[BruceP]

Does anyone here have an Encore rifle in 45/70. How well does it shoot, what is the recoil like with heavy loads. (I assume it will handle the loads listed for the ruger #1.)
I have been looking at the Ruger #1 but I do like the idea of being able to buy different barrels for the Encore.
Any feedback you have would be helpful.
BruceP

 

[KN]

I have shot hot #1 loads in my Encore, and the first thing your going to want is a better recoil pad. It's brutal. If your really set on an Encore in 45/70 buy one of the Katahdin Barrels. It's much better suited for the 45/70 than their standard 24" light barrel. Just my observations, KN

 

[BruceP]

Thanks for the info guys. To tell you the truth I'm not sure I'll want to shoot top #1 loads in the Encore or the Ruger #1, but I would like to have that option if I so desire, or am so stupid. I have wanted a #1 for years because of the balance and the way it seems to point for me. I have not been able to handle an Encore in 45/70 to see how it would compair. The only Encore rifle I have got to handle besides the muzzle loader was a 7-08 and it did have a good feel to it.

Also I wouldn't mind hanging out with you "afflicted ones" but I already have the problem of having a contender and only one barrel. Its hard to choose which one of those to buy next. If I add an Encore then... choices choices. To many choices and not enough money.
BruceP

 

[Dakotashooter2]

It's a stomper. I've shot both the rifle an pistol version and prefer the pistol.

 

[jamie]

I have shot max #1 loads through my unported 15" barrel with 405 grain bullets.....nothing to it! :-D

 

[KN]

Hey Jamie, With a 15" barrel your talking pisols. Try that load in a 24" light barrel up to your shoulder and you'll probably change your view. I know I did! I shoot the 45/70s and 450s and 444s all the time in pistols and I agree its not that big a deal. But when I got my rifle barrel, I was in for a surprise. 6 rounds sent me home with a blue shoulder looking for a better recoil pad. I had it pulled up tight and it still left me with a week long bruise. KN

 

[John Traveler]

.45-70 carbine barrel

KN,

I'll have to agree with you.

Shooting factory duplication 405 grain loads (Trapdoor Springfield loads) in the 16 1/2" pistol is sorta startling.

But when the same 16 1/2" carbine barrel is fired with a should stock, you really FEEL it! Just think: a 4 or 5 pound carbine firing the .45-70 RIFLE load. Even the 8 lb 1873 carbine kicks a bit too much.

 

[jamie]

Uh, KN, that was said in humor. Although it only left me with a sore hand for about a week (just in time to take it back to the range) it has caused many drop of blood from those who claim their 50 AE was the badest and then of course the odd trip to take a friend to the Doc afterward because it dislocated their thumb....see nuthing to it. Oh, I shot that same load in #1 .....didn't hurt a bit .....well, that is,after the bruising went away.

45-70 in #1 loads are going to hurt no matter what you shoot them from unless the gun is mounted to a ships deck.

 

[kevin]

.45-70 barrels

iv'e got to add this too, iv'e got a katahin .45-70 barrel and bought it recently befroe Christmas and has quickly become a favorite, in the collection, ive shot a lot of ammo, factory and load your own, the factory winchester supreme 300 grain noslers really packed a punch that did clear the head ,have 405 grain lead 450 lead and rfound that know how i tryed with the speers don't recall the grain wieght always caught and engaged the rifleing,i did not like that idea none, just under laoded, it was pleasant but quickly let them go down range, but loaded black powder in them with 405 grain loaded to maximum and had fun with accuracy and all the wierd looks recieved at the range, and the coughing by winers at the range when some of them started to complain, that was the clue and key time to break out the real muzzleloaders and started shooting the flintloacks
have fun and be safe

 

[Hopalong7]

45-70

My first experience w/ 45-70 was many years ago with a s-16 contender barrel. I forget the exact load, but it was 300gr over a mild load of something. At the range, I decided to shoot it with my new ( at that time ) carbine stock. The barrel only had original open sights on it. After 3 shots, I reminded myself that I was doing this for fun. THIS WAS NOT FUN!!! I put it aside. After other shootin' I was packin up to leave and there laid the 45-70. Well, I had to try it aleast once. So I bolted on the pistol grip and let'er rip. A new love affair just began. Many thousand rounds down range since, but none w/ shoulder stock attached. Just goes to show, that us PISTOL shooters is tuffer than us RIFLE shooters. That oughter start somthin' ...huh...Cisco? GOOD SHOOTIN", Walt

 

[Bim]

45/70

I don't have a Encore 45/70 yet but I do have a Marlin 1895. I load my own and I tried some 500 grainers loaded pretty stiff. I liked it at first but had to use a towel folded up between the gun and shoulder. After my shoulder heald and I had my fillings tightend up I realized I don't need anything that powerfull. 300 -350 grainers loaded stiff are nice shooters and good enough for what I need. :grin:

 

[Bullseye]

Hey Hopalong7

Does that S16 45/70 of yours have a muzzle break. I have been wanting one but have avoided getting one because I will not buy a barrel with a break. Curious what you have since you like it so much.

 

[btracker1]

Does anyone here have a muzzle break or mag-na porting on there 45/70 I am thinking maybe my next barrel will be 45/70 in heavy barrel with muzzle break..


This Encore stuff is addictive

 

[teamnelson]

So, am I reading correctly that the 45/70 is a more pleasant shooter on a pistol frame? This is a crucial piece of information to me, as I was really wanting a 45/70 Katahdin, which would require a carbine stock and forend, but really only have the $$ for a new pistol barrel. I was about to go for a .308 (which is still on my wanted list) but would much rather have a 45/70 first.

So, to brake or not to brake? Iron sights?

 

[KN]

A pistol is much easier to control than a rifle of that caliber. You let the gun jump to dissapate the recoil. With a rifle your sending it to your shoulder to absorb. A brake can help but if a lot of extra noise will bother you then don't do it. Iron sights or scope is a personal preferance, my eyes like a good scope. KN

 

[Hopalong7]

TeamNelson, Yes to me it is much more enjoyable to shoot as a pistola.
But, who says you have to have a carbine stock on that Katahdin barrel?
Actually, I've been thinking about putting one on my Encore pistol.
Bullseye, To answer that 3 month old question(Sorry 'bout that), No my 16" barrel has no brake. A lot of them did, but mine doesn't. I get a lot of vertical barrel jump w/ it. I also have a S-14 w/ brake and there is a big difference. Much less gun movement,just pushes back straight in the palm of your hand. I'm not so sure that the unbraked barrel doesn't hurt my old aching, arthritic hands less than the braked one. With the 16" unbraked I have to be careful what position I'm in when shooting. It can knock the dust off the bill of your favorite shooting cap. HEYYYY,....maybe that what's wrong w/ me...My wife says.....Naaaa...No Way.
GOOD SHOOTIN, Walt

 

[KN]

Hopalong is right, I have an 18" custom shop bull in 450 marlin that I prefer to shoot as a pistol. With a Burris 3x12 I have shot several sub MOA groups with it. KN

 

[teamnelson]

Hopalong, KN -

Forgive me, I've never carried a pistol with an 18" barrel, so it didn't occur to me. It's a nice thought though. Can you use it in brush, or are you shooting off a bench/stand?

 

[Hopalong7]

Didn't you ever watch Wyatt Earp???

 

[Hopalong7]

Seriously....mostly from tree stand, bench...or varmiting the long barrel is not a problem. I also find that from most any rested position, I can hold the longer barrel steadier. Still, my favorite "walking around hunting" barrel is my first...10" .30Herrett. GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt :-D :-D