New TC Encores

[Fire_Medic890]

Looking to buy one of the new TC Encores. Would you go with the FireStick option or go the “traditional” way and shoot BH 209?

What are y’all’s thoughts on them? What bullet & charge works for you?

I’m just trying to get as much information as possible so I’m not left chasing my tail.

 

[Fire_Medic890]

I guess I should add,

50cal - I see that they offer them in different barrel length, big difference in performance in different lengths?

Mainly hunt deer here in the south, would like to be able to shoot accurately at 200-250 yards. 300 yards would be even better but not a must.

 

[ElDiablito]

Firestick is a gimmick, IMO. I wouldn’t go that route. Not legal in lots of places and way more expensive per shot than loose powder.

A good 300 gr bullet in a sabot with 110 or so gr of BH209 will do everything you need it to.

 

[Fire_Medic890]

Firestick is a gimmick, IMO. I wouldn’t go that route. Not legal in lots of places and way more expensive per shot than loose powder.

A good 300 gr bullet in a sabot with 110 or so gr of BH209 will do everything you need it to.

Thanks for the info! That sounds easy enough.

Is 250 gr bullet too light?

 

[ElDiablito]

Thanks for the info! That sounds easy enough.

Is 250 gr bullet too light?

Depends on what you’re hunting and which 250 gr bullet. For whitetails and antelope, I like a lighter bullet like a 250 gr.

 

[Fire_Medic890]

Depends on what you’re hunting and which 250 gr bullet. For whitetails and antelope, I like a lighter bullet like a 250 gr.

Thanks!

 

[Bluefish]

I would not use a fire stick as it’s not legal in some of the states I plan on hunting. I did find that I had to foul the barrel with primers after cleaning or I got misfires with 209. Learned that the hard way.

 

[Fire_Medic890]

I would not use a fire stick as it’s not legal in some of the states I plan on hunting. I did find that I had to foul the barrel with primers after cleaning or I got misfires with 209. Learned that the hard way.

The FireStick looked cool and seems like a neat idea but about further research I agree.
Kinda shooting yourself in the foot with it if you have any plans to hunt out west.
I will stick with BH 209.

What barrel length? 20”? 28”? I see they have quite a few different options.
Are you really gaining/losing much with either performance wise?

 

[ElDiablito]

What barrel length? 20”? 28”? I see they have quite a few different options.
Are you really gaining/losing much with either performance wise?

Really depends on what you’re going to do with it. I have muzzys with barrels between 22” and 28”. You don’t gain or lose much - up to maybe 25-30 fps per inch depending on the load. I’d stick with 24-26 for most use cases.

Toby Bridges published some data years ago on this.

 

[Bluefish]

The FireStick looked cool and seems like a neat idea but about further research I agree.
Kinda shooting yourself in the foot with it if you have any plans to hunt out west.
I will stick with BH 209.

What barrel length? 20”? 28”? I see they have quite a few different options.
Are you really gaining/losing much with either performance wise?

My ml barrels are 28’s as that’s what T/C built. Not that bad on an encore frame as it’s a lot shorter than a bolt action. I have considered cutting them down to remove the counterbore from the muzzle end. I wouldn’t really go any shorter as the extra length does seem to be used on a ml due to lower pressure.

 

[Fire_Medic890]

Really depends on what you’re going to do with it. I have muzzys with barrels between 22” and 28”. You don’t gain or lose much - up to maybe 25-30 fps per inch depending on the load. I’d stick with 24-26 for most use cases.

Toby Bridges published some data years ago on this.

View attachment 922292

You’re the man! Excellent info!

 

[Fire_Medic890]

I see where you can send the frame off and get “Trigger Job” done on them. I see where you can go as low as 1lb.
Has anyone done this?

 

[Fire_Medic890]

My ml barrels are 28’s as that’s what T/C built. Not that bad on an encore frame as it’s a lot shorter than a bolt action. I have considered cutting them down to remove the counterbore from the muzzle end. I wouldn’t really go any shorter as the extra length does seem to be used on a ml due to lower pressure.

Think I’m going to go with 28” and play it safe. Looks like that is the “normal”. Mainly will be used 2 weeks out of the year to hunt whitetails. Mainly hunting out of shooting houses or ladder stands so real worried about length.
My main thing is accuracy and hopefully being able to shoot 250-300 yards with it.
Most shots are within 200 yards but definitely have spots where Ole WarHorse could step out at 250-300.

 

[keystone112]

The factory triggers in my encores have always been fine for me. I prefer around 3 pound triggers on a hunting rifle.

I also prefer a 240 - 250 grain bullet for whitetail.

Warne makes a solid one piece scope base.

 

[Fire_Medic890]

The factory triggers in my encores have always been fine for me. I prefer around 3 pound triggers on a hunting rifle.

I also prefer a 240 - 250 grain bullet for whitetail.

Warne makes a solid one piece scope base.

What bullet are you shooting out of yours?

Have been reading good reviews with the 290 Hornady BoreDrive. Will be buying a handful of different bullets to try & see what groups the best. I shoot Barnes in all my hunting rifles but no clue how their MZ bullets preform.

 

[keystone112]

I tried newer bonded 250s. For me I wasn’t happy with the expansion, as in sometimes there wasn’t any.

For now I’m back to the 240 grain Hornady XTP I’ve always been happy with the results. Mostly DRT.

 

[Fire_Medic890]

I tried newer bonded 250s. For me I wasn’t happy with the expansion, as in sometimes there wasn’t any.

For now I’m back to the 240 grain Hornady XTP I’ve always been happy with the results. Mostly DRT.

Great info, thank you. I will add those to my list to try.

 

[ElDiablito]

I see where you can send the frame off and get “Trigger Job” done on them. I see where you can go as low as 1lb.
Has anyone done this?

Many of us do a trigger mod with MCarbo spring kits. Very simple. Bellm TCs is the other popular option.

I shoot Barnes in all my hunting rifles but no clue how their MZ bullets preform.

Barnes muzzy bullets are great.