The TC Encore Pro is a break-action, single-shot rifle, and one of the best break-action muzzleloaders on the market. The Question for those who own or have owned either the TC Encore or Pro Hunter 50 Caliber. In 1970, Thompson/Center entered the Black Powder market with the introduction of their first muzzleloading rifle, the Hawken. Again Thank you for our product and I look forward to seeing what you have to offer in the future. muzzleloaders as the 1990's ended. Ian further reported average group Just like with the Thor Hammer bullets, the 247 grain and 250 grain versions are perfect for deer sized game while the 297 grain and 300 grain versions are ideal for bigger creatures like elk and moose. Hope this helps! Though Volumetric measures of different brands don't always agree, an This forend fits the 209X50 Muzzleloader barrels and is finished with a Satin Poly finish. The best two groups back to back that this Omega had ever shot and the only change was CCI 400 small rifle primer in place of the 209 shotgun primer. Scott Rupp gets a chance to talk to Aaron Oelger about a few new products from Hodgdon and why reloading store shelves are empty. In my Encore I have been using a 250 gr ShockWave over 90gr. One case has been primed over 40 times with the primer pocket fit as snug as it way when we first used it. Sighting-in of this rifle took all of 15 The much milder Small Rifle primer of the Hornet case ignites the powder just as instantly but lacks the energy to move the sabot and bullet off the powder charge therefore eliminating the flyers. The Shockwave is a pretty conventional saboted muzzleloader bullet that's great for deer hunters like Jim Shockey that use a Thompson Center muzzleloader. When shopping for a scope, look for one with a crisp reticle and good eye relief. 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Thompson/Center Arms Muzzleloader Vintage Hunting Black Powder, Thompson/Center Arms Thompson Center Shotgun Barrel Parts, Instead of using a sabot or a plastic skirt on the base of the bullet, this bullet has an innovative design featuring a black polymer cup attached to its base that engages the rifling and seals the barrel. 209x50 Magnum has always been sold with an American made 4140 Chrome Moly R & P Muzzleloading now offers these (.25 ACP Breech Plug conversion) "Precision Rifle Accu-Fire Breech Plugs" for the T/C Encore, T/C Omega. after shooting, using a couple of patches soaked with Hoppe's No. Celebrity spotlight: Pro hunters choose the Encore Pro Hunter Precision rifle has come up with an even better solution than the .22 hornet conversion. hunts coming up in deep timber, so I was done. Generally, the pins are located where the barrel and action meet. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Finally, while the .45 Caliber PowerBelt ELR is the most popular, .40 Caliber ELR and .50 Caliber ELR bullets are also available for hunters using .40 caliber or .50 caliber Paramount muzzleloaders. As I already had a good group, it was a simple matter to move it to one inch Also, make sure you use the appropriate bullet aligning tool on your ramrod to avoid damaging these bullets when you load them. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN INJURY AND/OR DEATH TO THE SHOOTER OR BYSTANDERS AND DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. These bullets are virtually identical to the Thor Hammer bullets just listed. Today, Thompson/Center is selling complete Encore rifles in .223 Rem., .243 Win., .308 Win. It sounds like youve had issues with the Thor Hammer bullets. The TEZ is designed for easy loading in muzzleloaders with tight bores and has a slightly smaller sabot than the one on the TMZ to help achieve this. In discussions with Thompson's Eric Brooker, now retired, This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to create free content thats useful to hunters like yourself. Press the woven wool "doughnut" firmly on the base, allowing the flange to protrude through the hole. It doesn't matter to me one bit in the field, just makes it a little tougher to get itty-bitty groups at the bench. The bore and breech plug are clean and the exterior is in good shape with the usual marks where it swings in the receiver. With a pair of pliers, carefully remove the pins and separate the barrel and action. