Description
The Thompson Center Encore 12 Gauge Slug (T/C 6024R, the Encore Pro Hunter Field) is a single-shot break-action slug gun with a 26 inch fully rifled stainless barrel, a 3 inch chamber, a stainless receiver and a black FlexTech synthetic stock. It comes without sights and is drilled and tapped for a scope.
Thompson Center Encore 12 Gauge Slug Overview
The Encore is the break-action platform that made Thompson/Center famous with deer hunters. One frame accepts a wide range of rifle, shotgun and muzzleloader barrels, so many hunters own one action and several barrels. This model is set up for slugs: the bore is fully rifled to spin sabot slugs for accuracy well beyond what a smoothbore can manage. Lipsey’s lists a weight of about 7 pounds, an overall length of 40 inches and an automatic hammer block safety.
Rifled Bore and Slug Choice
A fully rifled barrel is built for saboted slugs, which are the most accurate option and can reach out to 150 yards or more with a good scope. Foster-style rifled slugs work but tend to lead the rifling and group worse. Buy several brands and test them, since slug guns are famously picky about what they like.
Single Shot Discipline
You get one round, so the Encore rewards careful shooting. Reloading is quick once you practice it: press the trigger guard spur, the barrel drops open, the empty extracts, and you drop in a fresh shell. Many hunters carry spare shells in a buttstock cuff or belt slide for a fast second chance.
FlexTech Stock and Recoil
A 7 pound gun firing 1 ounce slugs at high speed kicks hard. The FlexTech stock flexes slightly under recoil to soften the punch, and a good recoil pad helps more. Expect recoil similar to a heavy deer rifle, and keep range sessions short until you are used to it.
Scope Mounting
There are no iron sights, so plan on an optic. The barrel is drilled and tapped for bases, and a low-power scope or a red dot with a slug-friendly reticle suits typical whitetail distances. Use bases designed for the Encore barrel contour and check them after the first few shots.
Swapping Barrels
Because the Encore frame takes interchangeable barrels, you can add a rifle or muzzleloader barrel later. Barrels must be fitted to and checked on your specific frame, and some states regulate how barrel swaps are handled for hunting. Buy additional barrels through an FFL or the maker as required.
State Laws and Ownership
Many states and counties restrict deer hunting to shotguns, muzzleloaders or straight-wall cartridges, which is where a rifled slug gun earns its keep. Pennsylvania permits slugs in deer seasons. Shotguns are not covered by handgun rosters, but check your state hunting rules and confirm with your receiving FFL before ordering.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Thompson/Center Arms
- Model: Encore Prohunter Field, 6024R
- UPC: 810180301145
- Gauge: 12 gauge, 3 in. chamber
- Action: Single-shot break action
- Barrel: 26 in. fully rifled, stainless steel
- Capacity: 1
- Receiver: Stainless steel
- Stock: Black FlexTech synthetic
- Sights: None, drilled and tapped
- Safety: Automatic hammer block
- Overall length: 40 in.
- Weight: about 7 lb
Before You Buy
Federal law requires long gun buyers to be at least 18 years old, and the shotgun transfers at your FFL with a Form 4473 and background check. Budget for a scope, bases and a few boxes of sabot slugs for testing.
Who It Is For
The Thompson Center Encore 12 Gauge Slug is a great fit for deer hunters in shotgun-only zones who want a dedicated, accurate slug gun on a platform that can grow with extra barrels.
Buy the Thompson Center Encore 12 Gauge Slug at MAG5 Firearms
MAG5 Firearms is a family-owned FFL in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Order the Thompson Center Encore 12 Gauge Slug online and ship it to your local FFL dealer, or browse our full selection of firearms for more shotguns. For factory details, visit Thompson/Center Arms.
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