Encore 22-250 vs. Rem 700VS 22-250

[max]

This is probably not an unbiased forum, but here is my quandry:

-I have wanted a 22-250 rifle for several years
-I can have only one...a domestic issue
-I want an accurate rifle that I can use to target shoot and varmint hunt, but do not want to "tinker" with it too much.
-I am considering either an Encore with a 26-inch heavy barrel or the Remington varmint special.
-If I get the Encore, I would consider buying a Bullberry or Virgin Valley barrel to increase accuracy (Is that worth the extra money?)


What do you recommend?  Encore or Remington?

Thanks,
Max

[KN]

Go with the Encore, You can always add barrels to your collection later.  KN

[Greyfox]

This probably won't be the answer you're looking for, but I'll share it anyway. :-)

I  owned a 26" heavy barrel Encore (still got the Encore, but not the barrel). It was the first Encore barrel I bought. I made most all the mistakes learning how to shoot it. When I worked finally out all the kinks (from me, not the barrel) it would consistently shoot 1/2" groups. A single shot break open rifle is a different animal that requires special care and handling like where you place the rest, how you size the case...stuff like that. I, for one, wouldn't spend the money for a custom barrel, although I do own several and they are all shooters. I think most people will find that factory TC's will shoot better than the shooter. A custom barel will be pretty, cost a lot and require a significant waiting period.

But the question, if I understood it was whether to buy an Encore or a Remington. My answer would be neither. If the woman God gave you is holding you to one thunderstick and it positively has to be a shooter....get a Savage. Yeah, I know, there're ugly. But they shoot and you can get the whole rifle for the less than the price of a custom barrel, not even a lot more than a TC custom shop barrel and less than a Remington.

So, what do you want? Pretty or a shooter? If it's a shooter and it's the only one....get a Savage.

Rick

[Graybeard]

I've owned several of the Reminton 700 Varmint rifles in different configurations. Never had one yet that wouldn't shoot 1/2" or better groups with a variety of ammo. For the money I'd go with it over the Encore any day.

GB

[jamie]

Here is a very unpopular reply but I would go with a Savage 12BVSS.  I have never ran across a Savage that would not shoot.  Sometimes their actions are not as smooth as others but after 40 rounds at the range I could put up a 1" shoot-n-c cover dot and put all three inside of it, none touching the edges.

[max]

Thanks for all of your advice.

The water is still murky.  I had considered the Savage previously, but I don't think they make a left-handed version of the 12BVSS....probably the wrong forum to ask, but anyone know if they do?

I appreciate your help.  Anyone else want to give their opinion?  It sounds like reloading the Encore may be tricky.  What experience do you have with accuracy in factory loads?

 :grin: Max

[rimfire]

You might visit varmint al's website for lots of good info on the Encore/Contender carbines and reloading.

[Okiehunter440]

I agree with jamie and greyfox, but I would definitely wait til the 2003 models are out with the new accumark trigger.  It's suppose to be user adjustable from 1.5-6#.  I do own 2 Encore frames and barrels and consider myself one of the addicted but you said 1(one) gun and this is my advise for what it's worth.

[TopGun]

Do people still really use rifles for hunting and shooting? Just kidding. I have both, the best of which is my Rem 700 Police, but it's in .308. It still shoots sub MOA. I really think the only reason it outshoots my Encore is the weight. The 700P is a very stable platform for accuracy. For 'chuckin' these days, it's my Encore--15" and  Burris 3x9. Sorry, I'm lazy, I admit it, and I don't carry rifles anymore, unless it's to a DCM Rifle match, and then it's in my truck! Good luck. The water gets muddied!

[ReedG]

Hi Max:

Looks like this query has been around awhile, a you probably have either made up your mind or quit. Just to offer my opine, go with the Remington if you like 'em. The 700 has a great reputation, great after-market support, etc. I personally think the Savage is a better shooter and am not offended by what most consider the ugly duckling looks of them.