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN AIR SPACE BETWEEN THE LOAD COMPONENTS. Clean and inspect your rifle and components. With a brass punch and a hammer, carefully tap the pins that hold the barrel and action together. The Pro It uses the same frame, regardless of the barrel added to it. Take off the safety before squeezing the trigger. I have to shoot copper bullets and am having a hard time finding the right bullets that will fit this particular barrel. After much research and testing, they have come up with .25 ACP T/C Omega & Encore breech plugs conversions. Once the round is properly in place, close the barrel by pushing it forward and turning it in a clockwise motion until fully locked. and the hammer in the center position. while, you might want to clean and relube your breechplug and give the bore one Never to return to the 209 system. This means I will earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase. The unconventional Federal PremiumBullet Obturating Ramp (BOR) Lock muzzleloader bullet is the exact opposite of the PowerBelt or Shockwave. Use the same part of speech at the beginning of the bullet point. They are currently available in 250 grain and 300 grain configurations with a plastic ballistic tip. Open the barrel of the gun and inspect it for any obstructions. shortcuts. If you are planning on storing your Encore for a It was agreed and the gun was loaded with 100 grains of Triple 7 FFF powder and 195 grain Dead Center bullet. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Beth Shimanski of Savage introduces their all new straight-pull rifle. A little under-sized to go down the barrel simply and seat with . Too much energy:I have no idea who started the 209 craze but I believe that it provides way more energy than is required to get the job done. Just like the name states, the Traditions Plinker is designed for use at the range. of the advantages of using weighed charges is that weight actually means recoil pads have long been among my favorites. in my .50 Encore. For Use With .50 cal Bullets Weighing (Grains) Black Powder Charge (Grains) Muzzle Velocity (Feet Per Second) Muzzle Energy (Foot Pounds) It Now available, a .25 ACP brass priming kit. The accuracy of a Thompson Center Encore muzzleloader depends on a number of factors, including the quality of the ammunition, the manufacturing tolerances . The Encore is a break-action single-shot that makes switching calibers a breeze. muzzleloaders, the T/C Encore was never the object of any build quality Place two fingers on the barrel and turn it in a counter-clockwise motion until it reaches its unlocked position. The result; 3" less drop at 200 yards, and devastating energy at velocities between 1,000 ft/sec & 2,200 ft/sec. Constructed from pure lead, these 240 grain hollow point bullets use a basic plastic sabot. We have all but eliminated those unexplained flyers from our TC Encore groups. In areas where lead bullets are legal to use, theres also no reason why you cant hunt with the Traditions Plinker either. .50 Caliber Rifle. You will need the Thompson Center 54 caliber black powder firearm, a cleaning rod, a powder measure, and necessary accessories such as a priming horn, powder flask, and bullet starter. It's owner guessed it might be the bedding or the new scope but was really quite disappointed. You should still fine tune your scope with the actual bullets you plan on using for hunting, but these bullets will get you most of the way there without breaking the bank. shortcuts. The PowerBelt AeroLite muzzleloader bullets made the cut for my holiday gift recommendations. And with the Pro Hunter, Thompson/Center had really studied the Encore platform to figure out ways to improve it as a hunting rifle. Secure the motorcycle to a stand or onto a jack. Available Calibers: 6.5mm, 7mm, and .308. many years, interchangeable with the Omega breechplug as well. Note that in each instance a series of charges are listed. Dear Sirs,I would like to take this time to thank you for a fantastic product. These custom TC muzzleloader barrels will benefit from using one of the top gun barrel platforms available today. Thompson Tool company in a collaboration that would eventually become Thompson/Center Arms. Reassemble the gun and apply a light coat of oil on the exterior of the gun. It is a loose grain type powder and while it is not as convenient as using the pellets, it does allow you to vary the powder load in small increments to achieve best accuracy. The Encore is also a half pound lighter than It seems the T/C Encore 209 x 50 has had some mixed results from various users. lasting success. the most influential muzzleloader is uniquely easy, as the gush of new Locate the fuel tank and disconnect the fuel supply to the carburetor. 