Author Topic: 24" 45/70 barrel problem (Read 632 times)

Thebear_78 · « **on:** September 08, 2004, 09:11:59 PM »

I just got a 24" 45/70 barrel for my encore. I actually went to the store to get a 30/06 barrel but this 45/70 barrel followed me home instead. I figured it would make a great boat gun in case we came across the occasional moose or bear while salmon fishing.

Barrel looks great, no defects, locks up like a vault on my frame. The problem came into play when I tried to mount a scope on it. I had an older 4x40 scope with a crosshair post that I thought would be a great match. For some reason after mounting the scope I shot my first two shots at 25 yards and it was printing 16" low. I tried to shim it with some 35mm film negatives but couldn't bring it up enough. I quickly scrapped the scope idea and sighted in the open sights.

The barrel actually shoots really good. I was able to shoot some pretty tight groups at 50 yards, nice little 1"-1 1/2" clusters. I then stepped the target out to 100 yards and shot a few groups. Most groups were in the 2-3" mark but were starting to get bigger towards the end of my range session. For how light it is I was surprised about the recoil of the encore. I weighed it on my bathroom scale at 6lbs without the scope.

I'm thinking about not even bothering with a scope on it. I may just get one of those williams peep sights for it. On the off chance that I do want to scope it in the future is there anything you guys can think of that might help with the scope allignment problem.

bpjon · « **Reply #1 on:** September 09, 2004, 12:25:00 AM »

That would be my first guess. I have a Williams WGRS sight on a 30-06 barrel, and am very satisfied with it. Installation is dead simple, and it is very compact, and looks good on the gun to boot.

Bullseye · « **Reply #2 on:** September 09, 2004, 07:41:25 AM »

I have heard of this problem before and actually had it myself but with the 209x50 barrels. The only option is to shim the base or use Burris Signature Rings with the plastic ring inserts. You can buy the plastic ring inserts in a package that contains different sizes and shim the scope that way.

My solution was the same as yours, just took the scope off. My 209x50 handles much better without the scope and I never take shots over 100 yards so I really do not need it anyway. Now in a few more years when the age thing takes affect on my eyes I might need that scope.

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 09, 2004, 03:24:40 PM »

Well I tried a different set of rings today with the same effect. Looks like I will just scrap the scope idea all together. Looks like I will just get the williams peep site and take back the scope mount and rings.

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 10, 2004, 04:37:22 PM »

I called T/C today and they said that I probably got a bad scope base. I will return the base that I have now for a new one tomorrow and see if that helps the problem any. As it is I ordered a williams peep last night so I should have that soon. The peep site should be good enough for shooting out to 100-150 yards anyway. I would like to get a scope mounted on it some day, I normally perfer a scope to open sites.

KN · « **Reply #5 on:** September 10, 2004, 05:57:13 PM »

When I first got my 45/70 barrel I had to get TC to send me a taller front site for the same reason. I have put a scope on it though and didn't have any problems with enough elevation. But that may be because I ported the barrel. Just kept hitting me in the eye is all. Ended up going back to open sites. KN

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 11, 2004, 12:27:17 AM »

I don't have any trouble at all with the open sights. It hits right where the open sights sit. I'm hoping that it will all be solved by a new set of bases because I have a 4x post reticle scope that would be absolutely perfect for this barrel. If not though I hope the peep sight will be accurate enough out to 150 yards.

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 13, 2004, 06:13:58 PM »

I tried a set of luepold bases and rings with a luepold 1.5-5 compact on the 45/70 barrel today. It worked like a charm. It must have been a defective T/C scope mount that was causing all the trouble. I got a complete refund for the T/C base and put it towards the luepold base. All in all I"m very pleased with it. I beat myself to death for a couple boxes of shells worth tonight at the range and came to the conclusion that for now the winchester 300gr Nosler Partition loads are the way to go. Accuracy was around the 1.5-2" mark for 3 shots at 100 yards. Could be better but will do for now. Here is a pic of the encore with 45/70 barrel.

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 14, 2004, 05:39:23 PM »

I am pretty sure it was the scope base. The other one was a T/C Weaver style base. The luepold base and rings fits a lot better. THe new scope is a luepold VxIII 1.5-5x20 compact. When bore sighted with the luepold base it was fairly close to being on at 25 yards as opposed to the 18" off with the T/C base. The scope I had used was an older fairly cheap scope but I had never had any problems with it before. I just happened to see that luepold compact behind the counter on consignment for $150 and couldn't pass it up. I got the peep sight in the mail today too. I think the scope will be better for picking out an animal in the brush. I will probably hang on to the peep site and put it on the 45/70 when I get a different barrel for the encore. I'll probably pick up a 270-30/06 barrel for it in the future, when I find a good deal on one, and put the 1.5-5 on that and leave the peep on the 45/70.