Im a former hardcore bowhunter who has been outof the game for a few years and recently got bit by the hunting bug again. I just cant bring myself to buy a bolt gun and join the masses. Ive been looking at the Encore and have a couple questions.
1) what is the effective range of a 44 mag Encore with factory loads on whitetail? I know it depends on the shooter, but what is a reasonable goal to work towards?
2) same as above but for the 454?
3) is a 454 as accurate from a 460 barrel as it would be a dedicated 454 barrel?
4) is the Simmons handguns scopes in the 100$ range likely to hold up to a 44 or 454 for a season or two while i save for some good glass?
Thanks much!

If you can put the bullet there 44 should be good for 125 easy id say the same to a bit farther for the 454 but I have no experience with it it definitely has the power though 454 is probably not going to shoot ad good in a 460 but it depends on the gun my 357 contender will do 1 hole 30 yard groups any day with 38 spec cast as for the scope I don't know but it should hold up to a 44 id imagine

Handguns are the way to go. A true challenge.
1) 150 yds. I've done 180 with a .44 revolver
2) Add another 50 yds. Get a .454 barrel.
3).460 doesn't give you a lot more except recoil. Deer can't tell an extra couple hundred fps. No .454 in a .460. Repeated firing builds up a lead or copper ring. Put a .460 in and you have pressure problems. Accuracy affected- no definite answer. All barrels are different.
4) New Simmons, I don't know. Old 2 1/5-7X Simmons I do know. They'll stand up to about anything. I have 2 on guns that a lot more the .460 for 14+ years. Unbelievably tough. Look on the internet for a used on. A truly fantastic scope.

My 12" Encore 44 has a 2x Nikon scope. I load 240 grain XTP's using H-110 and have it sighted dead on at 50 yards. At 100 yards I can put 3 into an inch and a half, and they print right at 2 inches low. I limit myself to 100 yards using this set up. I am sure the gun and load are capable for more distance, but under field conditions, and my hunting areas I feel I don't need to go any further.

I have a 14" CVA Optima Scout V2 in 44. I have taken 2 bucks this season with it. I do not currently re-load so I am using factory 240 grain SJLFN from Magtech, about as basic as you can get. Simple reddot from Truglo relatively inexpensive setup. I believe I have less than $400 in the entire setup. First deer went about 40 yards and dropped (I pulled the shot a bit too far back). The second deer went 1 inch and dropped. 44 Mag will take anything in North America.

I believe 44 mag is good choice lots of factory ammo

One of my hunting handguns is a .44 Rem. Mag.(although not an Encore)and I think a realistic goal is 100 yards. Of course with a lot of practice you'll know how far out you are confident in taking a shot. It'll be different in the field than when range shooting. You'll improve over time and perhaps reach out farther.