Thanks to all for the feedback. junebug, thanks, I'll put up with does that die with a sneer on their faces!

Yesterday I bought a used 7mm-08 blued barrel in great shape inside and out for my S/S Encore and it looks and fits fine. I'm sure it will shoot well too.

Unfortunately, my deer season is done. But the good side is I got a nice sized doe on opening day, so the freezer is not empty of venison. We get one firearm deer per season here. (You can get a doe permit to hunt shotgun in the more populated WMU of the state, but I didn't apply).

Looking forward to learning to shoot the Encore and reload for it. Thanks again.