350gr (all lead). Very accurate. That load makes three holes touching at 100 yds. The result was a nine point buck with a 20 inch inside spread. Bullet 3: Thompson Center Maxi Hunter 275 GR. BUY TRADITIONS SMACKDOWN CARNIVORE BULLETS HERE. value, but so far I have not. is easier and more fun to use than ever. was this model that became a preferred muzzleloader for many, with the appeal Hornady A-Tip. nearly as caustic, do not freeze breechplugs and are very easy to clean up Free shipping for many products! 2900 - 3000 fps with a Parker 275 gr sabot-less bullet; 1 MOA (minute of angle . for having hair triggers. . However, the Encore is easy and Take a soft brush and clean the barrel. Second, the information contained in this post is subject to change. Hunter XT is .50 caliber with a 1:28 rate of twist (the standard in inlines . Thompson Center Contender G2 .45-70 Government Barrel $629.99 (Save 33%) $419.99. USING BULLETS OF LARGER DIAMETER COULD RESULT IN DIFFICULT LOADING, OR A CONDITION WHERE THE SABOT IS NOT SEATED ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE POWDER CHARGE, RESULTING IN A BARREL OBSTRUCTION. hand-removable version is also found on the T/C Triumph rifle. And you don't have to take out a second mortgage to buy one. While the Encore is by no means a new model, it has remained as one of the most sought after front loaders, and one of the very best. of triple seven and your dead center sabots. 8. Tested The problem with the Hornady FPB is as stated above they are very difficult to load, and a second shot (if necessary) would be nearly impossible in the field. The deer grossed 162 3/8. These features make this a great hunting rifle, and with the ability to shoot different calibers based on game and terrain, it's the one-gun-man theory personified. reported, an MOA muzzleloader right out of the box. A WARNING: MAXIMUM LOADS ARE NOT TO BE EXCEEDED NOR IS A SUBSTITUTION OF POWDER OR GRANULATIONS TO BE ATTEMPTED! The For those of you that use a .45 caliber muzzleloader, PowerBelt manufactures a line of 250 grain AeroLite .45 caliber muzzleloader bullets. Original or antique rifles were selling for . The .45 caliber PowerBelt AeroLite bullets are legal muzzleloader bullets in Colorado for hunting all species of big game except elk and moose (like black bear, deer, pronghorn, etc.). Kimber's Hunter Pro Desolve Blak takes the firm's more affordable mountain rifle to new heights. By simply loosening a small screw at the center, the spur rotates 90 degrees to allow scope users to be able to cock the hammer easily. A little sand paper will correct this. I have gone through several muzzleloader bullets, powders, and loads, and the best groups Ive obtained come from the Federal B.O.R. It is called the Speed Breech XT. A In this case, a slightly lighter than anticipated My assumption is that you are considering a .25 ACP Breech Plug conversion for two reasons; cleanliness and the best velocity and accuracy possible. extractor. Copyright 2010 by Randy Wakeman. The perfect ignition for Thompson Center Encore muzzleloaders. A WARNING: USE ONLY PROJECTILES OF THE CORRECT DIAMETER THAT WERE DESIGNED FOR THE SABOTS YOU ARE USING. For Use With Bullets Weighing (Grains) Powder Charge 50 Gr. several exposed hammer guns, including the now-obsolete Knight Rolling Block No mention of prbullets, some of the best around. I haven't hunted with the XTP's yet, but will this fall. During a short rain delay, I suggested that we take the best combination that we had come across with the .45 and try it again but this time use the .22 Hornet breach plug instead of the 209. If youre looking for Barnes muzzleloader bullets without a sabot, then the Thor full bore conical bullet is exactly what the doctor ordered. . It features a Quick Load Accurizer with reduced rifling at the tip, which . intuitive to use, even with cold, gloved hands. This design leaves less residue behind, which makes cleaning the barrel and loading subsequent shots much easier. #4. Today was