I've got a few Encore barrels but I'm looking for something out of the ordinary. Something that when you tell them what you're shooting they ask "Huh? Do what?"

I like fat cartridges so minimum would be around the .357 diameter. Straight-walled is a plus. And I do roll my own bullets. This should be fun.

50 Alaskan?

Something Exotic makes things interesting.
Some perimeters are needed:
Some cartridges are hard to get brass for. Bad Choice!
Some do not have good Bullets for a handgun. Bad Choice!
I am a big fan of a Rim on break open guns.
What are you going to do with it. Range Gun, Hunt Deer, Hunt Big Game??
Lead Bullets or Jacketed??
Flat Shooting or not an issue?

Checking out the Starline Site we have 444 Marlin Brass. That means the 444 based JDJ lineup will work with new brass available again.

They make 50 Alaskan Brass. That looks to have some potential. And it should work well with Cast Bullets. Looks like S4S4U just picked this while I was typing.

Looking for something impressive looking check out 500-110 Brass. Probably best with a custom cast bullet.

Just Some Thoughts.

Bob

S4s4u, stop with the subtleties 😁 That's a pretty good one right off the bat.

Bob, great insight. I'll be deer and hog hunting with it (bigger game probably not in the near future) and a little range time but not a range gun. I like the rimmed case too. The .444 based JDJ stuff is REALLY interesting!

Range is under 200 yards as my longest shots are 250-275 and I have my 7-08 for that stand.

Bullets are kind of dependent upon the caliber I go with. Not terribly dedicated to either.

357 Maximum
357 Herret
445 Supermag
357-44 Bain & Davis
38-55 Winchester
375 Winchester
50 Alaskan or 50 B&M Alaskan
Any JDJ cartridge based on the 444
500 Linebaugh

9.3x74R or the 9.3x82R, but I would stock up on brass when you find it.

I would go with a 375JDJ. In our circles its not unusual but most people have no idea what it is. I have it in both handgun and rifle Encore barrels and both are very accurate. Both shoot under MOA using 220gr and 270gr Hornadys. Its also very easy to form/load. Since Starline is making 444 Marlin brass there is no more waiting for seasonal runs. It has also been used to take pretty much every game species on the planet.

Karl, those are both very interesting but the brass cost alone is going to keep me away from those.

Pab1, I've been a JDJ fan for a while. This may be the chance to own and shoot one.

I spent a little time last night searching different cartridges. There are a lot out there that fit the bill.

356 win
Great for the old Encore.

It's too bad Hornady discontinued the 220 grain. I was rather fond of it.

If you want different 475JDJ or 475JDJx2. First is based on the 45-70 case second is based on the 450 Marlin. Also already mentioned I wouldn't overlook the 50AK.

How about a 458 Winchester Mag? Brass, dies and components are readily available, no fire forming - load and go.

Here is a picture from my tree pod via this link.
https://content-na.drive.amazonaws.com/c...wBox=1536%2C866

SSK 14 inch bull barrel w/ brake. It's scary accurate for a big bore. A hand-full of fun!
B...

The 225 gr. .375 Hornady is about as good as the 220FP and shoots a lot flatter. It makes the .375JDJ in to a moderately long range gun.

I didn't know they discontinued them. That's too bad.

Yep. They quit making both the 220 grain flat point and the 225 grain spitzer.

I had another idea for an exotic straight walled cartridge: the 405 Winchester.

Right now the .358jdj and .375jdj have my attention with the .338 coming in very close. I'm really liking the .444 parent case and availability of components.

The .309, .338 No. 2, and .375 JDJ's are all superb. If you're not going to hunt large buffalo, rhino, hippo, or ele. the .338 No. 2 would be my pick.

The 358JDJ was my first wildcat ~1995 Contender. Love the 358 caliber (hence the _358 in my name). I have taken several deer over the years with it and it?s certainly a whitetail hammer. So you are aware for decision making and utilizing the Encore frame, JD has the 35-06JDJ based on the 30-06 case. This will give you ~250/300fs more velocity over the 358JDJ. Those JDJ?s you list would serve you well.
B..

The 356 Winchester is much easier. No forming brass. You can buy everything commercialy

356 Case

Brass
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/643104/jamison-reloading-brass-356-winchester-bag-of-50
bullets
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/545716...nose-box-of-100

MGM can send both the 358 and 356 extractors if you want to ever switch to the unrimed brass

I am glad to see 356 brass available again. Winchester brass is pretty scarce now days. Uses 358 Winchester Dies with a 30-30 shell holder to reload.

I recommend doing some research on Bullets still in production,before making a choice. Hornady has dropped several bullets lately.

