T/C Encore for backcountry?

[BowHunterJake]

I am thinking about adding a T/C Encore to my "Armory."

Is anyone using one of these for Western mullies or elk?

What is your setup? (Barrel length/optics/caliber)

What is your experience on carrying long distance?

 

[brushcreek]

i've got a stainless TC muzzleloader pro hunter i used for Colorado elk last year. 28 inch barrel.

no issues carrying / packing the gun.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I too have a TC Pro hunter....great gun. Hope to get my first elk with it next month. Bought it new last year.

 

[tdub24]

I am thinking about adding a T/C Encore to my "Armory."

Is anyone using one of these for Western mullies or elk?

What is your setup? (Barrel length/optics/caliber)

What is your experience on carrying long distance?

Are you planing to use this as a muzzleloader, or are you getting different barrels for different setups?

I own this in the muzzleloader form (50 cal) and have killed one muley (125 yards) and one bull (170 yards). I will be chasing UT bull with it this September. Great muzzleloader and I have never had any issues carrying it in the field, no different than any other rifle. Open sights since that is what is required to hunt NV and other western states.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

One thing about the Pro Hunter, it is a pure M/L. The Encore you can change barrels, not so with the Pro hunter, but basically the same action.

 

[tdub24]

The Pro Hunter FX is purely muzzleloader, the previous model pro hunters have interchangeable barrels like the original Encore.

 

[Cobbhunts]

The Pro Hunter FX is purely muzzleloader, the previous model pro hunters have interchangeable barrels like the original Encore.

Exactly, the "FX" model is simply a ML. With the Encore, and Encore ProHunter you can buy multiple barrels for. I Personally would spend the extra money for the Encore. If I JUST wanted a stand alone ML, I'd look at other Thompson's or the CVA Accura. Something along those lines.

 

[Arrowslinger]

I am thinking about adding a T/C Encore to my "Armory."

Is anyone using one of these for Western mullies or elk?

What is your setup? (Barrel length/optics/caliber)

What is your experience on carrying long distance?

I have the stainless model in 270 with Leupy 3x9.....i like it, but don't carry it in the backcountry, prefer my 7mm with bigger optics.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

If I JUST wanted a stand alone ML, I'd look at other Thompson's or the CVA Accura. Something along those lines.

Why? I did a lot of research before I bought mine and couldn't find anything bad about it. Maybe a bit expensive, but it sure shoots great.

 

[Cobbhunts]

Why? I did a lot of research before I bought mine and couldn't find anything bad about it. Maybe a bit expensive, but it sure shoots great.

For no reason other than the expense. It is indeed a fine ML, probably up there with the best you can buy from the factory. I was only pointing out that there are cheaper alternatives that are also very fine rifles in their own right. And if you were going to spend the cost of the FX, maybe he should consider throwing a couple hundred more and grabbing an Encore or Encore ProHunter.

I'd love to have an FX and I own a customized Encore. You can't ever have enough long guns in my mindset!!

I am sure you will be really happy with your FX, and I wish you luck with it this fall. I know this is a little off topic, but have you worked up a load that it likes? My Encore is a little picky, especially with powder weights. I added a Belm Trigger, a Belm Oversized pin, and the Belm hammer spring to mine. All of that really helped versus the factory configuration. The pin helped significantly with accuracy as my Encore from the factory was sloppy side to side where the barrel and action meet. Stiff as a board now!!!


Edited to add: Watch the Butt Stock screw on the Encores. A few years ago mine went all to hell with accuracy. Couldn't even get my trusty loads to group worth hunting with. Finally my uncle (who made the stock for mine) picked it up to inspect. Turns out that the screw had worked a little loose. You could feel it, but not really unless you physically tried to "wiggle" it. He modified his stock design for me slightly, tightened up the screw and it was good to go. My brothers had the same issue happen to him with his synthetic stock last year.

 

[mnhunter]

Why? I did a lot of research before I bought mine and couldn't find anything bad about it. Maybe a bit expensive, but it sure shoots great.

Agreed. I have a Prohunter M/L and it is one of the most accurate M/L I have ever shot. I am not sure that model would be my first choice for a mountain rifle, but if you just wanted to have one rifle for regular and M/L season, I cannot see a huge fault. For me the single shot action is just not very practical. I would rather have a bolt gun with 4 rounds in it, so I can take a quick followup without having to dink with loose rounds (especially if you have gloves on).

If it helps, do a survey of all of the hero shots on this website and count how many T/Cs you see leaned up against dead critters. If it is a good/practical option for mountain hunting you will see people using them.

