Author Topic: Encore 12 Gauge Slug Barrel (Read 632 times)

Seminole · « **on:** November 15, 2005, 12:42:39 PM »

Anyone have any experience with the Encore 12 gauge slug barrels? I just recently joined a shotgun only club and am looking for a good slug gun. Not sure if I should add to my Encore barrel collection or just go with a dedicated slug gun.

I'd be interested in hearing of any hands on experience with the Encore 12 gauge - accuracy / yardage, etc. Thanks

Steve E · « **Reply #1 on:** November 15, 2005, 07:48:28 PM »

No experience with the 12 Ga but I have a 20 Ga Encore slug barrel and it is an exceptional shooter. It shoots better at 100yds than my Mossberg 835 shot at 50 yds.
My worst groups with the 20 Ga was with 2 different kinds of Lightfield Sabot Slugs.

Steve E..............

Seminole · « **Reply #2 on:** November 16, 2005, 01:15:08 AM »

Thanks Steve - I did some research on old posts last night and it seems a lot of guys prefer the 20 gauge due to less recoil. And, it has good range with the sabots. It made me think twice about buying a 12.

Seminole · « **Reply #3 on:** November 16, 2005, 01:17:29 AM »

Does anyone know if the muzzle loader foreend will work on the shotgun barrel?

CT Bowhunter · « **Reply #4 on:** November 16, 2005, 01:40:35 PM »

I have a 12 guage slug barrel and love it :grin: Shoots just about every sabot I tried prettywell. Still playing to see if I can get better than 2" groups at 100 yards, why cause I have some time!!!!

I don't believe the BP forend will fit. I bought a forend for the shotgun. Also, the scope bases for the shotgun barrel are different than for the rifles and BP. It's a 1 piece 6 hole weaver base.

If anyone had a 20 guage in stock I'd buy one of those also.

Good luck.

Seminole · « **Reply #5 on:** November 16, 2005, 03:08:56 PM »

CT - What's your experience with the recoil? Does it knock your fillings loose?

CT Bowhunter · « **Reply #6 on:** November 17, 2005, 12:45:15 PM »

No not really, but I'm not a small guy 6'3", 275 lbs. Really depends on the load. The 2 3/4" Hornady SST's kicked like a mule, the Brennke, Remington, and Federal 2 3/4" sabots were okay. The 3" mag sabots from, I can't remember!, kicked a little more. It's really no different than my 12 guage bird shotgun. I have the synthetic, real tree hardwoods, thumbhole stock. It's sweet to shoot and hold.

In comparision for felt recoil from lighest to heaviest, the .50 cal (100 grains Shockey gold), 30-06, then the 12 guage. The 12 is probably about 30% more than the 30.06.

Hope this helps. Feel free to e-mail with any questions. I've been shooting this gun alot for the last week with each of the barrels. Went thru over 10 boxes of sabots, 30 ML loads and 4 boxes of 30.06 loads.

If your recoil sensetive, or not real big you might want to try the 20 guage. I'd rather have a gun that I can shoot well than a big gun that I shoot inconsistent.

Sweeeeeeeet :grin:

sk330lc · « **Reply #7 on:** November 17, 2005, 01:06:33 PM »

Seminole,

I've been playing with My Encore 12ga slug barrel alot the past few weeks... I'm like CT Bowhunter I'm a little guy too 6'1" 280lb The recoil is stiff But manageable..
Mine seems to Like the 2 3/4 1oz Federal barnes expanders. My smallest group is 1.25 @ 100 yards average is about 1.75" @100... It does well with the Hornady SST's about 2" @ 100 (check the post in shotguns and wingshooting.. ) I could go on about diff slug but I think you get the drift...

Over all I'm very happy with My Encore.. Hope to Kill A few Deer with it, in an other week or so...