I left 357 Maximum off my original list, thinking it might not be exotic enough for you. It has a lot of good points. Starline Brass, 158 FP-XTP, and 180 XTP Bullets, Likes cast pretty well. Easy to load, and not real hard on brass. In an Encore you can really rev it up.

Bob

There are too much to choose from. And yes, exotic is prodding me somewhat. OK, a lot.

416 Barnes....475 JDJ.....416 Taylor....450 Alaskan

Probably the best all around is the 375/284 Win

You guys love stretching that brass!

You guys should go back to college and take mechanics of materials just for shits and giggles.

Well great. You just blew this wide open again.

Just for giggles, if you do the Shehane improvement to the 284 and then neck it up you have a tad more capacity....
Called the "284 Shehane."
Norma makes 284 Winchester brass now too.

One of our Legendary Handgun Hunters on this site has used the 375/284 on groundhogs to hippo. The 284 Win brass has no issues being expanded to .375, kinda like shooting the 375 JDJ on steroids. The 375/350 & the 376 Steyr are close matches

I read that JD Jones said the 338 Federal was close (a twin I believe) to his 338 JDJ. Assuming that is true, does the 375JDJ have a commercial twin? Just for curiosities sake.

Another thing I've found is the lack of chambering*** or even bore diameter available from TC for the Encore. So I've got a few options; buy a Contender already chambered in what I want or one with the proper bore size and have it re-chambered or order a custom Encore barrel.
***This is particularly frustrating because the Encore was supposed to be built for more recoil/heavier calibers. It looks like TC is only interested in selling what they want and not offering as many options as the Contender--which is what made TC who they are. I firmly believe people would buy the .35 R.E.M., 30/30 Win and many others that aren't offered.

Then again, it gives MGM, SAK and a few others a big stake in the game.

You have to keep in mine......TC isn't TC anymore, it's Smith and Wesson.

You have to keep in mine......TC isn't TC anymore, it's Smith and Wesson. [/quote]

Yes Sir, that's right. And it's a shame.

The 375 Winchester's velocities are a little lower but its pretty close to a 375JDJ.

Here's an article on it.
375 Winchester



Barrels in 35 Rem and 30/30 Win are often available used. The majority of my barrels were used and I either purchased or traded for them. I can't believe the price of barrels anymore whether new or used. It wasn't that long ago that most used factory barrels were around $100. I considered $125+ to be too much for a used factory barrel. Now its common to see used barrels going for $250. Even factory barrels were reasonably priced. Before S&W took over they jumped in price to near the cost of a custom barrel. I've talked to a lot of people who were interested in T/Cs but were driven away because of the increased price. Most of them were looking at a rifle setup. Pretty much every one said they could get a decent rifle for the same price as a barrel alone.

Pab1, you're right on the nose. S&W found the break point where they can sell barrels and guns without pushing everyone away. Maximum profit versus market saturation.

I don't mind capitalism and free market but I'll also use that to support the company I chose rather than staying with the plantation.

The only .35 and 30/30 I've found are in the Contender and I shoot an Encore so I'll end up using a custom barrel company.

I don't recall if anyone brought it up but have you considered a 35 Whelen barrel? Not a common round anymore and definitely something different. You can find them in rifle lengths and have it cut down. EABCO has them on sale. You could load it down to 35 Rem velocities or to standard Whelen velocities.

MGM makes 35 Whelen barrels at GREAT prices

I have a Bullberry .35 Whelen Improved barrel on one of my Encores. Very effective on just about everything in North America.

I have several different calibers in the Encore barrels.

I have 338 Federal barrel it has some authority and having brake on it is a nessecity for me anyways.

I am not fan of Reeder and his attitude towards customers however he has some really nice cartridges for the Encore and TC.

I have a 375 GNR it one of my most accurate barrels with a 270 grain cast HP. Reasonable recoil and plenty of power. The parent case is the 445 Supermag necked down to 375. you can get 2200 FPS from a 12" barrel with a 225 grain bullet.

JD Jones is an icon and super decent man that made much of what we enjoy in wildcats for the TCs. The 375 JDJ is the absolute best of the best big game cartridges from the TC platform.

Good luck with your journey it will be fun.

I started off with the .375jdj in mind, wavered a bit, really courting the .357 Max, back to the .375jdj, with interests in the .35 Wheelen, like the .356 and .358, .338jdj and .338 Federal, have a lot of .358 JFPs bullets, found the .375 Win,....

Guess I need to put them all in a hat, draw one and go with it. I'm imagining what my wife feels like in a purse store.

there are no "4"s in your list? 45-70 too normal? would 45-90 express be a little more exotic? Lots of history in those.

Just trying to make sure you have enough options