Author Topic: Removing the QLA from a T/C (Read 1100 times)

str8shooter48 · « **on:** December 20, 2004, 02:11:46 AM »

I hear that removing the QLA from the muzzle of an Encore or Omega is suppose to improve accuracy. I guess some of these guns are being produced where the QLA is not reamed out concentric with the rifling. This is suppose to be another cause of flyers. I also hear the blind crowning job on the rifling has been less than desirable on some guns.

There's one issue that keeps popping up in my head. Loading Hornady 250gr. SST bullets. Getting the bullet started in the rifling the first inch or so is a pain in the a$$ with my Encore. Could this be a result of a bad or misaligned QLA. Seems to me you read a lot of problems loading SST's from T/C owner.

I was wondering if anyone here has had the QLA removed and recrowned and whether it made a difference in accuracy and ease of loading.

Thanks

lonewolf5347 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 20, 2004, 02:27:49 AM »

Encore or Omega : Iwould like to say first off hand I do not own one,I have read many post when it come time to load the Omega the hornady sst are a pain to get down the barrel..I do own 4 t/c from flinter to sidelocks and t/c 54 cal thunderhawk in 54 cal.I can only tell you the SST 300 grain will not go down any of my t/c barrels.I did find what solved my problem was to change the plastic sabot ,try the harvester sabot or noslers sabot,why who know but the Hornady sabot are a pain in the butt . check out MMP SABOT they have a great web sight.

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #2 on:** December 20, 2004, 02:40:44 AM »

Str8shooter48,

I have a blue Encore barrel, that I picked up with a frame I wanted, and the previous owner did what you describe, but reported that it did not make a difference in accuracy. I don't recall if he used the SST you ask about, or remember what combination he told me he tried.

If you are considering doing so to yours, please contact me first about trading barrels. I haven't fired mine yet, but may in February for a HAM javelina hunt, but may use one of the pistol barrels insetad or perhaps a bow.

I have a number of other T/C sidelocks without the QLA and one with the QLA. I like the idea for an Encore barrel as I plan to shoot mine with maxiball or maxihunters that I cast and real blackpowder rather than a substitute. Not that it would be a better combination for that, but because it is what I have a bit of on hand.

simonkenton · « **Reply #3 on:** December 20, 2004, 03:04:50 AM »

If it is hard to load the SST, try the TC Shockwave.
Same bullet, but the TC sabot is thinner, easier to load.

str8shooter48 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 20, 2004, 05:01:43 AM »

Quote from: simonkenton

If it is hard to load the SST, try the TC Shockwave.
Same bullet, but the TC sabot is thinner, easier to load.

I have a box of T/C 250gr. Shockwaves. Seems like T/C is using the identical sabots with the Shockwaves and SST's now..

I bought a package of Harvester sabots the other day. I loaded one up in a clean barrel. It did seem to load easier than the packaged SST sabots.

I'm waiting for the man in the "Big Brown Truck" with my order from Midway USA. I ordered Nosler sabots to try, and a new ramrod to replace the one that took a beating loading the SST's.

Did changing to an easier loading sabot affect the accuracy at all? They shot pretty good I just hated loading them. The problem I'm having with them is starting them into the rifling, once they are started they go down with resistance but its not unbearable.

Thanks

AndyHass · « **Reply #5 on:** December 20, 2004, 06:32:54 AM »

I have heard some people found an out-or-center QLA on their guns. I have an Omega and know lots of people with both Omegs and Encores, and all of us have found sub-inch-group loads. So none of our QLAs are bad.
I like the QLA as it lets me start almost any bullet without a short-starter and I don't break plastic jags off anymore trying to start spitzer bullets.
I bought a Super-Rat from Precision Rifle and it seems to help tight bullets go down a little easier. The jag head freely rotates, so the sabot can twist with the rifling as you shove it down instead of trying to scrape across it and straight down the barrel. Can't say I've seen the accuracy increase they tote but it does ease loading.

str8shooter48 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 20, 2004, 06:57:04 AM »

Quote from: AndyHass

I have heard some people found an out-or-center QLA on their guns. I have an Omega and know lots of people with both Omegs and Encores, and all of us have found sub-inch-group loads. So none of our QLAs are bad.
I like the QLA as it lets me start almost any bullet without a short-starter and I don't break plastic jags off anymore trying to start spitzer bullets.
I bought a Super-Rat from Precision Rifle and it seems to help tight bullets go down a little easier. The jag head freely rotates, so the sabot can twist with the rifling as you shove it down instead of trying to scrape across it and straight down the barrel. Can't say I've seen the accuracy increase they tote but it does ease loading.

