The Hobbit Rifle

[SLDMTN]

I've had a ton of interest in the gun I put together for my kids and I. Rather than addressing the same questions repetitively I decided to start a thread on it. My brother-in-law and I put two of these together a little over a year ago with great success. We wanted a gun with an adjustable LOP to accommodate growing shooters, short OAL to make it through nasty brush, ambidextrous and light enough to pack around the mountains. This setup is as close to perfect for our needs as we’ve found.

The first step is to pick up a Thompson Center Encore Pro Hunter Platform. We used the Model #1870 since I wanted the rifle stock forend but did not want a factory barrel. None of the local retailers had them so we bought online and shipped to a local FFL.

https://www.tcarms.com/firearms/interchangeable-platforms/encore-pro-hunter/platform

The next step is to find a barrel that will meet your needs. After reading volumes about T/C accuracy issues with long factory barrels we decided to have barrels built to our specs. There are several companies that specialize in T/C barrels. We ended up using Match Grade Machine who did a great job with a reasonable turnaround time. When we ordered originally I didn’t opt for fluting but I recently decided to have it done and sent the barrel back to MGM.

• 7mm-08 – classic round with good ballistics, mild recoil and widespread availability in Alaska. It’s also not as hip as a 6.5 Creed so when the hoarders/preppers go nuts, there’s typically still some on the shelf.
• 20” barrel length – long enough not to lose too much performance or accuracy

https://matchgrademachine.com/product/build-a-custom-barrel/

Now that you have a “rifle”, it’s time to add and swap parts as desired.

 

[SLDMTN]

The scope is a Leupold VX3 4.5-14x40. You’d be hard pressed to find more scope for 13 oz.

https://www.leupold.com/scopes/compact-scopes/vx-3-4-5-14x40mm

The scope mount is a Talley:

https://www.talleymanufacturing.com/product/encore-impact-omega-triumph-and-pro-hunter/

The trigger kit (I would highly recommend doing one since the factory trigger is around 4.5 lbs) came from M*Carbo. They also have a great video on installing all the parts if you need it.

https://www.mcarbo.com/thompson-center-encore-pro-hunter-trigger-spring-kit.aspx

Now comes my favorite part, an adjustable stock to change LOP between adults and kids. First you’ll need a different grip with a picatinny interface. Sharps Bros does clean work and their shipping is insanely fast.

https://sharpsbros.com/t-c-encore-grip-with-1913-picatinny-interface/

Next is an adapter to mount a buffer tube to the pic rail. There are two styles, folding and fixed. I chose fixed since the gun is already as short as I need it to be. This one from Thordsen Customs is clean and simple.

https://www.thordsencustoms.com/picatinny-buffer-tube-adapter/.html

From there you need a standard buffer tube and castle nut, make sure you pic commercial or mil-spec and stick to that. There is a size difference between the two and they aren’t compatible. I chose mil-spec since a local shop had one in stock. Something like this:

https://www.primaryarms.com/expo-arms-mil-spec-6-position-buffer-tube

Don’t forget to add a castle nut which locks the tube firmly in place.

The stock I went with is a MFT Minimalist that weighs 5.8 oz. Make sure you get the BMSMIL to fit your mil-spec buffer tube.

https://www.missionfirsttactical.com/BMSMIL

I’m not much of a bipod guy but they’ve proved very handy for my daughters. Since it will likely be a temporary addition removed as they get older, I went the cheap route. Works like a dream for $23.99.

https://www.amazon.com/CVLIFE-Inches-Tactical-Adjustable-Adapter/dp/B01E4YVCOA

The caveat for the bipod, you need to add a bipod adapter since T/C mounts their front sling anchor on the nose of the forend. You’ll need to drill one hole but that’s it.

https://www.amazon.com/Harris-Engineering-NO-Flange-Fore-End/dp/B002E6NDX4

Now that you have everything needed to assemble your very own rifle, it’s time to get to work. All said and done you’ll have a gun that compresses down to 32” in length. Short enough to be concealed within your pack and never hung up in alders ever again.

