Author Topic: OPINIONS ON ENCORE RIFLES? (Read 5169 times)

confederate · « **on:** March 17, 2005, 04:47:04 AM »

I am interested in Buying a TC Rifle in 308. I have been doing a lot of reading about them on a lot of forums including this one. The problem is there always seems to be people who pop up saying they are having accuracy problems. Also I read something about the hinge pins moving. So whats the bottom line guys? I really like the look and feel of this rifle. What is the majority's opinion about them?

Buford · « **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2005, 06:28:55 AM »

I have a SS Encore in .308 and a blue one in .223 - Both will easily go under an inch. Zero problems. No work done to either of them.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 17, 2005, 06:32:58 AM »

I have not had any problems with my Encore rifle barrels at all.

iiibbb · « **Reply #3 on:** March 17, 2005, 08:19:03 AM »

Quote from: confederate

I am interested in Buying a TC Rifle in 308. I have been doing a lot of reading about them on a lot of forums including this one. The problem is there always seems to be people who pop up saying they are having accuracy problems. Also I read something about the hinge pins moving. So whats the bottom line guys? I really like the look and feel of this rifle. What is the majority's opinion about them?

I have a SST in .308 with the 24" barrel.

I seem to be having accuracy issues with 180 gr cartriges (3-4" groups)... specifically Federal Vital Shock. I've managed a few .75" groups with 150 gr Wolf ammo... so I know the gun has the ability.

Keith L · « **Reply #4 on:** March 17, 2005, 10:48:22 AM »

Here is the question about hinge pins moving again. I don't know about Encores having Contenders. I can't imagine TC making Encores so the hinge pin can come out. The only way I can see this happen is if you are shooting them with the forestock off. Am I wrong?

Flash · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2005, 12:53:52 PM »

I have an Encore in 22-250(26" heavy) and if I do my part, the bullet holes will touch each other at 100 yards.

SLAVAGE · « **Reply #6 on:** March 17, 2005, 01:02:59 PM »

Quote from: confederate

The problem is there always seems to be people who pop up saying they are having accuracy problems.

well if it dosent shoot good send it back they are good when it comes to that just make sure its new when u buy it,
i have one in a 7mm-08 an i put 200 rounds in it the first day at camp the guys had that barrel hot to were you could just about lite a marlboro with it lol
but i say take the step an get your self one

ok the pin
well thers only one way to have that thing come out
an thats to have the forarm not on ther an well frankly it takes a a good push to get the pin out at least on mine but i would say after shooting a good few busting rounds in it that it could happen but i wouldent shoot it with out the forarm on it any ways so it couldent happen

confederate · « **Reply #7 on:** March 17, 2005, 05:00:55 PM »

Thanks for the reply's. I really want to get one. I just wanted to get as much positive feedback as possible. One other question.How bright are the stainless barrels? Are they the brushed stainless that doesn't shine?

Buford · « **Reply #8 on:** March 17, 2005, 05:21:07 PM »

The stainless that TC uses is a very field friendly satin finish. Now you have done it, I am going to buy another one.....

southern utah · « **Reply #9 on:** March 18, 2005, 06:06:25 AM »

I believe the stainless are bead or sand blasted

Rev · « **Reply #10 on:** March 18, 2005, 12:09:41 PM »

I have a 209x50, a 308 and a 223 and am nothing but happy, happy, happy!! Don't think you can go wrong. I had a contender in pistol format and owned three barrells for it and was nothing but happy, happy, happy. Good luck with your decision.

tcman · « **Reply #11 on:** March 20, 2005, 03:59:02 AM »

CONFEDERATE....look at my post on the topic "want to buy an Encore"

pretty much sums up my experience so for with the Encore.

Also, 308 is a great caliber....very capable for high accuracy. I owned one in a lever action (not always associated with MOA groups) and I was the cock of the walk in our area...put those '06 buddies of mine to shame.

Keith L · « **Reply #12 on:** March 21, 2005, 03:21:56 AM »

The article that apparently started this "pin moving" issue cites a situation where the pin moved to the side sufficiently to cause the barrel to shift to the side. I don't recall the actual distance the author claimed the gun shot to the side but it seems to me it was 10 inches or so. The article claimed increased accuracy by taping both sides of the frame by the pin to retain the pin. This came off of a muzzleloading site.

