T/C Encore Accuracy

S

stonebl

New member
What kind of accuracy can I expect from a T/C Encore assuming I am handloading? I really like the concept of changing barrels, but I am concerned that I may sacrifice the accuracy of a bolt action.

Second question, if I go with the Encore, .280 Rem or .300 Win Mag?

Brian
 
Brian:

I have an Encore Pro-Hunter with EABCO.com custom shop barrels... With these barrels, a locking hinge pin and some time developing up a load I have been able to get MOA groups... From my perspective, this is a hunting rifle so I am fine with the MOA groups... I would not consider this my target rifle... If you are going with a .280 or 300 Win Mag, I would recommend that you get a muzzel brake... I have one for the 338-06 barrel and the gun kicks like a .243...
 
Encore 30-06 consistency

I am a big fan of the TC Encore. I originally bought a 50 cal muzzleloader and have since purchased 12GA, 270, and 30-06 barrels. My 30-06 purchased this summer from Ed's Contenders in OK is a 28" SS fluted barrel mounted on a Pro Hunter frame with thumb hole stock. When the gun is clean and lubed I get a good group at 100 yards for the first three shots but after that, with the time it takes to walk the 200 yards round trip to the target and check it out, my next shots drop 4 to 6 inches. If I clean the gun with a patch soaked in solvent it jumps back up but only for a few shots. I would appreciate it if anyone has any ideas.
 
the encore a good hunting package i have many 308 ,7mm mag, 50 ML, 35 rem, 7-08, 22Lr, 30-30,6.8 spec, and 444 marlin and they all shoot moa or better with factory ammo you just have to find what works best out of them but the 7mag shoots the best
 
I have a pro hunter in a 30-06. It shoots a little better than MOA with just about any factory 150 gr or 165 gr bullets that i've fired through it. However, with the 180 gr bullets i've shot through it, i'm getting like 5 and 6 inch groups from it.
 
However, with the 180 gr bullets i've shot through it, i'm getting like 5 and 6 inch groups from it.
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The .30 cal Encores have a 1 in 10" twist, the same as most bolt action rifles. You probably haven't found a 180 gr load your barrel likes.
 
I have shot my brothers .270 and its moa at the very least which is fine with factory loads in a hunting rifle. I would think with good handloads you could shoot a little better which would be sub-moa. Thats more than good enough for hunting. I like the T/C Encore, its a nice rifle.
 
I shot a friends Encore with a .243 Win sporter barrel and it and the 5 shot group printed 3/4" of an inch at 100 yards... With something other than the POS simmons scope on it, I bet it would do better... I was impressed by the accuracy...
 
Mine is a prohunter with a .204 barrel currently and with handloads its under
.6 now. I also lightened the trigger which helped.
 
I've heard some mixed reviews on the accuracy of T/C's longer pro-hunter barrels. There are some that feel T/C screwed up with the barrel harmonics and they are not as accurate as the normal (non pro-hunter) barrels.
 
That's interesting. I hadn't heard that. Like I said mine shoots better than anything else I own. Do you have any specific caliber examples? I wonder if that's more true with the larger calibers.
 
Doyle has a point, and I have also heard similar stories that they went too long with the prohunter barrels and have had instances of irregular accuracy. I've never seen a real need for a 28" barrel on a hunting rifle, my 24" and 26" barrels are more than enough. Still, almost any variety of factory TC encore barrel will produce 3 shot 1" groups with ammo it likes. I have several that will do quite a bit better than that when I do my part.

My only concern about TC right now is that they closed their custom shop last year and S&W just closed the TC barrel shop....which worries me as their barrels were their signature asset for many years.
 
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