Author Topic: 460 S&W Encore Barrel (Read 1247 times)

Grumulkin · « **on:** March 15, 2006, 02:38:30 PM »

I'm going to aquire a 460 S&W barrel for my Encore. I called Thompson/Center's Custom Shop today, and the barrels are finally available from them for significantly less than those of the other barrel manufacturer I'm considering (SSK).

Any comments about SSK quality/accuracy vs TC in the 460 S&W or other caliber would be welcome. If you have an Encore in 460 S&W, what kind of accuracy do you get off the bench?

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 15, 2006, 04:22:32 PM »

I have a Encore in 460 Mag. It is a rechamber from a 454 Casull. I am getting 1 to 1 1/2 inch groups on the bench with the first load I tried. I am shooting my reloads with 240 gr. XTP mag Hornady bullets.

Grumulkin · « **Reply #2 on:** March 15, 2006, 11:10:04 PM »

Another question; I've shot an unscoped unported Encore with a 12 inch 454 Casull barrel and found the recoil quite manageable. The 460 Mag. will be scoped with a 14 to 15 inch barrel but I wasn't planning to port it; is the recoil that much worse than the 454?

I would be quite happy with 1.5 MOA off the bench. Thanks for the load information.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 16, 2006, 12:54:25 AM »

Grumulkin, although the recoil of the 454 Casull in a 12 inch Encore is manageable, it is still stout. Now you are going to add 10 to 15 more grains of the same powder, you know you are touching off a cannon. I think it is doable but it won't be a fun experience. The good thing is you can always add a muzzle brake later.

gunbuster · « **Reply #4 on:** March 16, 2006, 11:40:53 AM »

I have a 10 in. 454 barrel I had rechambered to 460 S&W. It now shoots, before it wouldn't. Shoots good now.
I would suggest buying a barrel & having it rechambered before spending the money on a TC barrel.

Just my experience. I have several barrels and the custom or rechambers always shoot better than the TC barrels.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 16, 2006, 02:46:21 PM »

Quote from: gunbuster

I have a 10 in. 454 barrel I had rechambered to 460 S&W. It now shoots, before it wouldn't. Shoots good now.
I would suggest buying a barrel & having it rechambered before spending the money on a TC barrel.

Just my experience. I have several barrels and the custom or rechambers always shoot better than the TC barrels.

I have to agree, my 454 Casull barrel was not accurate at all, now it is a tack driver. According to the guy that rechambered it, he said the barrel was drilled off center. The rechamber fixed the inaccuracy problem.

poncaguy · « **Reply #6 on:** March 17, 2006, 04:35:56 AM »

My factory 15" 460 S&W shoots the 45 and 454 very accurately. Shoots the 460 about 8" inches lower than those rounda at 50 yards, though still accurate. Recoil is very brisk for my old wrists. Probably Magnaport it this summer.

slave · « **Reply #7 on:** March 17, 2006, 08:36:50 AM »

Last year I purchased two ssk 15" 460 barrels. Both shot groups under 1" @ 100yds with corbon and hornaday factory stuff. These groups were shot sighting in the pistol scopes with the use of the rilfe stock and a rest. In order to know how good they are I would need to remove the pistol scope, put the rifle stock and a top quality rifle scope on do any real testing. I was schocked at how well they shot and know most of the spread I was geting was from trying to shot with a 2x6 pistol scope with 18" of eye relife off my rest.

Catfish · « **Reply #8 on:** March 17, 2006, 09:34:34 AM »

I`ve never had a VV barrel, but have owned 4 Bullberry barrels and several factory T/C barrels. With the T/C barrels I`ve had some that were tack dirvers and some that you leave the gun home and through rock and you`ll do better. All of my Bullberry barrels have shot from good to spectacular.