To me, comparing the TC encore and the Ruger No.1 is like apples and oranges. Before I begin, I'm going to throw a plug in for the H&R/NEF Handi-rifle, it's much more comprable to the Encore, similarly priced and has the bbl swapping capabilities, and however you're guaranteed a perfect mating in every bbl since you send them in to get bbls fitted to YOUR receiver, not just buying one and hoping....

Personally, I LIKE the No.1 better, but prefer the Encore or handi-rifle. The No.1 is an amazing gun, gorgeous and anything with a lever has to be good, but it's twice the price as the others, and probably only slightly more accurate if at all. It's typically more shootable for people because it's shaped, weighted, and balanced similarly to a bolt gun, while the break actions are entirely different animals.

I prefer the break actions because they're light, and cheap. Basically, I don't want to pay the same price or carry the same weight for a gun that holds one round, has no magazine and took no development for feeding as I would for a bolt gun...it just seems to reason that a single shot SHOULD be smaller and handier than a bolt gun.

I've had Encore's in the past, now I've only got H&R/NEF handi's in single shot breakers, I've got two No.1's left, one a .30-06 international (LONG forend) and the sporter .45-70 stainless laminate. I keep the No.1's mostly for nostalgia, the NEF's actually get hunted considerably more.