22-250 encore barrel or bolt action rifle

[Buckskin]

I'm thinking of getting a 22-250 barrel for my encore which now has a ML barrel on it.  If I do, I'm going to get a thumbhole laminate stock as well.
This should run about $550.  Should I go this route, or buy a nice bolt action 22-250 instead for about the same $$.  I've always been partial to remington, but would love some input.

Thanks,
Buckskin

[PA-Joe]

An other option is to get an H&R Handy rifle. Remember you will need a good scope to go on that new gun. That's another 200.

[Buckskin]

New glass for $200??? I wish. I'm looking at a Leopold Vari X III
4.5-14x50.  More like $600.  I have the same scope on my 300 RUM and it is simply awesome!! Once you've tasted quality optics its hard to go back to Tasco or the likes.

[Flash]

I have an Encore in 22/250 and I love it. I wouldn't trade it for a Custom Shop 40-XB so there's your answer. I can easily make +400 yard shots before the heat mirages get real bad. I have an 8x32 BSA Platinum and can shoot as good as a buddy of mine with his Sendero and a 8x32 Burris. He paid twice what I paid and still can't shoot any better.

[Buckskin]

A gun can only shoot as well as the guy stanging in back of it.
I've heard a lot about problems with stock encore barrels, and I'm hoping these are not common.

[Thomas Krupinski]

I am with Flash here, as I have a stainless 26" heavy barrel 22-250 with sythetic stock that is a tack driver.  Balances perfectly and hold really tight and steady.  I don't care much for the wood stocks, but that just personal preference.  

Also have a blue 26" heavy barrel 25/06 that shoots the same.  Both of these are factory barrels and I have no complaints.  Haven't done any work with my 300 Win Mag heavy barrel yet, but I suspect it will perform the same.

[Pruts]

I second that!  My Encore (stock, stainless) .22-250 barrel has been fantastic for me.  1/2" groups at 100 yards are common, the gun certainly shoots better than I do.  I topped mine with a Tasco 5-20x50mm scope and have never had a problem.  Just don't have the cash to doll out for a Leupold or the like, but I still seem to hit everthing I shoot at.  I wouldn't hesitate to pick yourself up a factory barrel.  Good luck!

Pruts

[Buckskin]

These posts are making me feel more comfortable about my Encore.
I am getting my Buddies 22-250 barrel from him tonight and will start plinkin with it.  Unfortunately I've been looking at the .204 ruger. Interesting ballistics! But T/C doesn't offer this caliber yet.

[Keith L]

For once I can get one over on you Encore guys.  Midsouth has .204 barrels for the Contender.  I just checked and found they don't have it for the Encore.

Pardon me while I feel smug.  One barrel I can get that the Encore boys can't.  It normally is the other way around in spades!

[poncaguy]

I have 204 Ruger barrel on my encore rifle.........

[Keith L]

Damn.  That feeling didn't last long.

[poncaguy]

If I remember right, I got mine from Bass Pro Shop, ordered on the internet.

[BeverlyHillbilly]

I have heard good things about the 204 Ruger, and have seen the TC factory barrels in a few places like Cabelas and some of the online sites.

Cabela's also has a 220 Swift, special run barrel just for Cabela's.  I picked up the stainless steel one, but haven't shot it yet with all the bad weather and wind lately.  I never have too many 22 caliber rifles :-D

I have the 22-250 26" in stainless, and it shoots really well.  When the weather cooperates, you can get really good groups in the 0.5 range at 100 yard range, if you do your part.  I am one of those that had a problem with vertical stringing at first, but sanding out the forend a little and adding some plumbing washers seemed to help it shoot the way it should.  Mine sports a Mueller 8.5-25x, and is a really good scope for the price.

The bolt guns are nice, but I feel that the Encore can shoot just as well as the factory configured bolts guns in that price range.  You can definitely trick out the Remington 700s to shoot some crazy groups, but it will cost you some money that could be put towards some new barrels :-)

[TomD]

Midway has the .204 Ruger Encore bbl on sale for $225 this month. 15" & 24".

[Buckskin]

Where can I find this Midway??

[BeverlyHillbilly]

Where can I find this Midway??

Here is a link to the blued 26" rifle barrel on sale page for Midway USA $229.99 (stainless out of stock):

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=725074

Midsouth 26" Stainless at $253.55:

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000314907

Midsouth 26" Blued at $227.61:

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000311775

Eds TCs may have them also, just give him a call or email:

http://www.edstc.com/


I see many other places with them.  With the price coming down lately, I may have to get one myself :-)

[TomD]

I just bought an Encore bbl in 7mm08, otherwise I would consider the .204 bbl.

My live-in accountant would not approve both in one month :-D

[Bullseye]

In my opinion, buy the barrel and forget the thumbhole stock.  Don't get me wrong, I really like the thumbhole stocks.  However the standard T/C stock is basically a thumb hole stock without the piece of stock across the top of your thumb.  In my opinion this means that you have a thumb hole stock that you do not need to remove your thumb from to cock the gun.

[Tenspot]

Been able to hit soda cans at 400yds with my 22-250 Encore barrel!

Prints 1.6" at 200yds with factory Winchester ammo - have not started handloads for it yet.

[Buckskin]

Finally got to shoot my buddy's 22-250 barrel yesterday- crappy weather in Wisconsin for weeks!  There still was a fair amount of crosswind but I was getting impacient.  I put his barrel on my frame and used Hornady V-max in 50g. - shot 6 times all of which could be covered with a half dollar.  Not MOA, but for conditions and really not benching in very well, pretty good.  I'm ordering a barrel today. But I've decided to go with the 204.

[Buckskin]

I have my 204 barrel, awaiting my 4200 elite scope.  So I played a bit with my buddies 22-250.  Nice shooter on either his or my frame <1/2". Sorry I can't show you guys but I cant figure out how to post a pic.

[eclipse71]

I have a Thompson Encore, with 3 barrel.
I love this rifle, BUT !!!
With the 22-250 barrel top with the 4200 6-24x40mm
Once i acheived a 0.25 inch group...ONCE!
Most of the time it played around 1 inch to 1.25 for 3 shot at 100Meter
Really, it did'nt satisfied me.
AND, I've tryed some different ammo, Win-Fed-Rem.
And everytime you change of brand youre Vertical Plays a LOT...
From the 50gr Rem to the 50 gr Win, the Winchester shoot 6 inch higher at 100meter, just as example.
So i bought a Bolt-rifle, i've try the same things: shoot different ammo brand..AND now it goes almost at the same spot whatever i shoot !.
But if you always shooting the same ammo, not a problem, you shoud be able to do 1 inch group average.
The blackpowder barrel Shoot great.
And the 7MM shoot the same: Average 1.0-1.25 inch. But again, the vertical story with the different ammo brand.

[Keith L]

Its a rare gun that shoots to the same poi with different brands of ammo.  Even different lots of ammo will shoot different.  You got lucky if your bolt gun does that.  And if you loaded your own, and truly matched what the gun likes, then your accuracy would be better.

[eclipse71]

The bolt rifle is a VLS, and i didn't say that it shoot at the same  POI with different ammo...But it plays around the center of the target.
IMO Nothing justify a 6-8 inch vertical playing, like the Encore !
Yes i reload and i found the load for the VLS.
37.0gr Varget
Nosler 50gr BalTip
WLRM
0.150 from the land.
0.450 inch 5 Shot group constantly.