TC Encore Single Shot

[Ohiofarm]

Is anyone from elk hunting with a TC single shot? I already have the ML barrel and have my eye on a 6.5 PRC or 7mm mag barrel. This option would be very affordable but don’t want to short myself for when I finally get to take the trip. Thanks for your input.

 

[Truck24hr]

I'm kinda in the same spot. I don't doubt the gun, but my nerves....

I've got my 2nd elk trip coming up next year, and a hobbit build I put together in 6mm ARC.

It shoots great, and is crazy packable. I just don't have the confidence to take it.

Maybe I'll rethink it before my hunt get's here, but for now my Tikka 300 WM is the plan.

 

[KsRancher]

Didn't shoot an elk. But that's what my 15yr old son carried on his elk hunt this fall. It's a .270 and shoots great. I keep one of those butt stock shell holders on it with 5 rounds. He can reload fairly quick.

 

[35WhelenAI]

One shot is all you need, great choice either way on the cartridges asked about in the first post. I'd go with a controlled expansion bullet. With either of those choices you aren't angle limited as to ensuring the wound channel coincides with the vitals.

 

[yfarm]

Have an Encore Pro Hunter 308 I have shot quite a bit at the range but not hunted with. Its awkward at the bench to reload compared with a bolt as you have to lift the rifle off the rest to open the breech, in a hunting situation shooting off a pack,rest or blind I can see the reload time increased over a bolt gun. Freehand would be a non issue. The rifle shoots great with little recoil, keep ruminating about having Mike Bellm cut the 26” barrel to 20 and thread. His opinion is that a 20” is ideal for that rifle.

 

[jermck]

Killed my first elk with a 300 win mag Encore. Nosler partition 180 gr handload. I have an extra 300 win mag threaded barrel.......

 

[Ohiofarm]

Killed my first elk with a 300 win mag Encore. Nosler partition 180 gr handload. I have an extra 300 win mag threaded barrel.......

I have not really been considering a 300 win mag but maybe it’s not a bad idea gun up if there is only one shot. Was your barrel cut down before threading or just threaded? What brand of barrel?

 

[jermck]

Barrel is original Thompson Center made in Rochester. 26 in. I bought it on another forum, it was advertised as having been fired 30 times. I have never fired it as I have another one. Barrel is blue.

 

[Hoosker Doo]

How often do you miss the first shot and hit on the second? It's all about making that first shot count.

I've always hunted with Ruger No. 1 single shots, and have done pretty well, but with the buttstock shell holder, I'm not much slower than a bolt action.

As mentioned, reloading is more of a process from prone because you have to break your shooting position and then reset for each shot.

 

[Ohiofarm]

Barrel is original Thompson Center made in Rochester. 26 in. I bought it on another forum, it was advertised as having been fired 30 times. I have never fired it as I have another one. Barrel is blue.

Thanks for mentioning this but I’d be looking for a stainless barrel.

 

[Yoteassasin]

My vote would be a 35 Whelen in an encore for a hell of a whalop

 

[SCHUNTER73]

I shot my first elk in NM with an Encore .30-06. I Practiced the safari style double rifle quick reload (and needed it).

 

[bruno59]

Have shot a few elk with my 264 win.mag barrel works just fine reloading is slower but that first shot counts

 

[Bluefish]

Have hunted with an encore the last 4 years. Have taken multiple deer each year. Would not hesitate to use one on elk, but I won’t be doing 400+ yard shots. A lot shorter than a bolt or AR. A 18” AR is equal to a 20” encore as fast as length.

 

[circles]

I've taken 6 elk with a contender carbine in 375 JDJ. It's been my only big game rifle for a long time. The disadvantage of a break action single shot is needing exposed fingers and fine motor function for reloading. If you have a cow tag and get into a big herd, it's also pretty hard to keep track of the cow you just shot while reloading for a second shot.

I finally got myself an encore and built a Hobbit rifle in .308. I'll probably use it next time I'm after elk.

 

[Ohiofarm]

Thanks for the info!

 

[Tradchef]

I've used one for years from 25-06, 270, 300 wm, 35 whelen AI and 375H&H. I can cycle a Ruger number 1 or TC Prohunter and be on target with no issues if need be. Never felt like it was an issue. Here's a few from this year and the last couple of years. Plenty of elk, lots of deer, antelope, bears........ Don't listen to anyone tell you they are inadequate because that is such a load of crap. I feel more comfortable with a single in any situation over a bolt gun. It's all what you prefer and what works for you. This year I used my father's weatherbys since he passed last year. Super fun and amazing rifles but I'll take my singles any day over a bolt.

 

[LaFever]

Is anyone from elk hunting with a TC single shot? I already have the ML barrel and have my eye on a 6.5 PRC or 7mm mag barrel. This option would be very affordable but don’t want to short myself for when I finally get to take the trip. Thanks for your input.

I shot 2 cow elk with a ruger #1 in 300 win. Mag. (In separate seasons, different years)
I love single shots, I don't believe there's a disadvantage over a repeating rifle

 

[cottonant]

My vote would be a 35 Whelen in an encore for a hell of a whalop

Yes a hell of a whalop indeed! I harvested a 143 inch 10 point at 210 yards with a 35 Whelen shooting a 225 grain Accubond. He was quartering towards me so the Accubond didn't exit and I was able to retrieve it. It still had 78% of its weight at 176 grains. The damage inside was massive.

 

[taybou]

I built a hobbit rifle(https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/the-hobbit-rifle.181028/) with a TC Encore frame, and an 18" MGM barrel in 30-06. I love it, it's a light handy gun, and I haven't felt limited at this point. The short barrel, and short action with a collapsable stock means I can make the gun short enough that it can fit inside my pack with a suppressor. If i went to a folding stock, it'd be even shorter.

I mostly hunt pretty open country, and am not someone to take snap shots, where I could imagine faster reloading to make a bigger difference. I think i take better shots with a single shot, and I've gotten good enough to be reloaded and back on target in a couple seconds with the TC.