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Post by doggzoe on Oct 20, 2014 16:50:35 GMT -5
Been a member for a while but this is my first post. Looking to go to a 45 cal smokeless on an Encore. Probably stay with sabots for awhile but who knows. Thinking of going with a Slufoot conversion. Questions are 1. Optimum barrel length for best speed and accuracy? 2. Straight or heavy taper? 3. Ignition system? 4. Insight on where to find a new barrel as they seem to be as scarce as hens teeth right know. 5. T/C or Bergura, or does it matter? I have a SMI 50 cal barrel so I know a little about smokeless on the 50 side with sabots. Will most certainly have more question later down the road. Thanks in advance. Don
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Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2014 18:46:12 GMT -5
Look into MGM (Match Grade Machine) for an Encore barrel. You can look at the 45-70 barrels they might have in stock or just have them make you a .45 cal barrel to use an Omega Encore breech plug. The PA Pete Encore plug is a direct match to use then. Just mention your shooting BH209. They don't like smokeless. A 28" Encore barrel does not make the gun too long IMO. I would not go over 28" though. I would go full diameter for at least the first 5" then taper to .800-.850 at muzzle. 1:20 or 1:22 twist will be good for sabots or sabotless. This is my MGM set up. It's a 28 twist but slings the 275 BE's sabotless very well. The Encore Bergara 45-70 barrels converted by Slufoot shoot great but I would recommend not using the CVA studs to use the muzzleloader forend. Tony Gettel, tonysstocksandgrips, makes laminated pillared forends that I would recommend. He will make a forend to use a rifle forend then just use a collapsible ramrod. Others have Bullberry Pacnors and converted factory TC 45-70's but I can only suggest what I have or have had.
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Post by southarkrob on Oct 21, 2014 8:27:17 GMT -5
I have a 20" Katahdin barrel on my Encore that Slufoot converted and it is a great shooter.. under an inch at 100yds with 57 grs of H4198 and a 200 gr sst with a lite blue sabot. I really like the shorter barrel.. makes a neat boxstand and ground blind gun.
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Post by wvboy on Oct 21, 2014 8:52:43 GMT -5
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Post by cowhunter on Oct 21, 2014 12:30:44 GMT -5
I'm sending my Bullberry-converted Pacnor on Prohunter frame to Jed Hankins for conversion to his Large rifle primer system. I hate to do it because I just got through installing a PR rifle primer system that seems to work well. But I'm just too curious about the Hankins system and my Encore is the only gun Jeff can convert. He charges $350 so it is probably more money than Slufoot charges. I hear only great reports about both their work, but if I were starting from scratch like you I would certainly consider Hankins system. In fact you could just buy the Hankins plug and adapters and have Slufoot install them. It might be only $120 more and you would have a superior system---says me who has never had a Hankins system.
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Post by rambler on Oct 21, 2014 12:38:11 GMT -5
I'm sending my Bullberry-converted Pacnor on Prohunter frame to Jed Hankins for conversion to his Large rifle primer system. I hate to do it because I just got through installing a PR rifle primer system that seems to work well. But I'm just too curious about the Hankins system and my Encore is the only gun Jeff can convert. He charges $350 so it is probably more money than Slufoot charges. I hear only great reports about both their work, but if I were starting from scratch like you I would certainly consider Hankins system. In fact you could just buy the Hankins plug and adapters and have Slufoot install them. It might be only $120 more and you would have a superior system---says me who has never had a Hankins system. I thought I saw a video where Jed did an H&R conversion as well?? If the Hankins' ignition system incorporated a tungsten bushing it would the ultimate. I think I also heard he was going to be that, but I'm not sure on it.
Maybe Jeff will see this and chime in.
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Post by doggzoe on Oct 22, 2014 18:24:23 GMT -5
Thanks again guys
I think I will contact MGM to see about a .45ml in 26-27 inch. I assume that this will be strong enough for smokeless. If that doesn't pan out I will see about a Bergura and a Slufoot conversion. If that doesn't work I have an inside track on a T/C 45/70 24" barrel with sights if that will work. I am still looking into ignition systems. PR, SMI, PA, Hankins, two sticks rubbed together real fast. A lot of choices...well maybe not the last one.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2014 19:42:05 GMT -5
Big no vote for SMI here...