one of those rare days. One can experiment with Standard, Magnum and Bench Rest to add one more variable to the mix. The only other thing to check understatement! Make sure you are familiar with the hunting regulations in your state and use these muzzleloader bullets at your own risk. I know that you have different barrel on that pro. the Pro Hunter, but now with tool-free removal, thanks to a generous knurled Maintain and clean the rifle regularly. If you live in a state like Idaho that only allows 100% lead bullets during muzzleloader season, then you should really consider using the PowerBelt Pure Lead muzzleloader bullet. That As more and more hunters have started using muzzleloaders, the major ammunition manufacturers have devoted additional time, money, and energy towards developing good quality muzzleloader bullets. Starting with the barrel, the company went with a 28-inch fluted stainless tube. At 125 yards I am 2"inches high cutting bullet for bullet and swabbing with a spit patch on all shots. Contributing Editor for RifleShooter Magazine, Brad Fitzpatrick gives us a review of this modernized version of an iconic favorite. Our Testmaster allows you to create, take, and review customized exams. Your sabot is now ready to accept a .429" - .430" diameter .44 cal bullet. For Use With .50 Caliber T/C Triumph Muzzleloader Only Using Bullet Weights Listed Use #209 Shotshell Primer, Using Pyrodex Pellets & Mag Express Sabot Loads, For Use With .50 Caliber T/C Triumph Muzzleloader Only Using Bullet & Sabot Listed Below Use #209 Shotshell Primer, Using Black Powder & Mag Express Sabot Loads, Using 50 Gr. 215. As a kid I used to drool over the Contender, but it wasn't until I was in my 40s that I actually started to work with the design. To this point, we have seen the best success with CCI 400 but that could change with the next load. UNDER SUCH A CONDITION, ONE OR MORE OF THE COMPONENTS MAY ACT AS A BARREL OBSTRUCTION AND FIRING CAN RESULT IN A DAMAGED FIREARM AND POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE SHOOTER OR BYSTANDERS AND DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. I use them with the 300 XTP and load very easy, compaired to other sabots I have tried. Blackhorn 209 with a Barnes T-EZ 290 grain flat based, polymer tipped bullet after shooting, using a couple of patches soaked with Hoppe's No. While the lighter weight Traditions Smackdown Bleed is designed and marketed for use on deer sized game, the heavier 250gr or 305grTraditions Smackdown Carnivore bullet is built to deliver better weight retention and penetration when used on larger game like elk, bear, and moose (though it can be used on deer as well). Use a #209 Primer. The Thompson Center Encore is now perfectly clean inside and out shot after shot. Loggy, I hunted with the 250grn XTP this past hunting season. The market needed an innovative, quality rifle that would not only preform, but could be purchased at a reasonable price. During extended shooting sessions, the barrel can heat up and create barrel warping. In fact, I would use a 300 grain Thor Hammer if I were planning onhunting moose(or any other really big critter) with my muzzleloader. But I do love the ease of a good blood trail.As for the .25 ACP system, It rocks!! minutes, thanks to the accurate adjustments in the Sightron scope. purchaser. Free local pickup from Dennison, Ohio, United States. The hunt convinced me how capable the platform is. The Hornady muzzleloader round balls are also Idaho legal muzzleloading bullets. Another load I was using that has killed four deer is the Harvester Sabertooth 300gr. The Barnes tipped MZ with its large hollow point looks like possibility or Hornady's new SST.Have a nice and Happy new year Ray! I prefer MMP sabots, but the Harvesters worked better in my Encore. Thompson/Center Arms .50 caliber barrels are typically .501-.502", with some .50 caliber bores pushing .503". With our Thompson Center Encore, the ramrod will get blown 6"- 8" up the barrel with just the force of the 209. The .50 caliber PowerBelt AeroLite bullets are legal for hunting elk, moose, and all other species of big game in Colorado. In this case, the swing hammer was Ammo Storage; Large Bore, Inert & Cannon Ammo; Vintage Ammo; Other Ammunition; Ammunition Reloading. - Thompson/Center ADD YOUR TROPHY close T/C Omega best muzzleloader out there. Once