Author Topic: Encore accuracy (Read 3616 times)

gregd548 · « **on:** May 06, 2011, 04:13:29 AM »

Just wanted to get a feel for everyone's opinion on the Encore accuracy, since there seems to be so many conflicting reports online. I ordered a Pro Hunter SS frame, a standard 26" SS barrel in 30-06, and a Nikon Monarch 2.5 - 10x scope. I plan to add a 209x50 ML barrel, rifled shotgun barrel, and possibly a 223 or 243 barrel. What kind of real-world accuracy can I reasonably expect from this outfit? I've used a Contender for over 25 years and it's always been accurate when I do my part, but this is my first foray into the TC long gun arena. I don't want to waste my money on a system that shoots patterns, not groups. I'd also prefer not to have to spend hundreds on accurizing "fixes" - I'd just buy a bolt action and be done with it if accuracy is a real TC issue.

teddy12b · « **Reply #1 on:** May 06, 2011, 06:01:45 AM »

I know this sounds like an old record just repeating itself, but the accuracy depends on the ammo as much as the gun. Are you looking to use this gun at the range for long range precision shooting? If so you'll likely be using match ammo and getting accuracy I would think around an 1" at 100 give or take a little. Are you looking for hunting accuracy out of this gun? If so I have a 26" bull stainless 30-06 barrel and I've taken two deer with that gun. The best groups I got with it using factory hunting ammo was with remington 150gr corelokt. Two deer can testify to it's effectiveness. If and when I take it hunting again I'll likely use my match reloads where I know I can make hits out to 500 yards without a second thought. I've got a burris 3-9 with ballistic plex which is the equivalent of long range for dummies.

When you said your barrel is it the standard barrel, are you saying it's the sporter profile with the iron sights?

Sounds to me like you're kind of doubting your purchase. I don't think you've got anything to worry about. You bought a fine rifle, and the 209x50 barrels are good, but make sure you buy the E-Z tip extractor. It's about $25 or so, and it'll make removing your breach plug so much easier. It's an absolute must buy for the 209x50 in my opinion. I have a 209x50 that I bought to add a couple of weeks to deer season. If it wasn't for that I'd stay away from black powder completely.

gregd548 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 06, 2011, 06:48:04 AM »

Old records are often worth re-listening to. Yes, I think I am second guessing my purchase. My barrel is the new 26" weathershield (guess that's not actually SS, just looks like it). I have a Ruger 77R in 280 that keeps all it's shots under 1" and would like the Encore to at least keep 1" groups consistently. I hope to settle on the Hornady 150 gr. SST or Barnes 150 gr. TTSX bullets for deer and similar in 165 gr. if I manage to draw one of the coveted Mich elk tags or even the moose tag next year. My longest shot where I hunt would be no more than 300 yds, with 100 more the average. Seems like those who DO have accuracy issues post often on the web sites, and those who don't have issues seldom, if ever, post, which kinda skews the answers. My main concern is repeatable accuracy in the 1" area - that way, if I miss I know it's me and not the gun. I've lost just 2 deer in over 25 years with the Ruger - once it was my own stupidity, and the other was loose stock screws from something one could NEVER anticipate until it happened (and I've bagged at least 1 deer every year in that time frame). I love my Contender & it's the last handgun I'd ever part with (and I have 3 shelves in my safe full of handguns). I'm hoping the Encore will prove to be just as accurate, consistent, and reliable.

DEACONLLB · « **Reply #3 on:** May 06, 2011, 09:05:53 AM »

One thing you will notice is the weight somewhat heavier. another thing is the 223 barrel I found that it will not shoot anything heavier than 55 Grn because of the 1-12 twist. I have had no problem in keeping a good group, good enough to kill any deer but I am not a long range shooter 30 to 60 yrds where I hunt but that is from a blind or tree stand. If you do your part you will be happy with it.

Deaconllb

teddy12b · « **Reply #4 on:** May 06, 2011, 09:13:58 AM »

I think you're going to be just fine with the encore. You're certainly going to be able to pull off a minute of elk accurate shot with the gun. Where in Michigan are you from? I'm in northeast Indiana and I shoot at a range just on the Indiana side of the border with Michigan. We could meet up there sometime and you could shoot my encore setup and see what you like or don't like about it. Mine is a regular stainless encore, but I did put on a prohunter thumbhole stock for the reduced recoil. Also, if you do get a Michigan elk tag and want another guy to go along and help haul out the elk I'd be be happy to volunteer. I'd love to go elk hunting in MI, but as a non-resident I'll never get a chance.

