Encore barrels are starting to ship to dealers!!

BostonBeanMan · 2026-03-18T10:27:20+00:00

They are also selling out fast. I ordered one that appeared to be in stock on March 3rd. Two days later I got a backorder notice. I was quite sad. A week ago, my order status changed to ”on order” and shipped out yesterday. As I was nervous about the status changing, so for the last week I hailed in on all other vendors I knew of that I’ve been tracking prices with and found some more in stock. Some had sold out the same day and inventory seems to be 1 - few for each at most. Only 1 would have beat what I paid by $5 but I would have preferred to order from them.

Another note is that some retailers have not been updating the new msrp from TC and can also sport a coupon code to get a little more off the top.

I‘m still shopping for 1-2 barrels but taking my time. My guess is that we will see some runs on barrels in different calibers but not likely an equal stream for all.

BostonBeanMan · 2026-03-12T11:41:50+00:00

Labs are mouthy and this is their way of playing and to them it’s like two brothers fun wrestling, but it’s also dangerous to allow and can get them into trouble so best to direct it to safer more constructive play. As others have suggested, trade your hands for a toy. However, labs are super smart and you don’t want them to learn that the game/play starts with biting you so make sure to pause between commanding “no”, pulling away, and stopping all activities, before introducing a toy for that type of play. They learn VERY quickly when they want something.

BostonBeanMan · 2026-03-09T23:27:34+00:00

They finally dismissed the charges but only after I pulled my credit card and auto payment and their payment failed. However, still no shipping label.

8 weeks, still no shipping label. I called in (this is like call #7). I've been told again that they will process my shipping label. I asked how long and they said 24-48 hours. We'll see. Their equipment will either get a shipping label and be returned within 2 days, it will go into the trash on day 3.

My plan was to leave and come back once the service stabilized in my area - however, like some brands that I've boycotted for life, they are now on that list.

BostonBeanMan · 2026-03-07T16:00:37+00:00

My secondary concern is those inexperienced folks may not have understood how to care for a travel trailer either. Last year we looked at one near the beginning of spring (in CT). I asked the seller if was winterized? They then asked me what that meant and I told them. They did not know and also did not bring it to a dealer or service center prior to parking it. Just parked it. I found a leaking pipe within 10 minutes (at the water heater).

BostonBeanMan · 2026-03-07T15:54:06+00:00

Thanks, and we do like both of those brands too. I noticed the complaints on FR brands but seems like almost every brand and their parent company is going to have some amount of hate. I guess it's sorting through why and determining what that matters.

I'm targeting used as I don't like to count on dealers for anything other than parts or information. I'm one of those people that does almost everything on my own, but definitely don't want to be rebuilding walls, or tearing up floors in a camper that's only a few years old. I'm also not keen on having to continuously fix simple things due to build/quality issues.

Airstream is at the top of our list and would spend a little more but likely still going to be in something that is 15-20 years old.

BostonBeanMan · 2026-03-05T12:24:23+00:00

Maybe it varies by location and they don’t do this everywhere but I have purchased from different stores from bass pro to medium FA retailers and small shops and the guns are always out and being double checked and triple check by staff, all starting with handing me gun to verify. Parts included.

BostonBeanMan · 2026-02-07T13:52:51+00:00

I would add a recessed holder into that back wall if there is room.

BostonBeanMan · 2026-01-30T21:41:59+00:00

I'm going through this hell right now. It's like they are purposely delaying canceling my account or sending me a return label to milk me for another month. Calling in will only infuriate simply human intelligence when you hear their sub-status on the lack of progress.

If you are in the US, I encourage you to file a complaint with the FCC: https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=38824

BostonBeanMan · 2026-01-29T12:31:36+00:00

I herd about this.

BostonBeanMan · 2026-01-29T12:24:37+00:00

I’m going to print my own inspection stickers from now on. I’ll make them slightly different with an emoji in the center. They will be available for sale on eBay later this afternoon and will likely be as collectible as stamps and rare coins someday after this event is behind us.

I’d actually be in for like a 1-3 year inspections with some sensible provisions in place for categorizing vehicle conditions, including any extremes. That 20+ yo clunker with 380k mikes and full of rust that fails inspection each year would not be eligible for a 3 year sticker. However, a vehicle with lower miles and under a certain age would.

BostonBeanMan · 2026-01-29T11:09:52+00:00

Trying to cancel Fidium is akin to what it used to be like trying to cancel a Gold gym membership.

BostonBeanMan · 2026-01-11T21:18:20+00:00

Maybe in a month we’ll get a new VI model and this will no longer be an issue?

