Author Topic: 7MM-08 Encore Bergara Barrel Report (Read 4581 times)

lastofthebreed · « **on:** December 11, 2006, 12:22:01 PM »

After reading about the barrels being offered by Bergara for the TC Encore, I decided to order one and see what all the hullabalo was about. I am primarily interested in how the darn thing shoots but I thought I would give my first impressions as it arrived via USPS today.

The first thing I noticed after unpacking it was the blueing. You will never mistake the blue job for a Browning. The finish is almost a matte. Not bad as I have come to prefer the matte scopes and rings on all my guns. Overall the fisnish was good with no obvious defects.

The crown on the muzzle end is pretty deeply recessed, something I like.

The extractor is held in place with a pin and is not easily removed ala the TC barrels. It seems to be a good fit and looks okay.

Having already taken the barrel off a frame, I proceeded to install the Bergara. I noticed the hinge pin is a good, tight fit, just a tight as on any TC barrel I have. I don't use the oversize pins so I was happy to see that.

The standard TC forearm fit nicely with only a small glitch. The front mounting screw didn't want to start right away and, upon investigation, there was a burr on the first thread. No problem, a sharp pointed knife blade removed it.

The scope mounting screw holes came without filler screws, I don't gues it is that big a deal as the barrel comes sans sights and you're going to have to mount a scope anyway. I would have liked for them to be there to protect the threads.

A Weaver base mounted right up with no problems, the screw holes were drilled where they were supposed to be and the mount fits good and tight.

Mounted and bore sighted the scope, no problem, about 1/16th inch clearance on the objective end using the low weaver rings.

Scrubbed the bore out and looked at it closely, rifling seems to be clean and the bore looks good.

Had some factory 7-08 ammo and stuck one in the chamber, seems to be good. Snug fit and the guns locks up when closed. So far, so good.

Am going to the range tomorrow, will let you know how it shoots with factory ammo.

Added 12/12/06:

Carried the Bergara barrel to the range today.

First shot at 50 yds., 2 inches low, center. 16 clicks up, second shot, center bull.

Moved to 100 yds. First shot, 1.5 inches low, center. 12 clicks up. Scrubbed the barrel out good.

Next five shots, center of group is 1.5 inches above bull and center. Group size 1 1/8 inch, well rounded. Put rifle up, going hunting with it this weekend.

Now I know one barrel is not an indication of how good all the barrels are that are made by Bergara. But I am impressed. This was done with plain vanilla factory ammo, Federal if you must know. No attempt to handload anything special, everything just as it came out of the box. Extraction was flawless and, after cleaning the barrel looks just as it did when I took it out of the box.

I, for one, kinda like the idea of some after market barrels being priced below $200.00. Maybe the competition will tend to bring prices down. If it becomes available, I plan on purchasing one in 7MM Rem Mag. If, and when, that happens will update you on the results.

Last word, this barrel was definitely worth the cost. I'll leave it up to you to decide if you want to try one.

nomosendero · « **Reply #1 on:** December 11, 2006, 04:15:33 PM »

Thanks for the info!

ohiosam · « **Reply #2 on:** December 12, 2006, 09:58:46 AM »

Thanks for the report. I've been watching these. Seems alot of interest in them, but not many reports how they are yet.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #3 on:** December 12, 2006, 12:40:37 PM »

Cost of Thompson Center factory 24" 7mm-08 barrel $235. Cost of Bergara 24" 7mm-08 barrel $180. Price difference $55. For the $55 you get the T\C lifetime warranty and you are buying a product made here in the USA. You are NOT sending you money to a foreign country.

Hmmmmm, lifetime warranty, made in the USA. Seems like a pretty easy choice to me.

Dave.

ohiosam · « **Reply #4 on:** December 12, 2006, 02:19:45 PM »

Dave,
I don't disagree. But a little competition won't hurt. I've been a loyal TC customer for nearly 30 years, but I get the feeling they are getting a little complacent lately.

alsaqr · « **Reply #5 on:** December 20, 2006, 01:57:01 PM »

"Price difference $55. For the $55 you get the T\C lifetime warranty and you are buying a product made here in the USA. You are NOT sending you money to a foreign country."

i totally agree with you. Need to buy a couple of barrels for my Encore. i will not be buying any Bergara barrels.

nomosendero · « **Reply #6 on:** December 20, 2006, 03:54:22 PM »

If the best price that you can get for both barrels amounts to just a $55.00 spread, I would agree. I expected the gap to be greater.

ohiosam · « **Reply #7 on:** December 21, 2006, 05:21:38 PM »

At Grafs the spread is $64.00 on blued or 37% more for the T/C then the Bergara. The SS is $66.00 or 33% more.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #8 on:** December 22, 2006, 01:29:36 AM »

Quote from: ohiosam on December 21, 2006, 05:21:38 PM

At Grafs the spread is $64.00 on blued or 37% more for the T/C then the Bergara. The SS is $66.00 or 33% more.