I had an Encore rifle in .243 WCF. Got caught up in the cottage industry that has sprung up around them; love the fit when I put it to my shoulder; and all those barrels, etc. are hard to refuse. But after firing 500 rounds of handloads through it, I sold it. I'm not a gunsmith, nor an expert at anything, but I believe Encore actions are "springy" and that they have "give" to them.

I'm a great believer in neck-sizing only for reloading. Half the cases that were fired in the Encore once and neck-sized would not let the action lock after one firing. After two firings, none of the cases would let the action lock. When full-length resized, they would work fine. Headspacing was checked and OKd. Cases that had been fired several times in my Mauser and neck-sized, would fit the Encore fine. So anyway, I know I'm in a small minority, but you can do better than an Encore as far as I'm concerned.

Another thing with the Savage 12/112, is the easy barrel swapping. If you can only have one rifle to keep peace in the house, consider the Savage because you could have extra barrels in other calibers.

[ricktile]

I have the Remington VSSF in 22-250 and it is one gun that I will never part with.  On good days I get 1/4" groups with my pet handload and 55gr ballistic tips.  On bad days they are still under 1/2".  I also have an Encore although not in 22-250 and use it almost exclusively for most of my hunting.  I love the Encore but when I want to shoot tiny groups without having to worry about where the sandbag is rested etc. I always bring out the Remington.  Between the rifle and the 8 1/2 -25X Leupold that is on it prarie dogs and woodchucks don't stand much of a chance.  If you want something that will really shoot without having to spend a lot of time figuring out how to make it shoot go with the Remington.

[saltydog]

After 7 years of development T/C actions and barrels since this orginal posting in 2003 are the opinions offered still valid ? My experience is the performance gap has narrowed to the point we are evaluating action (single vs bolt) rather than accuracy given my T/C's performance.

[Grumulkin]

I think the observations are still valid; not much, actually not anything, has changed with T/C actions and barrels of significance.  Ditto with Remington and Savage.

[Ladobe]

I've had a truck load of TC's, and I've had several 700VS's.   While I agree that the TC's are very capable, especially with a tuned action and premium barrel, I doubt even today that in an equal comparison (22-250 vs 22-250) the TC can match a Remy 700VS.   

[JON8777]

100 yard encore group... I know I can do better, but after 20 rounds and a few trips down range I start to lose my edge.

This group was from a range trip to zero the rifle and quick verification of ballistics. I was looking at a used 700 22-250 varmit rig at the local gun shop and I am glad I passed on it.

[Grumulkin]

I still don't think anything has changed that would cause one to come to different conclusion in regards to Encores vs Remington 700 vs Savage rifles in the last 10 years or so.  It's frequently assumed that Encores can't quite make the accuracy of a bolt action rifle which isn't true.  That said, Remington 700s are very nice and if I was satisfied with just one gun for everything from target to varmints to deer chambered in 22-250, a Remington 700 would suite me just fine.  I've never shot a Savage but they have a good reputation and I wouldn't hesitate to go with one of them under similar circumstances.

[JON8777]

For 'cheap' factory brls they do quite well IMO

[nomosendero]

This is probably not an unbiased forum, but here is my quandry:

-I have wanted a 22-250 rifle for several years
-I can have only one...a domestic issue
-I want an accurate rifle that I can use to target shoot and varmint hunt, but do not want to "tinker" with it too much.
-I am considering either an Encore with a 26-inch heavy barrel or the Remington varmint special.
-If I get the Encore, I would consider buying a Bullberry or Virgin Valley barrel to increase accuracy (Is that worth the extra money?)


What do you recommend?  Encore or Remington?

Thanks,
Max

Both can deliver the goods, but the odds favor the Mod700. Again, either can be exceptional, if a std Encore vs a Mod 700, you could get a SPS & rough up the interior of the tupperware, bed it & go.

but I would go with an upper end Rem, not an SPS type, for more demanding needs, if you are thinking about an Encore & a custom tube, I would rather get a M700VLS or a VS SF II. I have both an Encore & some 700's & the Sendero types are amazing for factory guns.