Harris bipods

[kpb71]

I just picked up a Pro Hunter pistol in 243  15" barrel, and i want to put a bipod on it. and im not sure how to install it on the forend do you remove one screw a install a stud to mount it to.  the bipod does not set on the forend very square now or do i need a different forend.

          Thanks  Kenny

[kpb71]

Do i need a hanger bar


     Thanks  Kenny

[Ladobe]

As a purveyor of custom barrels instead of factory barrels the last 30 years or so I always went with custom hanger bars on all of my barrels, and bought extras to also use them on all my factory barrels as well for their distinct advantages.     A sling stud is availble that can replace a forend mounting screw as well as others that could be easily mounted elsewhere on the forearm.   Just keep in mind that TC's like their forend support back close to the trigger guard rather than out front if you don't use a very secure hanger bar to mount the forend.

I also put all my mechanical rests and leather shooting bags in storage years ago and went to only using Harris swivel bipods for all my "bench" shooting, whether at the range for load work or matches, or in the killing fields.   All of my bipods are modified and upgraded with custom QD mounting and swivel lock handles, makign them very fast to use and change.   Mine were custom made for me but a couple of companies offer commercial versions of both now.   Harris also sells a rubber "wedge" for use on rifles such as the Browning 78/1885 High/Low Walls to make the connection between rifle and bipod more secure with thin, tapered forends.   I think I still have one or two laying around here someplace, and they worked very well on my Low/High Walls when I had them.   One of them would add support to the bipod in use on your factory forend regardless of how you install the stud, and they are not much money.

Buying another forend is also an easy option, and if you buy custom from some of the third party makers they include a hanger bar system and you can have the stud also included.   Allows you to have whatever forend contour, woood grade and type of wood you want, and dresses up the TC.  For example, a Utility grade forend from Bullberry is way higher grade wood than comes on the TC's, and includes the hanger bar... all for a very modest cost.   Biggest problem with Fred is delivery as his one stock maker is always swamped.   But there are several others who make them as well with shorter delivery times.

HTH

[kpb71]

Ladobe, thank for the help i have been looking at Stratton Customs,TJ General Store,(censored word) TC's. For the hanger bar. My gun has a rubber grip and forend these are not the same as pachmayr are they. What size are the forend screws are they metric.

    Thanks    Kenny

[SD Handgunner]

Why T/C changed the screw / thread size on the Encore is a mystery to me but they did. The Encores use a different size screw / thread than do the Contenders for attaching the forend. The Contenders (and G2) use a 10x32 TPI screw for attaching the forend which is the same size and thread pitch as the Machine Screw Sling Swivel Studs available. The Encores use 8x32 TPI (or is it 8x40 TPI) screws to attach the forends.

What we did on my buddies Encore was use a modified Rifle Forend. He wanted Walnut on his so he just purchased a Walnut Encore Grip and a Walnut Encore Rifle Forend. He had my gunsmith buddy shorten the forend slightly, used the forward mounting hole for the rifle barrel mounting screw for the sling swivel stud and drill a new hole to line up with the forward mounting hole in the handgun barrel. He then put pillars in the forned to free float the forend (only the pillars and screws contact the barrel).



The bipod is not mounted on the Encore in this photo but I think you can see that with the longer forend it allows for a better mount for the bipod. THis is a .284 Winchester T/C Encore. It started life out as a 7mm-08 and my buddy had it rechambered to .284 Winchester. It'll shoot 3/4" 100 yard groups with 140gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips at 2665 FPS.

Larry

[Ladobe]

Why T/C changed the screw / thread size on the Encore is a mystery to me but they did. The Encores use a different size screw / thread than do the Contenders for attaching the forend. The Contenders (and G2) use a 10x32 TPI screw for attaching the forend which is the same size and thread pitch as the Machine Screw Sling Swivel Studs available. The Encores use 8x32 TPI (or is it 8x40 TPI) screws to attach the forends.

Larry,
It's been too many years since I sold off all my Encores that I bought when they first came out, so I don't remember what screw size they started with.
If it was a 8X size then TC was obviously just planing ahead for the magnums that the Encore frame could handle (and their wildcats that were sure to come along)  that the Contender or G2 frames could not by going to a larger diameter attachment screw/bolt.
Larry