Author Topic: Disappointed or am I expecting to much? (Read 1162 times)

Water Rat · « **on:** April 26, 2004, 07:50:04 PM »

About a month ago I bought a new Encore synthetic with 24" barrel in 243win.
Since then I have been trying to find a load it likes and havent had much luck.
I have went to the range every weekend with at least four different powder/bullet/primer combinations to try out and the best I have gotten was a 2" group that was not repeatable the following weekend.

I did notice that the crown has a burr and just doesnt look right.

So Im wondering should I have it re-crowned and should I take to a local smith or send it back to T/C?

If I send it to T/C will they re-crown or send me another barrel?

When I bought this rifle it was a toss up between a Savage and Encore but I finally decided to go with the Encore because I knew it would be cheaper in the long run when I started adding different calibers.

I give about $600 with mount and rings and I expected more than Im getting for groups.:x

Whats the turn around time at T/C on repairs?

Kind of wished I would have bought the Savage for $400 because I know what they will do.:grin:
Water Rat

rpseven · « **Reply #1 on:** April 27, 2004, 01:45:42 AM »

I will tell you this friend when I first bought my encore it had a 300 winmag barrel with it and I couldn't find a load for it either. I try everything. I eventually took it to a friend of mine who is gunsmith and had him check it out and found that the head space was all screwed up. So I sent back with a letter to t/c explaining the problem. They were suppose to fix it, well I went at it again and it still wouldn't shoot. I had the head space checked again and they cut out more headspace. I sent back and then they told I had a crown problem with it and they said they fixed it and that it shot 1" groups with Winchester factory loads well I took these same bullets that they used because they sent the top of the box of bullets back with barrel and went to range and tested it again and this barrel wasn't worth a crap so I sent back for the third time and told them to send me a new barrel. They did I end it up sell it! It really pissed me. I fineally just went with bullberry.

Buford · « **Reply #2 on:** April 27, 2004, 03:07:21 AM »

What kind of scope are you using? Mounts? I have had excellent luck with the factory T/C barrels and most folks I know have also. Check everything out first - use a quality scope with good mounts.

Water Rat · « **Reply #3 on:** April 27, 2004, 08:12:52 AM »

Buford

I have had three different scopes on it
1. Cheap Simmons (used) but shot fine on another rifle.
2. Another cheap Simmons (used)but it to shot fine on another rifle.
3. A freshly mounted (new)Sightron 4.5X14x50.

On the first two scopes they were mounted in Burris rings with a Burris mount.

The second scope is mounted with a Weaver base and Burris Signature zee rings.

Water Rat

Runs with Scissors · « **Reply #4 on:** April 27, 2004, 12:49:45 PM »

It's a turkey shoot with factory barrels.
My 24" .270 Win. shoots 2" groups with everything I've tried.
It's back at the factory for the 2nd time. It's been 3 weeks now. Last time it took 2 months.
I have another factory 26" heavy barrel in .223 Rem. that shoots 1/2" groups (or less) with most ammo I've tried-even cheapo stuff.

Bill

raynor · « **Reply #5 on:** April 27, 2004, 01:38:42 PM »

cknight98,
Next time you get bored with a barrel that shoots to good, let me know. I'd like first crack at it. :-D ~~ raynor

longwinters · « **Reply #6 on:** April 27, 2004, 02:25:53 PM »

My 1st barrel had problems also. I sent it back and had a replacement in one and a half weeks. Other guys cannot seem to get satisfaction. But I really like mine now.

long

Runs with Scissors · « **Reply #7 on:** April 28, 2004, 06:13:52 AM »

The Encore is capable of extreme out-of-the-box accuracy in rifle, pistol and black powder configurations.
If you are confident in your equipment (scope & mount), tightness of hardware, ammo and barrel break-in, AND it still wont shoot in a manner to please you, it's likely the barrel.
It also could be your hinge pin, but that can be easily detected by barrel movement when the action is locked.
T/C can manufacture fine shooting factory barrels. But the demand for the Encore and supporting barrels is at an all time high and I think the QC of mass produced barrels is not what it used to be.
If you are setting up a hunting rig and want to use factory barrels, I would suggest ample lead time to work out potential bugs before the season begins.

Bill

Questor · « **Reply #8 on:** April 28, 2004, 06:58:05 AM »

Water Rat:

Send it back. I had the same results with my .223 barrel. It has the same rough crown you describe. I sent mine back about three weeks ago. I did almost exactly what you have done: multiple loads (including factory), different scope, etc. Mine shoots 3" groups at 100 yards. Unacceptable for a prairie dog gun. The only other problem I've had with a TC product was in replacing some barrel lugs on an old contender barrel. In that case, the sent me the parts and I did the work myself. I don't know what the turnaround time is for barrel work today.

I hope this works out for both of us. Good luck.

Water Rat · « **Reply #9 on:** April 29, 2004, 08:10:47 AM »

Thanks for all the input guys.

The way I see it I have two options.
1. Send it to T/C and hope they fix it.
2. Trade it for a Savage.

On the trading bit Im going to loose money because no way is a gun shop going to give me what I have in it.

I like the way the Encore looks and feels but I cant stand a gun that wont shoot.

I recently bought a Savage in 223 and that thing is a tack driver, it is with out a doubt the most accurate gun I have ever owned in my 20+ years of shooting.

Water Rat

Encore28 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 30, 2004, 04:42:16 AM »

..... but i think you'd be more happy in the long run with the TC than any Savage..

I agree 100%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Runs with Scissors · « **Reply #11 on:** April 30, 2004, 05:02:21 AM »

I agree.
My buddies shoot Savages. Most of them came out of the box as shooters.
I prefer the Encore, but it is a rifle you have to sort out.

Bill

Questor · « **Reply #12 on:** May 03, 2004, 07:04:15 AM »

For varmint shooting, I much prefer the single-shot to a bolt action. With the TC you just break the action, pull out the spent shell and insert a fresh one. No fumbling with the bolt action mechanism or trying to catch the shells as they eject.