Top 3 T/C Encore Big Game Hunting Cartridges! MatchGrade Machine

[@Old_Patriot]

I've shot the 7mmRem mag and the 300Win mag calibers in assorted rifles over the past half-century and they are all outstanding for accuracy and power. I've only shot the Encore rifle with a factory Pro-Hunter standard weight barrel in .243Win. I have settled on the Hornady factory 100 gr. BTSP load and it always delivers five-shot groups around 3/4 inch or less. I hope to try this same gun with a 270Win barrel since it has always been my favorite caliber. I began shooting the TC Contender pistol in 1968 when the only offerings that I could find were the .357mag and the 22lr calibers. I bought an octagon barrel version because that's all that was available. I had owned several revolvers in.357mag caliber so that's what I chose for the Contender. My first groups with the TC blew my socks off. I never looked back. I went on to shoot that gun in 7mmTcu to qualify and shoot AAA Class in Production Handgun Silhouette. I've not owned the MGM barrels but in conversations with shooters who have, they say they are outstanding for accuracy and quality.

[@everettewalker1616]

25-06 all day. Love my thompson encore

[@jesse360j2]

Shot a TC encore pro hunter in 300 win mag 180 grain bergers today. Absolutely loved it. Recoil was more like a good push to the shoulder, not a real snappy feeling recoil.

[@mattbfarmer]

.257 Roberts barrel from MGM has done wonders on whitetail in TX this past year!!

[@DANNYMARTIN-f3p]

Right-on

[@demetriuscooksey7147]

270, 7mm mag, and 30-06 if you are looking at ammunition sales for the last 4 decades or so, until the last few years when the 6.5 Creedmoor took over the world.

[@brazzy1467]

I have y'alls 300 WM barrel but I had it threaded and a dead air muzzle brake put on it so I can use my Silencerco hybrid suppressor on it. The recoil with my set is about the same as if I had my .243 barrel on my Encore Pro Hunter. It's my favorite hunting rifle to hunt with.

[@z987k]

How long of a barrel did you go with? What's the overall length of the rifle w/o the suppressor?

[@gerrybulgin7402]

25-06 is very fast flat and straight , I’ve put hundreds through my encore

[@kennymcgrath1192]

Hey guys , I shoot an encore pro hunter in 338 win mag. 250 grain grand slam speer reload that I have shot for years!!! I've killed a lot of great bulls with it and it is my last till I die elk rifle!!! I love it . If an animal is dead out running it's dead. Love this gun. I also have a 204 Kruger in this rifle and am considering a 6.5 creedmore barrel.

[@JRMny-nl4ut]

I drop the 6.5 for the 7mm-08, all day everyday! 7 rem mag n 300 win mag are my top favorites too!

[@royyeager6540]

I have a .264 Encore that I have had for years done by Fox Ridge. Strange that companies try to keep inventing the mouse trap. I had a 26" 7 Rem Mag and with the hottest ammo and handload the 7 Rem Mag never broke 3100 fps with a 140 grain bullet. The .264 with a 140gr breaks 3200fps. Strange that the 6.5 PRC is getting all the love. By the way I love my MGM full bull pistol .260 barrel.

[@terrybritton1355]

I have a .270 win, and it does everything I would want outside of stepping up to 300 win mag. As a family for deer, we go with 243 so only one round in truck for no mix ups and easy sharing.

[@MrJtin69]

My 30-378 smokes all yours

[@user-pk2fg8im4u]

@@MrJtin69 This is a no smoking website, sorry.

[@the.reel.mccoy.]

I have this rifle in .270 Win and love it :)

[@pinkiewerewolf]

I would think that round is terrific in the Encore platform. I was shooting my 308 bolt action and a guy and his sone were sighting in a 270 Win in a bolt action next to me at the range... made a believer out of me.

[@johngarrie2633]

MGM. Could you do a video on the 270win I have one in bolt Action and have taken about 30 deer over. 20 year spans . Thinking about getting one with mgm. To put on my Thompson center encore. 👍🏻

[@bullgravy6906]

just picked up a TC Encore, blued frame, stainless 7mag barrel for 500. Looks like i found a good deal and the right long range to boot

[@mgmbarrels3299]

Steal of a deal! Get out and enjoy!!

[@tomnguyen658]

I just built a 6.5 prc with Bighorn action , 26 in proof research barrel and proof stock, trigger tech trigger, th gun is right at 6.4 lbs. the gun shoot 1/2 easily with hand load , 3045 FPS, enjoy it so much.

