I believe that the northwest explorer has a QLA barrel, most people have found that TC's with the QLA are poor conical shooters for one reason or another. Also, despite what TC thinks, 1:48 is not the ideal conical twist rate, faster would be better unless you want to only shoot the lightest of maxi-hunters. If I was in a state that required no. 11 primers and an open breech, I would probably just get a knight bighorn. They are stainless, have a better stock than the TC, and can be had for around $400.