I agree that a lock up should be tight and repeatable. If the fit is so bad that you can wiggle the barrel around when it should be locked up it needs repair. I recommend a trip to TC instead of an oversized pin. It may have other problems to be repaired to make it shoot safely.

I maintain that if the pin moves so far to the side that it unhooks one side of the frame then the shooter must be shooting without the gun assembled fully.

NYbowhunter43 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 26, 2005, 11:59:55 AM »

I have a SS in 25-06 never had a problem. Love this gun!!

WV HUNTER · « **Reply #14 on:** March 28, 2005, 01:48:40 AM »

I see alot of people are happy with there Encore.I'm personally very unhappy.I bought this Encore in a 7mm mag new.It would not shoot,so I sent the whole gun back to TC and they said they fixed.Wrong it still won't shoot.I sent the barrell back and it still won't shoot.So I traded the 7mm to TC for a.270 and I have not shot it yet.I have bought every ammo out there.Spent $30.00 in shipping and $200.00 or more in ammo.Everytime I go to a shooting range someone is having the same problem as me with different calibers.Most I have talked to are unhappy other than this web site.I have alot of rifles and have never bought on that was this difficult to get a group.I will see how this .270 will shoot soon,I 've just lost interset in the gun and wish I had never bought it because now I can't get my money back.Dealers won't refund and TC will not refund.They will continue working on it.But it get's old sending it back and forth.I bought it for hunting this past season and didn't even get to use it.

Mud · « **Reply #15 on:** March 28, 2005, 10:49:34 AM »

The problem with the Encore is not accuracy, you will shoot it as well if not better than any other rifle in the same price range you can buy.
The problem is that you will find yourself buying other things to go with your 308 that you had no intention of ever getting. A few barrels and parts and pieces down the road and you realize you could have had a couple nice rifles always ready to go with the same money, so you get another frame to correct this, etc...
The problem is usually taking a liking to it.

longwinters · « **Reply #16 on:** March 28, 2005, 12:11:43 PM »

The only things I don't like about them is : too much muzzle jump and too much recoil. Everything else about mine was great.

Long

rocky_taco · « **Reply #17 on:** March 28, 2005, 05:18:55 PM »

Quote from: iiibbb

I seem to be having accuracy issues with 180 gr cartriges (3-4" groups)... specifically Federal Vital Shock. I've managed a few .75" groups with 150 gr Wolf ammo... so I know the gun has the ability.

The problem could be your twist rate. Many 308 barrels don't have a fast enough twist to stabalize a 180 gr bullet. My 308 likes 165 gr...

iiibbb · « **Reply #18 on:** March 28, 2005, 06:16:22 PM »

Quote from: rocky_taco

Quote from: iiibbb
I seem to be having accuracy issues with 180 gr cartriges (3-4" groups)... specifically Federal Vital Shock. I've managed a few .75" groups with 150 gr Wolf ammo... so I know the gun has the ability.

The problem could be your twist rate. Many 308 barrels don't have a fast enough twist to stabalize a 180 gr bullet. My 308 likes 165 gr...

That was my guess and has been several peoples' suggestion. I was going to try 165's next.

Gotta take negative reviews with a grain of salt. When someone has a problem with a rifle they first find one of these BBS's, and if they can't solve their problem they come back to complain.

People who never have a problem aren't as motivated.

confederate · « **Reply #19 on:** March 29, 2005, 01:38:10 PM »

Some of these kind of reply's are what I was talking about. It makes me a little afraid of investing in one.

iiibbb · « **Reply #20 on:** March 29, 2005, 04:17:32 PM »

Well, I said it in another thread. BBS's like this are going to concentrate negative reviews because those people that do have problems come here looking to solve them, and if they can't they complain.

It sucks to not be satisfied. Hard to judge peoples' expectations of the gun too.

