Thompson Encore
 

I am interested in some honest observations and experiences with the Thompson Encore rifle line. Are they as accurate as it is claimed? Are you happy with yours or is it something to stay away from. Any skinny on the rifle line would be appreciated and I would liketo hear from both the muzzleloading guysand the rifle hunters. To sum it up, is it a good reliable hunting weapon. Thanks

RE: Thompson Encore
 

I can sum my experience up with 2 words-HELL YEAH! I've never seen a bad 1 yet. You can do anything with it that you have barrels for. Only thing I reccomend is to get oversize hingepin. Install a scope on each barrel and when you put it (scoped barrel)on,it'll still be on target.

RE: Thompson Encore
 

Try using the "search" feature. This topic has been beat to death several times, but since it will probably be rehashed several more times, here is my take. The Encore is an excellent "system", but I personally haven't had very good luck getting factory barrels to shoot to my expectations. My son has a custom shop 270 barrel that will shoot 1" or under all day at 100 yards off a bench, and I have a VVG 300WSM barrel that is super accurate. The only factory barrel that I have is a Prohunter 50 cal ML barrel, and it has acceptable accuracy. In my opinion, an oversized hinge pin and a trigger job are a must for every Encore, but overall, I am a fan.

RE: Thompson Encore
 

Thanks to both of you for your insight. Your opinions are the best way of determing the pros and cons before I make my wife mad again with yet another gun purchase. At leastnow Ican useyou guys as the reason. Before I did the post, I tried the search engine with the option of checking all forums for "Thompson Encore" and I received a negative response. I probably did something wrong.Thanks again four your input....WLA

RE: Thompson Encore
 

I just sold one last year with 50 cal barrel that was a one hole shooter,Had a 45 cal barrel ,and T/C exchanged that one for me but didn't ever get either one to shoot.Got a 25/06 barrel and it shot fair but really nothing to brag about.Put scopes on all but had to re zero every time I changed barrels.Had trigger set at 2.5 lbs.Walnut stock and foreend.Oversize pin.
My brother had all his guns stolen so I let him have the encore for muzzlerloader.
First pic was zeroing scope to try the 200 gr xtp.Last 3 shots at top.

RE: Thompson Encore
 

Honest truth, they usually come from teh factory with loose hinge bolts and forarm needs to be freefloated and a trigger job. I had the hole in the barrel milled to match a hole in the reciever and a oversized pin installed. I also had the hanger system installed and glassed in the foreame and now its awesomely accurate. Muzzleloaders have been hit or miss. I have a barrel now that is good, but went thru another one.

If I had it to do over, I would just buy bolts.

RE: Thompson Encore
 

I have three barrels for mine. Two are custom barrels, and one stock factory 30-06 barrel.The custom barrels were both made by MGM. One is a 6.5X284 that is 29 inches long, and ported. The other barrel is a 358 Winchester pistol barrel-12 inches in length, and is ported. The factory barrel will shoot under an inch, if I do my part. My best groups have hovered around 5/8 of an inch at 100 yards. It will shoot just over 2 inch groups at 300 yards. I am very pleased with that. The MGM barrels will shoot better than I can shoot. I am working on the loads for these two barrels right now. Both easily shoot under an inch, and the 6.5X284 will really shoot. I think the Encore is the easiest, and cheapest way to get into a custom cartridge, custom match chamber, andcustom barrel length.

The first thing you need to do is have the trigger worked by someone who knows what they are doing. I have two actions that were worked on. One by Bellm, and one by Stratton. I am very pleased with both jobs. I fully agree with stalkingbear about the hinge pin. You can buy other custom rifles, but IMO you will have alot more money in them. They may shoot a little better than the Encore's. But my Encore's shoot as well as I am capable of shooting.

The Encore's are also an inexpensive way to have a stock built to fit you. I personally have two left handed thumbhole stock's, with high cheek pieces. They fit very well. I am, having a pistol grip built right now with a LH High-Thumb rest. Tom.

RE: Thompson Encore
 

Bigcountry: Thanks for your input.Where did you find the proper hinge pins? I am originally from Carroll County, Maryland, but I have been in Florida for 20 years. I heard the deer hunting has gotten better and the pheasant hunting has disappeared sinceI left. Thanksagain and good hunting. /s/Muskethead.

