Reeder Custom Guns - Weatherby chamber encore barrel safe ammo?

Not trying to cause any problems or any hard feelings but a Google search came up with a previous post by Mr. Reeder on the encore not being compatible with the weatherby cartridges and I'd like to get his input on a situation I have. My father was just given a custom encore rifle in 240 weatherby built by ssk industries. I know there's been some info about weatherbys being a no no in the encore but the old fella that gave it to my dad used it for years in Wyoming on antelope and deer he i think even hunted with Ken French and crew on some T&C sponsored hunts. (I know he used handloads exclusively and the shells he sent with the gun all use starting loads in nosler and hornady manuals). Since the 240 is really a belted 06 case it's smaller based then the normal weatherbys so I know that helps and I know ssk is a famous outfit and don't think they'd build something dangerous ( I called them and was told they don't recommend factory norma/weatherby ammo because of overpressure ammo but handloads are fine but just be sensible and it's fine they said)and the gun locks up fine no wiggle or opening on firing or anything. But i'm pulling my hair out trying to figure this one out. Is the weatherby problems the factory ammo and adventurous handloaders? Have you ever tested the 240 in the encore? I told my father I'd treat it as a starting load only gun and he's ok with that so it's basically a hot 243/6mm but I'm not a gunsmith so I'd appreciate any information on what to watch out for with this one.

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head honcho of the TC custom shop. Ernie and I hunted together at the Celebrity Handgun Hunt several years. On one of the hunts he asked me if I was building any belted magnums. I told him I had built a few 300 Win Mags and maybe one or two 7mm Mags. He said it would be good if we didn't chamber any belted magnums as they had had a lot of problems with guns coming back in stretched and ruined. I mentioned the main problem we had had was the problem of the belt going over the extractor and in some cases breaking the extractor.

Anyway after that we quit building any belted magnums. I figured Ernie knew more about what the Encore would handle better than I did. That was the gist of my statement on belted magnums in the Encore. One has to remember there are no locking lugs in the Encore like on a rifle. The Weatherby rifles boasted of having 9 locking lugs to keep the gun together and the bolt out of your face. The only thing holding that Encore together is that little flat bolt. Once that goes your face is the next thing in line. An Encore is nowhere near as strong as any bolt action. Pure and simple. As far as the fellow using it for years with a Weatherby magnum and he had no problems, when does his luck run out? It only takes one hot round. I sorta figure if Weatherby thought they needed 9 locking lugs, then maybe an Encore was a foolish thing to run a belted magnum thru.

Just my humble opinion. It's your eyes.

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I have a custom that Gary did for me in 458 Lott. I am running Hornady 510 solids in it. They are factory loads and all the entertainment you can stand. I have had Jason Duboise from Smith and Wesson at my home for a hunt and he has looked at the gun and does not recommend the cartridge in this plat form. I also have a 16 inch barrel in 300 win mag. I have had trouble with some of the different brands of brass not allowing the barrel to completely lock up due to the slight difference in belt dimensions. I use Winchester brass exclusively with no problems. The belt does make it some what of a pain when clambering or clearing the gun due to the extractor. If you do end up with a belted cartridge in a TC you will find it easier to chamber a round if you rotate the cartridge as the belt engages the extractor. With all the cartridges out there with out a belt that will do anything you want I would shy away from a belted case in a TC. But hey I seldom heed my own advice let alone anybody else. I had a different company build me a 16 inch 500 nitro barrel. After they completed it and got one of their hands to shoot it one time they cut the barrel in half and refused to sell me one and said they would never build another one. Now that would have been the (Ultimate Howda Pistol)

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If they're unsafe? The 7mm Rem Mag and 300 Win Mag are still current offerings. Doesn't make much sense to me.

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I was talking about the 458 Lott. The concern seems to be bullet weight, pressure and dwell time causing a lot of wear and tear on the frame in the area of the barrel pin. I didn't say they were unsafe. The guns are built to handle factory rounds in 300 and 7mm. I am just suggesting the use of a belt-less case for ease of function. The 375 ruger is a wonderful cartridge and I also like the 35 whelen

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bought them out they put them back in the line up. S&W has no idea how the encore or G-2 work.

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Weatherby chamber encore barrel safe ammo?

my info came from Ernie French years ago when he was the

TC Encore 458 Lott handgun

HI KELLY! HOW ARE YOU AND RENEE DOING?

We are doing great just waiting for June

Hope to see you there

CAN'T DO THE TRAVEL

Well I guess Renee and I will have to come visit

SOUNDS GREAT!

Still smelling cigarette smoke in the meetinghouse?

I've wondered why they still offer the belted magnums...

TC Encore 458 Lott handgun

the old original TC dropped them. When S&W

Agreed. I well remember when they dropped them...