[@heathdumler6129]

I had a 300wm barrel for my frame and it just seemed too much for it. I even worked in the upgraded parts through bellm tcs. Sold it and kept my 22-250. (I have a bolt action in 300wm already) Looking to get it reamed out to the AI specs. Now I'd like a barrel in 338 federal and another in 257 roberts. Maybe a 7-08 as well.

[@eugenecota2470]

What about a break for the 300WM? I’m a 7RM fan but thought about trying a 300

[@johncoxe7990]

280 Remington is exceptionally accurate- even in original TC factory barrels- doesn't press the capability of the platform and isn't far behind the 7mm Remington Magnum..

[@tlloyd9325]

I built one back in the early 1980’s. A custom Mauser. I had no clue at first what I had. I also have the 7mm mag. It takes 10gr more powder to gain 150pfs.

[@JRMny-nl4ut]

Do you guys do any work on the frame or triggers?

[@umami0247]

There are many I would use on game in the Americas with no hesitation. What I need to do is start getting some of your barrels.

[@conradangel8602]

6.5 Swedish would be my favorite, 9.3 x 74 R and 8 x57 R as close follow up . Rimmed cartridges are great in break open rifle. I am not a fan of magnum cartridges but thats not to say they are bad

[@mattc5647]

Are you from Europe? Those are all really popular Cartridges in Europe.

[@82delta]

I agree. I like 30 bore and usually only rimmed. .30-30 win .30-40 krag .303 british 7.62x54R

[@fanbatcher]

I had MGM make me a .303 British “22 barrel with a 1/12 twist, ideal for a 150gr. bullet. I have iron sights on it and shoot clays at 200 yards with no problem.

[@davidwhiteeagle2829]

the 280 Ackley will do anything the 7mm mag will do with less especially in a Encore frame

[@concernedaussie1330]

Hmmm my 3 would be 6mm arc 410 / 45 lc with a 460 S&W chamber fed in for woods & survival mode. That way I could fire 460 , 454 , 45 lc , 45 Schofield , all the 410 family. I would also find a way to fire the whole 45 acp line from 460 rowland, 450 smc , 45 super , 45 acp , 45 gap & any others I missed + any adapters that would fit in a 410 or 45 colt chamber. 3rd would be a 375 h&h & preferably the 375 improved or 375 weatherby version with fast twist for long range & or anything large or dangerous . 😁

[@robertcarter4296]

I really like 243 or 250 Savage on the light side, 6.5 Creed more, 7-08 or 308 middle, and Heavy bullets 30-06, 375 H&H for the tuff stuff.

[@mikea4074]

Love the 300wm........

[@randyjohnson6845]

I'm going 260 rem 7mm08 and 308

[@johnadams2591]

It's awesome that you guys are putting out videos! Would love to hear your thoughts on the 338 federal, and what cartridge you would choose for an all around big game Encore PISTOL.

[@demetriuscooksey7147]

I did a fairly extensive barrel length test with the 338 Federal and 260 Rem. with different bullets weights and powders. I looked at barrel length tests done by others on the 308. Long story short, if you want a cartridge with minimal velocity loss based on a specific case, the bigger the bore diameter the more efficient your combustion chamber. In the 338 Federal intermediate bullet weights (210 Partitions) averaged in the mid-teens fps loss per inch of barrel cut off. Heavy weights (225 Trophy Bonded Bear Claws) were low-teens into single digits. Logically, you could go to a 358 Winchester and lose even less velocity per inch of barrel loss. When it comes to burning powder, I quit thinking in terms of barrel length and more in terms of internal barrel volume.

[@blutoblutarski2421]

@@demetriuscooksey7147 very interesting. 👍

[@jackgeisz2597]

Would like to have you make 6MM ARC, 24 or 26" thin or straight fluted, maybe have the chamber cut long for heavy bullets.

[@terrybritton1355]

I would have thrown in .243 win for low recoil option for up to whitetail and mule deer. The low recoil knocks down flinching for precision shooting especially for youth, women, or someone who has been shooting magnums and heavy waterfowl/Turkey loads too much. My son took a trophy whitetail at 296 yards last fall.

[@williamhall7349]

You’re so right about that on everything you said

[@GeorgeKennedy-p8b]

Try out the 7mm-08

[@Hollywood41642]

Have five barrels from my TC love it

[@richardstephens5506]

How about the 375 H&H Mag. I have one for my encore barrel and the recoil is not that bad. 375 H&H is a good long range round.

[@kwalsemann3919]

How about a35 Whelen

[@MatchGradeMachine]

We build quite a few! A popular choice!

[@donaldhanger9807]

I have a pro hunter and have a 30-06 deadly accurate never had to use a second shot best single shot out there no exceptions.

