I have been thinking of buying an encore for deer hunting, presently using knight rifle. Any suggestions, coments. I think the encore will clean up easier after a hunt. Was thinking about 45 cal. Any comments appreciated.

I just purchase an encore in 50 cal and love it. I don't know alot about it but I've been told that the 45s have a different twist barrel....I think a 1/20.
If you get one make sure it has the 1/28 twist barrel or you could have problems getting it to group. A guy I work with purchased a 45 cal with a 1/20 twist barrel and had to send it back to t/c for a barrel that had a 1/28 twist.
My 50 cal encore groups under 1" using 90grs 777 and PR .40 OT.

My Opinion !!!

I have a 209X50 and have used it every year since they first came out and if I had it to do over again, I'd still choose the '50! I sometimes use it during the regular "Rifle" season, not just during the "Muzzle Loading" season, and have 100% confidence in this rifle!

For what it's worth, there's really no big deal in choosing the 45cal or the 50cal, most of us shoot 44 Cal. bullets out of them anyway!

So, I think that "some" of the talk about the 45's is a lot of hype!

I have a SS 50cal Knight Predator but am planning to buy a SS 50cal Encore. My Knight uses #11 Percussion caps and has never failed me. I like the way the Encore opens and uses 209 primers for hotter ignition. Some states limit the size of bullet you can use in a muzzle-loader.
If you plan to use a sabot the bullet in the 45 will get mighty small. The doe I shot at 20ft with the Knight did not know that it used #11 percussion caps. HE HE HE Just my 2cents worth

You're right about the Encore being easier to clean,
especially if you remove the primer extractor--it
isn't necessary. With the extractor removed, it is
a simple matter of removing the plug, and cleaning
it out.

About your ideas of going to .45 caliber -- I
wouldn't. There is just too much of a choice of
bullet weight AND calibers with the .50 barrel. You
can even get clear down to .375 with a new PR bullet
sabot combo.

I have the 50 cal encore and a 45 cal barrel.I am shooting the same bullets in the 50 (200 sst,shock waves and barnes 195 grs.)And it will really drive tacks ( have some pics of the groups in some of my other posts)But I have had the 45 barrel for 2 years now,(first one I had was 1;20,sent it back because it wouldn't shoot, T/C sent me one back in 1;28) and truthfully I haven't got a decent group with either one of the 45 barrels.So I would go with the 50 cal and you can still shoot the same bullets in it.That is except the power belts because they don't take a sabot.