 

[SLDMTN]

This is how the gun sits presently and will likely remain for a long time.

 

[SLDMTN]

I also picked up a .22-250 barrel as a practice round for my girls. It feels just like the 7-08 but hardly kicks. Aubrey was ringing steel all afternoon at 300 yards.

 

[SLDMTN]

The kids are somewhere around 6-7 animals in the past year using them.

 

[Anozira]

Nice rifle, thanks for sharing! You mentioned the weight of the scope, what does the entire package weigh?

 

[SLDMTN]

Nice rifle, thanks for sharing! You mentioned the weight of the scope, what does the entire package weigh?

With the bipod, just shy of 7 lbs.


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[Anozira]

That's respectable considering most rifles need carbon fiber stocks or barrels to get into that weight class.

 

[SLDMTN]

Encore SS Action $425
MGM Barrel $425
Talley Rings $55
M*Carbo Trigger Kit $30
Sharps Bro Grip $105
MFT Stock $50
Buffer Tube Adapter $45
Buffer Tube $30
Leupold 4.5-14x40 $500
Bipod Adapter $10
Bipod $30

Total $1705

Prices reflect what I paid for each item, the scope was on sale which should be the only variable.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

That's a cool little rifle.

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[robby denning]

Sweet looking little set up buddy. I shoot the TC encore pro on my muzzleloader from @Arrowhead Rifles — great platform. Very accurate. And I agree with you on the trigger job. Best money I spent, besides the barrel I guess.


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[Wapiti1]

That is a great setup. Same approach I took for my wife and daughter when they started hunting, but I did it with a G2 Contender in .357 Maximum (Indiana deer regulation driven).

Really great photos and memories with your kids.

Jeremy

 

[khuber84]

Very cool! Makes me want one. Are they accurate? Curious as to how well the break action handles warmish handloads, or you run factory ammo?

 

[wildwilderness]

Thanks! Would have been nice to see this 5 years ago with younger kids. But better late than never. I have kids that shoot left and right handed so I have more rifles than needed. This would have been perfect. Maybe still will for nieces and nephews, and grandkid in the future..... Can't have too many rifles

 

[SLDMTN]

Very cool! Makes me want one. Are they accurate? Curious as to how well the break action handles warmish handloads, or you run factory ammo?

Is it good to 1,000 no, at least not with me. Inside 500 which is all I’ll ever need and more, all day long. My cousin is military and a better shot than I am, for him it held MOA out to 600.

I’ve dabbled with Nosler, Barnes and Hornady factory ammo. So far I haven’t found a round it doesn’t shoot well.

 

[khuber84]

Is it good to 1,000 no, at least not with me. Inside 500 which is all I’ll ever need and more, all day long. My cousin is military and a better shot than I am, for him it held MOA out to 600.

I’ve dabbled with Nosler, Barnes and Hornady factory ammo. So far I haven’t found a round it doesn’t shoot well.

I think a 280 rem or 284 win in 24" would be a great long range load, 168 bergers should get to 2850.

 

[Tartan]

That thing is super cool. Always liked the tc encore. Gets the gears spinning in my head.

 

[SLDMTN]

I think a 280 rem or 284 win in 24" would be a great long range load, 168 bergers should get to 2850.

There’s so many chamber offerings from MGM I guarantee you could find something that would do what you need.

 

[sndmn11]

Does it glow blue when game is near?

I keep checking the used market for an encore frame or complete, but haven't found one that tickles my bargain bone yet.

 

[SLDMTN]

Does it glow blue when game is near?

I keep checking the used market for an encore frame or complete, but haven't found one that tickles my bargain bone yet.

Haha it’s small, unassuming, goes on big adventures and loves to eat. Seemed like the perfect name


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