I stopped at one of my favorite hunting/fishing stores on the way up to deer camp last week to get my son a pellet gun for his birthday and I noticed a very unusual looking Encore behind the counter. When I asked the salesman to show me the gun he indicated it was a limited edition "Whitetail Extreme" silver edition of which only 200 were made. This was last years model - a guy had put it on layway and then never been able to come up with the rest of the cash so it went back on the sales floor. The stock is laminated grey, pepper, and rosewood and the receiver is engraved with a whitetail scene on one side and fancy scrolling on the other side. I was already convinced to pick up an Encore, but had resigned myself to waiting until summer - until I saw this model. I couldn't pass this one up as it was so unique and I knew it wouldn't wait around until next summer.

I have never heard anyone talk about these models - I didn't even know they existed. My question is does anyone know if Thompson Center makes additional forends in other calibers for these that match the stock? I am thinking about picking up a .243 barrel for the gun so my son can use it when he is old enough to deer hunt (single shot, low recoil, heavier gun seems like a good set-up for young kid). I looked on Thompsons web site and I don't see anything about these guns, much less replacement stocks. Since they apparently change these stocks on the limited edition model each year my guess is that it won't be particularly easy to find one if I wait very long. Any leads of where to look would be appreciated (Google didn't yield anything).

Even if I can't find the .243 barrel I have one sweet looking .50 cal muzzleloader. Now I just have go buy all the other stuff to go with it - my wallet is in serious pain.