Hello, new guy here I have a T/C Encore with a muzzleloader barrel and I'm ready to get a 7mm Rem. Mag. barrel for big game such as mule deer, antelope, etc...Would a factory barrel be accurate enough for big game, or should I save my pennies for awhile and get a custom barrel?

Don't buy from T/C ! Natchezs or Midway

I am planning on buying from Natchez if I buy a factory barrel.

I baught a 280 Rem and it shoots like a lazer , I have a 7mm RM Check out the balistics for the 280 , your might like it for your Encore ?

I don't know what your hunting might include beyond deer, but the 280 is a fine round and will pretty much do it all. I have an Encore in Factory .25-06 and a Bullberry in 6.5-06 AI and both are wonderfully accurate for hunting guns. IMO, the 7 Mag is more than you need and will kick the snot out of you if the stock doesn't fit properly. Get something that is comfortable to shoot...then shoot it a lot...shot placement over power everytime.

My new favorite gun is a Bullberry 18" 7 TCU (Speer 115 gr HP) on a Contender frame with a Weaver 6X...under 6 lbs out the door!! 6 deer this year from 25 yds to 130 yds....all one
shot thru the ribs. Great gun under 200 yds!!

One reason I would be getting a 7mm RM. is that I would be hunting elk with it to, and I already have a Ruger M77 in 7mm RM. that I want to sell, so I have all my reloading stuff for 7mm RM. The recoil doesn't bother me, so I think I want to stick with 7mm RM.

highck,
couple things on my mind ;
1st)the m-77 7mm you have is this the tang safety modle?(if so i would be intrested depending...)
2)i have a factory 7mm mag an in my opinion in the t/c's i don't like the belted cartridges becouse you have to push the ejector down to get the belt past to chamber the cartridge

It is the tang safety model and it is blued/wood and shoots 1 1/4 inch groups all day off of a bipod. If Encores don't like belted magnums is there any cartridge that's got as much or more power than a 7mm RM that doesn't have a belt? I don't have an FFL so I'd have to go through an FFL holder unless you live close enough that we woudn't have to ship it.

how bout if i call u?

an its i dont like belted cartridges in the encore..

I would look to Bulberry or Match Grade Machine (formerly Virgin Valley). I have a Virgin Valley 300 WSM barrel and would not take anything for it. 300 yard accuracy is NO PROBLEM, but that is as far as I have shot it. I just joined a new range with a 500 yard set up and fully intend to see what she can do. I have not has very good luck with T/C factory barrels, but my son has a Custom Shop 270 barrel that does fine.