Help, FM Encore Conversion owners

[artjr338wm]

After reading so many posts about converting 209x50 Encores to a smokeless ML, and asking allot of questions in these postings, I figured I might as well start a thread asking all the questions I need answering in one shot.

My plan so far is this:

#1-Buy a 28" T/C pro-hunter barrel in 45/70 from Eds TC/.com for $210

#2-Send it to SMI to be converted for $125

#3-If they shoot well use Barnes 195grn Expanders exclusively

My questions are:

1-Will my present Encore forearm fit, or will I have to buy a new one and if yes what does a new walnut Encore forearm cost?

2-Does T/C make a 45/70 barrel that will work with my present forearm?

3-What has the accuracy norm been with the T/C barrels using
saboted 195 expanders and does any member here have a T/C Encore fitted with a SMI converted T/C 45/70 barrel and if so what was your results accuracy wise especially if you shot the 195 Barnes Expanders.

My cost would be $210 for the barrel + $125 for conversion, $25-$30 S&H and possibly around $50 for a new forearm. total cost looks like around +/- $440 if I have to buy a new forearm, so would I be better served just buying a .45 caliber smokeless barrel from SMI and save the rigmarole? IIRC SMI quoted me around $430-$450 for a blued .45 barrel for my Encore.


Would be thankful for anyone who has experience with a converted Encore sharing their knowledge with me.

Be well,
Arthur.

[huntmeister]

Art,
Does your barrel looks like this one with the on board ramrod storage?



If so I am pretty certain it will not fit a CF rifle barrel which looks basically like this one below. The barrel itself is threaded on the CF models.



Check out T/C's site, specifically this page, www.tcarms.com/customShop/stock_encore_rifle.php
and it will help you on the different forends available. I "think" the basic offerings from T/C on the rifle barrels are Bull, Heavy tapered and tapered. This page from their site gives their barrel info,
www.tcarms.com/customShop/barrels.php
I am not certain which contours are available in 45-70.

Google encore forends and you can see the various prices. I found my best price / bought a new one off of gunbroker.com.

I believe if you have SMI make you a barrel you can specify which forend you want to use and they will set the barrel up accordingly...atleast that was the case when I ordered my 50cal barrel from them last month.

I cannot speak to the accuracy issues as I have no hands on experience.

Just my .02 worth, hope this helps! Good luck and keep us in the loop.

[10ga]

The TC 45-70 barrel fit the forearm that came with my frame/stock. SMI did my conversion and I posted a cost analysis, it's up in build your rifle/tips/links forum, link included.

dougsmessageboards.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=build&action=display&thread=6442

I think cost wise, it's a close wash. If you get a SMI barrel instead of a conversion you have more choices of barrel length and twist and contour. That is kind of a plus+. I think now that SMI provides their own BPs and you don't need to send one with the TC barrel.

It is a light, short with the 24" barrel, very handy gun. That is what I wanted. It is my in the woods, calling, rattling, sneak-n-creep, hunt in the rain, etc... gun.

Accuracy with my barrel has been outstanding, better than moa if I do my part. 3/4" to 1" off bags. I tried it with PPoseys light loads of 31-35 gr. of 4759 under smooth blue sabot and 200 gr. XTP. I'm shooting 33 now. Extremly accurate out to 150, longest range test so far. Last year I shot a 90#doe and that 200 went from right front shoulder to lodge at back of left ham, range was 40 +-yd. Killed 2 other deer, one at 5 and another at 15 yd and had complete rib area pass throughs. I use one of my 2 ML IIs for "beanfield" hunting but they aint for doing any moving about but this gun is intended for that and is really great so far. Hope this has been a help. PM or post if you have any more questions. I'm sure some more guys with conversions and SMI barrels will chime in. November 5 getting closer every day. Best, 10 ga

[huntmeister]

One other thing I forgot last nite...you metioned their blued barrel. They actually do a black oxide finish not blued as their standard offering.

[pposey]

I really like my 26 inch encore 45/70 convert, not sure if your forearm will work or not though, the 45/70 barrel I have is a pretty light contour and a .50 cal ML barrel usually is not. Info about it is in my sig line below