[@markchambers2812]

Enjoy this , what optic did you go with ? Thanks 😊 newbie here .

[@brandonbrown4250]

I really like this video and the information you presented... could one be built in .338 win mag?? Just curious.

[@boohdan]

MGM makes many different caliber barrels for the Encore.. and even custom caliber requests !

[@paulharveu526]

6.5 PRC, 7mm Rem Mag, and 270 WSM

[@SoCalGrandpa67]

7mm rem mag, 6.5 Creedmoor & 300 win mag?

[@bobbygreen2291]

Great choices for the calibers ,,,ammo availability today is a big deal ,,even for guys like me that have reloaded for fifty years ,,wish I had one of each barrel

[@markchambers2812]

Do you build TC handgun hunting pistols ?? I’m wanting one . Mark south Louisiana

[@davidmiller5563]

What does a custom MGM 7 mm Remington mag cost??? And how long does it take to get one?? Question

[@mgmbarrels3299]

For a standard rifle barrel, they start off at $475. That price can change depending on what options you choose. It does take us 10 to 12 weeks to get a barrel built.

[@charlessmith7649]

Please help me understand I've always been told by high-end guns method break barrels are the worst thing for your scope and scope mount and that they can't be as accurate as a bolt action

[@mgmbarrels3299]

This can be a concern when using any high pressure cartridge on any type of action. Like with these cartridges we tested in this video, as long as the scope mount and rings are all torqued to spec you should have zero issues. As far as accuracy is concerned, this comes down to the shooter. There is more focus on the consistency in every action you take as the shooter for best results. Closing the action and setting up behind the rifle consistently every time all goes into the accuracy of a break action weapon. As long as you can master your actions, they are just as accurate as any bolt gun.

[@thevoyageur2152]

I have an Encore factory 7mm REM Mag w/ a 26” barrel and I find it too front heavy. How many fps would I loose if I went to 24”? Love the gun. Am also thinking of a 416 REM Mag barrel but don’t see it on your site. Do you still chamber this round?

[@dgf41780]

I guessed 2 out of 3... I wouldn't have guessed the 6.5 ever...

[@ejsocci2630]

I have two.300 WM and love it

[@fedup3582]

How do you get the extractor to work with the belted case? I had a 7mm rem mag barrel and it was a major chore, dealing with the belt/extractor situation.

[@jamescole1234]

Yes 7mm rem mag & 300 win mag

[@danhughes3626]

300 win mag...it does everything well

[@Rippinsmallies]

Had a 22-250 in encore, it shot ok. Had a .243 pistol barrel it shot great. I still have my Muzzleloader, it shoots great. I have a .204, tack driver. Note: some of these barrels have a counterclockwise twist does anyone know why. My 243 pistol and my 22-250 were like that. My Muzzleloader, 308 and 204 are clockwise. 🤔

[@demetriuscooksey7147]

I'd like to see a top 3 video just like this one for the Contender. A lot more limited in cartridge size and pressure so would like you to include cartridges that a guy might need to handload for.

[@50-110nut]

If you install a muzzle brake to the 300 Winchester mag it will kick less than a 308

[@Mr.Obvious-]

Is and 10 inch barrel to short for and 308 round if so what would work in my encore

[@tomforeman4976]

This is exactly why I like the falling block rifles unlimited frame and single shot accuracy. Buy a gas gun if you want light and also fast.

[@fedup3582]

On the belted magnum cartridges, how do you get the belt to clear the extractor, to load and unload?

[@mgmbarrels3299]

Due to the design of the Encore, belted mags are harder to load and extract. We do provide enough movement with the extractor that you should have no issues with loading but if you try to pull out a spent case in a hurry they have been know to catch on the extractor.

[@AA-fg3wj]

I would have guessed a 25-06 with a 26" barrel would be be in the top 3. Guess I was wrong...

[@jaymiller393]

Lil too light for big game in my opinion. I’ve got one and it’s a laser beam for white tail deer in Louisiana!

[@timothyparks2531]

@@jaymiller393 100% agree. The ol' "quarter bore" is a great for whitetail, but a little light for elk, moose, and big bear.

