I just won the bid on a barrel, scope, dies, and brass package on Gunbroker.com, and now I need to figure out what I got myself into. I think the WVHitman has a barrel in this caliber, does anybody else? They say insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result. Then I must be insane, because this will be my third foray into Encores after I have sworn them off twice. I will never go to Africa or Australia, but the deal just seemed too good to pass up. Any and all insight or advice on this one will be greatly appreciated.

Hang on !!!!! DUCK!!!!!!

Mech 8, you bet I have one. I love it!! Took a charging elephant at 12 yards, a charging lion at 24 yards. Cape buffalo at 35 and 80 yards, and the #2 handgun roan. In addition I've taken around 20 deer and 40 groundhogs. Every one of these animals except the elephant were one shot kills. I'm most proud of the two buffs. They're supposed to be bullet sponges for the rifle guys. One dropped at 80 yards. The 35 yarder ran 5 yards.
The elephant took 3 shots since I shot just under the brain, but it was a hoot-screaming, ears extended, running hard. Biggest adrenalin rush I ever had in my life.
What this gun does to groundhogs and deer is very ugly, killing with extreme predjudise.
You got a good one. PM me for load info.

DOC, ITS AMAZING THAT YOU SURVIVED, NOT THE CHARGES, BUT SHOOTING THAT 416 TAYLOR THAT OFTEN.

Mech 8 and Rey, I actually consider my .416 Taylor very manageable. It's more user friendly than my 7 1/2" FA .475 Linebaugh. The gun has some weight to it, helping a lot. I shoot only full power loads to "relive the experiences".
The fish gill muzzle break helps a lot with recoil, but is brutal on bystander's ears, even with protection. People at my local range recognize it. When I pull it out everyone gets up and stands 10 yards back until I'm done shooting.
I like recoil. I consider it my "gentile" brutal beast.

I read a lot and I have done a few interesting things over the years but I am always entertained by the writings of the hitman. You can entertain and inform even in the few brief paragraphs of a post reply. You really should compile a book from all of your stories in The Sixgunner and here on this site. Great stuff. Thanks for that.

Congrats on the new barrel! Look forward to hearing how you like it. If you can find a copy, Gary did a good article on the 416 Taylor in the Fall '04 issue of Handgun Hunter Magazine.

The 416 sounds like quite a sledgehammer. Enjoy the power.

The cover photo on my Handgun Hunting DVD is Gary's .416.

I didn't know that. It looks like he switched the 2X out for a 2.5-8X when the DVD cover pic was taken. Since I pulled the DVD off the shelf I might have to watch it again tonight.

I have a 416 Encore pistol. One shoot kills on Cape Buffalo and black bear. Most powerful handgun I have ever fired.

Well it's been awhile since I originally posted this, but I do have a follow up for those interested. The barrel, scope, mount and rings, RCBS die set, and about 80 pieces of formed brass showed up when I was on vacation out of town. When I got back I found that the full length sizing die was missing the expander/decapper assembly, and didn't come with a shell holder. I looked online and found someone selling a LEE die set for $30 and free shipping so I ordered it and set about to find some bullets. By this time the WVHitman and I were emailing back and forth about what I needed and where I might get what I needed. I found some old Hornady 400gr RN bullets at my local shop for cheap so I grabbed them. Per the Hitman's recommendation I secured three boxes of Barnes 350gr TSX bullets. These puppies aren't cheap, but then again I found that nothing in .416 caliber is. Once all the components arrived, I proceeded to load up the Hitman's pet loads and they look awesome.




Initial firing was done at 50 yards. The scope rings that came with the package were the standard SSK vertical split aluminum, and I replaced them with three Warne low mount. Not that I didn't trust the SSK rings, but the Warne increased the weight by 4 ounces. Total weight of this rig unloaded is 6 pounds 4 ounces. The first shot was with the 350gr TSX, and I was a little apprehensive. After a few deep breathes I finally let the first one loose. The recoil, and the noise from the brake were not all that bad. I reloaded and sent another down range. I then walked down to look at the target, and couldn't believe that both shots were touching but about 2 1/2 inches high of center. I went back to the bench and moved the scope down and reloaded. The next shot was dead center. I then shot two more and walked down to the target again, this time finding all three shots making a very small cloverleaf in the center of the target. YES!!! I figure the previous owner probably had it sighted for 100 or 150 yards, but for now I was good with 50. I then loaded the 400gr Hornady round and sighted for the same target, as I wanted to see if there was a different point of impact on these. After 3 rounds of the 400 grainers I walked to the target again and found they had made their own cloverleaf that was at the bottom edge of the one made by the 350 grainers. No need to aim differently at this range. Next up an expansion test at 50 yards. I normally use 3 one gallon jugs filled with water backed up by a box packed full of rags to catch the bullet. In this case I decided to use 4 jugs. Set everything up at 50 yards and fired the 350gr TSX. Water and jugs went flying. Went to check the rag box for a bullet, and sure enough there it was pretty as a picture. Retained weight 348.8 grains, and expanded to .735 inch. Now I needed to try the 400gr Hornady RN. Set up the jugs and box and sent one down range. Water and jugs went flying again, but this time there was no bullet to be found. The bullet traversed the 4 jugs and about 18 inches of folded/packed jeans, towels, and other related items, and kept on going into the other county. WOW!! I could line up several deer or hogs and get them with one shot! I must say that this is definitely a fun caliber in an Encore pistol. The Hitman says that what it does to a deer is so ugly, it's pretty. My thanks to the WVHitman for all his wisdom, advice, and encouragement throughout this process. I couldn't have done it without him!

You're welcome, Brett. I enjoy sharing what I've learned with other handgunners. I noticed your barrel is fluted. Mine's not, so it's a little heavier which helps even more with recoil.
Checked my records and my barrel has had a little over 900 rounds through it. Still shoots as good as yours.
Go out and kill something. What a gun!!

Thanks for the report!