OK - I am looking to get a barrel chambered in a rifle caliber to hunt with for my Encore frame. I have heard .270 to .308 and more. Does anyone have a recomendation or advise from experience. I will be shooting factory loads (I know, I know...just how it has to be right now....). I am use to recoil of .44 magnum in a 12" out of this gun, so something comparible in recoil would be prefered.

Thanks for any help,
Jim

In a rifle cartridge give 7/08 in 12" a look, handy yet powerful enough for your app. In a handgun cartridge give the 454 Casull a look..esp if, as you say, you don't mind recoil. That way you can use 45 Colt ammo...for light practice loads (seriously).
The new 460 XVR from S&W (may) also be an option from the TC custom shop(Fox Ridge on the web). But with a 200gr SP bullet at over 2000 fps, generating 65,000 psi it may be too much of a good thing. If you like recoil - believe it or not I know someone who does - this may just be your ticket.
The last recommendation is a bit tongue in cheek, nevertheless there are folks who are snapping up the revolver version at $1,200.SRP.

For a less expensive but very accurate alternative to the 460 S&W revolver option [which is not a bad suggestion at all BTW] you could purchase a 44mag Encore and have Mike Bellm rechamber it to 444 Marlin.

Mike's chambering philosophy and practice produces extremely accurate barrels, as Mike puts a true throat into the chamber which supports the bullet as it travels intop the bore, unlike the common practice of cutting a revolver type forcing cone in the throat area.

Here is a link to his website:
Bellm TCs Website

As well, Mike has a wonderful machined in brake that reduces recoil tremendously. His brake only takes up 1 1/8" of barrel length, has no bulge on it, does not interfere with the front sight, and cannot be misaligned with the bore since it is referenced off the existing bore. THe brake also employs an expansion chamber inside in addition to the gas venting holes you see in the sides, so gasses build up in the chamber against the slightly larger than caliber sized constriction at the opening, causing a much better braking effect than gas venting holes alone.

The 444 Marlin as a rechamber of an existing 44mag barrel is an appealing option when contemplating hunting with existing factory ammo.

In addition to factory loads from Remington and Hornady, CNC cartridge as well as other ammo firms like Buffalo Bore ammo produce really interesting loads in 444 Marlin as well.

Here is a link to the CNC Ammo website:
CNC Ammo

Here is a link to the Buffalo Bore Ammo Website:
Buffalo Bore Ammo

The length of the carteidge cleans up the factory chamber in the rechambering process, provides a match grade chamber, and you have the option of a machined in brake.

Here is a pic of the same machined in brake on a 44mag barrel Mike made me.

I have a encore in the 308.Just took a nice 4 point with it here in Vermont yesterday.I like the 308 it shoots great.Recoil not to bad,but it is a hand full.

My vote would be for the 308. It has excellent long range potential and with the proper bullets you can shoot everything but the big bears.

I have a 308 also. You say that factory ammo is what will feed it. The 308 has a huge selection of factory ammo avaliable with all kinds of bullet choices.

well, ended up with a 15" 7mm-08 in the Encore for whitetail. I do have a super 14 in the .30-.30 I picked up from osok that is a tack driver with 170 grain hollow points at 100 yards. should be quite devistating to a stinky ole hog.

MLMC

Good choice. My Striker 7-08 is cracnking out some impressive velocity with handloaded 154gr bullets....2700fps!!! Now I just need to get it bedded and the groups will come together.

The 7mm-08 or the .308 either one would be a great choice in my opinion. Had a .308 barrel for a few years and haven't had any problems with the caliber. As far as ammo, I'm like you, I get mine off the shelf and have never really gotten into reloading. I have had some problems out of the Hornaday Light Magnum ammo. After checking around the best I could come up with is that the cartridge is geared for a barrel of at least 24". From what I gathered it has a slow powder burn and in a shorter barrel it loses a great deal of energy past 100yds.
Good luck this season.