Encore Long Range

[AK Gun Man 88]

Well, I got an idea for my next project. Precision rifle Encore. My plan so far is trigger job, new hammer spring, new lockup spring, headspacing correctly (Bellm TC website). For the stock, I am thinking Choate M4 Pistol grip, replace the carbine buffer tube with an A2 style so I can use Magpul PRS stock. For the barrel, either a 300 win mag stainless encore barrel cut down to 22" or have one made by Match Grade Machine that is 22" 1" diameter. For the fore end, my plan is to make a mix of bedding compound and lead shot to increase weight in the fore end, pillar bed it. Scope base with 6 hole base. As far as optic, not sure yet, I will have to look around for that.

Thought I would share my thoughts with y'all this evening.

Open to suggestions for improvement. I do not want to hear "Get a bolt gun, TC's shoot like garbage". I think an accurate Encore can be made. And, I get more thrill/joy from my encore and contender than any semi/bolt gun (except my Mosin and M1, absolute blast to shoot these)

 

[brian923]

I think it will make a great gun. Go for it and take lots of pics of the build.

 

[JShirley]

TCs shoot very well. I've been considering eventually making a short carbine Contender. I'm not sure you'll see much advantage with that PRS stock, though. I think the big advantage of the M4 adapter is the ability to be super compact. If you're adding a heavier stock, I think you're going the wrong direction, design-wise.

John

 

[R.W.Dale]

I'm as big a fan as anyone about the encore platform.

But that only came AFTER I went down the same road as you and finally learned to accept the platform and enjoy it within its limitations.

Learn from me. If you want a high precision long range rifle you put together yourself then get a SAVAGE, but don't leave this endeavor you're setting out on hating the encore because you wouldn't listen to the advice of folks who've done the same thing before.

How much experience do you have with the platform already and what are your accuracy expectations.

I have the chose stock on mine and its a great tool to have with my kids. But a high precision stock it is not by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Also do you anticipate hand loading or the rifle?

And I'm curious as to why you want such a short bbl in a magnum cartridge in a platform that offers short overall lengths with a longer tube

 

[JShirley]

R.W., how do you like that M4-style stock?

I have a short LOP, and I was considering either mounting an M4 style adjustable or mounting the adapter, and then a fixed short LOP stock like the Magpul MOE Fixed Carbine Stock. I held a friend's Contender Carbine yesterday, and he stated that the stock on a standard Contender would not be too long.

Research today verifies that, while I don't know what my friend has, it's not a standard Contender stock. Standard LOP is shown to be 14".

John

 

[R.W.Dale]

I love it. My 7 and 12 yo shoot it collapsed all the way. I'm most comfortable one notch in from max. It's very comfortable to shoot and shoulder naturally

I'm 6.3 195lbs if that helps.

Here's a pic w it in the shorter setting.



I can get actual measurements later

 

[JShirley]

Thanks for the feedback.


Great picture.


To the OP: RW has a strong point about the bl length. You will be losing most of the advantage of a .300 WM by choosing a 22" tube. With the compactness of the single-shot, you could have a 26" bl for the same OAL as a 24" on a bolt-action.

John

 

[taliv]

that is a great picture.

 

[Sam Cade]

Proud Papa for sure!

 

[adelbridge]

no need to pillar bed the forend, O rings give you perfect spacing for pennies. The Encore design is compact and would be 4"-6" shorter than a comparable bolt gun. If you cut the barrel down to 22" you are seriously handicapping the .300WM down to something like a very hot .30-06 load.

 

[AK Gun Man 88]

I do plan on reloading. My thought process on the shorter barrel is to reduce barrel whip. Would there be a noticeable accuracy between a 26 in full bull and 22 in full bull in terms of barrel whip?

 

[R.W.Dale]

No

In THEORY a shorter barrel is stiffer and possibly more accurate.

But in the real world with its winds and pesky gravity launching bullets of higher BC FASTER trumps this theory.

I think "barrel whip" is a misused term bandied about by folks who don't have a concept of proper load work up and finding a barrels accuracy nodes

All of which is neither here nor there and will be completely lost on an ENCORES limited accuracy potential

Buy the longer bbl and use all that FREE velocity

 

[AK Gun Man 88]

Decisions...get 26" Encore (pre prohunter) or have MGM do a full bull 26 for me?

 

[R.W.Dale]

Just get a 28" pro hunter bbl. spend the difference all on a precision scope and powder.

Then learn the wind.