Why The Problems With The Encore?

[Big Blue]

I was just sitting here reading through the topic, "Opinions On Encore Rifles", and I noticed quite a few owners are reporting accuracy problems with their Encore rifles. What do you think is the reason they are having problems? Is it that the barrels have quality control issues and it's a hit or miss deal on whether you get a good shooter or not? Is it that the right load hasn't been found for that rifle? I'm real curious because I would like to buy one and don't want to spend $500+ and role the dice on whether I'll get a shooter or not. If it worked out, I'd like to start a collection of Encore barrels in many different calibers.
Don

[Buford]

I have had excellent results with both Encore rifles and handguns - I have had several that, box stock, have shot well under an inch - many 1/2" groups.

[poncaguy]

I wondered that my self, my Encore 204 is a tack driverm my 7mm-08 is just medicore. Now my 7MM-08 15" pistol shoots less than an inch and so does my Contender 14" 223. I think with the rifle barrels, the forends and breaking in the barrels is important.............

[Redhawk1]

I have 4 Encore Frames and different barrels, all shoot extremely accurate.  :?

[Big Blue]

I took a look at the site that BellmTCs,inc. has. Looking over the list of fixes for problems suffered by some with the Encore, it appears to be the same sort of problems that are inherent to all break action rifles. I see many of the same problems, or fixes used as are used on the H+R/NEF rifles. In my view better quality control from the factory would eliminate many of these problems, especially those created by chamber depth or lock up issues. You have to wonder that after so many here have returned barrels and/or frames due to accuracy problems, why there hasn't been a fix put into the new rifles being sold. I have owned one Encore in the past and I'm sorry I sold it. I only had it for about 5 months and it accounted for one deer and showed great accuracy. At this time I've been pondering getting a new one, but when you see these first hand reports or problems, it gets you wondering if it's a good move or not. For a frame and say four different calibers, even modestly priced standard barrels in blue your spending $1250. I was wondering if I'd be better off buying just the frame and stock, and then going for even more expensive aftermarket barrels.
Don

[Redhawk1]

I know there are some problems, but I know several guys with several Encore's and not one problem. I just don't see the problems first hand.

Kind of makes you go huh.....

[Thebear_78]

I have had a few different encore frames and barrels and have found that most of them will shoot pretty well.  Some exeptionally well and some mediocre or even poor.  My experience has been if I can't get a barrel shooting good in a few weeks I send it down the road.  I now have a 22-250, 30/06, 209x50, 45/70 cut off at 18", and all of them shoot great.

[Keith L]

I think you need to read with care the reports of problems.  Of course any manufacturer can make some sub par product and it may have happened.  

The story that I can't understand is the one where Encore shooters have to use tape to keep the hinge pin in place because shooting causes one side to slip out of the frame and accuracy goes to pot.   If the gun is assembled correctly this can't happen.  Yet it seems to have been repeated and believed on this wonderful tool: the internet.  Also claims by those who make a living out of "improving" product can be taken as proof that the product is inferior.

I have seen lots of Encores and know a bunch of shooters, and have never witnessed these problems.  I own two G2s and one original Contender and have nothing but good luck with them. I sure wouldn't be afraid to get an Encore if I had a need for one.

[iiibbb]

I love my Glock... but even they have issues.  And people make a living "improving" Glock's "deficiencies".  There are bad Glocks that can be found... and I these people find their way to discussion sites to 'discuss' them.

You basically have to take complaints with a grain of salt.

As far as I know this is the only public forum dedicated to the Encore.  People who have problems are going to be drawn to this site; first seeking solutions, then complaining if no fix is to be had.  The most complaints I've seen on here in the past year is about 10 people.  That ain't many.

Sucks that every one of them isn't perfect, but there's a lot of variables and a lot of different performance standards.

My muzzleloader works great... my .308 has shown it's potential.  Both are certainly good enough for MOD (minute of deer) accuracy.

The biggest sell for me is the barrel swapping.  I can have several calibers for way less than buying the same number of new guns.

[skb2706]

I have read just about every 'online' problem that can be found with regard to TC Encores. There are some that no doubt are problems ie the gun that won't shoot factory ammo ....thats a problem. Most of the accuracy issues can be solved with simple, proven methods that take little or no money or little time.
I wish I could locate this "problem" gun just once to see it and work with it. I have many TC products and granted a few have been problems....easily worked out with either a trip back to TC but for the most part an education on my part.
I've had issues with other guns and the law of averages says we all could...but its like anything else. You can cut way down on the problems by becoming more familiar with what you have.

[Big Blue]

Thanks for taking the time to reassure me guys. Like I said, I once had an Encore in .243 and it was a shooter. I can only hope I can get another one that equals it's performance. I think I'll start out with a 7mm-08 and move on from there.
Don

[Redhawk1]

Thanks for taking the time to reassure me guys. Like I said, I once had an Encore in .243 and it was a shooter. I can only hope I can get another one that equals it's performance. I think I'll start out with a 7mm-08 and move on from there.
Don

Good luck and keep us posted.  

[mjshell]

I personnally have never had a TC barrel that I could not get exceptable accuracy out of.  I do tweek all my encores but the factory stock encore is an excellent platform to start with.

I have never read about using tape to keep the hinge pin from falling out, however, I did read on pr bullets sight about using aluminum tape to keep the pin in the exact same location from shot to shot for improved consistency.  I have never tried it, but those guys seem to know what they're doing.  I just use the somewhat controversial oversized hinge pins just to tighten the tolerances.

[Buckskin]

I just installed a 2x oversized pin on my encore.  And it made a world of difference.  I am now a believer!  What did bother me though, is that the 1x pin that I bought was the exact same size as the pin that came with my Encore.  So what does that mean??  The factory thought that a standard pin was to sloppy??  If thats the case, what are the using for machining?? A G.D. vise and a hand held drill?  I have complained very little about TC, because I love the gun, but this makes me concerned.

[Keith L]

You may want to consider the processes used by the pin maker.  Perhaps they cut their oversize pins undersize.  Just a thought...

[mjshell]

Buckskin,

If you are using mike _ellm's pins.  Here is the info I was provide on another site.

Factory .4375
1x  .4377
2x  .4383
3x  .4393
4x  .4403

I measured my factory pin and it was .4375

[sureshot2040]

hey guys
i havent heard anything abt tips for improving accuracy of the encore
i have two guys that i shoot with and they both shoot the encore
i would like to tell them abt things that might help them with their inconsistent accuracy issues. this hinge pin?? where can they get em??
does it really make a difference in accuracy??
btw both their guns are in .270 if it matters
is there a website or an address i can get to order the hinge pins??
thanks,
sureshot

[mjshell]

www.b ellmtcs.com (no space between b & e)  This sight has been very helpful to me but seems to draw controversy on this site.