i have the .50 muzzel loader. i was wondering what i should get for a second barrel? i have a .17 .22 .223.243, in other rifles. ogh and 3 12 gauges. Thaughts please!

I have a 280/7mm express , 338 wimchester mag !

Suppressed 510 whisper.

Ranb

Acrnstlkr,

Well..without knowing what you intend to do with another encore barrel..it is hard to give any useful input.

From what you have listed, you have the smaller calibers covered. So..how about something in 7mm or 30 cal? There are so many great choices in bullets now...the 7mm-08 would be perfect for anything you might come up against in Iowa.

There is always the old reliable 30-06. The .308 is a fine round in the encore as well.

You can go for the belted mags in the 7mm and 300 flavors.

I guess it just depends on what you want to do with the new barrel.

Cheers

Is it legit to convert it to handgun configuration? I dont know, just asking. Maybe a state by state or federal thing. If it was then that would allow you more options. Or perhaps as a muzzle loader handgun it would be ok. Again, I dont know.

In a hunting rifle - The 30/30 would be handy and a step up from 243. I like the idea of rimmed ctgs in break open guns. For instance 22Hornet, 30/30 or 45/70 are three of my favorites that would fill any medium range hunting needs in North America.

If you're not planning on hunting big bears, a 25/06 would give you quite a bit more range for antelope and deer hunting. For more power and for something good for anything in North America, go for a 30/06 or a 300 Win. Mag.

The Encore/Contender system works well with rimmed, rimless and belted cases so you don't have to go with a rimmed cartridge unless you really want to.

The question of the legality of converting from rifle to handgun configuration has been argued ad nauseum on various forums; probably including this one. If you live in a state with handgun registration, buying a rifle and converting it to a handgun would be illegal under state law and also under Federal law. It is legal to buy an Encore handgun and convert it to a rifle but, according to the BATFE, if you convert it to a rifle, you can't legally go back to handgun configuration unless you bought one of the Contender kits that had rifle/handgun barrels and the respective rifle/handgun furniture. You cannot legally mount a rifled barrel of less than 16 inches length on a rifle stock unless you get the appropriate "Short Barreled Rifle" permit from the BATFE.

I have a .223 barrel for my Encore, and it should be considered as an option. 40 grain thorugh 69 grain work just fine with the 1X12 twist.
Shotgun

Based on what you already have, I would pick something in a 7mm08/308/3006. Or if you want bigger, I would look at 4570/375HH/500SW.

quote:

Originally posted by fourbore:
Is it legit to convert it to handgun configuration?

From what I have read, you can convert a pistol to a rifle, but not back again, unless the $200 tax is paid. I have read arguments and a court decision about the TC kits that were sold to make conversions back and forth for frames registered as pistols, but from what I hear, that decision did not apply to anything but those kits.

Ranb

+1 on the 45-70. Especially if you reload

Thank u all! it is legal to convert to a handgun in Iowa, i can buy a pistol grip and a pistol barrel and make into in minutes! im thinkin about going with a .30 cal maybe a 300 win mag since my dad already has one and i could reload.

The key to a good Encore is a Good trigger and a Tight hinge Pin

quote:

Originally posted by Acrnstlkr:
Thank u all! it is legal to convert to a handgun in Iowa, i can buy a pistol grip and a pistol barrel and make into in minutes!

Be aware there is both State and Federal law. It is not legal to convert a rifle to a handgun under Federal law.

Ok not convert.... use a different barrel.

I had a ML barrel and purchased a 204 Ruger barrel just because I didn't have that caliber. It is very accurate with 32 grain bullets.

I have noticed that this gun is used a considerable amount on hunting shows sponsored by TC. Many of these guns appear to be in .30/06. You really can't go wrong with a .30/06.

If you are legal to hunt deer in Iowa with rifle calibers I would suggest a good middle of the road caliber like 370, 30-06, 7-08, etc. If rifle calibers are not legal well then a 44mag, 45 long colt +P or other deer slayer pistol calibers. You could use a short, say 20 inch barel with the pistol calibers and have a real short handy little carbine. Same dimensions would work for 308, 250 savage, etc. in rifle calibers. DW

I should proof read, I meant a 270, not a 370 as typed in the above post. DW

go with15" 308 win barrel and put you a set of pachmayre hand grips on it.... shoot open sights for fun and then once you ge used to shootin' her ,,scope it

I have a 50Cal ML with a 223 barrel,7MM08 and 6.6X55 for long range shooting.Also have a 450 Marlin handgun barrel.My Contendor has a 221 Fireball & 7TCU Rifles barrels and a 35 Rem.Pistol barrel.My Encore has a dedicated pistol frame and a different one for rifles.