Floatin the Pro Hunter Stock

[Davemuzz]

I am working up a varmit load for my new Pro Hunter in 243 caliber and the gun has that "stringing" issue that occurs when the barrel heats up and you get those vertical impact points. In addition, you can't run the dollar bill cleanly in between the barrel and the forarm.

So, the two options are dremmel the life out of the plastic (not the best option) or, find someone who has two #8-40 screws that are at least 1-1\8" long. That would allow enough length to insert a solid bushing inbetween the stock and the barrel.

BTW, I tried inserting a rubber O ring. It doesn't give enough relief to get the barrel a complete free float. And when you put a thicker O ring in, you just run out of screw.

I checked Brownell's and they only have the #8-40 that is 3\4" long. Midway doesn't carry screws that will help this situation.

Does anyone have a source that would have these?

Thanks.

Dave.

[Davemuzz]

Why yes Dave, if you look further in Brownells, they have a #8-40 screw that is 1" long that will work just fine with your project.

As a matter of fact, if you look http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=394&title=FILLISTER+HEAD+SCREW+KIT you will find the exact screw you need.

Good luck with your project Dave...I'm just glad we could help!!

Dave.

[Redhawk1]

Why yes Dave, if you look further in Brownells, they have a #8-40 screw that is 1" long that will work just fine with your project.

As a matter of fact, if you look http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=394&title=FILLISTER+HEAD+SCREW+KIT you will find the exact screw you need.

Good luck with your project Dave...I'm just glad we could help!!

Dave.

Just where I was going to tell you to look, but you beat me to your own question.  Let us know how it works for you.

[Davemuzz]

Well Redhawk, the screw length worked out well.  I took one of the spacers from an Uncle Mikes T\C sling swivel set (http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=177496) that I had and Dremeled it in half. Then I took a file and contoured it to fit the barrel and front part of the forend, then "goop" glued it to the forend.

The barrel has very good seperation from the forend and it passes the "dollar bill" test with flying colors.

Now, If I can get it to pass the "group very tight" test at the range, then all will be well.

I'll let you know.

Dave.

[Davemuzz]

Well,

I went to the range today with two different reloads. One was the Nosler 80gr over BL-C2 and the other was a Sierra 85gr over H4895.

It was ugly. I mean ugly with a capital "U". At 100 yards I was getting 4" and 5" groups. Nasty, nasty, nasty.

So, I took off the forarm and shot the gun with no forarm. I rested the frame on my gun rest. Same results....ugly...ugly...ugly.

Gave up....came home and called T\C. I talked to a rep. He stated that I should get sub-MOA with factory loads using 100 grain bullets. He stated that the 80 and 85 grain may be too light. T\C got their best groups using 100 grain Federal or Winchester soft point bullet loads.

So...I have now loaded and shot about 130 rounds thru this barrel....and I'm tired of this dance. So I'm going to pick up a box of factory loads (I can't remember the last time I said that) and go shoot 'em. If I don't get sub-MOA.....it's goin back.

Dave.

[Lawful Larry]

I talked to a rep. He stated that I should get sub-MOA."

Got this same quote from the factory guys.  I have my barrel back to them for the third time.  This time I asked for a new barrel or a refund.  They have had for a while now, so I will wait for their answers. 

My problem was that I could get two shots to touch and the third would be thrown out as much as 5 & 1/2" from the group.  Drove me nuts trying all different rounds, both reloads and factory.  Had as many as 5 different friends try to shoot it and all got the same results.  ?!?!?!? 

I have been shooting the Contender for years and love all my barrels.  They are all tack drivers.  Either I am the unluckiest guy in the world or someone is full of crap about these Encore guns. 

[Keith L]

I am a Contender guy shooting pistol and carbine and all work better than I do.  I admit to never even handling an Encore.  But I am at a loss to know why one style would be so good and the other generate the number of complaints I see here on this board.  From what I see size is the only real difference.  If the little one works well why not it's larger brother?  I have two G2s which should replicate the Encore and both are great.

[huntswithdogs]

Dave,

Disregard the man from T/C. Get ya some medium valve grind compand and smooth the inside of that barrel out. Put some on a patch and start running it back-forth in the barrel. I did this after every shooting session til mine came around. Now it's down to a ragged hole puncher. I had to do this to both a 25/06 and 300WM barrel. Both had been back to T/C and found to be "OKAY". The compound worked wonders.

HWD

[Davemuzz]

Well,

After my post, I also put a call into Sierra. I went to their web site and found out they have a toll free phone number and "bullet guys" that are there from 8am to 8pm and they do nothing else but answer questions about bullets. Not just sierra bullets, (but I think they would really like to chat about their bullets) but all bullets. Really nice people and full of good information.

So, I was tellin this guy about my T\C and what the T\C guy recommended. He said that was a good recommendation, but when I was telling him about my test shootin two different loads he stopped me and ask if I cleaned the barrel between each shot. I told him no, I didn't and I was alternating shots. One Nosler then one Sierra. He then told me I committed a cardinal sin of load testing. NEVER shoot a different bullet\powder combo unless you clean the barrel first. If you don't clean the barrel first, you will get (what I got) very bad groupings. Lesson learned!!!

So, anyway, I picked up a box of Winchester 100 grain softpoints. I shot those (target on the upper right), cleaned the barrel...then shot the Nosler 80gr with BL-C2 (target on the upper left), cleaned the barrel...then shot the Sierra with 4895 (target on the lower left).

The factory load did "OK" but the Nosler seemed to do pretty well. I think I can get this tighter if I mess with the OAL. Noslers are fussy about the OAL and will group quite differently with just a five thous. seating difference.

So, the barrel does shoot the MOA as promised by T\C. I know with some additional work I can get this to tighter groups. It took me about 2 months to get my factory T\C .223 to get a 4 shot group that can be covered by a dime at 100 yards.....but I finally got it there. When I miss a groundhog with the .223, it's not the gun's fault.

Here is the pic:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a212/davemuzz/withfactory.jpg