The Encore Platform
Overview
The Encore is a single shot platform with interchangeable barrels that can be configured as a pistol or rifle. You can purchase them as a pistol, rifle, shotgun, or muzzle loader. Options include a multitude of calibers, stainless or blue finishes, barrel lengths, and stocks. Popular rifle calibers readily include 22LR, .204, .223, .22-250, .243, 7mm-08, .308, 30-30, 30-06, 45-70, 7mm mag, and 300 win mag often in 24 to 28 inch lengths. Custom rifle barrels come in any length from 16 inches on up and many other calibers from mild to wild. Pistol barrels for the encore include 22LR, 357mag, 44mag, .243, 7mm-08, .308, 460 and 500 Smith & Wesson. Pistol barrels typically are 8 to 15 inches in length. If you can dream it up and have the courage to pull the trigger then changes are you can have a barrel to suit your fancy. The options are nearly limitless. Never mix a pistol barrel with a rifle stock since that is against the law. (please check your local laws to confirm)
Many folks give the Encore a bad rap when it comes to accuracy. I personally own one and know a few others, accuracy is acceptable to exceptional. There are many options for improving accuracy for a stock Encore, among them trigger work, a tighter hinge pin, free floated forends, and custom match grade barrels.
Impression
I have a stainless steel Encore with the black synthetic stock set. The stainless is more of a brushed look and suites my needs. The synthetic stock is very durable and doesn’t mar easily in the field. The comb on the stock is quite flat and ideal for scopes with varying eye relief. I have three barrels for my Encore and they all interchange with ease with tight lock up. Eventually I’ll try one of the over sized hinge pins because that is one of the inexpensive accuracy improvements. Not all barrels fit well with and over sized pin. The trigger breaks clean and consistently at 3.5 pounds with no over travel. If you like a lighter or heavier trigger they can be worked on for about 60-75 dollars. I will eventually lighten my trigger with a Bellm kit. It is a real benefit to have the same trigger on my 22 long as my 300 win mag. I can afford to practice all day long with my 22 then swap to my 300 win mag and have the confidence of knowing exactly when the hammer is going to release.
The original pro-hunter barrel felt a little bit long to me at 26 inches. With a 24 inch barrel the Encore is several inches shorter than a Remington SPS tactical with a 20 inch barrel. Over all the Encore is a compact package for in the woods. The Encore is not overly light weight but then again it could be.
Range Report / Accuracy
Accuracy will depend on the fit of the configured pistol/rifle and finding the right ammo for the barrel. Often the barrels are longer than standard bolt action rifles so the harmonics are different.
Here are some examples.
Stock .22LR – Typically will shoot about ½” groups at 50 yards with Wal-Mart Remington cheapo ammo.
NOTE: I’ve tried several brands of ammo and some yeild groups twice as big but that is my barrel.
Stock .243 – No official results yet, but certainly minute of deer. I’d guess it to be right at 1” at 100 yards give or take.
Stock 300 win mag (pro-hunter) – 1.25” at 100 yards using Federal 180 grain ammo (the cheap stuff from walmart)
Bullberry 300 win mag – I’ve seen it shoot 3 shots touching side to side at 100 yards.
More range reports coming
Overview
The Encore is a single shot platform with interchangeable barrels that can be configured as a pistol or rifle. You can purchase them as a pistol, rifle, shotgun, or muzzle loader. Options include a multitude of calibers, stainless or blue finishes, barrel lengths, and stocks. Popular rifle calibers readily include 22LR, .204, .223, .22-250, .243, 7mm-08, .308, 30-30, 30-06, 45-70, 7mm mag, and 300 win mag often in 24 to 28 inch lengths. Custom rifle barrels come in any length from 16 inches on up and many other calibers from mild to wild. Pistol barrels for the encore include 22LR, 357mag, 44mag, .243, 7mm-08, .308, 460 and 500 Smith & Wesson. Pistol barrels typically are 8 to 15 inches in length. If you can dream it up and have the courage to pull the trigger then changes are you can have a barrel to suit your fancy. The options are nearly limitless. Never mix a pistol barrel with a rifle stock since that is against the law. (please check your local laws to confirm)
Many folks give the Encore a bad rap when it comes to accuracy. I personally own one and know a few others, accuracy is acceptable to exceptional. There are many options for improving accuracy for a stock Encore, among them trigger work, a tighter hinge pin, free floated forends, and custom match grade barrels.
Impression
I have a stainless steel Encore with the black synthetic stock set. The stainless is more of a brushed look and suites my needs. The synthetic stock is very durable and doesn’t mar easily in the field. The comb on the stock is quite flat and ideal for scopes with varying eye relief. I have three barrels for my Encore and they all interchange with ease with tight lock up. Eventually I’ll try one of the over sized hinge pins because that is one of the inexpensive accuracy improvements. Not all barrels fit well with and over sized pin. The trigger breaks clean and consistently at 3.5 pounds with no over travel. If you like a lighter or heavier trigger they can be worked on for about 60-75 dollars. I will eventually lighten my trigger with a Bellm kit. It is a real benefit to have the same trigger on my 22 long as my 300 win mag. I can afford to practice all day long with my 22 then swap to my 300 win mag and have the confidence of knowing exactly when the hammer is going to release.
The original pro-hunter barrel felt a little bit long to me at 26 inches. With a 24 inch barrel the Encore is several inches shorter than a Remington SPS tactical with a 20 inch barrel. Over all the Encore is a compact package for in the woods. The Encore is not overly light weight but then again it could be.
Range Report / Accuracy
Accuracy will depend on the fit of the configured pistol/rifle and finding the right ammo for the barrel. Often the barrels are longer than standard bolt action rifles so the harmonics are different.
Here are some examples.
Stock .22LR – Typically will shoot about ½” groups at 50 yards with Wal-Mart Remington cheapo ammo.
NOTE: I’ve tried several brands of ammo and some yeild groups twice as big but that is my barrel.
Stock .243 – No official results yet, but certainly minute of deer. I’d guess it to be right at 1” at 100 yards give or take.
Stock 300 win mag (pro-hunter) – 1.25” at 100 yards using Federal 180 grain ammo (the cheap stuff from walmart)
Bullberry 300 win mag – I’ve seen it shoot 3 shots touching side to side at 100 yards.
More range reports coming
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