I am an encore and contender pistol shooter from way back. I have, however, been thinking about also including the rifle barrels on the basis of versatility. But I want to here from those who shoot them:

1) Do you use custom barrels or factory?

2) What calibers do you shoot?

3) What kind of accuracy to you get?

4) What does your set up weigh? (Is it possible to set these up in a light "mountain rifle" configuration and still get good accuracy?)

5) Are you happy w/ your rigs or would you prefer something else?

Three years ago, the son of a friend of mine got the 209x50, then
got a factory 22-250 heavy barrel for it. My friend also has a 10 year
old .223 Contender. Both shoot great and I really liked the feel of
them and they way they shoulder. That configuration is probably
the most comfortable there is without going to thumbhole stocks.

So about 18 months ago I got an Encore 209x50. It's the most
accurate front stuffer I've ever owned. Still want a more accurate
barrel, but more on that later.

Ordered a 25-06 heavy barrel for it a year ago last summer. Talk
about super suck-city!!! There is a gap between barrel breach and
receiver of .003" -- my friend's contender gap is less than .001" by
comparison. Tightest groups were 3". Checked the chamber depth
and it is .005" too deap. Sent her back to T/C to do something
about it -- they fired a few rounds through it (I know this only due
to it being clean when sent and dirty when returned), and sent it
back with no explanation whatsoever. Upon more examination, I
found that the bore was pretty rough. So I hand-lapped the barrel
using Flitz and started wildcatting .270 cases for the over-length
25-06 chamber. This reduced the groups to 3/4" -- not great, but
at least acceptable.

Last winter I got a Tactical 20 barrel from Virgin Valley Custom Guns.
She's a tack driver. My best group with her was just over 1/8". We
have not been able to do any varmint hunting yet, but she sure is
lethal on ferral cats. This Shilen barrel is just the cat's meow
(deceiced) .

Wanting to get into some real front stuffing accuracy and have
ordered a 27" Douglas barrel from VVCG. Steve Stratton has assured
me that Douglas uses the same standards for a 1:28 twist front
stuffer barrel that they use for any other barrel.

Haven't weighed her with the 209x50 barrel but the scoped 25-06
setup is 9 3/4 pounds while the scoped Tac 20 setup is 10 1/4 pounds.

Have also done a trigger job on it since there was originally quite a
bit of trigger creap. She's now very crisp 1 1/2lb pull. Yes, it took a
little getting used to, but it also helped groups.

Yes, I'm satisfied with my rigs, minus the 25-06 headaches. Tickled
pink with the Tactical 20 barrel. Will I ever get another barrel from
T/C? NO. Have also had to replace the stock because it was cut from
a bad piece of walnut and is starting to "peal". Got a Boyd laminated
butt stock which is absolutely beautiful. The replacement T/C stock
(if they ever replace it) will come up for internet auction somewhere.

I ordered up an Encore rifle from VVCG in .250 Savage and since added a 2nd barrel in .375/.338 Win Mag. Both barrels are octagon; 0.7" across the flats, 22" & 21.5" long respectively.

Both of these barrels shoot great; sub-MOA no problem and I haven't had a chance to work up loads for accuracy yet. The .375 barrel was chambered by Mike Bellm and has his machined in muzzle brake which totally kills the muzzle rise and reduces the recoil to something on a par w/a 30-06.

Weight on this gun is around 7.5 lbs w/a scope - not super light but I got a back scabbard to carry it in that so far has also worked very well - big improvement over a sling anyway. Check out Nimrod Packs on the web.

What I really like about this rifle is it's quite short - about 35" total - balances just ahead of the trigger guard, and points perfectly. And the bullets go right where you point it.

The guys at VVCG have been excellent to deal with and I will be buying more toys from them in the future.

Mark Dumais

I have two Encore frames and two Encore barrels. Both are set up as rifles. For varminiting I have a Bullberry stainless bull in 6mmBR. For big game I have a T/C 30-06 sporter weight barrel.
I like the Contender carbine too, and have 6 of them. I also use the Contender as a pistol (two others). But, I prefer to use the Encore as a rifle only.
T.D.

