I have an Encore with the factory muzzleloader barrel and two Bullberry barrels in 7mm-08 and a new 22-250. When I took the 22-250 to the range to sight the scope in and to see how it shot - I ran into a problem. I had bought some different factory loads - federal, winchester and hornady - and shot 3 shot groups to see which the barrel preferred. I began with the federals, I noticed the action was tight when I broke the barrel open to extract the spent shell and to load another. When I tried the winchesters, I could not break the action except with quite a bit of difficulty. After the third shot I refused to even attempting to shot any more winchester for fear that the action would lock up. When I tried the hornady - the breaking of the action was smooth with no sticking. At the range I let the barrel rest 1 minute between each shot, and five minutes between each three shot groups. Curiously - the hornady shot best with just at 1 inch groups at 100 yards. The federal were at 1.25 inches and the single group from the winchester was at 2 inches.
For reference - I have noticed that my muzzleloader barrel will stick after repeated shots at the range in a short period of time - i.e. when the barrel gets hot. Also with the 7mm-08 - winchester rounds tend to cause some sticking of the action. But what I experienced with the winchester 22-250 rounds were way more sticking - to the point I was afraid I had broken the gun. Curious to hear if any of the other encore readers have had similar issues - and most importantly - what is causing this?
I look forward to your replies. Jeff Shively