I use a Super Rat loading jag too. It does work good afar as loading goes. My problem is getting the bullet started in the rifling. The first inch or so. This is the reason I want to try the Harvester and the Nosler sabots.

upnorth · « **Reply #7 on:** December 20, 2004, 07:48:42 AM »

I removed my QLA. P.M. me and I'll fill you in on what it did for me.

cam

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 20, 2004, 10:05:33 AM »

Quote from: upnorth

I removed my QLA. P.M. me and I'll fill you in on what it did for me.

cam

Why not post it here for the rest of us to see the effect it had.

Thanks :grin:

Keith Lewis · « **Reply #9 on:** December 20, 2004, 06:35:48 PM »

I find it extremely difficult to believe that you can start a bullet into a straight rifled barrel without QLA and get the bullet centered better than a machined starting section done by T/C on pretty good machines. The whole idea seems a little ridiculous. I am a retired Mechanical Engineer and have been around machining for about 30years and find the idea of removing the QLA as a poor approach to fixing an accuracy problem that is likely from some other variable. Sorry if I stepped on somebody's toes that have done this; but in my opinion it is a very unlikely source of accuracy problems. My Omega shoots minute of angle or better and it still has the QLA and always will as the loading help is worth leaving it alone.

Omega · « **Reply #10 on:** December 21, 2004, 10:26:36 AM »

I'm with you on this one Keith, it doesn't make much sense.

str8shooter48 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 21, 2004, 11:14:16 AM »

I bought a 50 pack of Harvester sabots. They definitely do load easier than the sabots supplied with the SST's. I also ordered 50 Nosler sabots they came yesterday. Was I pissed when I opened the package the Nosler sabots were carbon copies of the SSt's sabots. I heard they were the easiest to load but not no more, they must have changed. :x

I was at the store earlier today looking at Winchester Platinum Sabots. Guess what looks like they are using the same sabots as the rest. Well its back to square one. Either the XTP mags or stick with the Precision QT 40's, or maybe give the Dead centers a shot.

Bullseye · « **Reply #12 on:** December 21, 2004, 05:53:37 PM »

Try a 44 cal bullet with a green sabot (MMP). If you get good accuracy they will load much easier than the 45 cals.

upnorth · « **Reply #13 on:** December 26, 2004, 05:39:21 AM »

sorry for the delay; christmas and all... the person that owned my encore before me was a lead machinist for the Boeing Aerospace plant here in Winnipeg. he took the barrel into work because he couldn't get decent or consistent groups out of the barrel. to preface, he did call t/c regarding the problem, they advised to send it back. would take 3-6 months due to backlog.he made the choice to VOID the warranty by doing the work himself. I would not advocate anyone doing this; it's your own personal choice. anyways, he used some hi-tec laser micrometer and measured the inside of the barrel. the qla was off center by a few thousands of an inch. a very good gunsmith cut off and recrowned the barrel. I can shoot that gun all day, with everything from 175 gr to 300 gr bullets, and can keep them under an inch. T/C makes an excellent product, but lets face facts.. when you mass produce anything, there are bound to be a few bad barrels that get away from them. Sometimes it doesn't matter what you shoot, if the barrel needs work, you gotta fix it!!!

upnorth · « **Reply #14 on:** December 26, 2004, 05:44:31 AM »

Just to add... the only problem that I have encountered is that the ram-rod is a little long now, but I use a folding handle power rod and the problem is fixed. as for starting the bullet into a rifled barrel, I don't have a problem. Again, this is not the gospel. my specific rifle had this problem and I'm sure it's not indicative of the majority of t/c rifles. just posting this at Redhawks request.

cam.