Custom T/C Encore .204 Ruger thoughts?

[bikemutt]

One of my LGSs has a very nice condition T/C Encore in .204 Ruger for sale. Black synthetic stock. It comes with a custom Bullberry bull barrel, the bore of which looks very clean. Also has a Pine Ridge (Cabelas?) 6-18x40 scope with a custom .204 32 grain elevation turret good out to 500 yards (IIRC). The scope is an offshore but the glass seems quite nice.

This consignment piece has a $600 tag on it, been there for a few months. I offered $550, the owner countered with $575. I don't need this one, but I kinda like it

Value and performance thoughts on this one THR?

 

[db_tanker]

Encore has more options and larger, heavier caliber selection over the Contender. I'd buy it...if you ever get tired of the caliber, then swap the barrel out to another rifle or you can remove the stock, take off the barrel, then place a pistol grip on it and buy a 15" pistol barrel in calibers like 308 or 7mm-08...or you can get crazy and get 300 Win Mag or whatever your heart desires just about.

 

[Grumulkin]

1. I would say if you would stick to you guns, as it were, you'll get it for $550.

2. If you buy an Encore that was originally sold as a rifle, you CANNOT legally turn it into a handgun.

3. The 204 Ruger is a fantastic cartridge. Great potential accuracy and plenty of powder for things like coyotes. I've even taken a deer with mine. The crow I took with my Contender in that chambering at over 300 yards was sure surprised; oh, I forgot; it didn't know what hit it.

4. I've had many Encore frames and even more barrels. It's a great system.

 

[DAP90]

I like mine. It’s not the first center fire hunting rifle I’ve owned but it’s my favorite.

In theory I like the ability to add calibers. In practice, at $300+ for a barrel plus scope and mounts, I don’t have many.

It’s short and light. I’ve never weighed mine with anything other than a bathroom scale but that indicated it’s around 7.5 lbs., scoped, with 5 rounds in the buttstock ammo holder.

I’ve read they don’t have the potential accuracy of a bolt but mine is plenty accurate, though I rarely sit at a bench with it and shoot for groups.

$550 - $575 seems like a pretty good deal if everything checks out in good condition. That barrel might have been $400 new.

 

[cfullgraf]

I like the 204 Ruger. I use it effectively on prairie dogs.

I bought an Encore about a decade ago in part because if my experience with my first generation Contenders of which I have three frames. I have a 243 Win and a 6.5x55MS barrels for the Encore.

I was disappointed that the Encore did not have the same adjustable trigger that my Contenders have as the trigger on the Encore was not very good. I made a spring change and it has helped.

I am sure there are other improvements to the trigger that could be made.

Search the internet about the Encore. Lots of good information on some of the idiosyncrasies of shooting and reloading for it and the Contender.

 

[Damon555]

$575 is a pretty good deal for that rifle. I've got a Pro-Hunter with a factory fluted, stainless 204 barrel and it's a good combo. I think a new pro-hunter will run you 700+ without the scope, bases and rings....add a custom barrel and the deal is even sweeter.

I had my gunsmith work on the trigger and it is a pleasure to shoot. I'd say if you want it get it.....if nothing else you can easily get your money back out of it.

 

[matrem]

Don't own any, but have experience with a couple Encores, one in .22PPC & another in .375 Win.
No flies at all on the Encore as far as quality or accuracy goes. Don't recall who made the PPC barrel, but match grade machine made the .375 bbl, and I was quite impressed with that one.

As to the .204 Ruger: An excellent round. .220 Swift trajectory, and if it's important to you (it is to me) slight enough recoil to actually watch impact through a fairly light weight rifle.

 

[redbullitt]

I particularly like them with rimmed cartridges, and I think that sounds like a pretty good deal. I have a short barrel 30 30 that gets deer duty most years. Very handy rifle and plenty accurate for any practical use.

That bullberry barrel is nice, and probably worth over half of that asking price. Match grade machine is awesome too if you want another barrel. Both those makers are much nicer barrels than that TC made ones, but you pay for it. Some calibers it does not matter, but others TC is known to do wonky throating and chambers.

Hendershots gunsmithing (spelling?) does great work on the break action TC if you find you need something tweaked or repaired. Very reasonable rates too when I used him.

Mike belm is another great source of info. The web page he has is outstanding and has more than you ever want to know about the encore.