Flextech forend

[1jonmon]

E. aurthur Brown co.  Has a note on there web page for bergara full contour barrels that, if I'm interpreting it right, says flextech forends won't fit 26" full contour barrels.  Anyone know about this?
  http://www.eabco.com/cgi-bin/shopper.exe?preadd=action&key=206-4422S

[wallypedal]

1jonmon,

I have two black flex-tech forends. They aren't exactly idenitical, with differences in the stud mount. They were both for PH fluted rifle barrels, just early production vs. more recent.
Before I got the 26" Heavy contour Bergara, I had done enough sanding to provide ear clearance and float between forend and PH barrel. That forend is a "snap-fit" with the Bergara. I have to push it on, and then it is snug on both sides. A totally new accuracy concept
It's a .223, and has shot under .378" groups that way. So, my flex-tech forends fit my 26" heavy contour Bergara.

[1jonmon]

If I understand you correctly...I will have to modify the flextech to fit?  Whereas the original synthetic muzzleloader forend fits without modifying...?  How much "expertise" does it require to modify?  I have zero experience with encore's so I really can't visualize where the sanding needs to be done.  I don't think the flextech forend is as big a deal as the stock.  It's really just asthetics, IMO.

[wallypedal]

I read the eabco link, and it may be true a better fit may be found. I think for you if you need to buy a forend I'd get it from them based on their info.

I don't feel like I had to modify to fit the Bergara barrel.That plastic is pliable enough the forend will push on with minimal palm force. The Bergara website confirms "The full contour barrels are nearly the same diameter as the muzzleloading barrels and therefore the full contour center-fire barrels should be used with the muzzleloading fore end. If you have a T/C full contour you will need different screws to secure the muzzleloading fore end to the full contour center-fire barrel. The screws are available from the Bergara Barrels Customer Support Team."

[wallypedal]

Hope this isn't too much info: I got to pondering all this, and realized I never thought about using the muzzleloader forend with the Bergara 26" heavy. I went and measured everything I've got.
- the Bergara barrel is .990 3/8 inch ahead of the extractor tip (front end of frame lug). It is .883 at the front of the P/H forend.
- the standard Encore magnum muzzleloader barrel is .992     and   .880 measured at the same places. Not much difference.

-the PH forend I am using with the Bergara is 1.000 at the rear, and .850 flush with the end of the barrel. Then I screw it down tight, but the front does spread really easy.
-the reason for not just using the muzzleloader forend with mine is that the muzzleloader barrel has pillars and different size screws. It would be pretty easy to get it adapted, and I think some have suggested that. I just wanted to keep changeout simple with all of them.
Wallypedal

[1jonmon]

Thanks Wally!  They(bergara barrels) are supposed to come with special screws to make the muzzleloader forend (Which is the closest size)as you pointed out, fit properly.  It looks like Bergara has just not gotten up to date on the forend applications.  I spoke with them today And they said to definately get the original, not the flextech.  I'm not sure why the flextech doesn't fit, and haven't come across anyone that knows.  I don't think it's that important, just a looks thing.  Can't wait to get this thing shooting...

[wallypedal]

Sounds like you've got it under control!  There have been times I wished for a direct line to them

The standard ML screws are larger diameter and short, to fit the ML pillars. Thus the standard screw heads like on the PH forends would fall right through, even if they were the right length. So special screws with either the right size heads or washers that fit exactly, and proper length would work fine.

I'll stick with my PH forend for now. It shoots fine, and I gotta admit it's sort of satisfying to know I am about as opposite to "free floating" as I can get.