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Post by rambler on Oct 22, 2014 19:50:40 GMT -5
I would not recommend SMI's breech plug.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2014 20:15:38 GMT -5
I'd take 45omega's advice and once you've gathered the parts you need, send it to slufoot or myers129 for assembly. You'll be happy and have a great shooter..
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Post by doggzoe on Oct 22, 2014 20:52:17 GMT -5
I meant to put Savage in there anyway not SMI. Ok no SMI.
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Post by doggzoe on Oct 23, 2014 15:43:18 GMT -5
Just ordered a 26" .458 ml barrel from MGM with timbles and a rod. They gave me the option of .458 or .451. I choose .458 after lookig up a 45/70's bore measurement. Think .458 was a good choice or should I change it to .451. The .458 only comes in 1 in 14 twist. Did not ask twist rate of .451. 4 to 6 weeks.
Still think if I can get the 24" T/C 45/70 barrel from this fellow I know I will send it to Slufoot for a conversion. Whats the option on savage breech plugs versises a ss pr plug? Don
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2014 16:17:34 GMT -5
Is MGM installing an Encore/Omega breech plug? If yes you will want to order a PA Pete Encore plug or the PR large rifle plug. Cowhunter is currently using a PR plug. If it's not being threaded for a plug Slufoot can install a Savage breech plug only. 14 twist is pretty fast but should handle the heavy sabotless bullets well.
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Post by hankinsrfls on Oct 23, 2014 18:50:30 GMT -5
I'm sending my Bullberry-converted Pacnor on Prohunter frame to Jed Hankins for conversion to his Large rifle primer system. I hate to do it because I just got through installing a PR rifle primer system that seems to work well. But I'm just too curious about the Hankins system and my Encore is the only gun Jeff can convert. He charges $350 so it is probably more money than Slufoot charges. I hear only great reports about both their work, but if I were starting from scratch like you I would certainly consider Hankins system. In fact you could just buy the Hankins plug and adapters and have Slufoot install them. It might be only $120 more and you would have a superior system---says me who has never had a Hankins system. I thought I saw a video where Jed did an H&R conversion as well?? If the Hankins' ignition system incorporated a tungsten bushing it would the ultimate. I think I also heard he was going to be that, but I'm not sure on it.
Maybe Jeff will see this and chime in.
I can do conversions on the H&R, Thompson Encore/Pro hunter and CVA apex... I am now making breech plugs with the tungsten bushing. Thanks Jeff.
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Post by Jon on Oct 23, 2014 19:49:10 GMT -5
Jeff not faulting it but I preferred you plug with the unthreaded nose if for no other reason but it gave a little space before the pressure got to the threads. That is only in my limited experience. But I would have to agree It makes it easier to produce and saves material.
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Post by doggzoe on Oct 23, 2014 19:55:08 GMT -5
Yes they will be installing a breech plug. Is .458 or .451 preffered for a 45ml?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2014 20:40:42 GMT -5
451 = full form sabotless only 458 = smooth sabotless or saboted .40 cal bullets
451 will require a piece of barrel to be made into a full form die.
If you want to shoot saboted and sabotless stick to the .458.
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Post by doggzoe on Jan 26, 2015 23:54:12 GMT -5
A few pictures of a couple of Encores I have put together. ProHunter frame with full bull 25' MGM .458 1/14 twist barrel, PR LRVF plug, Boyds thumb hole stock. 10.2 pounds with the full bull Encore frame with a Bergara 45/70 Slufoot conversion, Pr LRVF Savage plug.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2015 0:47:07 GMT -5
Very nice. The thumbhole is on the wrong side though.
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Post by doggzoe on Jan 27, 2015 8:41:10 GMT -5
Hey that's my line!!!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2015 8:52:45 GMT -5
Nice rigs and the lefty suits me just fine.
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