Author Topic: How do I get the most accuracy out of my Encore? (Read 2439 times)

teddy12b · « **on:** July 17, 2006, 09:37:56 AM »

Hello Everyone,
I recently bought an encore in 30-06 26" stainless. I put a thumbhole stock on it and took it too the range. The groups I got would take of any game I'd ever come across but I'd like to get the kind of groups that are worth bragging about. Is there a way to get my rifle to shoot sub MOA. I'm starting to think I should have bought a savage, instead of the encore. I used to have an H&R handi rifle that shot just as well as this new encore. So far I'm not really impressed. I handload my own ammo, but to date I have only fired factory rounds. Anyone have any suggestions? Don't get me wrong I like the gun and love the concept of a single shot rifle, but if it's not as accurate as I want it to be, it's gotta go.

str8shooter48 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 17, 2006, 10:45:27 AM »

Quote from: teddy12b on July 17, 2006, 09:37:56 AM

Hello Everyone,
I recently bought an encore in 30-06 26" stainless. I put a thumbhole stock on it and took it too the range. The groups I got would take of any game I'd ever come across but I'd like to get the kind of groups that are worth bragging about. Is there a way to get my rifle to shoot sub MOA. I'm starting to think I should have bought a savage, instead of the encore. I used to have an H&R handi rifle that shot just as well as this new encore. So far I'm not really impressed. I handload my own ammo, but to date I have only fired factory rounds. Anyone have any suggestions? Don't get me wrong I like the gun and love the concept of a single shot rifle, but if it's not as accurate as I want it to be, it's gotta go.

Don't get down on the Encore. My .308 shot factory Rem Corelokts into just over an inch @ 100yrds. Was I dissapointed? Nope. I have everything set to reload for it. Just have to find the time. I'm sure if I do my part and work up the right load for it, it should shoot noteworthy groups.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 17, 2006, 11:16:43 AM »

Like any rifle, you need to find the right ammo match to the barrel. My Encores shoot 1 inch groups at 100 yards.

encore4me · « **Reply #3 on:** July 17, 2006, 11:17:12 AM »

First off you could lighten the trigger it is a simple job that you can do yourself. I did mine and my groups shrunk in half. Just search the web and you will find the web site that has all the instructions you need.
Second float your foreend with some small washers and sand the foreend that comes back onto the receiver so it is not touching. Just enough you can slip a dollar bill in and out without sticking.

Matt

longwinters · « **Reply #4 on:** July 17, 2006, 12:12:39 PM »

All good advice. For me handloading and a lightened trigger was key in my 7m-08.

Long

Davemuzz · « **Reply #5 on:** July 17, 2006, 05:30:09 PM »

Ted,

If your just shootin factory ammo, don't expect to shoot one ragged hole. Don't expect that with the Encore or the Savage. If you want the gun to shoot sub-MOA, then your going to have to do a little bit of work with bullets and powder and find the combination that works the best with your gun.

I had to do some experimentation to find the Nosler 40gr bullet worked the best with BL-C2 powder for my Contender 223. It now gives me cloverleafs at 100 yards. When I used the Hornady bullet and Win748, I got 1.5" groups. The 223 will give me sub-MOA at 200 yards.

For my Stevens 200 in .308, my best combo is a Hornady 110gr over IMR 4198. This cloverleafs at 100 yards. The Hornady 150gr over Varget shoots sub-MOA, but I just cant get it to cloverleaf like the 110gr bullet.

So, you could just dump the gun and try another and continue to buy factory ammo, but I think with a little bit of work on the handloading side, you will get the results you are looking for.

Dave

Grumulkin · « **Reply #6 on:** July 18, 2006, 12:31:04 AM »

I have an Encore .30/06 barrel and have had my best success using Varget with 165 to 168 grain bullets and Federal 210M primers (I don't think the primers used are a particularly important part of the formula). Nosler match bullets get me less than 1 MOA and Hornady Interbonds get me about 1.5 MOA.

I've found that a trigger job makes the Encore much nicer to shoot.

Buckskin · « **Reply #7 on:** July 18, 2006, 08:33:00 AM »

I was in your same position when I bought my Encore. I started with a ML and worked up a decent (but not great) group w/ 777 and 245 Powerbelts. Then I started tinkering with the gun. I floated the barrel got an oversized hinge pin and 25 ACP conversion kit. And all that damn near put it to MOA. Unfortunately I did the hinge pin and ACP kit at the same time so I don't know which one did the majority of the improvement. Then I bought a 204 barrel which made groups like a volleyball with 40gr. and nickle sized with 32gr. I just got a 7mm-08 pistol barrel that I am very impressed with.

I would suggest an oversized pin and floating the barrel. And of course making a nice hand load.

teddy12b · « **Reply #8 on:** July 25, 2006, 03:15:35 AM »

When you guys are talking about free floating the barrel. Are you just dropping in a couple flat washers between the barrel and the foreend, then sand any part of the foreend that touches the receiver?

