Elusive Encore Accuracy

[Varmint Hunter]

I've got a Encore ProHunter 209x50 that shoots very well. I am able to put 3 shockwaves into 3" @ 300 yards. The rifle is all stock except for a "Banned guy's" trigger job.

Just for the fun of it I decided to buy a 20" 45-70 Katahdin bbl which would be used for bear hunting over bait. The 45-70 shot 2.5"-3" groups most of the time. I tried several different bullets and powders but could never get good accuracy except for an occasional good group. Eventually, I returned the bbl to T/C. They replaced the barrel and provided a test target which shot 3 rounds into about 1.5".

First time at the range I was also able to get 1.5" or better without much trouble. Brought the rifle home cleaned it up and added a light-weight aluminum hammer extension. The extension was a must because I just couldn't get enough thumb on the hammer (with the 1.5x5 Leupold scope mounted) to pull the hammer back. The spring is heavy.

Back to the range with a few new loads and groups are terrible again. 3" groups are common and I couldn't find a single load that would shoot 1.5". The only two things that I can think of is;

1.  The forearm could be at a different tension although I can't believe that it could make that much difference in group size.
2.  The hammer extension could be affecting powder ignition somehow. This seems impossible but I have read about erratic ignition in Encore/Contenders due to adding an extension which slows down the hammer. That is why I specifically bought a light-weight version.

At this point I'm going broke just trying to find a decent load for this rifle. A load that shoots RELIABLY into 2" @ 100 yds would be great and should be achievable but not in this rifle.

What do you guys think the problem might be?

[rebAL]

I'm no expert but first things I would check is scope mounting & whatever you are cleaning barrel with.  45/70 recoil might be moving scope around.

[Varmint Hunter]

Good thought but I checked the rings & mounts and they're good n' tight. The scope is a new 1.5x5 Leupold VXIII.

[nomosendero]

But I will tell you this, 3" @ 300yds. sure is fine for a MZ!!

[Grumulkin]

Well, you did 2 things to your rifle after you got good groups; you cleaned it and you installed a hammer extension.  It would seem that one of these things could be to blame for your accuracy problems.

Each to his own, but I have all sorts of scoped Encore barrels with various scopes including Leupold handgun scopes, have had the banned guy's trigger jobs and have never had to resort to a hammer extension on any of them.  If I were you, I would remove the hammer extension and learn to cock the hammer without it.

Exactly how are you cleaning the barrel?  If you're cleaning the same way as you clean your muzzle loader barrel and haven't ruined that one, then how you clean probably isn't the cause of your problem.

[Varmint Hunter]

It's pretty easy to clean a 45 cal rifle without ruining anything. I've been cleaning precision rifles for many years and kind of figured it out. 

As far as the hammer goes - there isn't enough room between the ocular lens and the hammer spur to fit my thumb. Rotating the hammer does very little to improve the amount of spur which can be reached. Exactly how do you "learn to cock the hammer without it (the spur)"?

[Grumulkin]

Well, I only go 6' 10" and 285 lbs. and I manage to cock scoped Encores/Contenders with no hammer extensions.  The scope brands include Tasco, Bushnell, Leuopold, Simmons and even a Nightforce 6.5 to 22X.  Unless you happen to have huge thumbs, I can't see what the problem is.

[Keith L]

I can't speak for scoped Encores, but I have a bunch of scoped Contenders on an array of frames, and don't use extensions any more.  It is not the most convenient with a few of them, but quite do-able.  It takes some practice.  Good luck with this.  It should work for you.  It may take re-positioning scopes a little forward or back, but I think you will figure it out.

[Varmint Hunter]

Well, I only go 6' 10" and 285 lbs. and I manage to cock scoped Encores/Contenders with no hammer extensions.  The scope brands include Tasco, Bushnell, Leuopold, Simmons and even a Nightforce 6.5 to 22X.  Unless you happen to have huge thumbs, I can't see what the problem is.

A quick view of the space between the T/C hammer and the ocular lens of the Leupod VXIII 1.5x5 leaves about 3/8's of an inch. I'm all of 150lbs soaking wet and can not fit my thumb in there far enough to draw the hammer back. I could jam it in but would not be able to draw it back. I am using Burris Signature Zee rings on a steel base.

UPDATE: I put two plastic shims (pieces of a shotgun hull) between the barrel and the forearm where the 2 mounting screws are. Took the gun back to the range and fired 2 - 5 shot groups which ran between 1"-1.5" @ 100 yards. 3 shots easily went into .75". 3 rounds of Rem 405 FP's literally went into a tight group which only tore one ragged hole. Soooooo......... looks like it was the firearm after all.

[rebAL]

That's good information;  Thanks for report.

[Hopalong7]

   I knew those shot shells were MAGIC!!!

[saltydog]

Good news on the accuracy. I recommend you get a higher set of scope rings - sounds as if you have low or med now. The short Leupy has a big round occular so I can see why you have problems. With higher rings you should be able to get under it and you will not notice the cheek weld change after the first trip to the range.

[Varmint Hunter]

Not sure but I don't believe that the Burris Signature Zee rings come in any height other than medium. I really like the various benefits of the Signature series rings and have put them on most of my rifles.

The light-weight aluminum extension has worked out fine. I' would recommend it to anyone who is having a problem getting a full purchase on the T/C hammer.

[JustaShooter]

I've seen the Burris Signature Zee rings in low, medium and high.  I don't know if they come in any other heights but those 3 for sure.

Just a Shooter

[Varmint Hunter]

I've seen the Burris Signature Zee rings in low, medium and high.  I don't know if they come in any other heights but those 3 for sure.
Just a Shooter

A quick check of available Signature Zee rings looks like you are correct about the "high rings" but I don't believe that they are available in "low rings". I may just try a high set in the future, although the hammer extension seems to work fine.