MAX Muzzleloader: The Thompson Center Encore Pro Hunter Review

I had really started to doubt whether or not we would get this last data book complete and ready for sale, but we did! Almost all of the loads were done in the spring, it was just the chronograph part that seemed to drag on and on (and on).

But here it is, ready to go. This will be the last of the data books for this year and it has been a much bigger undertaking than either Kathy or I ever expected, a lot of work to say the least. We have now completed 5 data books, it has taken just short of three years. Thanks to you all for your support in buying our products, MAX is growing and it’s due to your support and the common bond we have, the great sport of muzzleloading.

This is the my review of the TC Pro Hunter that is in the book, and as you see, I love me some Encore and always have. This book has 34 outstanding loads for the long barreled Pro Hunter that is fitted with the Speed Breech XT.

Without a doubt, Thompson Center Arms has always been one step ahead of the competition when it comes to muzzleloaders . They’ve also been trend-setters of design and quality for others to look up to and be forced follow. Thompson Center’s unique ideas and designs have always been able to pull us in for a closer look and many, like myself, have purchased several TC products. But in any case, if you’re a hunter, you’ve wanted a TC product even if you’ve never bought one.

I purchased my first Encore Pro Hunter in 2009. As with all TC products, it was built with unsurpassed quality. I liked the idea of having an extra 2” of barrel to help add a little extra velocity to my loads. At first I was a little concerned about the Speed Breech XT, mainly because of its extra length, meaning the extra distance the fire from the primer had to travel. I could really care less about being able to remove my breech plug by hand or quickly but this is the only option to be able to get the extra barrel length. (The original style plug was fine, so why fix it?) But in the end, the Speed Breech XT proved reliable in igniting the market’s most popular powders.

As with the original Encore, just because the Pro Hunter CAN shoot a 150 grain MAGNUM load doesn’t mean it can do it accurately. So if accuracy is a must, it isn’t going to happen with a 150 grain MAGNUM load, not with anybody’s rifle. And loose powder will always outperform pellets, always. I did however do three things to this rifle before shooting it for groups and they were: 1) I broke the new barrel in by firing about 30 shots using a solid copper bullet using a controlled process; 2) I did a trigger job on the rifle; and 3) I replaced the factory hinge pin with an aftermarket pin that tightened the barrel to frame fit-up a bit. These three things are easy to do and well worth the expense and effort.

To say the Encore is versatile would be an understatement compared to others. With a frame and butt stock, a few forearms and barrels, you’re hunting almost anything in the world! The quality of TC products, outside of some custom stuff, is un-surpassed. There is nothing like the fit, finish and feel of a TC rifle. If you have ever owned one, you probably still own it and most likely own more than just one.

Thompson Center Arms products have become a part of our hunting and shooting heritage and they earned it by building high quality products. TC products aren’t cheap, but no truly reliable and quality rifles are. With the right fine tuning, good loading and cleaning techniques and load components, the Encore Pro Hunter will serve you well both on the range and in the field.

Thompson Center has done it again with the Pro Hunter, it’s a great rifle with multiple options at a more than fair and reasonable price and will be money well spent.