I picked up an "entry level" ML, yesterday. Ordered a scope, yesterday also (thanks for your help, guys). If I like the ML as much as I think I'm going to, I'm thinking I'll probably upgrade (my son could always use a newer ML, and could take my current one), maybe even next year. So naturally, I start near the top of the line, and see what I can live without. I realize the encore gives the hunter the option to interchange barrels. But, besides that, what's so great about it that would warrant that kind of price tag? I'm guessing they're $550, new. Heck, they could be more. Thanks.
I've wondered that for years. I have a TC muzzleloader (Black Diamond XR) and its probably the best made gun I own, but I don't see the price in the Encore. You could buy a new H&R for the price of a barrel for the Encore. No doubt the quality is there, but its not for me.
I held out as long as I could after the stories from my buddies of caps going off, but NO powder flinging a bullet. Misfires in my mind kept me sidelined. Finaly my first muzzleloader was around the turn of the century and it was the new disc rifle from Knight. Great shooting gun and yes I had 2-misfires with this one anyways Last x-mas the Misses bought me the ProHunter from the custom store. I chose this one, as it was exactly what I wanted and cheaper than the new Encore (had a 26" barrel). I traveled to Ohio for the late muzzleloader season with this new gun. It is easier to clean and unload the cap compared to the Knight and accuracy was about the same (2" groups @ 100yds.). Of course this muzzleloader can shot 3-pellets (150 gr.) verses the recommended 2-pellets from the Knight, which of course, translates to lengthier shots... This was not my deciding factor, especially for NH hunting where 75 yards is a long shot! My deciding factor is that I wanted to plop a 20 gaug barrel on the gun for shotgun season. To date I have typically hunted this season with the old muzzleloader or my Ruger Super RedHawk .44 mag 6-shooter. However, as my eyes get older and dim light shooting is neccessary, I wanted the option of easy shell handling and a scope. Hey let's face it, we are guys, and the guy with the most guns, when he's dead, WINS!!!
Ed...can you tell me exactly which gun you ended up with (I'm a firearms stooge)? Like you, 75yds will probably max me out. I'm not planning on hunting "that much" differently than I do with the bow (setups). And, most of my land is bowhunting only. I'm also interested in what load you guys think would be optimum (I know that's subjective) for whitetails. Keep in mind, I'm able to take bears in VA, where I'll be, hopefully, the week leading up to Christmas. I'm thinking, right now, of shooting a power belt 300gr with a ballistic tip. I'll use pellets (2), triple 7. I appreciate the lesson(s).
I can't comment on the Encore, Jeff. I will just add that I bought the T/C Omega in .50 cal, topped with a Nikon BDC Omega. The scope was made for this particular weapon, 'ballistically'. With a 250g projectile and 150grains of Triple 7 (3 T7 pellets), the scope hash marks were spot on. Nikon also provided a formula to utilize if one wished to use a different load configuration, which would tell the shooter the distances for each hash mark. I didnt have the thumbhole stock, which felt even nicer, but, this muzzy was amazing. I bet you could find that exact set-up, its common, for a rather fair price. Just thought I'd share.
The Encore is just more modern. It is the "Center Pivot Bows" or the "Speed Bows" of Muzzleloading. It is Easy to clean, accurate, simple to put the primer on/off, has the ability to change barrels, nice looking gun,easy function, break open design that is completely waterproof, ohh and did I mention easy to clean? The fact the gun will break down in just a minute and it is easy to access everything to clean it thouroughly(sp!) is a big plus with these dirty things! If the price tag is the problem with the Encore there is always the CVA Optima, the design was copied from the TC Encore and is a fairly nice gun. It pretty much has all the options as the Encore except the interchangable barrels. I hope this helps some. ALSO.... Jeff with your passion being Traditional equipment as far as archery goes. An old school flintlock may be up your alley? It takes a little more preperation to fire one of these guns. It is always a possibility?
For me,the Encore has a feel and balance like no other.May be why the design is being copied.Add that to all the above,it is a great gun.I bought 1 with a 7mm-08 barrel and no muzzle loader barrel because of the way it felt and I wanted something my daughter could use and it felt great for her.The trigger pull feels great as well. My step dad has the Encore muzzle loader as well as a .260 barrel and it has been killing deer for years. Regardless of what make or model you get,make sure it is a break over style.Easier to clean and MUCH STRONGER.
encore prohunter (sorry), 3-pellet of triple 7 w/ 240 hollow points. I put a 3X9 Leupold on it and as another said the BALANCE is spectactular. Love the feel! My model (5722) was on sale from the custom shop just down the road (Rochester, NH, or I should say used to be, now that they are transfering most of the TC products to the S&W plant in Springfield, MA). I think the gun with the custom 26" barrel (28" is standard) was $569. The Endeavor has the speed breech, which my buddy bought for $300 more! That paid for the scope... I can carry a wrench easy enough
I've got a few buddies who have Encore's and they all justified the purchase by saying they could buy barrels in different caliber barrels. So far none have done it so basically they just have a very expensive muzzleloader. I bought my wife a T/C Triumph when they first came out. It's pretty sweet. I have a CVA Optima and it's fine for no more than I use it.
I bought a used Optima in excellent condition. I'm just thinking down the road. Thanks a lot for the input, guys.
As far as Loads, when I hunt with ML, I use 2 pellets of Pyrodex(100grn) and a 245grn Powerbelt with the green polymer tip. Love that load, 100yrds is where I like to be with a ML and it has put them down for me every time. I shoot a Winchester Apex, they don't make them anymore, but it is one sweet ML. Sorry for the off topic splurge. :D And Jeff your welcome to hunt with me anytime also since you'll have your VA license, I hope you enjoy a change of scenery because that's probably all you'll see. LOL, I saw 3 does on my last sit, crossing the road as I was leaving.
Thanks Aaron. Get back down here whenever you like. I'm busy most morning, now. But, I can get away in the afternoons, pretty easily. Bring whatever you want to hunt with. I saw 10 or so, bowhunting, tonight. Just nothing I wanted to shoot (at). Call me, later. I'll be home.
I love my encore. I bought it mainly for the versatility of it. I have a .50 cal inline, 300 win mag and 22-250 barrel for it.
