Well, I'll be the first to tell you that I don't care too much for factory barrels. I've have some good ones and a couple great ones over the years, but I have seen some lemons along the way. That's why I generally shoot nothing but customs.

But I just HAD to try one of the PH rigs since TC claimed improvements across the board. First off, TC claims a lighter trigger pull, and that is baloney. Mine breaks at a miserable 5.8 pounds. A trigger job is certainly next on my list of things to do.

The chamber is not in perfect alignment with the bore but it is close -- much more so than many others I have seen. The throat, or lack thereof (TC's unfortunate trademark!), made me wonder how this barrel would fare, and I had my doubts early on. But I have fired a number of groups today, all with a single load of 58 grains Re-22 and the Nosler 140 grain Accubond in new Remington brass and Fed 210 primers, and the worst was right at .920. The average for 3 shots at 100 yards was a fraction under 3/4th " -- not bad for an unbroken in barrel and a horrible trigger.

I really don't look for much improvement in the accuracy department from this barrel and can live with what it's doing now. Guess that translates into "I'll keep it..."

BTW, the velocity of this load from the 28" barrel is just over 3150 fps (uncorrected from 15 ft. readings). The fit and finish: above average for a factory production item. And the stock does indeed seem to reduce the recoil to perhaps .243 levels.

The swing hammer may be an OK idea, but I could do without it.

I'd love to hear from anyone else out there with the PH rigs or barrels as to how they're shooting, etc.

I got a frame and stock intending to use the frame on my muzzleloader barrel and found the trigger to be a problem too (7lbs) Some light stoning and a #4 Mike Bellim spring and it's down to 2.5 lbs. VERY nice trigger now. Also did the same on my other frame for comperable results with a # 3 spring. That rig sports the new gussied up synthetic stock and a 24" SS 284 barrel. It shoots great....despite the cheezy two screw attachment of forearm directly to barrel. A new standoff attachment is available for a different synthetic forearm but, of course, one needs to purchase a new forearm and the spacers.
Testing triggers on a whole rack of PH Encores in the local sport shop showed a range of trigger pull weights from 3 to 7 lbs. That's because the finish and fit on the internal parts and even the way the trigger spring is installed affects the pull weight. Check out Mike's vidio on working an Encore trigger for more on same. He was very helpful with advice by e-mail when I did my first job.(search under Encore springs).
Long story short, the pivot hammer, engraving and stock are the new features for PH rifle. The new muzzleloader barrel has some noteworthy changes but not enough to replace my current one.