Looking to Build a .338 BR or .338/221 Thompson Center Encore
 

I hunt in a suburban area and get hassled by neighbors frequently. I think this gun would solve this problem.
Here is what I think I want to build based on some research I have done. So I was hoping that you guys could play devils advocate and poke some holes in my plan and make some suggestions.

Thompson Center Encore .50 cal muzzleloader base gun. (I am a sporting goods dealer and I can get them at cost since it is not a rifle. :) ) Then have someone make me a integrally suppressed 338 Whisper ( 338 Whisper #2, or 458 Socom) Barrel 1/8'' twist 16-18" length. I'm planning on doing subsonic hunting with 300 SMK's ( or 350 Wildcats ??? or Leighs??? are either available?) Where I hunt 100yds is a max. Will a 338 still take deer? Which is easier to reload? Action movement isn't a problem since the T/C is single shot. Correct? Do you need a special reamer to shoot 350's?

If this sounds like a good idea... What would be the cheapest way to get this? I feel like a barrel shouldn't be very expensive but how much is it going to cost to get it suppressed? Would it be cheaper to get a 16" barrel and buy a suppressor separate? I kind of like the idea of having a 16-18" barrel length overall... would make walking though the bull briars that much easier.

Thanks for your input

Match Grade Machine can make the barrel. About $350. Have 16.5" barrel with Ops Inc sup - 24" in 300w. Liberty Suppressors, Elite Iron can whip up the internal. Bag a deer? Oh Yea!!! Lehigh will have the 338 for sale soon. Check out their 245 gr bore riders. Have been thinking on having another barrel made 375-08 for subs. Good luck on the suppressor. Have been waiting on one to be transferred to dealer for 11 months!

Have Matchgrade Machine make the barrel you want but the length that
Doug at SRT can build a integral for you.
Call Doug and tell him what you want and the caliber and bullets you
want to shoot and he will give advise of the barrel length and twist you need.
then call Matchgrade and order your barrel and have them send it to SRT
to get the muffler job.
Your TC barrel will look like this when done and will be shorter and quieter
than any thread on can you will find avalable, I have 13 very good thread on cans that I use on many calibers and none of them are as quiet as a SRT integral.
The SRT integral is a reflex can that goes over the barrel and has
a large internal chamber that helps make it so quiet.
13 inches of can and 18 inches OAL on this one makes it easy
to pack through the woods.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/a...integral2w.jpg
I have a 22lr, 9mm, 45acp, 44mag and 458 Socom, all integrals now
after I compared them to my thread on cans at the Silencer shoots.

Unfortunately, the TC Encore in muzzleloading configuration is classified by the BATFE as a firearm - not a muzzleloader. It is a Title I firearm. The same paperwork and approval process must be followed as if you were actually purchasing a rifle, because a regular rifle barrel can be used with the action (as you suggest.)

one thing to think of when hunting around urban areas with subsonic rounds is that i've noticed a lot more ricochets with my 300 whisper than with normal speed rifle rounds.

keep that in mind, they are quiet but they sure do bounce well;)

you should see 650 grain ap rounds :eek:
I often worry that Newtons Law is gonna intersect with Murpy's Law on of these days.

Guess I will have to give Doug a call. Not having any luck with the other one. - Spook, Have you ever dug them out of the backstop and used them again? Clean them up, pop them in and go again!

Hunter, never tried it. We have a lot of rocks just under the capture medium and I'm guessing they'ed be too deformed.

I'll dig for a couple in the spring when it all thaws out and see if I'm wrong.:smile:

I usually shoot into large pieces of wood. After so many rounds it starts deterating and I find a lot of lead. As long as they are spared hits from other rounds they are fine. Have been finding 180's that have been shot backwards in the 300 also. Great shape. ( Have even dug a TC bullet out that passed through a deer. Reloaded it, and he is the only fellow I know of who has shot 2 deer with 2 shots using the same bullet!)

redtazdog - How is your forearm attached? Is there room for 2 screws? Or does one of them attach to the suppressor?