That's because the Bergara barrels are $10 cheaper. Still for another $9, ($55 + $9 = $64) I'll still stick with a made in USA product. I may look at it if we were talking about a $640 difference, but we are not.

Dave.

teddy12b · « **Reply #9 on:** December 22, 2006, 03:09:37 AM »

Great range report. I've seen these barrels on the internet and they sound good. I don't know where exactly these are made but I'm guessing not in the U.S.A. $55 bucks difference is one thing, a couple hundred is another. I try my best to buy things made in the U.S.A. as much as possible but at the same time I don't think buying things from other countries is bad at all. For instance, I've noticed that Bergara has a 209x50 28" fluted stainless barrel on midway for $210. Midway also has a TC 26" 209x50 stainless for $280. Midsouth has a 28" fluted stainless 209x50 for $342. All that beign said if I had to decide right now I'd be going with the bergara 28". It's a very reasonable price and apparently good quality. Smith and Wesson is buying TC anyway so some things may be changing. I plan on buying any barrels I may ever need soon just in case the quality goes down.

ohiosam · « **Reply #10 on:** December 22, 2006, 06:55:49 AM »

Quote from: Davemuzz on December 22, 2006, 01:29:36 AM

[
That's because the Bergara barrels are $10 cheaper. Still for another $9, ($55 + $9 = $64) I'll still stick with a made in USA product. I may look at it if we were talking about a $640 difference, but we are not.

Dave.

So you have your price and I have mine.

TomVan · « **Reply #11 on:** December 28, 2006, 09:17:23 AM »

Just a quick note. The Bergara barrell is designed/engineered by Ed Shilen. Still unsure of the manufacture site.

rebAL · « **Reply #12 on:** December 29, 2006, 04:06:55 AM »

Great range report! I'm equally impressed by the precision of your scope; What is it? According to recent American Hunter rag, Bergara barrels are made by CVAv & its' parent company BPI in Northern Spain and they plan to add more barrel aftermarket options in near future.

lastofthebreed · « **Reply #13 on:** January 02, 2007, 08:35:25 AM »

The scope I have on this particular Encore is the Bushnell Elite 3200. I just happened to have it lying around, and thought, "Why not put it to good use?"

Just an update on hunting with this barrel, 2 shots - 2 deer. First deer at about 125 yds. DRT!! Second deer at about 150 yds. Ran about 15 paces and piled up. Beginning to really like the performance of the 7-08 round.

Didn't mean for this to get into a urinating contest re: Made in the U.S. versus not made in the U.S. Just thought some folks would like to know how the barrel performed for me.

teddy12b · « **Reply #14 on:** January 02, 2007, 08:49:34 AM »

Congrats on the deer! Sounds like two clean kills and a lot of meat in the freezer. Any pictures?

buffalohunter · « **Reply #15 on:** January 05, 2007, 01:11:23 PM »

Never, never see a Bergera barrel in my house. I have no desire to support a foriegn company and especially anything Spainish or French.

teddy12b · « **Reply #16 on:** January 06, 2007, 03:02:47 AM »

Guys, the point of this thread was to discuss the use of Bergara Barrels on encores.

I can completely understand wanting to support products made in the U.S.A. and I'm glad to hear such strong voices in that regard. However, buying a product that wasn't made in the U.S.A. isn't the worst thing in the world either. I try like heck to not buy anything from France, I really do, but the idea that anyone thinks all the of their personal property was all made here in the U.S.A. is unreasonable. For instance, I drive a Chevy truck. I love my truck and I feel like I'm supporting American business when I buy a Chevy. However, I know not all the parts were made in the U.S.A..

My only point of saying all this is that maybe we should get off a fellow hunters back about buying a foreign barrel and give him a high five for getting some deer with it and help him enjoy his success and not be a buzz kill.

cam69conv · « **Reply #17 on:** January 06, 2007, 08:17:12 PM »

Dont matter if it was made in spain or the moon...Simple fact is you are getting a lifetime warrenty and quality customer service with the TC barrels and better accuracy...In my own opinion 1 1/8" groups at 100 with a 7mm.08 isnt acceptable to me even with fac ammo.. Here is the range report for the TC Pro barrels I just got.

7mm.08 28 inch pro hunter

1/16 6 shot group at 100 with hand loaded ammo....1/2 inch at 200 with same ammo

.300 win mag 28 inch Pro hunter

1/8 inch group at 100 hand loads.....1/2 at 200 same ammo

.50 ML 28 inch pro hunter

1/2 @100 with 250 TC sabbot and 120 grains loose t777..... 1 inch at 200 same load

Optics

7mm.08--Nikon prostaff 3-9 x 40

.300 win mag--Nikon IRT laser range finding scope 4-12

.50 ML--Nikon Omega 3-9x40

I can reasonably say without a doubt IM IMPRESSED...With the .300 the first 3 volly were all one hole and the last 3 in the group opened up to 1/8 inch.. All were done off bags and unviced.
Wind conditions were 0 temp was 58.

