Reviews of Thompson Center Pro Hunter Xt 209x50

Given its unequaled adaptability and, thus, versatility, the single-shot, suspension-action Thompson/Middle Arms Encore, which was introduced in 1997, was spring to get the most popular switch-butt firearm ever—even eclipsing its predecessor, the Contender. What distinguished the Encore from the Contender was that, due to the former's "beefier" frame, it could chamber high-pressure, hard-striking cartridges favored by hunters, such as the .300 Win. Mag. and .375 H&H Mag. Combined with a seemingly limitless array of butt lengths and quotient options, including wildcats and rimfires, as well as smoothbore and rifled shotgun and muzzleloader barrels, the stage was set for success.

Interestingly, despite the aforementioned inherent flexibility, some hunters opt for an additional Encore in lieu of swapping barrels, preferring to keep the rifle as purchased. Moreover, in states where rifles are prohibited but muzzleloaders are permitted for deer hunting, such as Iowa and Illinois, in that location's petty need—outside of a smoothbore or rifled shotgun barrel—to have barrel interchangeability; most of these Midwest hunters keep their Encores configured as muzzleloaders. Noting that trend, T/C appear the improver of the fixed-barrel Pro Hunter FX 209X50 Magnum muzzleloader to the company'southward muzzleloader lines.

Unlike its switch-barrel Encore Pro Hunter XT counterpart, the Pro Hunter FX 209X50 Magnum is a defended muzzleloader thanks to a non-removable, relocated hinge pivot that is incompatible with Encore and Encore Pro Hunter barrels. As such, in about areas information technology is classified as a non-FFL item. It is worthy of note, though, that the design makes accessing the within of the receiver for cleaning hard. Fortunately, the stainless steel receiver is coated with the company's Weather Shield protective finish. This, coupled with a well-designed breechplug, minimizes the run a risk to metal parts.

The lines and contours of the FX mimic those of its XT analogue, and functioning is identical, likewise. Pulling rearward on the downwardly extension of the trigger guard permits the muzzle end of the barrel to tip downwardly, thereby exposing the breech (and breechplug) for insertion or removal of a 209 shotshell primer or the breechplug itself. Additionally, the muzzleloader's design permits it to exist carried capped with the single-position hammer in the downward position; unless the trigger is pressed and held rearward the hammer cannot hitting the firing pin. As with the Encore Pro Hunter XT, the FX does not have an external safety.
According to a Lyman Electronic Trigger Pull Gauge, the exam rifle's average trigger pull weight was 4 lbs., 3 ozs. Although there was a hint of overtravel, there was no discernible creep. To enable easier cocking when the FX is topped with an optic, the rifle features a checkered, reversible (bilateral), blued steel "swing" hammer.

With the muzzle tipped downward, the user tin can access the grooved, stainless steel Speed Breech 3 breechplug for priming/de-priming or removal for maintenance. Touted as hand-removable, during testing we found that, fifty-fifty subsequently only a few shots, we needed the provided tool to remove the breechplug. The Speed Breech iii breechplug is of the fully enclosed (not exposed) pattern, which could impact its utilize in states with particularly stringent muzzleloader hunting rules. Lastly, because T/C sought an specially tight seal despite widely varying tolerances of 209 shotshell primers, when closing the FX it must be washed smartly then as to permit lockup, otherwise, the gun appears to be gear up to fire but the hammer cannot be artsy.

As with the receiver, the Pro Hunter FX 209X50 Magnum'south 26", 0.885"-diameter fluted barrel is coated with Atmospheric condition Shield to heighten its corrosion resistance, and its eight-groove, one:28" RH rifling is sufficient to stabilize all modern sabot bullets. To ease loading, the butt features what T/C coined "Quick Load Accurizer" (QLA); essentially, the last inch of barrel length is devoid of rifling. This as well protects the rifling from harm. Topping the barrel are Williams fiber-optic forepart and rear sights. The barrel is drilled and tapped for telescopic bases. Resting beneath the barrel is an anodized aluminum ramrod measuring 0.367" in diameter and threaded to accept 10-32-thread-blueprint accessories. Nearing the end of the ramrod, circumscribing it, is a ane½"-long department of checkering to raise purchase. In addition to a single Conditions Shield-coated thimble, the ramrod passes through the dual fore-end retention studs.

Lastly, the Pro Hunter FX, similar its XT sibling, wears a constructed FlexTech "recoil-reducing stock" that is available in black or Realtree AP camouflage. Embedded into the butt are semi-rigid inserts that are purported to reduce recoil; however, more realistically recoil attenuation is achieved by the unusually soft 7/viii"-thick recoil pad. Inserts at the comb, pistol grip and fore-terminate raise comfort and purchase.

For testing, nosotros mounted a Bushnell Elite 6500 2.five-16X 42 mm-DOA 600 scope in Weaver 30 mm detachable top-mountain rings on a jumpsuit Weaver base and assembled a drove of blackpowder substitutes, sabot bullets and primers and so we headed to the range. As for the evaluation procedure, after each shot the gun was swabbed with a Montana Extreme patch soaked with Birchwood Casey No. 77 Cage Magic Foam, two dry patches, then ii primers were fired to articulate moisture from the breechplug and the barrel. Between five-shot strings the breechplug was removed and cleaned, besides. Firing five consecutive, five-shot groups, the most accurate combination proved to exist Cutting Edge's 160-gr. MZL Raptor sabot bullet propelled by 2 .50-cal., 50-gr. Hodgdon Triple-7 pellets ignited by a Federal Fusion 209 primer. Nearly as accurate was T/C's 250-gr. Shock Wave Bonded bullet propelled by two .50-cal., 50-gr. Pyrodex pellets ignited by the Fusion primer. At that place were no malfunctions encountered during testing.

For those hunters who prefer the Encore's unique contours and ergonomic design but don't need the original platform's adjustability, or who simply want a reliable and durable muzzleloader, the Pro Hunter FX 209X50 Magnum represents a smart pick.

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Source: https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/thompson-center-arms-pro-hunter-fx-209x50/