combination of the lack of weight and the shape of the stock. In a properely stocked rifle, a 375 is fairly pleasurable to shoot, even off the bench.

From what this guy and his son told me, and his son had a model 700 Rem. in 375, the Encore was terrible.

I believe it's the shape of the stock. I bought a barrel for the Encore in .416 Rigby and there's no better way to describe it other than terrible. I ordered a walnut thumbhole stock for it and it looks goofy as hell, but the recoil was definitly more managable.

Gentleman, I have an Encore in 375 H&H Magnum with which I've taken 6 big game animals; each with one shot. I think it's a fine addition to the Encore line and at some point I think I'll probably add a 416 Rigby to my collection.

I also have a CZ 550 Safari Magnum in 458 Lott. I shoot the 458 Lott off the bench with scope with no danger of a scope ding on my forehead and without any special padding with no significant discomfort. I use a Lead Sled to shoot the Encore off the bench because the recoil pad/stock design and lighter weight of the rifle make the felt recoil more. I've also gotten forehead scope dings from my Encore on more than one occasion (use a scope with sufficient eye relief). Shooting the Encore from a sitting, or standing position is no big deal though.

In summary, I really like my 375 H&H Magnum Encore barrel and it works fine as long as you treat it with respect. It makes a very light and short package for hunting. I have a wood thumbhole stock, a composite thumbhole stock and a regular black composite stock for my Encore (I've only shot mine with the regular composite stock). Of the 3 stocks, the wood one is probably the best comfort wise but I still pick the composite stocks for hunting since the finish is a lot more durable.

Encore 375 H&H Mag. and Warthog taken with it.

I'm anxiously waiting for the new FlexTech Recoil System stocks made for them by Limbsaver for the Pro Hunter series to become available from TC as I had my 454casull rifle barrel rechambered to S&W 460.My Encore Rifle Stock was made by Virgin Valley Guns in Hurricane,UT now out of business.I get accuracy with my TC 24" 243 barrel and 454 casull 20" barrel built by Bullberry Barrels http://www.bullberry.com .Other sources are http://www.matchgrademachine.com & http://www.sskindustries.com http://www.boydsgunstocks.comI've had the 'pleasure' of firing pre 64 Winchester 375 and the pain it brought to my shoulder then at a Raahauges Shooting Sports Fair Sako reps encouraged me to fire one of their rifles in 375 but it had a KDF muzzle brake what a difference it was comfortable to fire. If I had one I'd contact http://www.probed2000.com and have them install their muzzle brake like they installed on my 15" encore 30-06 pistol barrel.

I love my 375 H&H encore! Hunted Deer & Hogs so far. 1st hog hunt - I took out 2 hogs with one shot(love those 300 gr Barnes X bullets) and niether moved again. I shoot Nosler 260 gr BT for deer(yes they are no longer made but I stocked up) but the 260gr Accubond should work as well.

Sure it kicks - It wouldn't be as fun ifiit didn't

Next up - 416 rigby barrel!!!!

It has quite a bit of recoil, but definitely NOT terrible; and great accuracy.

I have yet to shoot my 375 H & H barrel, but I set up a Boyts laminated stock with a mercury recoil reducer and a limbsaver pad, pillar bedded matching forend and with my 405 Win, it is fine to shoot. I anticipate no problems with the 375.

I could see adding another reducer to the forend and it would be sweet. Heavy, but sweet.

I have a TC Custom Shop 375 H&H Mag in a 24" barrel with a muzzle tamer on it. I put 2, 8 oz mercury recoil reducers in the butt stock and a Simms pad on it. It's very easy shooting!! I love it and I'm 5'8" and 145 lbs. I shot 40 rounds of 270 grain at 2650 fps in one sitting. No bruises or pain.

I have a 375 H&H T/C barrel and have shot it many times, even with heavy mag factory amno. Only ont time dit it really kick and it was my fault. Did not hold it right. I did put a limsaver but pad on it.That made a big diff.