Seems like every hunting show you see on tv the host is carrying a handy little TC Encore rifle and the idea of traveling with one of these broken down in a case is very appealing.

However, before I jump I'd like to hear some advice on equipment, mounting a scope, good gunsmiths, where to buy etc from those who like there rifles.

Also, any comments or thoughts about using one in a 45/70 with full-power hunting loads ie heavy bullets with big meta-plate....especially about recoil.

Buy a frame and if you aren't going to smith it yourself, get somebody like Mike Bellm to put it together for you. Not been happy with many T/C factory barrels, myself.

Tom's got it covered on the gunsmith aspect. Jim "Shots" Hendershot is a good one to go to also. You can order replacement sear springs and get good instructions about doing your own trigger job from Mike Bellm's site. He also has oversized hinge pins, which can be a very controversial topic if you want to discuss it. All I can tell you is that I have tried them in my Contenders as well as my Encores. Sometimes it makes a difference, sometimes not. If you are having flyers and the barrel-frame fit seems a bit sloppy, it's definitely worth a try.

You may - or not - need/want to pillar bed your forearm to increase accuracy. I've got a couple barrels where it made a difference, and a couple where it didn't.

If you want to use Weaver-style rings (like Burris Zee rings or Burris Signature Zee rings), on a heavy kicker I'd consider getting the steel Weaver base. If you want to go Double-Dovetail, Leupold and Burris both make good mounts.

Where to buy? Frames are getting harder to find and you may get as good a deal buying locally versus having to ship one in and pay an FFL transfer fee.

I've got a .375 H&H barrel and a 7mm Rem Mag barrel. When I first got the 7 Mag barrel, I took it out and shot maybe 30 rounds or so sighting it in and playing. At the time I didn't think much of it. When I touched off the first shot the next day I thought I'd been kicked by a mule. I didn't realize how badly I had bruised my shoulder. My next purchase was a Sims Limbsaver recoil pad. I won't shoot the 7mm without it and the .375 doesn't bother me a bit with it on there. Note that I've never shot the .375 sans Limbsaver and I have no intention to. I would think that you'll want one if you get a .45-70 barrel. .45-70 is sort of a big "push", right? You'll have heavier bullets than I'm shooting out of the .375 (270 gr @ 2800 fps). But yours will be going slower.

Note that the Pro-Hunter series already have the Limbsaver pad on the FlexTech stock. Never had one, so I can't comment. Pro-Hunter series also comes with 28" fluted barrels, at least in some chamberings.

Shoulda' posted these links the first time....

Mike Bellm's Store

Jim Hendershot's site

I shoot from 22 Hornet to 50 cal Muzzleloader on my Encore frame. Did the trigger job myself with Mike Belm springs. The nice part is that you can scratch an itch for less than $300. (In my case it was the stainless 284 Win. barrel on a blue frame) And if you don't like the results, or get tired of it, you can sell the barrel much easier (and for less loss) than an entire gun. I'm shooting a dozen encore and contender barrels...including a 45/70 (handgun!)and 5 wildcats. Have not had one bit of trouble with any TC barrel so far. You can make the Encore into virtually anything fun: rifle, shotgun, muzzlelaoder even handgun. Even a rimfire with the appropriate aftermarket conversion.They are without a doubt the most versatile firearm going. But do try the fit. For most it's a love it or hate it proposition. The stock is a bit different looking but fits me perfectly for scope use. In fact I have several with thumbhole stocks that make the package look pretty snazzy.
If I were going to get just one gun (heaven forbid) it would be a TC Encore frame; assuming that additional barrels don't count as a separate gun! Knowing you have to make the first shot count most (although I've learned to reload my single shooters almost as fast as most can a bolt) will make you a better shooter....if not a better hunter. Good luck.

I have three Encore frames and more barrels than I'll admitt to woning. I like the system and with a little effort all of the barrels shoot well TC Custom shop barrels perform as well as MGM or Bullberrry barrels. The action does need some slight tweaking but Mike Bellm has great instruction to fix the trigger yourself, change the hinge pin if necessary. I use dedicated lamintaed forearm for each barrel I pillar bed them and relieve all areas where the frame and barrel touched the wood.

I have a Contender, and while I planned to use it as a travel rifle, I changed my mind. Low cost is a good attribute in a travel rifle, so that if it's damaged or lost, you won't be much vexed. I'll get a Handi-Rifle instead, and fit it with fixed iron sights. I'll still use my T/C for testing new chamberings, but I'll travel with the cheapie.

quote:

However, before I jump I'd like to hear some advice on equipment, mounting a scope, good gunsmiths, where to buy etc from those who like there rifles.

I would recommend the Warne Maxima Encore base. Then for the scope, get Warne quick detach rings. Then as your Encore barrels accumulate, you won't have to buy a new scope every time you acquire a new barrel. Being able to take the scope off also makes packing much easier.

I buy most of my Encore stuff on Gunbroker.com.

The only think you'll need a gunsmith for is a trigger job which will make your gun more pleasant to shoot. For that, I'd recommend Mike Bellm.

quote:

Also, any comments or thoughts about using one in a 45/70 with full-power hunting loads ie heavy bullets with big meta-plate....especially about recoil.

I don't think recoil in a rifle would be bad. You might not like the recoil in a handgun length barrel. A Thompson/Center Muzzle Tamer will tame recoil considerably.

One point about traveling with multiple barrels; if your traveling is to be done in the U.S.A., then there is no problem. Many African countries consider the barrel to be the important part and will count it as the firearm. Also, in many countries, the barrel of a firearm has a serial number. As long as the barrel is attached to the firearm, there shouldn't be a problem but if you're carrying it separately and it has no serial number, you may confuse customs officials.

Grumulkin wrote:

quote:

...you may confuse customs officials.

From my limited experience with customs officials, I'd have to say it doesn't take much to confuse them.

A few years ago, I bought a gun in Canada and was having it shipped to the states. It was all lined up, and a dealer was going to be doing the actual pick-up in Austin, TX.

Well, they claimed I caught them at a bad time -- that they were moving to a new location, etc.

To make a long story short, they at first could not find the gun. Then they couldn't find the proper paperwork. And they could never locate both the gun and paperwork at the same time!!!

After several months of the royal run-around, they tried to bill me for STORAGE!!! I finally gave up and cut my losses -- losses that were caused by their inept agents.

Yes, my experience with customs was limited, but it sure as heck was memorable...and not in a good way.

Bill, I have 1 frame and 4 barrels. I bought the frame with a 45 caliber muzzleloader barrel and a .223 Rem first. Later I got a .308 Win and a 12 gauge turkey barrel.

Out of the box the .223 barrel shot Win and Rem factory ammo 40 gr to 55 gr at about 1 inch. With reloads it shot all the same weights at less than 1 inch. It really liked 55 gr bullets.
Out of the box the .308 barrel shot Win and Rem factory 150 gr ammo sub MOA. Heavier factory ammo opened up. Hornady Light Mags opened up and the heavier Light Mags opened to about 2 inches.
Reloads for these 2 barrels were not much better.

The one I didn’t like was the trigger. It was inconsistent, breaking any where from 3 to 5 pounds. I took to my gunsmith and asked him if he could make the trigger a consistent 3# trigger. He said no to the consistent 3# trigger but he said he could make it consistent. Well when I got it back it as consistent at 2.25 pounds. Yes this a little light but all of my groups dropped .25 to .5 inch with factory and reloaded ammo.

With hard kicking calibers you may want to replace the recoil pad with a LimbSaver.