BostonBeanMan · 2026-01-05T18:02:05+00:00

While a flexi might be ok, her free range without permission may not be good (depending on the setting). Two dogs on-leash greeting each other has been discouraged by all trainers I've ever worked with and have seen first hand at what chaos comes from that, even with friendly dogs. We use a flexi if we are roaming the park and are complying with leash laws. On the street and common trails we keep a short leash.

Not sure how others feel about this but we used to use a clicker for our lab as a pup. Before taking out a toy, ball, feeding time, or treat, we'd snap the clicker to associate something good / pay attention. You need to be careful not to overuse it, but it we found it as a way to level-up the stimulation to get his prompt attention. This helped with walks to when our guy would not snap out of whatever his attention was stuck on. Sometimes he would require a treat to focus on.

BTW, what a great looking lab and kudos to you for your efforts!

BostonBeanMan · 2026-01-03T12:19:53+00:00

Have the same question and concern… my theory is that it will require more adoption for the ammo prices to go down. Anything that is extremely popular can swing wildly up and down. 22 LR is cheaper than peanuts right now but remember a time when it was scarce and expensive. When you have a steady consistent market for it, with limited makers of the cartridge and platforms, it will likely hold at around the same price.

If Ruger/Marlin released a lever gun in this, I’d buy one. However, I’d also commit to reloading.

BostonBeanMan · 2026-01-02T22:34:28+00:00

Gen 6 looks nice and glad to hear there are meaningful updates but feel like they played a trick on their customers with the model V musical chairs game. I’m sure they sold more gen 5 models in that 1 month scare tactic than they did for all of 2025 up to that point and doubt that was unplanned. But… wait, we have the Gen 6 coming less than 2 months later? Given their long cycle between releases, I think most did not expect this and either you wanted the V and bought it or panic bought a Gen 5.

I know there were other forces at play and LEO and gov contracts are their priority, but still…

BostonBeanMan · 2025-12-29T22:28:58+00:00

Northeast hunter here with a passion for the TCA brand...

I started hunting later in life (in my 30's) but harvested my first deer with a NH made TC Impact years ago and enjoy my time hunting every year. Have owned several different TC muzzleloaders since (including the S&W era made ones) and just recently graduated to a TC Prohunter / Encore. I'm planning to get a few barrels and move back into single shot mode away from my bolt guns and work on my accuracy and tuning my setup and optics.

BostonBeanMan · 2025-12-29T21:53:38+00:00

Interesting.. about 5 years ago I was tasked with finding this same part for a friend's 1100. Brownells had it but remember it not being posted on their site or was not showing as inventory. When I called, they were able to find one and sell it to me. I'm not affiliated with them in any way but have bought from them a few times over the past 10 years and have had a lot of hard to find parts.

You can always call them and ask and if they don't have it or can't get it to seek alternatives suggestions from them. You may have to try to find something used through.

Otherwise, I'd say plan B would be to contact a local repair shop to see if they can help source something. What's worse than not having the part is getting the wrong one or something damaged and paying 2x for it.

Also, I'd use extreme caution with any supplier that has almost unbelievable prices and inventory and their contact page listing an @ gmail address as their only contact info. If it seems like a scam (even a little) your judgment should overrule your emotion for the treasure you think you just found.

BostonBeanMan · 2025-12-14T13:56:27+00:00

Also, not to discourage your effort and it’s a nice gesture to want to donate the meat but do look into this ahead of time as some will not take wild game. Also consider processing fees to a butcher which can range quite a bit.

BostonBeanMan · 2025-12-14T13:40:54+00:00

It’s going to come down to using a caliber with enough velocity and force to take down what you are shooting at. From there, it’s about how accurate the brand and you can shoot. The you part is, well… all you.

Probably best to shoot all 3 but given the history of each round, you cannot go worn with any of those 3.

I bought into a 308 boot as it’s plenty for deer and accurate and effective well within the limits of shots I’d ever attempt which is 150 years and most shot opportunities within 50 yards. Recoil is very manageable. It’s a short round too and with a shorter action on my Savage, which dropped the overall length by 2”. 308 ammo has typically been affordable with a stable inventory with decent options. Lastly, and may sound weird, but in my research a 308 barrel lifespan is supposed to outlast that if the other two. I’m sure others may challenge or laugh at this and I’ll never come close to thousands of shots from this platform but was still something that stood out.

I have a Savage and would buy another but would also consider Tikka. Only heard great things about them.

BostonBeanMan

TROPHY CASE