Well I went to the shop yesterday and checked out a few MLs, two of which were the T/C Omega and T/C Encore in .50 caliber.

The stocks I looked at were:
1) T/C Omega Camo Synthetic with Camo Barrel
2) T/C Omega Camo Synthetic Thumbhole with Stainless Barrel
3) T/C Encore Camo Synthetic with Camo Barrel
4) T/C Encore Composite Wood Thumbhole with Stainless Barrel

#1 I thought felt OK in the hand, and I didn't really like the comfort of the standard stock.

#2 felt very nice, sleek thin grip, positions the hand very well and much better than its counterpart standard stock.

#3 felt awesome, shouldering this gun with the low throat of the grip and vertically tapered stock were a dream. This gun just comes right into position every time and feels great

#4 also felt very good, great shouldering and the thumbhole stock is beautiful but a little bit bulkier than the Omega and creates a little disposition in my trigger hand. Not uncomfortable, but I found the standard stock to be more comfortable and suited for my shouldering.


I am interested in getting a camo synthetic stock (synthetic being primary) and either a camo or blued barrel. I can't figure out the rant and rave about stainless and it just doesn't seem like a good hunting "color" for the lack of a better word. I guess they are anti-glass in a matte stainless finish so perhaps that's moot?

So, now the questions.

1) Anyone that has a camo stock/camo barrel combo, any downsides? I did notice the camo barrel dipping on the Encore and Omega already had chip marks where the hammer meets the back of the breech/primer. Obviously this is going to happen under use, but these were brand new and out of the box. I asked the dealer and he said he's had his camo barrels through a ton of brush and they hold up great.

2) What's the real difference with stainless vs blued vs camo. I kind of like the camo look but have concerns about the camos staying on. Second choice is the blued because its a bit darker but also has a bit of shine to it (I'd prefer matte). Stainless just seems like a standout color barrel and I can't decide if that is good or bad for hunting.

3) Anyone that has an Encore what's your opinion on it? Cleaning wise? Shooting wise? Accuracy wise? Range wise? Bullet and powder selection (dealer recommends Powerbelts and Triple 7)?

One other concern I had, although I really liked the comfort of the breach opening mechanism on the Encore is that it pulls towards you. This very nice as it is at your finger tips rather than having to ratchet it the other way like the Omega.

The downside to it is that I can see walking in the woods and snagging a branch or hitting a tree and it catches that breach hook and opens the breech. Not a big deal, just something that popped in my head as I was looking at it.

I don't think the Omega would suffer this as it opens the opposite way and can't really happen unless you are carrying your gun backwards?!?!

OK that's my initial review thus far, any comments/experiences/opinions would be great! ;)

BowhunterNJ,

I have the encore 12ga. turkey gun. in my opinion you cant go wrong with the encore. cleaning of the gun is very easy, remove the fore end, push out the pin, and remove the barrel. Thats the great thing about the encore, remove the barrel and replace with another ( shotgun-rifle-muzzleloader ) same gun. I also have a couple of contenders, basicly the same gun. SS and blue, I prefer the SS. the steel that they use in the encores and the older contenders seem to rust very easily.
As for accuracy, they are very accurate. Range is only limited by caliber selection. and with the encore, you have many to pick from.

sorry if I sound like a commercial for T/C but they're great guns!
just my opinion.

Mike

I have a stainless omega with the camo synthetic stock. I like it, it shoot very well, decent trigger and easy to clean. Actually shoots better than the 300WSM I just got at 100 yrds. The only thing I don't like about it is when you drop the trigger guard to pop in a primer it clicks pretty loud. Also loading it with sabots is pretty damn hard after a couple shots...actually real hard but I think thats why it shoots so well. I have a few buddies with Encores, beautiful guns but from what I've seen they dont shoot any better for the price.

Dave

stainless? synthetic stock? primer? thumb hole? What are these terms?

Get real muzzleloader. Get a flintlock! Go traditional!

I'm with you Flint...mine uses a fuse

I have the Encore synthetic stock and stainless. It is by far my favorite gun to shoot. I'd like to buy a couple more barrels for it just because of the way it feels.

Friend has an Encore he has been using since they first came out. He has had some issues with corrosion down in the trigger mechanism due to black powder use. He had to get a new trigger installed due to all the corrosion from black powder. Either use 777 or be sure you somehow clean down in there well. Other than that issue, he loves it, has several barrels for it.

I have a Walnut/blued Encore in .50 cal. and it is my favorite gun because of the looks and the way it comes up to shoot. The only downfall on a synthetic is the recoil goes along with it. The nice thing, and wise thing, to do is to buy the Sims recoil pad to go with it. My cousin has two Encores one is wood and the other is synthetic. He changes barrels on the synthetic and leaves his muzz. barrel on the wood one. In my opinion the Encore is the best shooting gun on the market no matter what barrel you put on it. I like it that much. I am buying a high power barrel this year, either a .270 or a .300 mag.

composit stocks are moisey!!!