you are ready, aim down the sights, and pull the trigger. conscious effort, removing the possibility of a stuck primer or having to fish, They are only $59.95. The buck ran 175 yards before falling over dead in a thicket. The below groups were shot using the Dead Center .40 200 grain bullets. This kit contains all the tools needed to prime and re-prime your .25 ACP brass. The Wolf is one of the most popular muzzleloaders ever produced, but it's still available for less than $250. breech, the same "ninety degrees and out breechplug" introduced on Hornady recently introduced the Hornady Bore Driver FTX to provide an option for hunters who dont want or are not allowed to hunt with muzzleloader bullets that use a sabot. Agreed, they are beautiful castings, hard to argue with a 340G chunk of lead, took a 44 Alaska moose with them a year ago. Wait, couldn't you achieve that with 3 50-grain pellets? Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for thompson center encore muzzleloader magnum barrel at the best online prices at eBay! . It is the buyers responsability to insure used . We headed to the range with a pair of brand new T/C Omega rifles. Shut off the engine and check the oil levels. BUY REMINGTON PREMIER ACCUTIP BULLETS HERE. Each conversion kit includes a dozen .25 ACP cases and will be shipped by 2-3 day Priority Mail. "Too much flame; too much fouling:Our Thompson Center Encore gets so dirty from the 209 primer that after 50 shots the firing pin will not even travel far enough to ignite the primer. See details. Muzzleloading interest at that time was minimal. mounting a Sightron Big Sky 3-12x42mm scope with Warne Maxima quick detachable in my .50 Encore. PRAFBP "Precision Rifle Accu-Fire Breech Plug" Patent Pending. It seems that Precision Rifle is not the only shooter interested in improving the the accuracy of their muzzleloaders that use the 209 primer. Triple Seven produces the highest velocities of all granular muzzleloading propellants when compared by volume (see Comparison Chart below). USING BULLETS OF LESSER DIAMETER MAY CAUSE THE BULLET TO SEPARATE FROM THE SABOT RESULTING IN A BARREL OBSTRUCTION. Register today and take advantage of membership benefits. On November 12, 2002 I made the most efficient humane kill ever with a muzzleloader. 9 solvent. Disconnect the negative terminal on the battery. development. point blank range is 180 yards with no holdover. To separate the stock from the action, use a screwdriver and unscrew the buttstock from the action. or wet hands that appreciate an extractor, rather than playing tiddly-wink with . At least when youre first getting started, try shooting some muzzleloader bullets made by the same company that manufactured your muzzleloader. J. Scott Rupp takes a first look at the Springfield M1A Loaded rifle chambered in the popular 6.5 Creedmoor. A WARNING: USE ONLY BULLETS MEASURING .429" -.430" DESIGNED FOR USE IN .44 CALIBER PISTOLS OR RIFLES. with any other approved black powder substitute follow the instructions supplied by the manufacturer and heed all warnings as they apply to loading and usage of that product. Theyre remarkably accurate, very easy to load, and have excellent terminal performance on thin skinned game like deer. Still an awesome shot for any gun. Though regulations vary from place to place, no matter what or where in North America you hunt, there is likely something that will work well for you on the list below of 15 of the best muzzleloader bullets currently available on the market. and .30-06practical hunting calibers all. Available in both 270 grain and 350 grain configurations, the Federal BOR is an excellent all around muzzleloader bullet. One It also leaves almost no fouling around the firing pin and breech plug. Large Rifle Primer VariFlame Primer Adapters will work with every powder including Blackhorn 209 and all smokeless powders. Contingent on specific scope, you might find this feature to be of All that is required If, say, you install the pistol bolt in the rifle stock, the hammer won't cock. Encore, while not completely silent when you cock the hammer, is quieter than standard Encore 209x50 remains at 26 inches. Prime the gun. The only caveat to this is the Encore FX designed as only a muzzleloader and cannot accept interchangeable barrels. Other than the Thor, the Barnes TMZ and T-EZ bullets are also California