TC Prohunter ?'s and Help!

[DubTee]

Hi guys, first post, got the site recommended from gamehauler, thank you again game.  I've read through the first 16 pages of this forum, awesome info to say the least.  I have a few questions for the resident experts.  I am in the process of putting my first rifle together.  I am lefthanded, so that certainly has limited my options, always liked the versatility of the TC's and they are more left handed friendly.  My first concern with the TC was I didn't like their caliber offerings, I then found out about the custom barrel options.  I am thinking about a ss prohunter, I would like to order a custom barrel in .300 weatherby mag with a break.  I already have my scope, a Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14X50 AO.  I will be shooting factory ammo, most likely the higher grade weatherby ammo, just wondering if I'm on the right track here, or should I have any concerns over this possible set up?  Also, I would like a smith to do the trigger work, bed the stock, etc., seems like Mr. Henry from CA comes highly recommended here.  Will I have an issue with that scope on a TC, access to the hammer or any problems mounting/eye relief, etc.?  Any advice or other recommendations would be greatly appreciated.  Love the site, hopefully I can contribute in the future.  Thanks.

[smong2000]

Hi,
As one lefty Prohunter owner to another (but by no means an expert), hammer access could be a concern to you.  I have a ProHunter that I just use for target and varmints and find the swing hammer is not very good and would be really bad in cold weather with gloves on. There's not much to grab with the slight angle it offers.  My scope (6-24x) is mounted at the normal height and it's a little awkward especially letting down with a <1lb trigger.  I had set mine up as a muzzleloader but didn't like it mainly for that reason and the recoil.  I would definitely recommend a hammer extension and an extra heavy hammer spring on a hunting gun for sure.  I like the Prohunter a lot but frankly I don't know why you would choose that platform for a 300WBY.  I know this is the wrong place for this statement but bolts are inherently more accurate (although my 243 has printed 0.37" at 200 yds) as are falling blocks like the Ruger #1 and much stronger.  I'm not an expert but read a bit about 'frame stretch' in break actions and that caliber would concern me, you should research it.  Recoil is another factor with the platform and T/C has done a lot to address it.  A friend had a 375 H&H in the T/C and got rid of the barrel pretty quickly, but not before he broke off scope mounts and marred his expensive scope.  Everything loosened up when he shot it, scope, stock and forend.  The stock angle is pretty severe for a big kicker and it rises up as much as recoiling back.  He is much happier with his Browning bolt.  Floating the forend is a 10 min project and made a world of difference with mine but may not be the way to go with heavy recoil and trigger work is inexpensive and produces great results. Good luck on your 'hunt', hopefully you'll get more feedback from many other users.  Advice is cheap and should always be taken with a grain of salt.

[Grumulkin]

I shoot a Pro Hunter barrel in 300 Win. Mag. without a brake and it's comfortable for me.  The 300 Weatherby Mag. is only a little ahead of a 300 Win. Mag.  My Encore and Contender barrels are set up with Warne Bases and QD rings so I've had the opportunity to try multiple scopes including Leupolds and Nightforce.  I have no problem cocking the hammer with any of the scopes.  I don't use the off set hammer and don't use a hammer extension.  In fact, a hammer extension in the Encore can break the hammer and can cause misfires.

I've never bedded an Encore or Contender, don't use hanger bars, etc.  Several of my Encore frames have had trigger jobs but the latest frame I got is good enough from the factory that it won't get a trigger job.

As far as accuracy is concerned, I've heard many times that "theoretically" a bolt action gun is more accurate that an Encore or Contender.  Admittedly, I handload pretty much all of my ammunition but I would put my Encore and Contender rifles up against any bolt action whose owner thought 1 inch at 100 yards was good enough.

[bolewine]

 Hello Dubtee,
 I have a pro hunter in SS. I love the swing hammer. it works fine in all weather from hunting g-hogs in August to yotes in January,I think you  will have no issue.let me start off by telling how I configured my first set up, its .223 with a cabalas pine ridge tactual scope in 6-18x40 with a tactual turret set up for 55gr. bullet. Range your target set the turret lay the cross hair dead on and any small target is dead. but that was set up for varmints, I used the Burris rings and base. The next set up is a pro hunter in 7mm rem mag. I also had some concern about recoil I mounted a Ziess conquest 3x9x50 on a tally one piece camo mount med. height it fits like a glove with a 1/16 spacing between the barrel and scope I haven't had much time to fire it but I can tell you I have no issues with trigger access or eye relief in fact the ziess has so much leeway you can set your scope far enough forward that you have plenty of clearance for heavy recoil ,By the way your scope choice is top notch you will love this scope. with a 50mm objective you can see to shoot on a full moon night. good luck,have no fears just do a little research and you WILL have an outstanding rifle.
                                                      Brett


p.s. remember to use loc-tite on all mount and ring screws.

[shotgun31]

My $.02 worth concerning hammer clearance.  I use medium rings for my Encores, 2 and several barrels.  I do not use the swing hammer.  Medium is the perfect height in my opinion. 
Shotgun 

[DubTee]

Thanks for the replies so far guys.  Bolewine, I'm anxious to get my zeiss mounted on something, it has the turrets on it also, can't wait to dial it up and smack something way out there.  I know my caliber selection is a bit odd, but I want something extremely fast and flat with enough umph to dump larger game (elk) at extended ranges, I don't worry too much about overkill.  I figured if I got a break installed, that would help with the recoil issues really taking a toll on the rifle and I.  I would think the right scope mounting configuration would be key, I will research more on Bolewine's configuration.  Thanks again guys, keep the help coming.

[bolewine]

you cant go wrong with the talley mount it's one piece cnc machined alumn. less joints to loosen up!!!

[panman]

I second the Tally mount.Very good,and as been stated,less to worry about as they are steel,and one piece.The clearence on the Med.hight ring gives enough clearence as not to need a swing hammer,or,a extenction,at least for me .pan.

[panman]

SEEE,thats how strong they are,i thought they were steel,come to find out by reading Bolewines post
I need to pay attention!! .pan.

[yooper77]

I use Leupold dual dovetail base and medium rings, but I am guessing you would need high rings for your 50mm scope.

Now getting a custom Encore barrel in 300 Weatherby Magnum and using factory ammo would be a big concern to me.  Weatherby chambers have a free bore machined in them and shooting factory ammo without this free bore could most likely raise chamber pressure into an unsafe condition.

If you need a 30 caliber magnum rifle cartridge, the 300 Winchester Magnum would be the best, and muzzle brakes are very annoying and worthless in my mind.  But actually a standard 30-06 Springfield barrel is all that’s really needed.

yooper77

[bolewine]

I love the talley mount so much i'll be switching my .223 set up to it next month it shot so well on the 7mm that i was only a few clicks out @ 100yds now that's a mount and it looks good in camo with my camo t/h stock

                                                      Brett