gregd548 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 06, 2011, 09:54:33 AM »

Thanks for the info. I'm currently in Ada, suburb of Grand Rapids (for the past 5 years). Prior, I lived in the Upper Peninsula, and still have my hunting camp up there. Re the 55 gr. 223 - that's the heaviest bullet I would shoot anyway, particularly the Barnes Varmint Grenade. As for weight, I suspect it would weigh about the same as my Ruger 77R - lighter would be nicer, especially as I get older, but I can still lug a little weight around the boonies (my waistline proves that). Will be trying numerous factory loads in it and if I find one that works to my satisfaction, then I'll fine tune a handload to stick with. Dealer has a 270 Bergara barrel in stock, but it really doesn't look like it's all that well made, but I would like a 270. As to the Elk, I wonder if I"LL ever get the chance - I keep applying but so far no luck. It's a once-in-a-lifetime deal if you draw a bull tag: you can never apply again if you get one. Those I've talked to about it say you can get a long open shot, or one where you have to thread the bullet through a narrow opening, which is one reason I'm concerned with the Encore accuracy. But, I guess it'll be like almost every other gun I have - the first time it fails me and it's not my fault it will get traded for something more dependable. I don't keep inaccurate guns, period. I just don't like that gnawing feeling about the Encore I have ordered, what with all the negative reports here online. It was either a Browning X-bolt or the TC, and the TC won.... so far.

pl270 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 06, 2011, 01:08:54 PM »

I have a 270 encore. It shoots winchester silvertips 130 gr into an inch all day long. It is my favorite gun. Matter of fact just bought another encore month or two ago. Haven't been dissappointed in them at all.

Keith L · « **Reply #7 on:** May 06, 2011, 01:15:06 PM »

I think much of the hand wringing about Encore accuracy was done by folks with a "cure" for the problem. Plenty of great shooting untouched guns out there. I have also had some bolt guns that needed a little work to get to their prime.

Grumulkin · « **Reply #8 on:** May 07, 2011, 03:27:10 AM »

Quote from: Keith L on May 06, 2011, 01:15:06 PM

I think much of the hand wringing about Encore accuracy was done by folks with a "cure" for the problem. Plenty of great shooting untouched guns out there. I have also had some bolt guns that needed a little work to get to their prime.

I agree. The "cure" involves sending money to them as well.

The Encore has every bit of the accuracy potential that the Contender has.

The only thing I've done to my Encores is to have trigger jobs done on a couple of them. The great majority of my Encore rifles will do under an inch for 3 shot groups at 100 yards and some are in the 0.5 to 0.75 range or less. Actually, most of my Encore handguns will do the same. The worse accuracy out of a scoped Encore rifle was a 375 H&H Magnum that did about 1.5 inches.

teddy12b · « **Reply #9 on:** May 07, 2011, 01:39:13 PM »

I follow the same policy of selling guns that don't shoot straight enough for me. Over the years, the one recurring negative I've seen about the encores are the 7mm barrels. For whatever reason it just seems to me that the guys doing the most complaining are usually using some kind of a 7mm barrel. I don't know when I'll be able to get out to the range, but I'll try to get a picture of a 5 shot group at 100 to show what it'll do.

yooper77 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 07, 2011, 02:39:58 PM »

gregd548,

Hello fellow Michigander. You will love your T/C Encore. I personally stay away from Bergara barrels, since they are made in Spain. I suggest looking on gunbroker.com and search for Encore barrel, there are sweet deals to be won.

I have a bought new in 1997 T/C Encore pistol frame, with everything factory. It has a smooth and crisp trigger and all T/C factory barrels locked up solid. I use either a synthetic standard stock with Limbsaver pad or synthetic thumbhole stock with Limbsaver pad. I also cut down an adult synthetic standard stock with slip-on Limbsaver pad for my daughter.

See link for her youth hunt in the UP.
http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,188156.msg1099174023.html#new

She used the 24” 223 Remington barrel with Weaver CV10 2-10x38mm scope, with Leupold standard base and medium rings. This barrel does accurately stabilize Hornady 60 grain soft points for target practice and Nosler 60 grain Partition which she used to harvest her first Michigan (7 pointer) buck. I have also used Remington 55 grain soft points with excellent accuracy shooting a moving porcupine at 100 yards off a rest.

My current barrel setups,

All iron sights removed and holes plugged.

T/C factory 24” 223 Remington wears a Redfield Partner 3-12x44mm scope, with Leupold Dual-Dovetail base and medium rings.