What do you want from your rifle? I look for Lightweight, accurate, reliable, simple to operate, quick to put into action. I don't mean to rain on your parade with this, but I am not sure the Encore rifle fits the lightweight, simple operation, or quick categories. Keep in mind I love it as a M/L.

 

[Cobbhunts]

Agreed. I have a Prohunter M/L and it is one of the most accurate M/L I have ever shot. I am not sure that model would be my first choice for a mountain rifle, but if you just wanted to have one rifle for regular and M/L season, I cannot see a huge fault. For me the single shot action is just not very practical. I would rather have a bolt gun with 4 rounds in it, so I can take a quick followup without having to dink with loose rounds (especially if you have gloves on).

If it helps, do a survey of all of the hero shots on this website and count how many T/Cs you see leaned up against dead critters. If it is a good/practical option for mountain hunting you will see people using them.

What do you want from your rifle? I look for Lightweight, accurate, reliable, simple to operate, quick to put into action. I don't mean to rain on your parade with this, but I am not sure the Encore rifle fits the lightweight, simple operation, or quick categories. Keep in mind I love it as a M/L.

View attachment 10246

Do you have the Encore ProHunter, or FX ProHunter? Let's not confuse the two, because they are very different. The Encore PH can accept other barrels. The TC PH FX can not. I went back and re-read the thread and it made it seem like the ProHunter wouldn't accept other barrels....is why I ask....and I wanted to point that out.

Nice buck!!! And I agree with what you state in its MTN Rifle capabilities to an extent.

 

[mnhunter]

Do you have the Encore ProHunter, or FX ProHunter? Let's not confuse the two, because they are very different. The Encore PH can accept other barrels. The TC PH FX can not. I went back and re-read the thread and it made it seem like the ProHunter wouldn't accept other barrels....is why I ask....and I wanted to point that out.

Nice buck!!! And I agree with what you state in its MTN Rifle capabilities to an extent.

Mine is a Prohunter, not the FX, mine is capable of switching barrels (and can actually be converted to a pistol).

I am by no means saying it isn't a capable rifle, or wouldn't function in a mountain environment. However, it does have its limitations, and if someone is looking to buy a rifle for mountain hunting they have to be taken into account.

Also, thanks on the buck! It was the first WT buck I was able to successfully still-hunt. One of my favorite WT hunts in alot of years.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Mine is the FX PH and I bought it for strictly ML hunting. I have plenty of other rifles for my non ML hunting, including a Ruger #1 single shot.

 

[mnhunter]

Uh oh, I think I am going to be labeled as a single shot hater.

 

[Cobbhunts]

Mine is a Prohunter, not the FX, mine is capable of switching barrels (and can actually be converted to a pistol).

I am by no means saying it isn't a capable rifle, or wouldn't function in a mountain environment. However, it does have its limitations, and if someone is looking to buy a rifle for mountain hunting they have to be taken into account.

Also, thanks on the buck! It was the first WT buck I was able to successfully still-hunt. One of my favorite WT hunts in alot of years.

That's great, I love the snow hunting, we don't get a lot of it here though. His body is huge too by the way. For what it is worth, I am taking my.270WSM bolt action and my brother is taking his ProHunter in 7mm for our upcoming WY hunt. And we have a lot of rifles to chose from. I think it is very capable and I wouldn't hesitate to use it on a MTN hunt either. Just know your limitations. I personally can reload a single shot pretty darn quick too haha!! Good luck....

 

[brushcreek]

i love the pro hunters, I have two receivers and 4 barrels. I would recommend spending the extra $ and getting the pro hunter vs. the FX.

 

[BowHunterJake]

Thank you all for the comments. I am looking at the Pro Hunter so that I can swap barrels. I am thinking about getting the ML barrel and a 7mm or 300 barrel.

The versatility seems hard to beat.

 

[Hilltop]

Thank you all for the comments. I am looking at the Pro Hunter so that I can swap barrels. I am thinking about getting the ML barrel and a 7mm or 300 barrel.

The versatility seems hard to beat.

I have extensive experience in the mountains and I just don't like a single shot. Bolt action is the only way to go but that is just my opinion. I have guided successful hunts with single shots but it sure made me nervous as follow up shots sometimes save the day when your many miles from a road. To each their own...good luck.

 

[extreme minnesotan]

I have a T/C Pro hunter because I got such a good deal on it as a 7mm-08 pistol. I then got a 7mm-08 rifle barrel for my wife to use the rifle for big game. I like the rifle because it is nice and light, but a follow up shot would have been nice a couple times. A private gun seller helped me out with the pistol cause he had one, and he said he would shoot 250 yards with it. I have not had enough time shooting to extend my range that far yet, but I'm confident to 150 with a solid rest and time.