? for you T/C Encore owners

[AK_Maine_iac]

I have worked up loads for all of my Bolt action and Semi Auto rifles with good success.

When it comes to my Encore. I can get good groups with my 223 bbl, 45/70, and 375H&H. The 30.06 is so so but i can not get my 35Whelen to hit the barn wall from inside the barn. I thought it may have been the scope. I replaced it with a new Weaver. It is the Flex tech system .
The reason i say the 06 is so so is because it is open sights not scoped.

I even tried them both with factory ammo ( Black Hills 06 and Hornady 35Whelen). Have used IMR 4064 H380 and Varget starting at bottom working my way up to Max grains.

Is it just the nature of the beast (35W) not to get better than 4 inch groups at 100 yards.

 

[jsnake]

Just some quick info. I am a big encore fan (should consider it a disease). That being said, headspace is this gun's nemesis. I am betting that the "so-so" 3006 and the 35 whelen suffer from headspace issues. Look up Mike Bellm's TC info. It can be fixed if you are willing. I have fixed, with Mikes help, two encore pro-hunter barrels.

Hang in there.

Joe

 

[jem375]

Interesting, I have around a thousand of 30-06 cases and was thinking of getting a 35 Whelen barrel myself, I have a T/C Encore in 308.

 

[scythefwd]

Are you shooting from a rest? I don't have an encore, but I do have a break action rifle and it's picky where my rest is on the forearm. My shots move down when I have the rest under the hinge pin vs under the forearm screw. It groups better when I don't have any pressure on the barrel (when the rest is under the hinge pin again).

Mike Bellm also has found that some barrels for the T/C stuff had messed up throats. Are you developing a flinch for the 35? Has the scope been mounted on another gun and gotten good groups? How are your mounts? My break action hates factory ammo... 2.5 inch groups at 50y. I dropped some less hot stuff in there and moved my resting point and all of a sudden I'm doing 1.25 moa at 100. Still need to find it's pet load.

 

[AK_Maine_iac]

The rest i use is a Caldwell lead sled and it is adjusted so the rest is appx 1 1/4 inch ahead of the hinge. As far as flinch goes i would doubt it. I shoot a 416 all the time. But anything is possible.
After looking at Mike Bellm's web site. I really think it is a head space problem. Going to check into that this week.
Thanks for pointing me to his web site!!!!! Just have to take it one step to a time.

 

[scythefwd]

AK - I shoot .30-06 all the time. 12 ga slugs from the prone... 300 wby, standing only on that one... My .308 made me flinch (and it's a pussy cat). Fit of the stock made a difference. That 35 might be a bit harder hitting than your '06 barrel, so it would be worth checking out whether you are anticipating it or not. I had a friend that didn't think he flinched until he ran out of ammo and the slide lock back didn't catch... one hell of a flinch from a little 9mm... He is an ex seal and embarrassed as hell on that one. No more flinch on his part though

 

[jb27]

Another Encore fan here. While you're checking out Mike Bellm's site, I recommend picking up his Encore tune-up kit. It's fairly easy to do. I've swapped out the springs and pins on 2 of my Encores. Replacing the trigger spring does help out with accuracy (for me anyways). I haven't messed with headspace yet but the kit gives you the tools necessary to do it. The good thing is once you buy the kit for your first gun, you can buy only the parts (springs, etc) that you need to upgrade your other guns.
Good Luck!

 

[AK_Maine_iac]

Tune up kit is in route.

 

[Grumulkin]

1. I haven't found the Encore picky regarding resting the forearm on a rest while shooting of the bench.

2. The headspace "issue" is WAY over blown.

3. A trigger job makes the Encore much more pleasant to shoot. You probably will shoot better groups with a good trigger but a good trigger isn't going to make 4 inch groups into 1 inch groups.

4. If I had a 35 Whelen barrel that wouldn't get better than 4 inch 100 yard groups, I wouldn't be chasing headspace. I would be sending the barrel back to T/C so they could fix the problem.

By the way, if you really think the problem is headspace, just neck size and your problem will be solved.

 

[33rowdy]

As much as I am a TC fan, I don't have an Encore "YET". I'm just being difficult to come off of the extra bucks to get one now. But any way...What is the propper method for the best head space?

 

[Grumulkin]

Just buy your Encore and shoot it; the headspace will probably be fine. If you reload and neck size, the headspace issue, if it existed, will be resolved.

 

[cfullgraf]

1. I haven't found the Encore picky regarding resting the forearm on a rest while shooting of the bench.

2. The headspace "issue" is WAY over blown.

3. A trigger job makes the Encore much more pleasant to shoot. You probably will shoot better groups with a good trigger but a good trigger isn't going to make 4 inch groups into 1 inch groups.

4. If I had a 35 Whelen barrel that wouldn't get better than 4 inch 100 yard groups, I wouldn't be chasing headspace. I would be sending the barrel back to T/C so they could fix the problem.

By the way, if you really think the problem is headspace, just neck size and your problem will be solved.

I have several first generation Contenders that I am very happy with and purchased my Encore based on the Contender's reputation. I must say I am not as pleased with the Encore. The owner adjustable trigger is gone from the Contender and the Encore. I guess the lawyers got involved with the design.

I agree, a trigger job helps alot. Mine, 243 Win and 6.5x54 MS barrels, went from acceptable groups to good groups after I worked on the trigger.

I am not so sure that the location of a rest on the forearm does not affect accuracy. But, I cannot say it does. I don't see any difference between a T/C forearm and a Bullberry forearm.

I have read about the headspace issues and fixes with the Encore and some things just don't sit right with me. I agree that proper neck sizing should solve any issue. But, the Encore is capable of shooting higher intensity rounds than the Contender does.

 

[scythefwd]

what I meant about rest position on the forearm...i meant consistancy between shots... Not where on the forarm affects groups.... Just location of the group.

 

[WSM MAGNUM]

Grumulkin says;

The headspace "issue" is WAY over blown.

By the way, if you really think the problem is headspace, just neck size and your problem will be solved.

That is not entirely true. Headspace problems with break open guns is a common problem and it makes a huge difference when you get it right.
Neck sizing alone will not solve the problem. You must measure the barrel to frame gap to find if you need to size down the necks or you may even need to make the cases longer. But, you must take measurements first.
Mike Bellm explains this very well here.
http://www.bellmtcs.com/store/index.php?cid=172