Any reason not to put together a long barrelled TC pro hunter in .300 mag?

[4IDARCHER]

Normally I am a died in the wool bolt guy (unless we are talking M14) but I have a really accurate TC encore pro hunter that has barrels in .50cal muzzleloader and .243. Looking at some of the semi-custom options out there I am thinking of adding another 28in tube in .300 WM and play around with some ammo. I know with the encore's accuracy can be a bit hit or miss but I am thinking with a good action job (trigger and hammer springs) and good quality barrel it should be at least as accurate as the .243 and that is pounding dime sized groups. Any reason not but to get one and work up a load for my one-of-these-days Unit 68 Co late season mulie hunt?

 

[Jackelope]

Ive got a 26" Encore .300 win mag barrel, Defensive Edge brake, all the Bellm TC's goodies in the frame and its a shooter. Still working on dialing in a good load for it but 180 accubonds are looking good so far.

 

[topher89]

I keep thinking about picking up an Encore... it seems like a good way to try out a lot of different calibers. When I antelope hunt, we usually take some time to shoot some prairie dogs. I could have a 223 or 22-250 barrel for the p-dogs and switch on something like a 25-06 or 270 barrel when its time for antelope

I think you have a good idea

 

[mtswampfox]

Been a fan for years. Nice to have a big game varmint turkey gun all in a small hoppes case. Was nice at the hunt club camper. Have all my barrells made by bullberry plus they did the trigger job. All with brakes 25-08/7-08/338 f and all going on ebay soon as dont hunt any more due to eye issues. Check out their web site.

 

[Shrek]

I've had two now and the Bellam springs and trigger job instructions worked magic. It's not the strongest action and personally I'd keep it to standard cartridges like the '08 and '06 families and not put the action under the stress of the big magnums. They definitely will not hold up to the short magnums. The long case of the 300 mag and the like is the only reason you can get away with one in an encore. The case "grips" the chamber walls enough to keep rearward thrust from stretching and deforming the action but there are still catastrophic failures every year not related to obstructions or reloading errors. Mostly in the magnums. If you handload some hot 300 win mags for a while you might be one of the unfortunate folks who have their encore blow up. I love them for what they are and I won't push mine at all.

 

[cuerro viejo]

I have three barrels, ones a eabco 257wby with well over 700rds, they a stronger actions then you think but I wouldn't shoot hot hand loads though. Good little rifle but it does take some time getting use to the lock time though.

 

[KMD]

Heck yeah, do it!
As advised above, just be extra prudent about your loading for it.
Usually a rifle will have at least two accuracy 'nodes' where it really shoots well. If you focus on finding the lower 'node', you'll still have plenty of killing power from a 300WM.
Personally, I'd do .280Imp. barrel, at most, cuz that 300WM ain't gonna be no picnic to shoot out of an Encore. And I doubt a mule deer will know the difference...

Have fun!!!