Michiganbowhunter_SQ2 Posted June 25, 2010 Report Share Posted June 25, 2010 Trying to decide if I should get a new ML, or just update the parts on my 6 year old Encore. By update I mean switching the stock and forend (to the prohunter ones), maybe a new barrel or a scope (I currently shoot open sights). OR should I just go out and buy a new ML?? I figure the money I would spend on upgrading (stock/forend/scope...anything extra) would probably be around the same I would pay for a new gun (and shoot that open sights as well). I figure if I buy an new one, then I can eventually convert the Encore in to a rifle only gun. What do you think? What would you do? BTW, the other ML would be a T/C Triumph. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrontierGander Posted June 25, 2010 Report Share Posted June 25, 2010 I wouldnt bother with the pro hunter stock. I'd invest in the laminated stock as its a much sturdier set up. New barrel? Bergara makes after market barrels for them and from what i read on www.bellmtcs.com Its best to just buy the frame and stock for an Encore and then buy the Bergara barrel for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michiganbowhunter_SQ2 Posted June 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2010 I wouldnt bother with the pro hunter stock. I'd invest in the laminated stock as its a much sturdier set up. Thanks but I'm pretty set on getting the pro hunter stock if I do this... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goinghuntin Posted June 26, 2010 Report Share Posted June 26, 2010 Getting a new gun is always fun Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted June 29, 2010 Report Share Posted June 29, 2010 I find a blued ProHunter every once in a while pretty cheap. I think they're getting very hard to come by though. For the most part if your encore is still in good shape and shoots well I'd say get ProHunter accessories for it. You've already got the QLA feature. Aside from that two key features I like about my ProHunter are the stock/forearm and the power rod. You can get a ProHunter stock and power rod for it and be in $120. The new breech plug designs are nice, but I haven't needed to take it out while hunting in the field yet. The swing hammer is nice, but a hammer extension can be picked up pretty cheap. That said, you can have a gun close to a ProHunter and throw in good a BDC reticle muzzleloader scope and rings for about $250. That'd bring you to just under $400 dollars, which is less money than a new bare bones version of a Triumph. Then just buy a forearm and rifle barrel down the road and have practically new ProHunter rifle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michiganbowhunter_SQ2 Posted June 29, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2010 I find a blued ProHunter every once in a while pretty cheap. I think they're getting very hard to come by though. For the most part if your encore is still in good shape and shoots well I'd say get ProHunter accessories for it. You've already got the QLA feature. Aside from that two key features I like about my ProHunter are the stock/forearm and the power rod. You can get a ProHunter stock and power rod for it and be in $120. The new breech plug designs are nice, but I haven't needed to take it out while hunting in the field yet. The swing hammer is nice, but a hammer extension can be picked up pretty cheap. That said, you can have a gun close to a ProHunter and throw in good a BDC reticle muzzleloader scope and rings for about $250. That'd bring you to just under $400 dollars, which is less money than a new bare bones version of a Triumph. Then just buy a forearm and rifle barrel down the road and have practically new ProHunter rifle. Yeah this is what I am leaning towards. The gun is still in great shape, I just like the looks and feel of the pro hunter stock/forearm. I'll probably get the black one so I can save a bit of money, then throw a scope on it. Was at Gander Mountain yesterday and they had a Nikon Omega BDC 1.65-5 x 36 mounted on a triumph. I really liked the scope, and since most of my shots are usually within 70-80 yards I don't think I would need much more than that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted June 29, 2010 Report Share Posted June 29, 2010 Yeah this is what I am leaning towards. The gun is still in great shape, I just like the looks and feel of the pro hunter stock/forearm. I'll probably get the black one so I can save a bit of money, then throw a scope on it. Was at Gander Mountain yesterday and they had a Nikon Omega BDC 1.65-5 x 36 mounted on a triumph. I really liked the scope, and since most of my shots are usually within 70-80 yards I don't think I would need much more than that. Yup getting the black stock and forearm makes sense. I agree if you're only going to shoot out to 80 yards then the lower power version is cheaper and will work. You may even want to look at a scope without the BDC reticle to save more money; sighted in at 100 yards, there's not much hold over/under. That said, I've got the 3-9x40 Nikon Omega with BDC reticle and the BDC works. I leave it turned down to 3x when in the woods or walking which doesn't change the point of impact for the top (100 yard) cross-hair. I then can turn it up to 9x where it's caliberated for those occasional shots that are farther out, which lets me zoom in enough to be accurate. The circles are smaller too which helps me aim more precisely. So, I'd check out both versions before you buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michiganbowhunter_SQ2 Posted June 29, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2010 Yup getting the black stock and forearm makes sense. I agree if you're only going to shoot out to 80 yards then the lower power version is cheaper and will work. You may even want to look at a scope without the BDC reticle to save more money; sighted in at 100 yards, there's not much hold over/under. That said, I've got the 3-9x40 Nikon Omega with BDC reticle and the BDC works. I leave it turned down to 3x when in the woods or walking which doesn't change the point of impact for the top (100 yard) cross-hair. I then can turn it up to 9x where it's caliberated for those occasional shots that are farther out, which lets me zoom in enough to be accurate. The circles are smaller too which helps me aim more precisely. So, I'd check out both versions before you buy. See, I really want the Nikon Omega, but I really don't want the BDC. Natchez Shooters Supplies has the 3-9 x 40 omega with the "nikoplex" reticle, but it is refurbished, and I really don't know much about their refurbished items and am hesitant, BUT the price is only $109.99, that and I don't think Nikon makes them with reticle anymore. Link: http://www.natchezss.com/brand.cfm?contentID=productDetail&brand=NK&prodID=NK8404BR&prodTitle=Nikon%20Refurbished%203-9X40%20Omega%20Riflescope%20NikoPlex%20%20Reticle%20Matte Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted June 30, 2010 Report Share Posted June 30, 2010 (edited) not sure about a refurbished scope. i don't know of anyone that has one, so I can't give any feedback there. if you don't want the bdc reticle then look into getting a regular but good quality rifle scope. it should take any abuse from a ML and hold it's zero with no worries. get what you think you want. meaning if a refurbished scope is going to make you worry about if it will hold up then if it does or not you'll be thinking about that and not everything else you need to do while making that one shot count. confidence in your equipment is huge. i saw it effect my uncle on the last out of state hunt we went on. Edited June 30, 2010 by dbHunterNY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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