When you are talking about adjusting the trigger. Are you talking about the small screw on the trigger guard behind the trigger?

Thanks for the help.

tlyne · « **Reply #9 on:** July 25, 2006, 04:30:47 AM »

The information all of the guys put forth is correct. You must reload your self to get the accuracy you are looking for. May I add one additional thing that will help alot. Try using a Concentricity Gauge made by H&H Industries, Phone number 541 327 1411. Do a seach For H&H Industries to see what you will gain. It will center bullets + or - 0.0005. It is not cheap but it will help more than anything else you can do. Hope this helps, Twyman

encore4me · « **Reply #10 on:** July 27, 2006, 09:20:22 AM »

Quote from: teddy12b on July 25, 2006, 03:15:35 AM

When you guys are talking about free floating the barrel. Are you just dropping in a couple flat washers between the barrel and the foreend, then sand any part of the foreend that touches the receiver?

When you are talking about adjusting the trigger. Are you talking about the small screw on the trigger guard behind the trigger?

Thanks for the help.

No the trigger is a little more complicated than that but very do able. I did mine and it is great. Go here http://www.bellmtcs.com/ and get the free down load instructions.

Matt

teddy12b · « **Reply #11 on:** July 27, 2006, 09:45:54 AM »

Anybody know why this link was censored? I don't understand why?

Buckskin · « **Reply #12 on:** July 28, 2006, 03:14:42 AM »

The screw behind the trigger only affects over-travel. I don't know why it was censored, but I'm curious? I also want to check out that site. I liked my trigger pull before I put a pistol barrel on. Now its a bit too heavy and am thinking off putting a different spring in.

Buckskin · « **Reply #13 on:** July 28, 2006, 03:17:34 AM »

I just used aluminum duct tape to make little pads that I screw thru to float the barrel. Just fold up little squares of it then you can adjust the thickness as you see fit. Not exactly a high end hanger system but it seems to work fine.

Sourdough · « **Reply #14 on:** July 29, 2006, 09:45:02 AM »

I own an Encore, A TCR, and A Handirifle, all in 30-06. (Also a Savage, and two Remingtons in 30-06) As for accuracy the Encore can't hold a candle to the other two. I've gone to a thumbhole stock, floated the forearm, lightened the trigger, and worked on many loads. The load it likes the best is the same load I shoot for my Handirifle. It's accurate enough to carry when I'm out riding the 4-wheeler, or driving around the countryside, but no way I'll attempt a shot over 250 yards with it. The other two are sighted in deadon at 300 yards, so a 400 yard shot is easy. During the winter when I'm out snowmachining in the mountains above treeline, a 500 or 600 yard shot at wolves is not uncommon, I never carry the Encore then.

The Encore shines as a muzzleloader, three 777 pellets behind a Powerbelt, great combination.

teddy12b · « **Reply #15 on:** August 03, 2006, 03:16:58 AM »

I tryed putting a couple washers in the forearms last night and then the screws weren't long enough. I'm probably going to have to get some longer screws before this is all over and done with.

Buckskin · « **Reply #16 on:** August 07, 2006, 10:15:47 AM »

Yeah the screws in my forarm are just long enough

teddy12b · « **Reply #17 on:** October 31, 2006, 10:20:15 AM »

Last time I was at the range my accuracy was just not there. I got home and of course my forearm screws were slightly loose. I don't know how I didn't notice that at the range, but hopefully next time will be better.

CallaoJoe · « **Reply #18 on:** October 31, 2006, 10:37:03 AM »

Don't know if you re-load, but I'm getting decent results from my 30-06 prohunter barrel with the load I mention in this thread.
I think I may be able to get them even better by playing around with the C.O.L., and fine tuning the charge. But, it's shootin good enough for hunting right now.

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,100566.0.html

teddy12b · « **Reply #19 on:** November 06, 2006, 03:08:45 AM »

Took my encore out to the range this last weekend. I took 5 boxes of different factory 150gr rounds to compare their accuracy. I fired three rounds of each brand. I would fire one round, run a bore snake through the barrel once, and wait 4 minutes for the barrel to cool before firing another round. I was more than pleased with the groups I was getting using 150gr ammo. The 150gr ammo worked a lot better than any 180gr rounds I have tried. Not only that but the Remington 150gr core loks were the best shooting out of the bunch. Yippee, my gun likes the less expensive stuff!

PaLongshank · « **Reply #20 on:** November 08, 2006, 06:31:04 AM »

I hae noticed a big discrepency with accuracy and forearm screw "tightnesss". I ther a recommended torque adjustment that should be used to obtain maximum accuracy. I had mine shot in and cutting holes....took barrel off and put on muzzleloader barrel. 3 weeks later I put the rifle barrel back on and it is not shooting same place twice. Thanks PaLongshank

Buckskin: How thick were your aluminum pads??