The Encore Pro Rifle Does it All For a Great Price (A 2 Minute Review): When you think of the perfect gun, the most important factor that probably comes to mind is versatility. Thompson Center created the Encore Pro Hunter rifle to meet that exact need because it’s capable of being used for anything from home defense to hunting.
The reputation of Thompson Center is that their guns are reliable, and I wasn’t disappointed. It took a while to put 100 rounds through the single-shot Encore, but I only had one issue. A bullet got stuck in the barrel and I had to clean it to get the bullet out, but you’ll hopefully never have to use that much ammo in one go. The Encore Pro Hunter Rifle is currently available in .243, .30-06, or .308 as a complete rifle. It can also be chambered in .223 or .308 as a pistol.
One of the best features of the Encore is that the break-action barrel is interchangeable, so the overall length varies. I use a 28” barrel and the velocity is worth noting, but I do feel like the accuracy is affected by the type of bullet I use.
Personally, the best results come when I used 140-grain rounds but you also have to maintain a clean barrel for better accuracy. The good news is that the frame and recoil don’t get in the way, because the pistol grip feels sturdy no matter what weather I fire it in, rain or shine.
The stock is made with FlexTech and takes out any recoil that I could notice, especially with the inserts that make the buttpad soft. Considering the Encore weighs about 8 pounds, I was surprised at how little it kicked.
I loved how easy it was to switch out the barrel because it’s just a couple of screws and a pin, but the cleaning’s a little more complicated. I recommend getting the E-Z extractor to make things easier, but with practice, it goes smoothly.
The Encore’s hammer is ambidextrous and the rifle has a great balance, but it doesn’t have a safety. With that said, I haven’t had an issue as long as the hammer stays closed. The trigger tension feels firm at about 5.5 pounds, but it mostly functions well.
If fast reloads are what you’re after, it might take some oil and use to get there because the break-action means you’ll be manually reloading. It only holds a single shell, but the reduced rifling makes it faster.
For just under $800, the Thompson Center Encore Pro Hunter rifle is a fantastic addition. Because the rifle is interchangeable and the swap is so simple, you can easily make the Encore fit any situation. You won’t be able to find much better versatility and accuracy for such an affordable price.
Richard Douglas writes on firearms, defense, and security issues. He is the founder and editor of Scopes Field, and a columnist at the National Interest, 1945, Daily Caller, and other publications.
