I am going to hunt with a new barrel on my T/C Encore Pro Hunter S/S this fall. I have a Ruger SRH in 44MG set up to hunt, but want something else. I have dies, bullets, powder for 44 mag, but also have 308, 243, 270. 30-06, 30-30, 300 & 270 wsm dies, bullets, and powder. My budget allows one barrel....which one would you choose, and why?
T/C Pro Hunter handgun cartridge?
- Thread starter NavyChief
- Start date
black mamba
New member
Add a little to the pot and get yourself a custom Bullberry barrel for your Encore. Accuracy is superb and you can get any length you want, in either chrome moly or stainless. I have a 10" 44 mag barrel from Bullberry, and it shoots lights out (1½" groups at 75 yds), even though I'm 61, wear bifocals, have carpal tunnel syndrome and drink too much! I killed a big whitetail with it a few years back.
Of the cartridges you already load for, the 308 makes the most sense. Get it in a 14-15" length with a muzzle break, and it will have about the same recoil as factory 44 mag in a model 29 Smith, very shootable, and twice the range of the 44 mag.
Of the cartridges you already load for, the 308 makes the most sense. Get it in a 14-15" length with a muzzle break, and it will have about the same recoil as factory 44 mag in a model 29 Smith, very shootable, and twice the range of the 44 mag.
johnwilliamson062
Moderator
If you are going that long just go ahead and hit 16" so you are at rifle length if you want to convert.
mikejonestkd
New member
I have been shooting contenders and encores for quite a while, and several family members have them too.
The most manageable cartridges in an encore are the 243, 260 and the 7mm-08. Anything larger quickly gets to be a handful.
My pet .308 barrel with a factory muzzle tamer brake mostly sits in the safe - its just too obnoxious to shoot more than a few times a year.
My 45-70 barrel gathers dust in the safe right next to it.
The most manageable cartridges in an encore are the 243, 260 and the 7mm-08. Anything larger quickly gets to be a handful.
My pet .308 barrel with a factory muzzle tamer brake mostly sits in the safe - its just too obnoxious to shoot more than a few times a year.
My 45-70 barrel gathers dust in the safe right next to it.
hoghunting
New member
Depends on what you plan to hunt, if you're staying with deer sized game then the .243 will work very well. If you're planning on elk-sized game then go with the .308.