I'm satisfied with mine... I've killed a couple of deer with it already.

confederate · « **Reply #21 on:** March 31, 2005, 11:34:13 AM »

Well I did it. I went down and put a 308 encore on Layaway with a Bushnell 3200 Elite. I got the Black Synthetic Stainless.

iiibbb · « **Reply #22 on:** March 31, 2005, 12:31:31 PM »

That's same as I got.

For the scope I really like the Warne Mounts from Foxridge outfitters... they are pricey, but they are solid and a no-brainer for installation. If you have a 40mm objective you'll want the medium height rings.

The other accessory I would invest in is one of the Limbsaver replacement recoil pads (Cabellas has them for about $25). I can shoot it all day with that installed.

confederate · « **Reply #23 on:** March 31, 2005, 12:41:26 PM »

I went with leupold base and rings. I got low rings but I am going with a hammer spur so I will be able to cock it with out a problem.

musicman · « **Reply #24 on:** April 02, 2005, 06:33:51 AM »

I have had my problems with my encore. But I still love it. The problems I had were both with the accuracy. My first barrel was a 300 win. mag. and it wasn't worth useing for club that is how bad the accuracy was with it but t/c held their end up even though I sent it back to them three times. On the third time I told them to send me a new barrel in 7mm RM. They did. My next problem was with thier .45 cal. muzzleloader barrel. Again, it wasn't worth useing it to beat snakes with. They did me right again, they sent me a 50 cal. as requested. But, as far as the 7mm goes I sold it to a buddy and I can shoot 1 inch groups with it. As for myself :-D I went with a bullberry barrel in 7mmRm and it shoots dime size groups at a hundred yards with my hand loads. And as far as the hinge pin controversy goes, Thats a bunch of crap. And that is all I will say on that!

musicman · « **Reply #25 on:** April 03, 2005, 07:34:19 AM »

The problem they said with the accuracy was everything but the pin. Once it was the headspace, then it was the crown. The 45 was the twist rate. If the barrel is not locking down I would have that lug checked that is welded on the bottom of the barrel that the pin goes through because they could be out of specs. T/C assured me they had no trouble with the pins being to loose that was the first thing I asked about with the 300 and they said if when the barrel is closed on the frame and if you have no movement there was nothing wrong with pin.

Keith L · « **Reply #26 on:** April 03, 2005, 08:53:08 AM »

Speaking from Contender experience that's it in a nutshell. If it locks up then a pin change is not needed. A couple thousanths isn't going to make a good barrel shoot bad. If the barrel wiggles when locked up the pin may be part of the problem.

I think the pin change is over hyped. I have some well used Contender frames where the pin falls out when the forearm is off and the action open, and they shoot well. I tried one of those fancy pins and nothing changed. It's in the tool box for when one gets more worn out.

Thing is, though, with shooting thinking something will help often does. The sport is one that requires concentration and sometimes a little change gives us the confidence to do better. When I shot trap years ago I replaced the center bead on my 870 with an ivory one. My scores improved overnight. Strictly cosmetic but worked on my head.

musicman · « **Reply #27 on:** April 06, 2005, 01:28:19 PM »

You know I have been hearing about these pin problems everysince I purchased my encore and that has been about three years back. And I have often wondered how hard do you have to hit those oversized pins to get them in frame.

Greenhunter · « **Reply #28 on:** May 18, 2005, 06:10:56 PM »

I love my 209x50 Encore, I had it mag-na-ported to help with muzzle jump and would never dream of selling it. It is topped with a 3x9 Leupold. It whacks deer with accurate authority!

The pin should never come out if it is inserted flush to both sides of the frame and the forearm stock is in place. I use a small wood mallet and dowel to tap it in and out of the frame.

I can't wait to get my 22-250 bull barrel for it!

GH

RipOne · « **Reply #29 on:** May 20, 2005, 12:29:10 PM »

confederate: ENCORE - There's many great rifles, and this is one of them.

You might want to:

SS Barrel & Frame - Get Super Trigger Job - 2 or 2-1/2 pound.
22 inch barrel - heavy or full bull ( Weight & balance )
Float the Forearm
308 is great - for sure / 7mm-08 for what I do.

Guys buy cannons ( So have I and I do ) and try to master - the recoil kicks filling out and the recoil becomes the master. This makes repeat shooting at the range a WWF event - LOL.