Converting an Encore to smokeless

[kb]

Id like to convert my Encore to smokeless, What do I need to do? I see that there are different plugs to consider. Who makes a good barrel?

Ive been out of it for many years, and am trying to play catch-up here. Allot of my older links are gone, so I have to start over...

Is there a breech plug that I DONT have to depend on vent liners as the savage does? (That just seems to be the weak link in them. What if I cant get them any more, I have an expensive plant stake)

Thank you for your help,

Kb

[hydrodog]

Best way for the least amount of money is Bergara 45/70 barrel, arrowhead plug with a bushing. I am not sure who can do the machine work for barrel threading. Luke has designed a very good rear sealing plug that eliminates the gas cutting that occurs on the savage plug. I have 2 encore barrels converted and they show signs of blow by on the nose of the savage plug. A link to arrowhead sporting goods is right above.

[kb]

Is that sabot or sabot less My main use would be for hunting.

[eml9]

You could shoot sabotless or saboted with the 45/70 barrel . Are you looking to go sabotless ?

[hydrodog]

Mainly with .40 sst with smooth blue sabots. .I have shot sabotless a few times but results were not as good. Blackhorn 209 works well with the conversion barrels also as michigan muzzleloader season doesn't allow smokeless powder. The .40 sst is plenty good for hunting. 10/50 4759/4198 is a good place to start with loads.

[hawghunter]

Bullberry has an option.
www.bullberry.com/black-powder-barrel-details.html

I had them build a 45-70 1:22 twist SS full bull barrel for me and then had it converted. You'll need a forearm for their hanger bar system. This was a long lead item. It took about 9 months from barrel order date to receiving the barrel back from the builder who did my conversion.

I picked up everything else from Luke.

[Deleted]

With CF rapid fire them factory extractors might come in handy but it still don't throw them, you have to pull each casing out by hand. With basically the 1 shot 1 kill (or miss) using a 209 decapper "if necessary" to remove the spent primer ain't that big of a deal. By the time you extract your module and tuck it away in your pocket (god forbid you loose one of them expensive suckers) I'm already reloading cause i decapped mine with a tool and threw the spent 209 on the ground. I don't even hunt with my hingers anymore but my extra primers are in a TC primer holder with a 209 decapping tool on a shoelace worn around my neck. Fat fingers, skinny fingers....if you can't put a 209 primer in a hinger something is seriously wrong.

[donw28]

I just had Cole at CMC build a Shilen .45 barrel for my wife's encore. Used Luke's rear seal plug. As soon as the correct rings arrive we will finally get to shoot it. Naturally the new barrel was slightly larger and the rings she was using on her Rempac didn't quite have the height required for the TC base. It is super nice and I got a laminated forearm and butt-stock for her. Probably cheaper to go with the Bergara 45/70 barrel but Cole is really reasonable and the turn around was pretty darn quick. Under two months during hunting season was a personal gunsmith record for me.

Regards,

Don

[zalexander]

What kind of accuracy can be expected with a Bergara 45-70 conversion?

[Deleted]

Dec 20, 2015 21:41:38 GMT -5 zalexander said:

What kind of accuracy can be expected with a Bergara 45-70 conversion?

Under an inch at 100yds saboted and sabotless with the right loads.

If you go the Bergara route I recommend getting a Tony Gettel www.tonysforendsandgrips.net/ pillared forend. He does not need your barrel and his forends match up pretty good to the stocks that Boyds sells or he can make you a matching set. Well worth the money IMO.