The ML were 3 shot groups with a Bore Buttered patch wrapped around a .45 cal brush scrubbing out the barrel after each shot..Bout 15 passes each time...Good way to "season" the barrel and makes for end of day cleanup one HELL of alot easier.

Hard to beat that with a wet noodle

skarke · « **Reply #18 on:** March 01, 2007, 05:47:16 PM »

Gentlemen,

I have read the posts relating to this report, and I must say that lastofthebreed certainly ruffled some feathers. That said, I understand the vehement support of TC and American manufacturers, but I have difficulty separating wearing nike shoes or buying any clothing from anybody from the manufacture of a steel tube in Spain at a state of the art, fully automated iso9001 factory and Ed Shilen consultation.

Back to the post.

First, in cam69conv is shooting .06 groups with a 7mm08, I'd love to see it, and so would Mike Bellm (Bellmtcs.com). Thats better than my buddy's SGY stolle 6ppc build by Speedy himself. In fact, that's better than Speedy generally shoots with a 6ppc, inherently the most accurate cartridge in existence out to 300, and Speedy is a BR hall of fame member and 5 time super shoot winner. Very good work. I for one would be very appreciative of any reloading processes that you can post, cam, I'm not too proud to adjust my technique.

Regarding the Bergara. 1.1 groups with factory ammo is excellent with a 7mm08. Even basic handloading technique and good bullets should drop that to 5s and 6s, maybe better.

Also, I have considerable experience with TC products. They are admittedly fine, US made products, for production barrels. What they aren't is BR quality.

1. They have sloppy, mis-aligned chambers (relatively speaking when compared to a Bullberry, for instance)
2. They have weak barrel lock springs.
3. Their tolerances on headspace run about .006
4. Hingepin holes are a little sloppy (again compared to fine custom barrels)

Please, before the fireworks start, TC makes great stuff. We just need to be realistic. From what I have seen so far, the Bergara barrel might be slightly better than an average TC, particularly where it counts in chamber dimensions, headspace tolerance, and chamber alignment. We'll see. I for one red blooded, staunch conservative american will give these a shot, as it were.

cam69conv · « **Reply #19 on:** March 01, 2007, 10:07:37 PM »

sharke,

reloading data on my 7mm.08 is as follows,

hornady 139gr sst over 49.5gr re19 with C.O.L set at 0.468 off the lands...winchester brass.

It did take me a small bit of experimentation to find the correct recipe for all the barrels except the muzzleloader but as with all weapons no gun is identical and none are gonna shoot perfect right off the bat.

I have never competed but I can say I was trained by the best in the world in shooting and can hold my own. I shoot for the sheer enjoyment of it and dont feel the need to prove myself in competition but suffice it to say the "teams" trained me well as well as my father while growing up and I am accustomed to perfection, or as close as I can attain, when it comes to my firearms! I feel that my quarry deserves at least that must for a quick clean and efficiant kill with as little of suffering as I can possibly allow.

The load on the .300 win mag is,
165 grain Hornady sst on 81.5 gr IMR7828 with C.O.L at 0.431 off the lands.

Hope this helps

skarke · « **Reply #20 on:** March 02, 2007, 04:01:45 AM »

cam,

thanks a bunch for the load data. Do you neck turn? if so, how much on the factory 708? Do you cut into the shoulder? Do you FLR or neck size only (headspace issues?) What head space are you running. I've found that greater than .001 in a TC quickly affects accuracy. Have you done any trigger work? I prefer the old style, easy open contender for lower pressure cartridges because of its absolutely tuneable, fabulous trigger. In your factory 708, did you find your chamber neck to measure over .325? My buddy's 708, a good shooter at 7s and 8s with handloads, was significantly larger, and a little off center. Also, its important to remember that anything I state about accuracy is an average, not necessarily the best ever. Some throw out the "flyers". It is the flyers that really tell us about what a barrel, or gun, can do. The objective is to eliminate flyers.

I personally love the 708. It has tremendous accuracy potential, though the flash hole limits its superfine ability when compared to cases based on the 220 russian.

The only example of a bergara I have seen is in 708, at the gun range. Its chamber was clean and straight, lockup was excellent, and the matte finish was nealy perfect. Whats more, the welds looked more like millwork than welds, though still noticable. It shot MOA with federal premium ammo. Fewer toolmarks than my average tc barrel, but I haven't shot it (not mine), nor worked any loads. On sight alone, the product looks very promising, and with any handload workup, would probably shoot well into sub MOA. I doubt it'll ever get much below 5s, but 5s are stellar for 708, even out of custom barrels. For hunting, I'll own a few (708 for the boys, 223 for the boys practice, and maybe a reach out and touch something chamber for longer range, larger game). For poking holes in paper, I'll stick with coyote.