Encore 20 gauge barrel replacement for whitetail

KTP · Dec 17, 2024

In Ohio we can only hunt whitetail with a shotgun or straight wall cartridge like a 350 Legend etc. Anyway, I have a rifled 20 gauge barrel on my Encore that I would like to replace with a barrel in a straight wall rifle caliber. Any suggestions? Shots will be 200 yards at the furthest.

Berrnard · Dec 18, 2024

350L is all the rage for us now and shoots well. I want the 400L, it is superior to the 350 in every way but there is little support compared to the 350(guns-there are many makes and models for the 350, 400 there are only a couple and i think we are 3 years out since the cartridge came out) and factory ammo-currently and for the last year winchester makes 2 loads for the 400...thats it, not to mention reloading supplies non existent for the 400). But my dad just bought a 400 in a savage and there is a ruger im eyeing.
so getting that off my chest, to your question. i assume theres a 350 barrel out there but prolly not a 400. the 350 has a big following so far for us straight wall folks and you will have no issue getting supplies.

pgothro · Thursday at 6:31 AM

I know EABCO has both because I have been looking at and reviewing what I want. Certainly available for Encore at MGM and BellemTC's. I have narrowed it to .375 Winchester, 360 Buckhammer, 350 Legend, or 400 Legend. I will be reloading so that will be the main factor I consider.

Berrnard · Thursday at 7:19 AM

pgothro said:
I know EABCO has both because I have been looking at and reviewing what I want. Certainly available for Encore at MGM and BellemTC's. I have narrowed it to .375 Winchester, 360 Buckhammer, 350 Legend, or 400 Legend. I will be reloading so that will be the main factor I consider.

if reloading is put in there, 350 for sure. ample supplies already and im sure it'll grow more. even hammer has a couple pills for the 350. the 360 and 400 look so good on paper but it has just not taken off.
imo, winchester put all its marketing behind the 350. then the enigineers made the 400 and winchester was like, ehh we need to market other stuff, sorry. with the 360 it seemed to come out during the bankruptcy/buyout thing so that may be a big factor.

Buttermilk · Thursday at 7:22 AM

Me, personally, I might take a long hard look at the 450 Bushmaster. Appears to be a good 250 yard sledgehammer.

Rosebud · Thursday at 8:13 AM

45-70 is always a good option. Hits like Thor"s hammer in modern rifles. 444 Marlin will still work. These are not the cartridge that is new kid on the block, but look at the power of both compared to the latest on the market.

Berrnard · Thursday at 9:39 AM

Buttermilk said:
Me, personally, I might take a long hard look at the 450 Bushmaster. Appears to be a good 250 yard sledgehammer.

ive read a lot where the performance isnt worth the recoil and the not pleasent to shoot factor. but i have no personal experience with that one.

Smokey Joe · Thursday at 9:58 AM

I'm old and old school.
Love my 45/70
Cartridge has been doing the job for a long, long time.

Buttermilk · Thursday at 10:42 AM

Berrnard said:
ive read a lot where the performance isnt worth the recoil and the not pleasent to shoot factor. but i have no personal experience with that one.

Nothing that a good muzzle brake wouldn't take care of. Good ones like Muzzle Brakes and More work extremely well.

Wolf76 · Thursday at 11:01 AM

Depending on your states restrictions, the 444 marlin and 45-70 are off the table.
I shoot many straight wall cartridges here in Michigan. 45 raptor, 450 bushmaster, 350L, and my own wildcat (44 Havoc which runs a 225gr bear creek bullet at 2950 fps). If I were in your shoes, I'd look hard at the 41 great lakes cartridge. Really well balanced cartridge. It's new so give a second to catch on. I'm underwhelmed by the 350L.

meatyrem · Thursday at 11:10 AM

KTP said:
In Ohio we can only hunt whitetail with a shotgun or straight wall cartridge like a 350 Legend etc. Anyway, I have a rifled 20 gauge barrel on my Encore that I would like to replace with a barrel in a straight wall rifle caliber. Any suggestions? Shots will be 200 yards at the furthest.

MGM barrels or SSK or bullberry. They all make them for encore. I had 460s&w barrel made by SSK

meatyrem · Thursday at 11:18 AM

Also I think there isn't a case length restriction in Ohio as long as it's straight wall. The only thing with the 350 is it uses .355 inch and the reason they came up with the 360buckhammer is it uses the .358" which are the rifle bullets the same used for 35 whelen or 358 win 350 rem mag and so on. Supposedly to have the ability to use .358" rifle bullets

KTP · Thursday at 12:02 PM

Copy that and appreciate the info. Also considering just picking up a 450 Bushmaster in a bolt gun….

norsemen308 · Monday at 10:50 AM

Berrnard said:
ive read a lot where the performance isnt worth the recoil and the not pleasent to shoot factor. but i have no personal experience with that one.

a 450 Bushmaster kicks no more than a .410. I am always miffed when people start talking about .450 bushmasters being mules.... any other centerfire rifle cartridge...heck a .243 kicks harder than a .450 bushmaster.

Encore 20 gauge barrel replacement for whitetail

KTP

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