RE: Thompson Encore
 

Funny you said something about pheasants. My wife and I saw one the other day and I couldn't believe it. I get mine from this guy. I bought a real big one and had the reciever milled to match. Very tight lockup.

http://www.bellmtcs.com/store/index.php?cid=7

RE: Thompson Encore
 

I have a 50 cal muzzleloader barrel for my Encore and it is a very good shooter. With open sights at 100 yards I was getting under 1" 3 shot groups, I have been tossing around the idea of mounting a scope on it this summer and doing some shooting to see just how good it will shoot.

I also bought a Pro Hunter barrel a while back now in 7mm-08, and my first ever group I shot at 100 yards with it (handloads) measured .243" for a 3 shot group. I haven't shot any groups since that day, but there are quite a few jackrabbits that were out past 300 yards that didn't like the gun..... ;)

I haven't had the need for an oversized hinge pin in my gun, its very tight from the factory. I am going to have an action job done on it to improve on my trigger a wee bit.

RE: Thompson Encore
 

I love mine,I own 2 frames,one for pistol and the other for rifle. Can't go wrong IMOP...;)

RE: Thompson Encore
 

I have an Encore with.50 Muzzleloader, .280 Rem, .243 Win barrels. I just bought the .243 Win barrel so I don't know how that shoots yet. The .50 Muzzleloader and the .280 Rem shoot well enough for hunting. All are factory barrels from Thompson. I have not had any problems with the barrel pin yet. I would also agree a trigger job is a must. I just sent mine to Bellm so I am happy to hear a thumbs up by HEAD0001.

RE: Thompson Encore
 

Thanks to everyone who has responded thus far. I also have some great tips to achieve even further accuracy if the barrels seem loose and need hinge pins, or if the trigger sticks a little, I now now where to to. Thanks a lot to everyone! /s/s Muskethead

RE: Thompson Encore
 

One good thing about encores, is when your buying one, its easy to check some of these situations out. Ask the saleman to take it apart for you. The hinge pin should not be able to just push out with your finger, a slight tap with with a drift punch is what it should take to remove and install. If they can push out with finger or my case I would shake it out, too loose. While its apart, take the pin and install it in the barrel hole with out the reciever. That too should be tight. Some come out good and some come out bad.

RE: Thompson Encore
 

bigcountry: Thanks a million for the tips. I intend to head over to Bass Pro in Ft. Lauderdale and see if they have any TE's in stock. I will definitely use the trick you mentioned to make sure the hinge pins are tight. One question based on this reply. If you have the reeceiver milled for oversize after market hinge pins, do you then need to have each new barrel milled to fit? It would appear that it would be required. If so, I guess I had figure that into any cost for a new barrel. Thanks again. By the way, Wherepart of Maryland are you from?

RE: Thompson Encore
 

Yesterday it rained so I loaded up 45 Nosler BTs for my Encore, and 5 Barnes TSXs to try out.

Today I got a chance to do some test firing. I had about a 10mph crosswind. At 100 yards I put my first 2 bullets (140gr BTs) in almost the same hole, then I pulled my third shot. I don't know if this was because I was not wanting to screw up a great group or the trigger is just that rough.

Then I decided to shoot the TSXs after a good barrel cooling down. First 2 shots were about a hole and a half, third shot I pulled again. I was getting very frustrated at this point, not sure what my deal was.

I grabbed my Tikka out of my pickup and threw 3 rounds of 60gr Sierra HPs in, and shot a very fast 3 shot group under 1". Going from about a 5-6lb trigger down to a 2lb trigger made all the difference.

I was feeling pretty confident in my shooting at this point again, and decided to give the Thompson one more try. Same results, 2 in almost same hole and pulled third. My Encore is getting taken to the smith for a trigger job. Then it will bea Sub .5moa gun, if I can do my part. :D

RE: Thompson Encore
 

Just so you know, Using an over sized pin Voids the rifles warranty.

RE: Thompson Encore
 

Yep, thats the down side. I really don't plan on buying any more barrels however. I got a 204 and muzzleloader barrel. If I find one for a good deal I might.

RE: Thompson Encore
 

I don't know if I would "plan" on any gunsmithing until I actually get to shooting the gun. To date, my Encore had stronger hammer springs installed and trigger pull lightened to 2.5lbs by Bellm. If you muzzleload, and are interested in 150grain 3-pellet loads for longer range shots, this is the gun for you.