T/C factory 24” 338-06 A-Square wears a Leupold Vari-X II 3-9x40mm scope, with Leupold Dual-Dovetail base and medium rings. Originally started as a 30-06 Springfield factory barrel, was re-chambered/re-bored to 338-06 A-Square by Classic Barrel Works in Prescott AZ. http://www.cutrifle.com/reboring.html

T/C factory 26” 209x50 Magnum wears a Weaver CV10 2-10x38mm scope, with Leupold Dual-Dovetail base and medium rings.

T/C factory 12” 454 Casull wears a T/C 2.5-7x28mm illuminated reticle recoil proof pistol scope, with http://www.SSKIndustries.com T’SOB 6 screw base and 3 medium rings. This barrel originally was 15" (too long for a pistol cartridge), so I had http://www.SSKIndustries.com cut it down to 12" and re-crown the muzzle. I use Pachmayr Decelerator Grip with Finger Grooves and Magnum Forend.

yooper77

gregd548 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 07, 2011, 03:28:20 PM »

Which part of Da Yoop, Yooper77?

yooper77 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 07, 2011, 03:53:14 PM »

Quote from: gregd548 on May 07, 2011, 03:28:20 PM

Which part of Da Yoop, Yooper77?

Marquette, MI

gregd548 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 07, 2011, 05:01:24 PM »

I'm originally from Ishpeming, still have my camp west of Republic... eh..

yooper77 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 07, 2011, 05:09:30 PM »

Quote from: gregd548 on May 07, 2011, 05:01:24 PM

I'm originally from Ishpeming, still have my camp west of Republic... eh..

Awesome, My dad was born in Ishpeming and mom born in Republic where she still lives. Do you ever come up to deer hunt?

yooper77

gregd548 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 08, 2011, 05:49:39 AM »

Actually, I spend all of June & August at camp, 2 weeks in Oct, and all of Nov deer season there.

yooper77 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 08, 2011, 06:54:57 AM »

Sounds like you love the UP like me.

Hey what make of scope base are you planning to used for your Encore?

I use Leupold 1-Piece Dual-Dovetail Scope Base and Leupold 1" Dual-Dovetail Medium Rings.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=191621
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=591925

yooper77

gregd548 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 08, 2011, 07:26:34 AM »

I'll be using the Talley One-piece base/ring combo. Only reason I'm down here in Troll-land is my wife's job - I retired early from the Empire mine and we moved down here with the proviso that I keep the camp and spend a certain minimum time up there. I hate that long drive though, especially since the price of everything goes way up once you cross the Bridge. I actually save enough to pay for the gas by buying most of my food down here, rather that getting scalped up there. I'll be leaving for da yoop the day after the kids get out of school.

gregd548 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 08, 2011, 07:34:35 AM »

What did you use to plug the screw holes after removing the iron sights, and where did you get the screws? I've looked at those barrels since they're 24", but didn't like the iron sights on them.

yooper77 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 08, 2011, 08:22:15 AM »

Quote from: gregd548 on May 08, 2011, 07:34:35 AM

What did you use to plug the screw holes after removing the iron sights, and where did you get the screws? I've looked at those barrels since they're 24", but didn't like the iron sights on them.

Did you order the 24" standard tapered barrel with iron sights or the 26" heavy contour with no sights?

When I bought my first pistol barrels I emailed T/C and asked how I can get some plugs for my front sight holes. Well they sent me a few pairs of blued 6x48 thread plugs and these are the ones that fit Encore pistol front sight and rifle rear sight holes. To fill the rifle front sight hole I had to buy slave screws from midwayusa and these work for both the muzzleloader and rifle barrels. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=666608

You can use Remington 700 plug screws since they are the sane size as the Encore rifle rear sight holes.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=341969

yooper77

Flynmoose · « **Reply #20 on:** May 08, 2011, 07:49:20 PM »

I have a couple of Encores and have found them to be accurate and trouble free. My barrrels range from 22Hornet to 45-70 with a few stops along the way. All of my barrels except one are factory T/C. Like any new barrel they all needed a
"get aquainted" period, but no more than any other firearm on the market today. You will enjoy the Encore!
FM

Caliboose · « **Reply #21 on:** May 17, 2011, 04:42:06 AM »

I learned a great deal about my Encore at this site. Reading costs nothing, but I will order from them soon.

http://www.(censored word).com/store/index.php

Caliboose

I have seen (censored word) on this site before, but I never knew what that word was until now.

leadman · « **Reply #22 on:** May 18, 2011, 06:05:42 PM »

I have an Encore Pro Hunter in 7mm Rem Mag. I've shot 3 or 4 elk with it, one shot kills. The 28" barrel gives me some "free" velocity also. I load the 150gr Nosler Ballistic Tip to 3,300 fps. Very accurate and do a great job on the elk.

