I am looking into a TC encore with the 26" heavy 300 win mag barrel was wondering if anybody had opinions on it, and what loads such as bullet weight and type they have had luck with in it.

I would think it would be a tack driver based alone on the barrel it comes with. Looks like an axle off an old Ford truck.

Even with the heavy barrel, it balances and feels good to me, thats one of the reasons I am looking at that particular caliber. (plus I want a mag)

If you want a mag get a real mag (50 BMG) or don't you think you can handle it?

I guess I got the only Encore lemon ever made by T/C. Now don't get me wrong, I like T/C products. I have a Contender Super 15 with 3 different barrels for it and it is a real tack driver. I also have 3 of their Hawken flintlocks. But I guess my Encore was a jinxed rifle. I just couldn't get it to shoot. It was in 7mm-08. I tried a bunch of different loads, changing powders, bullets (types and weights), even changed scopes and mounts.
I set it out to the factory and that didn't even work. I finally got disgusted with it cause I couldn't get any better than 2 1/2" groups with it and traded it in on a Browning A bolt.
And remember I said it was jinxed - well it was on the shop floor in the used rack for 2 weeks and got stolen from the gun shop.

bronko, you should have kept forcing the issue. All factory barrels are guarenteed to shoot MOA. My Dad shoots the 7-08 Encore and he gets 7/8 inch groups at 100yds with factory ammo. They would have eventually sent you a new frame or barrel, whichever one was the problem.