One of my friends got a new Encore 209 x50 for Christmas and my other buddy got a Pro Hunter after shooting the Encore. Both are giving me a rough time saying I should get one to. They both shoot great with 250 gr shockwaves and 100 gr of TripleSeven and Triple Seven primers. I have a older TC Thunderhawk that I converted to 209 primers this year. I like the 100 gr of Triple Seven and the Triple Seven Primers with 295 gr Tipped Powerbelts. This gives me 2.5-3.25" groups at 100yds with my 4x Leupold. I amvery pleased with this. Better groups than I ever got with FFG and XTP bullets or Maxi-Hunters. Plus the Powerbelt did the number on a nice doe at 95 yds this year. Do you guys feel it's worth the $650-$750 to gain a 1/2"-1" in groups. We really don't get much longer shots than 100yds here in Ohio, mostly under 75yds and we hunt from tree stands.

Thanks ahead of time

Jeff

Scroll down the forum here and check out the new T/C Triumph. Its not a convertable like the prohunter or encore, but it looks better than an Omega.

And its cheaper than the pro and enco.

Im in line to get one.

All too often people think they need "bigger & better." What they soon find out is, dead is dead. If your current rifle shoots that good and your happy with it, why spend the $650+ for a different rifle? Not that it is not nice to get a new rifle. I've bought plenty of them even when I did not need one. If you want the new rifle then buy it. Don't buy it to please your friends. It sounds like your old model will take deer just as dead as their rifle's will for a lot less money.

Utah1,
I have a Thunderhawk Shadow SS in 50 and I really love that rifle. My longest BP shot (130 yrds)on a deer was w/that rifle. Here is that buck!


In factI gave my new son in law my older SS Syn Omega and kept that Thunderhawk becauseI like the length, stock, the wt and the balance. I figured when I'm old I'll get a X7 or sinceI have the time just keep this fine rifle... The only negative thing is the beating the scope takes,the clean time and being a LH shooter isn't as easy but never missed a shot because of it. .
I did convert mine to 209 also. I never got a crud ring w/ 777 with that design nipple. I shot 245 Xgr XTP's w/ 80 grains of BP. Since then I have tried all different loads and it just is a great shooter and not picky on what it eats..
Unfornatually my son in law had a dud on a 209 on his first deer,a 6 pointer. He was bummed to say the least... He did kill a nice fork horn later that season.
LOL, Hills

Thanks for all your responses. I was thinking along the same lines as you guys. I already have centerfire rifles and would probably never buy another barrel for the encore. The new Triumph does sound interesting. I would like to wait until they are out on the market and there is some shooting feedback.

First thing I would do is tell my friends to buy me that new rifle they want me to have so bad.
I bet with a bit more range time with that rifle you are happy with you can have it shooting as good as any thing they have.
A group can tighten up with just a 5gr. difference in powder and even different brands.

Al

Utah1: If you wanna get a new muzzie just to have a new toy go for it. But your right, most shots here in Ohio aren't likely going to be over 100yds, especially in treestands. I've got an Encore with a Zeiss 3-9 Conquest ontop and it is absolute total overkill for the kind of hunting I do. My sidelock may see more action next year. It's a heck of alot lighter to carry around.

I can see the pro hunter for someone who has a limited variety of rifles.You can spend roughly $250 and get another caliber and just keep on going. But for me the PH would be a waste. I have several Cf rifles already so there is no need to spend $900 for a new ML. The PH is nice and there is a place for it just not my place.

If you're not going to swap barrels.. then the Encore/ProHunter is a complete waste of $$$. You can get an Omega that has the same barrel as the ProHunter.. and will shoot just as good if not better. They put the 28" barrel on the ProHunter because the 28" Omega was out shooting the 26" Encores. Not the mention the Encores are much bulkier in the grip section than an Omega... I personallyprefer the feel of the Omega over the Encores.. esp the thumbhole.

Also might check out the new Triumph.. but again.. only if you have to have the "latest and greatest" It'd basically a cross between the Omega and the Encore... they made it break action so that you can get the speed breech out of it. The speed breech is cool and all.. but personally I don't feel that it's that hard to unthead a standard breech plug.

I'll keep shooting my Omega until they come out with something that shoots better... 2.5" groups at 150yds is plenty good enough for me.