legal. change in group size from 100 to 105, to 110 grains by volume of Blackhorn 209. So is the Traditions Smackdown Bleed. Warning - Triple 7 pellets may not ignite well with small rifle primers. This is a great combination that I plan to use over and over again. The Hornady Bore Driver FTX is a 290 grain muzzleloader bullet. That leaves out many archery, fishing and specialty muzzleloading And most are inherently accurate enough for big-game hunting, assuming they're properly cleaned, are using 240-grain or larger saboted bullets of sound design and are stuffed with 90-150 grains of propellant. The .22 Hornet, possibly one of the most enduring cartridges ever designed, lends itself for yet another purpose. Hunters needed to purchase aThor bullet sizing packfirst to ensure they were using the correct size bullets for their specific muzzleloader. bullet/110 T72Fg. If looking to acquire an automated powder-charge dispensing unit to speed up precision reloading, don't judge the RCBS ChargeMaster Lite powder scale and dispenser by its name; the Little Green machine packs a heavy-weight punch with speed and accuracy. NOTE: All loading data contained in this book is the result of testing by Thompson/Center Arms. When I draw a muzzleloader elk tag here in Colorado, you can bet I'll be taking the Encore. Though round balls havent changed much since the days of Daniel Boone, they will still work with good shot placement. accessories make the ensemble and all that, so Barnes bullets look good and Ruger No. No fouling, no mess. I've wanted a gun in this caliber for a long time, and that's the great thing about the Encore: For less than $400 for a barrel, I can play with a whole new cartridge. To properly assemble your T/C Mag Express Sabot, insert the projectile into the sabot and press firmly, making sure the bullet is fully seated. The perfect ignition for Thompson Center Encore muzzleloaders. As you can see from the chart, the rifle is capable of great accuracy with loads it likes. unnecessary. walnut, all made in the United States. With an Accu-Fit stock and left hand adjustable bolt, this rifle is a perfect choice for anyone! Bullet T/C Shock Wave in the T/C Super Glide Sabot. EITHER CASE CAN RESULT IN A DAMAGED FIREARM AND POSSIBLE INJURY AND/OR DEATH TO THE SHOOTER OR BYSTANDERS AND DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Every now and then something new comes along that just has to be shared with fellow shooters. UNDER SUCH A CONDITION, ONE OR MORE OF THE COMPONENTS MAY ACT AS A BARREL OBSTRUCTION AND FIRING COULD RESULT IN INJURY AND/OR DEATH TO THE SHOOTER OR BYSTANDERS AND DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. No break-action Nosler M21 Rifle Review: Read Before Buying! Some tips for writing an efficient bullet list include: Write a strong headline that groups associated items together. ONLY USE LOADS THAT ARE LISTED FOR YOUR PARTICULAR CALIBER, MODEL AND BULLET STYLE. Bullets* contains medbullets and orthobullets Topics, Questions, Techniques, Cases, Videos, and Evidence. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with using a plain old round ball or an old school conical bullet, there are plenty of other choices available for hunters who want to hunt with the absolute best muzzleloader bullets possible. You will need the Thompson Center 54 caliber black powder firearm, a cleaning rod, a powder measure, and necessary accessories such as a priming horn, powder flask, and bullet starter. There was some basis for their skepticism. Though they are similar in many respects to the PowerBelt AeroLite line of bullets, PowerBelt Platinum muzzleloading bullets are more solidly constructed, heavier, and have a higher ballistic coefficient. For a long time, the main drawback to using these muzzleloading bullets was their sensitivity to differences in bore size between various muzzleloaders. loaded lug locks up so tight the barrel is nearly impossible to open. pyrodex pellets. Thompson/Center Arms is not responsible for loading information printed in sources other than this booklet. enough to align a saboted projectile without canting. I was only able to find 3 drops of blood of about the size of the end of a "Q" tip. Thompson Center custom muzzleloader barrels are now available built by MGM! The Thompson Center Shockwave Bullet with Super Glide Sabot is revolutionary in sabot design.