Author Topic: Randy Wakeman? (Read 847 times)

One Shot · « **on:** August 16, 2003, 11:05:22 AM »

Are the stageIII breech plugs for the Encore available from T/C? Thanks

RandyWakeman · « **Reply #1 on:** August 16, 2003, 07:42:46 PM »

Yes, Sir-- they are.

You'll probably have to get them straight from Thompson Center, which is where mine came from. I sent a couple to Cecil Epp for the Hornet conversion, and kept a couple here.

BLUESBERRY · « **Reply #2 on:** August 17, 2003, 04:38:02 AM »

:eek: :eek: I have heard of the 22 hornet conversion, but can someone enlighten me on these Stage 111 breach plugs... You can e-mail me at bruce581@comcast.net thanks,,,,bruce...

Triple Se7en · « **Reply #3 on:** August 17, 2003, 03:51:42 PM »

Bluesberry,

The new ones are more "pellet friendly"... concave on the powder end to aid in ignition.

As far as 209 primers go, many sporting goods superstores sell CCI 209 primers -- less powerful than Winchester or the super-hot Federals.

RandyWakeman · « **Reply #4 on:** August 17, 2003, 07:43:17 PM »

The saga begins-- originally, the T/C plugs were deeply concave. They worked fine with loose powder, still do. But, customers were crushing pellets-- and complained.

So, Thompson introduced "Stage II"- primarily a solid plug, with a very small dish. The solved the problem of crushing pellets by customers who got a little too eager with hard-to seat sabots. This introduced a new problem-- customers complained of fouling build up 2" from there breech out. T/C is still not sure why / how, but they were able to duplicate it.

Finally, they redesigned the plug again-- same as the original dished plug, but with a heavier outer ring to provide support for pellets. Best of both worlds, the crud buildup eliminated. That is the "Stage III" plug.

The original plugs were / are perfectly fine for loose powder.

Tracker · « **Reply #5 on:** August 18, 2003, 03:37:12 PM »

So if I buy a new encore how do I tell what plug it has. And do they wear out?

RandyWakeman · « **Reply #6 on:** August 18, 2003, 05:42:14 PM »

If you bought one from your dealer today, it would likely be a solid "Stage II type." If it is dished, likely stage I.

I suppose anything can wear out, but to erode a 4140 SS breechplug would take many thousands of shots.

One Shot · « **Reply #7 on:** August 20, 2003, 01:14:39 PM »

Randy, who did you contact at T/C? The person I talked to didn't know what I was talking about.

RandyWakeman · « **Reply #8 on:** August 21, 2003, 10:11:15 AM »

Just ask for tech support.

Tell them you are aware of the fouling build-up issues with the solid breech plugs, and want a new breech plug that is heavily concave / dished out.

Further problems, just get a name-- I'll call and educate them for you!