A friend at work just won a raffle gun. It was an Encore 209X50. He does not hunt, and wanted to sell his winning ticket. Well, I bought it. The problem is, I have a Remington ML, that with 100 grains of ffg, and a Knight Sabot and a Hornady 300 grain XTP, shoots inside 2" at a hundred yards. My Remington has either percussion cap, 209 primer, or musket cap ignition. My Remington also is a royal pain in the rear to clean. I have wanted an Encore since they first came out, but I hunt in NY state, and at the time, NY did not allow the use of 209 primer, so I bought the Remington. They have since changed the law. I only need one muzzleloader, but am afraid the Encore will not shoot as well as the Remington. I got the Encore at a good price, and would have no trouble getting my money back if I sell before I fire it. Afterwards, I don't know if I could get my cash back or not. It seems lately, I've read a lot of bad things on the accuracy of the Encore's. Does T/C stand behind their stuff? Any help would be appreciated.

The Encore WILL be easier to clean but the Remington offers greater flexibility and is legal in more places. Encores can be extremely finicky with loads, tougher to scope if you so desire, and the triggers are a real variable.
T/C has offered good "replacement" service in the past but have recently stopped taking emails, that could be a sign of things to come??

If you are happy with the Remington and it shoots accurately for you, make a few bucks on the Encore and sell it to me.

How exactly are Encores "...tougher to scope"?

If you don't like the 209x50 barrel you can sell it on eBay for � again what it is worth and buy a barrel in something you really like from .22 Hornet to 12 gauge slug.

The choice of bases available for the Encore and the positioning of the screws on the barrel for the bases make scope selection a bit more limited. The Remington has so many bases and variations available it would be hard to say that it isn't adaptable to nearly any scope.
There are good mounts for the Encore and good scopes that will fit properly in those mounts, it's just that one has to be a little more careful in your selections.

You could set most any scope in most any of the available Encore mount systems but whether you would wind up with something practical to use is another matter.

Hell, I don't know, maybe I shouldn't have typed that?

I did not have any trouble with any of my Encore scopes???? Mine shoots under an inch on all calibers factory barrels. You can get the barrels in 1/28 or 1/48 for Colorado leagal projectiles. My trigger is 4lbs and pretty crisp?? I will take those junky Encores if any of you don't want yours. I use 100g Pyrodex and 300g Barnes x. Good shoot'n

Why not keep both of them? I have two inlines and had considered selling one until I had problems with the one I usually hunt with a few days before deer season opened here. Suddenly I was faced with the possibility of having to send it back to the manufacturer for repairs and I was glad I had the other one for a back up if needed.

Scope is not an issue. Leupold M8 6X. Set on Leupold QRW bases and rings. I've used this system, since it was put out by Leupold, and have never had a return to zero after many removals and cleanings. I used to have an MK 85, when they first came out, and the gun never fit me. To date, it was the easiest to clean, and the most accurate. 1" groups were the norm. It just did not fit me. Length of pull was short, and it a drop at the comb was for open sights. You had to search for the scope. I'm just torn. I really like the Remington, and it is in my opinion a fine rifle. I also like the Encore, and it just feels good. Maybe I will keep them both, and just see. I have been collecting for the last 25 years, gone through 2 safes, and am full. I have been blessed and do not need a thing, other than help with my gun addiction. Thanks for the input, and more advice and information would be great. Butcher

I own one of each and at 100 yards they both shoot very well but at 200yrd. the encore is by far the best and is very easy to clean compared to the remington.

Butcher, I still think you should just sell me that Encore at a small profit and be done with the aggravation.