T/C scope base?

[silly goose]

I bought a used Encore in 7-08.  It came w/a 2.5x t/c illuminated reticle scope.  That scope setup sits inside the base and is clamped w/two allen screws, it doesn't have "rings" so to speak.  I brought this gun to the range and sighted it in on a semi windy day.  I fired 13 rounds altogther, with the last five going into three inches at 100 yards.  I thought this was pretty good for the first time shooting one of these guns.  So today is kind of a lousy day, rainy, windy etc..., and I take my Encore out and practice some shooting positions w/it out the window.  I wish they had couches out in the woods, they make great rests.  Anyway, I was just admiring it and wiping it down when I thought I felt something move.  Hmmmm.  I move to a better light source and discover that the base is a bit loose.  Sooooooo.....  I remove the scope and find 3 screws, the second one in from the front is missing.  And someone, who I am not real happy w/right now, has screwed up that hole in the base w/some type of drilling process.  They went far enough to mar the barrel but that screw hole is still ok, and screws in just fine.  My question is, does anyone know where I can get another base and proper screw for this scope setup?  I know I can get different bases, but then I wouldn't be able to use this scope.  So I'm thinking the cheapest way out is to try and locate this style base.  I'm also thinking I may try and trade this whole setup for a 45/410 barrel, and let someone else do with it as they wish.  This scope and base would probably work fine for a lighter recoiling barrel, but I think for the 7-08 all four screws would be necessary.  Does anybody else have any ideas?  I would never part with this setup w/out first advising of its condition, I believe in Karma.

[Madmark]

I honestly didn't know they made that style base for an Encore... I wonder if it is for an Encore, or a Contender base modified to work.... Anybody know for sure??

[silly goose]

Thats the kicker, it doesn't appear that it needed any modification, all the holes line up, they just boogered that one for god knows why.

[woodchukhntr]

Is it a T/C Duo Mount?  Check the T/C website.  I would glue the base to the barrel with JB Weld as well as the remaining screws if I were in your place.  If you are reluctant to try JB, use a liquid threadlocker on the 3 remaining screws and tighten them down well.  I don't think that  you will have any problems with the 7-08 recoil, although you might with one of the big belted magnums.

[Keith L]

You may be able to make it work, but why?  get a good steel weaver style mount and Burris Signature rings and be done with it.  You will have a good mount system and it will not be a bubba job.  I assume you will want to hunt with that barrel, and you can count on it letting you down when you need it to work.

[Madmark]

I don't beleive you can mount this scope in regular rings, Keith. IIRC, they are not round, and they have a base lug on the bottom...
I'm also not sure what screws the Encore uses, but the Contender is a 6-48. If you like the scope, I'd chase the threads in the screw holes, and mount it like woodchukhntr suggested. I'd use red-loctite on the bottom of the mount and the screws, cause JB-weld would make it TOO permanent. 3 screws should hold it just fine.

[woodchukhntr]

I don't beleive you can mount this scope in regular rings, Keith. IIRC, they are not round, and they have a base lug on the bottom...
I'm also not sure what screws the Encore uses, but the Contender is a 6-48. If you like the scope, I'd chase the threads in the screw holes, and mount it like woodchukhntr suggested. I'd use red-loctite on the bottom of the mount and the screws, cause JB-weld would make it TOO permanent. 3 screws should hold it just fine.

JB Weld really holds very well, but can be removed by heating the base and barrel with a propane torch and cleaning the remaining JB off with a rough cloth.  If it cools too much, just heat it again until it softens and rub it off.  Works like a charm!

[silly goose]

Madmark, you are correct about the base lug. 

I feel much better about this after hearing how fixable this is.

Another question.  If this was your barrel and you wanted to swap or sell it, is the value dramatically decreased?  I personally would not have sold or traded this barrel without acknowledging this issue.  Someone got over on me. 

I am glad this seems to be correctable, but I was thinking of swapping this barrel, as I have a 30-30 contender on the way, and this one probably won't see much use. 

[tc scout]

Sounds to me like a rail mounted scope.
I had a lighted reticle scope with a rail mount on my old TC Scout muzzleloader.
It clamped onto the rail with 2 allen head bolts.

Maybe by chance the hole spaceing is the same as the encore.
Just a thought.

silly goose, Is the scope a post and dot reticle with no upper crosshair ?

[silly goose]

No, its just a normal reticle.

[lynneil]

I had a similar setup years ago on my Contender. The mount was only good for a particular scope that had the odd shaped lug on the bottom. The scope and mount were evidently made for each other, as one can not be used with out the other-no other scope will fit the mount and the scope can't be used with rings because of the lug. I still have the mount and scope in my obsolete parts box.

[luckydawg13]

i dont think i would trust jb weld on my gun fix it right get new base & rings think of that thertypoint buck

[Slowpoke Slim]

OK, I admit I'm not an Encore guy, but correct me if I'm wrong, don't Encore and Contender share the same mount screw spacing? Isn't the only difference the radius difference between the barrel diameters (with the Encore being larger)?

It sounds like someone put a Contender base on an Encore barrel. Without milling the bottom of the base, I would think there would be a noticeable gap between the base and the barrel? Can you notice anything like that when you mate them up?

I had a similar setup on my Contender for a brief while, it was a POS and I literally threw it in the trash. It wouldn't stay tight or hold zero. Mine was a "phantom" setup (if I remember correctly).

Get yourself a good Leupold or Burris base and some Burris signature rings and you'll never have another minute's trouble. Trade your TC scope on the forums here for another pistol scope, like a Weaver or Bushnell trophy.

[silly goose]

Slowpoke Slim, I think you are correct in that this is a base for a contender.  When "mated", there is a gap, with only the sides touching. 

[Keith L]

So, what you have is a discontinued scope that was marginally successful in the old days on Contenders, a buggered up base that doesn't fit well, and a barrel you don't know that you want to keep.

again, I recommend you get what you can for the scope/base, get a quality setup for base/rings made to fit on an Encore, mount it carefully on the barrel you want, and add a quality scope.  Then shoot and enjoy.

FWIW I normally use bedding compound under a scope base when mounting to make sure I have all the possible wiggle out of the system.  I put release agent on barrel and base first so I can take it apart.  If you have a need to use JB Weld you can use it for that. 

[silly goose]

I think you summed it up Keith, thanks to all for help in figuring out just what I had here. 

[rickyp]

You have an contender Rail mount scope and mount on an encore. this is not a good combination.

The scope and mount should be covered by T/C warranty. since they no longer make the rail mount scope if it should fail to hold a zero and you send it in they should send you back a new 1" tube scope. but when you send the mount in they will send you a contender mount back.