[@petebentley3156]

For my rifle I use a 26 inch 7mm magnum.a 28 inch 308,28 inch 25/06 and a 28 inch 308.plus my t/c 50 calber and 45 calber muzzleloader barrels,all barrels made for my by e. Arthur Brown out of Minnesota.except my 7mm magnum barrel and my 50 calber muzzleloader barrel that was factory straight from t/c back in 1998.and I do have a 20 gauge shotgun barrel I use with it for squirrel and turkey hunting,plus I've got e. Arthur Brown making me a 22. Calber rimfire barrel scope ready for it to now.and my 25/06,308,6.5 creedmoor all were made with threaded barrels for my muzzle breaks plus I had my 7mm magnum barrel threaded here at home at my local machine shop.and all my barrels just plan shoot great.plus a bought me a laminated left handed thumbhole stock for my t/c in rifle and muzzleloader and shotgun to.so as you can see I do love my t/c encore prohunter rifle and muzzleloader and its barrels.i may try to get me a 44 magnum or 357 magnum barrel for it and make it into a hunting pistol,but I already have a fue of them already that I really like well right now for my deer hunting fun and needs💯🇺🇲🤞👏👍👌😁‼️

[@charliejackson7918]

Hi logan. Do you make a 376 steyr barrel.

[@robertmartinez3948]

I have a 7mm Remington mag in the TC encore.

[@rogermarshall3971]

I see you use a Magneto speed chrono would that be your suggestion in a chronograph?

[@MatchGradeMachine]

we have a magnetospeed and labradar. Both are excellent.

[@harolddalesr8365]

V​@@MatchGradeMachine current reloading books specs are very close. If you are low on bucks , stick with the reloading book

[@everettreid701]

Where can I get a Thompson Center Scout rifle chambered in the 350 Legend for decent price

[@ronaldfox1277]

What about the 264 win.mag

[@sthomas7263]

to hard to find ammo when in the boonies

[@capt.j.toddwalker2028]

Awesome choice

[@LouDiPietro]

What was the barrel length you tested the 300WM with?

[@mgmbarrels3299]

26"

[@joefrommontana252]

I’ve been looking for an Encore frame from anywhere I could get one. So far I’ve found, MGM, SSK, Haus of Arms but nobody sells frames. Everyone has pictures, but nothing actually exists to sell. Is it possible to get one anywhere or are they gone for good? If anyone could educate me I’d greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

[@saltyOG]

I believe SSK will be making an Encore frame in the near future. As for now Gunbroker has them often.

[@adamtedder700]

That was my 3 picks

[@jeffwilkins3052]

Do a video for Dangerous Game please. 🙏 A 375 JDJ is a bit too weak. 🤗

[@myronheyward6429]

Does it come in 308 round.

[@terrybritton1355]

Yes, you can get 308 Win barrel or any other to swap out. This is a really cool platform.

[@doghousedon1]

I'd swap the 300 mag for a 243. You already have the 7.

[@theprfesssor]

Anyone looking for more power then 300WM or 7mm Rem mag they MGM does make a barrel in 8mm Rem Mag....... .... ... ....If you dare

[@harolddalesr8365]

Have 3 barrels from MGM , good barrels

[@50-110nut]

I need a 24 in 50 Alaskan barrel probably about a 850 diameter stainless steel

[@michaelelrod4546]

What scope mounts?

[@mgmbarrels3299]

We recommend one of our picatinny scope mounts, but any TC factory mount will work.

[@bennyfisher4415]

I've had great results with Talley mounts.

[@tomnguyen658]

300 wm and 6.5 prc

[@GeorgeKennedy-p8b]

Don't forget the 35 whelin

[@edwardabrahamiii3742]

I want 1 chambered in 7mm rem mag

[@50-110nut]

Do you think you can build me a 50 Alaskan barrel

[@MatchGradeMachine]

There are limits to what the T/C platform will take, which is why you cant find certain chambers being made for it. That said, you can rest assured that we'll only build you a barrel that will be reliable and safe for your many years of use. Have a look at our many offerings to see what might interest you: matchgrademachine.com/chambers-list/

[@darinwolfe3619]

270 Winchester TC

[@ashleydog45]

6.5 Creedmoor

[@ervinruddick5430]

7mm mag I like...

[@ervinruddick5430]

In 26in barrel

[@hometowntransportation2724]

8mm

[@glenosborne9807]

I'm a 25/06 heavy barrel shooter, but that's just me, an old hillbilly.

[@Silverxxx450]

300 win 6.5

[@fedup3582]

Sorry, I guess I already asked that question.

[@Hollywood41642]

300RUM...

[@tonydunlap2182]

308

[@BananasFroggy]

Gotta be ½" y'all!

[@CaffeineThrottle]

.300 WinMag all day.

[@82delta]

I guess I am just too old fashioned.. I do not want a magnum and don't want anything without a rim. To me all single shots need a rim for nostalgia sake. My top 3 would be .275 rimmed Rigby aka 7X57mm rimmed Mauser, the .30 U.S. Army aka .30-40 Krag and the .45-70 government.