Encore Barrel float

[Old Moss]

   I know this topic is a truly dead horse but, I wanted to pass on my recipe for accuracy.  Just finished out my new predator rig - stainless action, Blued 26" Bbl heavy, 22-250, picked up a Prohunter thumbhole synthetic stock.  Then a Prohunter forearm synthetic.  Stock I carefully cleaned the inside to get maximum contact to the frame.  Then set about mounting a TC base with Warne rings for a Weaver 6x scope.  Then the final part.

1.  The first step is one I have not heard much about - (Most recommend the following - Lots of talk about adding washers, raising gun out of stock, needing longer screws etc.) I took a slightly different approach and - removed material from the inside of the forearm with sandpaper/knife, and very careful use of a fine dremel sander drum.  I started here because I did not want to have to get longer screws.

2.  Leaving contact points at both screw pillar posts and the ledge just in front of the action.

3.  Then making double thick shims from a soda can I shimmed the ledge and the front (farthest from action) screw pillar, this gave two clean smooth contoured points of contact to the barrel (metal to metal)  all else is free floated to allow a heavy 3x5 card to slip freely around the Bbl. 

Forearm is rock solid and there is no change in appearance.       Next weekend hope to shoot it and report the groups here on line.  Thanks Old Moss

[Davemuzz]

Give us the range report when you are done. Forearm floats are a big key to accuracy I think. I'm not one who does the rubber washer thing. I think the rubber washer can change the tension when\if you remove and re-tighten the screws.

Your method may require a bit more work, but as long as it gets you to where you need to be.....


Dave

[DropTheHammer]

Well into chuck season and i just got around to working on my Encore.  Brand New PH .243 BBL has been sitting in the cabinet since Jan.  Very much wanted to get some range time in today so worked on floating the barrel last night.  Had the longer screws from Brownells from Jan. also so i went that route.... sorta.  Cut the 1" screws off to proper length to allow a couple of SS washers to be inserted.  Well while trying to get the washers to balance on the posts while i put the screws in was more hassle than i thought i'd want to deal with on future barrel changes. 

I have an assortment of steel spacers from Contender sling swivel kits, I found 2 that were perfect size.....  I used a forstner bit in the drill press and counter sunk the two mounting posts to fit the spacers and allow a couple of 16ths of lift.  The spacers were about 3/8" deep.  Ended up drilling a bit too deep on the front post and lost the screw shoulder when i tried to tighten the screw.  Remedied by JB Weld-ing the front spacer in the countersunk hole.   Everything lined up good and i can fit an index card under the barrel with ease.  Don't know how big a deal it is that the spacers are flat and interface to the rounded barrel, but it is all very solid when tightened down.  Didn't want to attempt to groove the tops of the spacers for fear of not getting them even.  Will give it a go like this. 

Didn't get much time at the range today, only fired (the first) two rounds.  Tonight I am looking for the DIY trigger job instructions.  I did the hammer spring compression trick on my Contender to get it from around 8 down to 2.5lbs.  Hoping the Encore works the same way....