T/C Encore Upgrades Part 1: Bullberry Barrel Works -The Firearm Blog

A custom Thompson Center Encore break action pistol is on my short list of must-have unique guns. The one thing that has kept the Encore on my wish list and not a reality (besides the cash reserves) is caliber choice. For a pistol this special, it needs the right round to make it all worthwhile. If I had to pick right now, I’d go with a match chamber .22 long rifle. One option for a fully custom Encore is Bullberry Barrel Works.

What is it about a single shot pistol that has so much allure? For me, it’s the blend of steel and wood alongside match-grade accuracy. On top of that, a break action gun is about the biggest departure from tactical, polymer, billet and nylon you can get without going full muzzleloader (which Bullberry can also provide).

Anyway, here’s a quick look at the options available for a custom Encore build. Keep in mind that barrels will run $300 and up, wood stock sets $400 and up and complete builds will start at around $1K. Lead times range from 3-6 months depending on options and wood grades. But the end result is a beautiful performer.

Bullberry Barrel Works @ TFB

BullberRy Standard barrel features:

Premium quality chrome-moly and stainless steel blanks, CNC turned for a non-stressed barrel of unbeatable performance
Wide choice of lengths
Comprehensive selection of calibers
High polish, semi-matte SchotchBrite®, and dull beadblasted finishes
Variety of contours
Original free-floating forearm hanger system (on T/C barrels)
11º recessed Bench-Rest crown
Drilled and tapped for scope and/or iron sights as requested
Precision chambers, cut and polished to minimum dimensions
Optional Bullberry Muzzle Brakes (reduces felt recoil by 50-80%)
Guaranteed Accuracy

T/C Encore Upgrades @ TFB

Pick A Caliber:

Caliber/Chambering: http://www.bullberry.com/encore_barrels.html#calibers

T/C Encore Upgrades @ TFB

Pick A Barrel Profile:

Full Bull target barrel — straight 1″ diameter to the muzzle
Heavy Varmint taper — muzzle diameter of .850″
Medium Varmint taper — muzzle diameter of .800″
Light Varmint taper — muzzle diameter of .750″
Heavy Sporter taper — muzzle diameter of .700″
Medium Sporter taper — muzzle diameter of .650″
Light Sporter taper — muzzle diameter of .600″
Barrels with smaller muzzle diameters can be accomodated, dependent on their bore dimension.

T/C Encore Upgrades @ TFB

Bullberry Wood Grades:

Utility
Standard (includes in stock laminates)
Medium
High (includes special order laminates)
Exhibition

T/C Encore Upgrades @ TFB

So, what caliber would you pick?

Bullberry is a small family-owned/operated company and our primary focus has been the same since 1983: manufacturing custom replacement barrels and woodwork for the Thompson/Center Arms break-action firearms. Also available with our handmade attention to detail and accuracy are custom barrels and woodwork built to improve a wide variety of bolt-action pistols and rifles, and select falling block actions. All of our products manufactured to replace factory original items are made to higher tolerances and quality standards than can be offered by production manufacturers mass-producing firearms and firearm components.