I currently shoot the following Encore Barrels;
209X50, 308 Win, and 15" 308 Win handgun barrel and have been pleased with all of them. I do however plan to order a complete custom Encore from Bullberry next spring. What I have heard nothing but excellent reports from owners of these Encores.

I own 12 different Contender barrels from 17 Ackley Bee to 45/70 , as well as 3 Encore barrels in 308 Win. , 35 Whelen Imp. and 359x74 Rhein .All Encore barrels are from Bullberry and except for a broken locking wedge on the brand new 35 Whelen , they are absolutely worth the money (and waiting)From what I know today I would not buy a factory barrel again , but rather spend a little more money and buy a custom set up !

I've said it before and i'll say it again, if you want an accurate barrel from the start go with VVCG! I have a 22-250 ACK that will put 10 50 gr hornady v-max in 1/2" at 100 yds, 7 STW that will put 3 factory balistic silver tips inside 1/2" at 100 yds, haven't got a chance to work up hand loads yet. 45-70 in scout configuration with 17A front and Williams foolproof rear, and forward mounted Leupold 2x pistol scope. And waiting on 14" heavy varmint conture 260 rem pistol barrel. Have no complaints or regrets. This is 4 barrels in 2.5 years. Well worth the money. When you decide to get one make sure and ask what they have in inventory. May have what you want and can save you some serious change as well.

I have a Encore and a few barrels. I currently have a 209x50, a 20ga, and a 26" .270win tapered barrel from the T/C Custom Shop. The .270 will print sub-moa with Hornady Light mag 140gr BTSP. Also this Encore has the Bellm oversized hinge pin wich increased acuracy greatly. (http://www.bellmtcs.com)

My rig weights under 8lbs scoped and loaded. In my Opinion the T/C Custom Barrels will shoot (much better than the standard barrels) so I don't see the need to opt for a higher end barrel yet. But I would limit the tapered barrels to 7mm and under. Once you get to .30cal, I would look at the heavy barrels just for stability. I had a 26" heavy barrel .300win mag that was a tack driver. I also had a .308win standard tapper barrel (factory barrel) that would barly shoot 2.5" groups.
I have also had a .280 Rem, .260Rem, the latter was not a shooter with factory ammo.

[ 11-06-2002, 04:00: Message edited by: Mark G ]

I currently own 3 Encore barrels.
1. Heavy sporter barrel 26" 257 Wby. from VVG. Accuracy is under 1/2 inch (This barrel is more accurate than I am). It loves heavier bullets. 1 shot kill on a Elk this year.
2. Factory 209x50. Third one shot kill on a deer this year. Barnes 250mz Sabot (Very highly recommend).Accuracy is 3" with open sights (May be more accurate).
3. Factory 24" 30-06. Shoots 1.5" groups regardless of the bullet. Fun to shoot.

In addition I have had:
1. 24" 7mm WSM barrel from bullberry. Preferred smaller bullets but had a rough time printing groups under 1.25".
2. 24" Factory 243 barrel. Liked smaller bullets. Accuracy just under a inch.

I have owned an Encore frame since August and have yet to fire a shot with it. I sent it off to VVCG to have a trigger job and a heavy barrel 22/250 barrel and custom laminated stock and fore-end made for it. I should have it back in a couple of weeks.

In the meantime I have purchased a factory butt stock and a rifle fore-end, muzzle-loader fore-end, and shotgun fore-end all in advantage timber camo. I have also ordered a .50 caliber blackpowder barrel and bought a 12 gauge shotgun turkey barrel in advantage timber camo. I plan on buying a second frame to use with all of these accesories.

I've got nearly $2,000.00 dollars invested in Encore frames and accesories and I don't have a complete gun here yet! I hope that everything will come together shortly and that my patience will pay off.