I've shot these on targets to 600 yards with no problem. Don't even have to adjust for elevation until the range gets past 200 yards.

I have also had several of the Bergera 24" stainless barrels and really can not recommend them. I do have one left in 243 Win that is a decent shooter, but not great.

gregd548 · « **Reply #23 on:** August 01, 2011, 03:18:11 PM »

Well, got the Encore, mounted scope and proceeded to the range with a box of just about every 150gr & 165 gr factory ammo I could find (couple hundred dollars worth). Used the cheap Federal 150's for break in, cleaning thoroughly after every 2 shots. Then I got serious: shooting 3 shot groups & cleaning after every 2nd group. Best accuracy I could get was 2 3/4" with Barnes tsx. Have had a Ruger 77 (old style) in 280 Rem for over 25 years, and it still shoots 1/2" - 3/4" groups with sickening regularity. Tried working up a few handloads for the encore and the best group so far is 2 1/2". Methinks the Encore will soon be on the used rack at the dealer. Hell, My 25 year old Contender in 357 Herrett shoots a better group than this Encore. And mine definitely doesn't like 180 gr bullets - used a couple from a buddy and they gave me a nice 4" 3 shot group!! Back to the drawing board - it's a few month till the sacred deer season so I've time to find another rifle that actually shoots a decent group. Minute of deer is all that's NEEDED, but I want MOA...

gregd548 · « **Reply #24 on:** August 01, 2011, 03:23:28 PM »

To Caliboose - - Also spent lots of time at that forbidden site and had several email chats with "him". Not interested in spending good money after bad to make a gun shoot right that should at least be a decent shooter from the start. A 1 1/2" 3-shot group is my minimum acceptable from any modern rifle. Shouldn't need to add all kinds of 'iffy' parts to a gun to make it shoot, especially with the quality control and technology available today.

L · « **Reply #25 on:** August 26, 2011, 07:51:17 PM »

are you shooting boattail bullets?

have you tried round nose bullets?

my 30-06 (not an Encore admittedly though i recently got an Encore....which after one range session i think will be a great shooter)

anyhow my 30-06 seems to HATE boattail bullets....dunno why just seems to, also it seems to like the round nose stuff...

just a thought for you before you scrap the rifle....also you might contact T/C and see what they can do for you, i have read good things

about them replacing barrels so that you get one that shoots well,

also my 30-06 seemed to really like a load i threw together with hornady interlock 165 flat base bullets

hope this helps

L

Grumulkin · « **Reply #26 on:** August 27, 2011, 01:14:33 AM »

Before you get too excited, I've only done this once... In my entire life.

tatonka · « **Reply #27 on:** September 14, 2011, 03:30:47 AM »

I guess I've been lucky as I have never run into an Encore that wouldn't shoot. I've had 45/70, 25-06, 300 win Mag, 357 Maximum, 50 & 45 cal black powder,22 Hornet, 22-250, and probably a few others I've forgotten. I've had to tinker with the forearms on a couple to get to that magic 1" mark but they did it. My Maximum will do 1/2", my 25-06 will do 3/4", my 45 cal muzzleloader will even do 1 1/2". Good shooting.

Spirithawk · « **Reply #28 on:** September 22, 2011, 05:20:01 PM »

I've got an Encore .270 with a Bushnell Elite 3200 3 x 9 x 42 and steel T/C scope mount & rings. Bench rested, using Federal Power Shok 150 gr factory ammo, it will put shots through the same hole at 100 yards. That's plenty accurate enough for me.

Gdbyrd · « **Reply #29 on:** September 22, 2011, 05:33:12 PM »

Wow that's a very unusual result from what I've read about this platform. Personally I don't own any rifle barrels for the Encore, just ordered one though! But I did shoot my dads 25/06 in, it's a ProHunter frame with a normal contour barrel. Factory Federal ammo it grouped under 1" at 100 yards, topped with Leupold optics. That was the first box of ammo we bought for it, no reason to go with anything else.

I have read about people having bad barrels from the factory, you can try to send it in to T/C and see if they can check it for imperfections.

Edit: Not to knock you, I read you are capable of better with other guns..but you may want someone else to shoot it. The triggers in these guns suck. Takes a lot of getting used to and some of this may be user error.