First legal....
Handgun/Rifle/Shotgun receivers the same?
(They say all barrels interchange)?
So if a "handgun" receiver any length barrels are legal?(as long as you don't add a rifle stock)
"Rifle/Shotgun" receiver...No pistol barrels or any shorter than 16"? (Unless you replace stock with pistol grips?)?
Helppppp?!
Next...Want BIG BORE-.500-600-700 SSK Barrels...any users?Field use?
Any other makers of big caliber barrels for it?
Thanks!

The Encore frames are all mechanically the same and barrels and parts will interchange.

In the USA, The legal status of switching pistol/rifle/pistol etc are a bit muddied as there is no specific case law other than the one old court ruling that addresses one narrow question. You can find lot's of discussion about this and make your own decision as to how carefully you keep track of what is what. As to pistol barrel length, there are a few states that define a maximum pistol barrel length and in some cases it is buried in the hunting regulations and not state law so it depends on where you are and what you want to do with it.

All the TC custom shops make a variety of big bore barrels but SSK, Gary Reeder and Dave Van Horn are probably the best bets for the bigger bores. There are some case/bore limits as the barrel breech diameter is only 1" and of course there are pressure concerns. Some of the custom makers take a more conservative view on what they think is appropriate.

I don't know what SSK's newer cartridges look like but the largest pistol cartridge I recall seeing is the 600 NE (check for the youtube videos). If I were building a big bore Encore for fun, I would get a 50/70/750 from SSK. If I were building the largest possible big bore NFA Encore pistol I would make a 12 gauge pistol under an AOW stamp.

The simplest solution is to call SSK and ask them what they can do for you. Their web page is pretty useless anymore but they are fast and do great work. Notice I did not say they were the cheapest.

If you have a barrel shorter than 16" it had better have a pistol grip on it or the ATF papers in your pocket (a 10" TC rifle is a lot of fun to shoot). There are some odd state laws for long barreled pistols. These mostly come into effect for handgun hunting. In some states if there is a long barrel and the overall length is 26" or more it is considered a rifle even if it has a pistol grip. This is more likely to happen with an XP-100 type with a longer receiver than an Encore.

I work for Dave Van Horn.
We have a 577 barrel in stock, the customer bailed out on the project. He was talking big time here a few years ago and then disappeared without paying. In the works we have 2 600NE, one full octagon. We do some calculations on the wall strength and bolt thrust. Most big bores are running low pressure and are OK in the Encore.
The issue with BIG cals is they come out light. The big hole leaves little material behind with a 1" diameter barrel. We do a barrel the diameter of the width of the receiver, use a form tool to cut the bottom to fit the action. A heavy brake also puts weight out front where needed. Lead can be put into the fore end.

Heavy recoil can bust the stocks, a thumbhole can be made a lot stronger because of the part over the thumb, we leave it thicker for the boomers. Laminates hold up better than "real wood"

We made the 600 NE pistol in the infamous video, the person who owns the gun is not the Santa Claus guy in the vid. The owner has no issue firing it. He had it made just for fun, when at the range boys start bragging how powerful their pistol is he can go "Oh yea.. I got this...(CLUNK on table)... wanna shoot it"

Mark

Thanks for reply guys!
Mark I sent you a pm...maybe 577 or 600...anyone know anything about 700 JDJ? ...Basically 14" pistol OR 16" Rifle...12ga has to be 18" no matter the choice I guess?...Hmmmm!

pm sent

If it is a 12 bore instead of a 12 gauge (same thing) that might fly but splitting hairs. I see you with more of a 577 2 3/4 tropical Howdah side by side break action pistol. That or a 4 bore double front stuffer. Back on topic I think a 577 Tropical load in that platform is ideal.

Decisions... Decisions! Thanks Boomer!