Nope, I measured it again just to make sure, and it's 1/16 under 15 inches long over the break. Of course the last 1.2" or so is unrifled inside the break, but I still call it a 15" barrel. I bought this one second hand, so it may not be factory original with the muzzle break, but it is a factory barrel in .308 Winchester.

Ok, I figured it out...

I just took a look at the T/C website at...
T/C Encore Barrels
and the Encore Barrels ARE listed at 15" !

I have a Contender, and thought that there wasn't any difference in them. I also thought tat the Barrels were interchangeable between the Encore and Contender, is that true, or am I wrong about that too ?
(ie: you could use either barrel on a Contender Frame)

PS:
Never mind, did some reasarch...
http://www.varminthunters.com/tech/contencore.html
They won't interchange.

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Scot

Good Golf, good Aim, and anyting else that makes you happy !

Not sure what your eye issue is, but do not let the fact that you only have one eye be a limitation (see my handle). I lost my left eye in 1983 when a bowhunter mistook me for a deer at dark and shot me in the eye with a broadhead tipped arrow. 2 years later, I was shot in the other eye with a shotgun while bird hunting. My remaining eye was seriously damaged. I had multiple retina tears, they had to remove the lens, and my pupil is malformed.

With that said, I have 20/15 vision in my remaining eye with the aid of very strong bifocals. I can shoot guns and bows very well. It just takes practice.

Feel free to PM me if you would prefer to discuss via that channel.
Good luck.
Dan

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Sorry, Rick. It's been a long time since I checked this thread. Yes, it's the Nikon EER. Not my favorite. After I get some decent glass for my 300WM, my next will probably be a bushnell elite or a weaver for this one. I'm nervous about getting another burris. my 2-7 is great, but I've heard some horror stories recently. Plus, word is that the bushnell's have constant eye relief, which would be nice. The 2-7 Burris is a permanent resident on top of my 7-08. I just need something that's going to stand up to the considerable recoil.

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Although personally I am quite content with existing explosives, I feel we must not stand in the path of improvement.
-Winston Churchill

What is it that you dont like about the Nikon scope?

Is this the one you are talking about getting?

Bushnell Elite Handgun 2-6x32 Multi-X 20" Eye Relief Pistol Scope FREE S&H EH2632S, EH2632. Bushnell Elite Binoculars, Bushnell Elite Spotting Scopes, Bushnell Radar Guns, Bushnell Radar Gun Accessories, Bushnell Binoculars

That's the one. The Nikon has tunnel vision, to me at least. Glass is fine, as are adjustments. I haven't shot the beast enough to know how it will hold up to recoil, but so far it's fine.

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Although personally I am quite content with existing explosives, I feel we must not stand in the path of improvement.
-Winston Churchill

Use to have a 15" 308 for my Encore, no brake, mild recoil. You can pick them up used for a couple hundred. The SSK and other custom barrel will run you some coin. But there nice. Just kind of depend on how much you want to spend.

You must have one heckuva handshake there HD!

Most folks who have shot a fair number of hand cannon rounds over their lifetime consider the 308 in an Encore a real handful. I'd be curious to know what you consider heavy recoil, for a handgun!

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Ask me about QDMA.

I would prefer a revolver as it gives you the option of additional shots if needed. As you are already running a 45 Colt, the 454 Casull would give you extra power but you could still shoot your 45s in it. Just my $.02 worth.

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A truely successful life is mostly based on how well you handle PLAN B.

Gonna be carrying my stainless Bisley / .45 Colt soon as a sidearm in elk country. With a 300gr. bullet at about 1,000fps, I wouldn't hesitate to shoot an elk in close cover.

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MikeG

[QUOTE=

Can you get a handgun that shoots a 300 WSM? Or is a 308 just as good in handgun barrel lengths? How about a 358 Win or 350 Rem mag?

Handgun hunting for big game is all new to me so am looking for ideas and recommendations.[/QUOTE]
Savage sold the stryker pistol in .300 WSM, .358 or .350 Rem Mag can be built Savage or XP100. Encore barrel can be had in .416 Rigby. I would think a good brake and one of those automatic welding hoods would be in order.

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If you are not the lead dog, the scenery never changes

The 300 WSM and cartridges like it work great in MOA Maximum's, XP-100's and Striker's.
You need at least 15" actual barrel length, then a good brake like Holland's Gen 2 Radial and the recoil is not much at all.
I shoot cartridges even bigger than that in a XP and MOA.

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Ernie

Yep, heading up to NW Colo at end of month and will be using Bisley 45 colt. Ruark said "use enough gun". Seems to work for me.

Can I ask why losing one eye would preclude you from shooting a rifle? I lost my left eye in 1983 and damaged my right eye in 1985 in 2 separate hunting accidents. My personal favorite rifle is my Winchester M70 Classic w/BOSS in .300 Win Mag. Recoil is light and it can take any elk that walks.

Just curious on the eye thing since I have lived that very limitation for nearly 30 years now.

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Now that's HAND CANNON!

Thanks for posting your thoughts on a 308 Win. When I tell people the recoil is no big thing they don't believe it. My 15" 308 barrel has a muzzle brake on it, so that helps even more. There is a noticeable difference between shooting it with and without the brake. I have two 45-70 barrels, one with a brake and one without a brake, they are both manageable when it comes to recoil. I have a 444 Marlin barrel for a Contender, it recoils, but the whole gun, frame barrel, and scope are lighter in weight than the 308 or 45-70's. Any of these three cartridges would kill an Elk, my preference would be one of the 45-70's. Bow hunters get close to their prey before a shot, there is no reason you can't do that same thing with a hand gun. I've made some long shots with my 30-378 rifle, but I try to get within 50 yards when I'm using a handgun, and most of my T/C barrels have scopes on them.

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A gun is like a parachute. If you need one, and don't have one, you'll probably never need one again.

I have had a 15" 460 S&W encore barrel for my rig for several yrs.

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If looks could kill we wouldn't need Handguns!!!