Author Topic: New Encore Help (Read 949 times)

Brad Gray · « **on:** January 05, 2004, 05:20:32 AM »

I purchased my first Encore on Friday 1/2/04. Got the 50 cal. and also purchased the 7mm-08 barrel and forend. I put a Redhead 6-18x50 on the 7mm-08 and took it to the range along with 40 rounds of 120grain remington hollow point. This is where it got interesting after reading and hearing great things that is exactly what i am expecting however thats not what i got. 3 inch group at 100 yards. I spent the next hour going over the gun making sure everything was tight and clean. alittle better 2 inch group. gave up went home cleaned the gun rechecked all screws and lock the gun up for the night. I decided that maybe i would try some heavier bullets. Federal Premium 140 grain BT. first 6 shots two 2 inch groups next 6 shots two, 1 1/2 group next 6 shots two 1 inch groups. Not sure exactly what is going on but it appeared after about 40 to 50 rounds the gun finally decided to shot a couple nice groups. Before leaving i fired 3 round at 150 yards and got a nice 1 inch group. Anybody have an ideal of why this would happen.

Raven · « **Reply #1 on:** January 05, 2004, 05:45:35 AM »

Brad,

I had a similar experience with a 308 barrel that is detailed in a recent thread. I did a lot of things in an attempt to improve accuracy including trying different scopes, free floating the forearm, recrowning, trigger job, different ammo, etc. I cannot say which of these potential fixes had the most effect, however after several trips to the range and five boxes of ammo later, I was able to gets some good groups out of the barrel. In reflection, the most effective thing that I may have done was to get 60 to 100 rounds through the barrel and get it broken in. This particular barrel appeared to have an extremely rough bore and may just needed to get some rounds through it to smooth it out a little. Usually, I would not have tried this hard and would have sold or traded earlier in the process. But it was my first experience with an encore and I really wanted to get the bugs out and be able to move on with confidence to other barrels before scrapping the whole encore system. Plus I just enjoy tinkering with things.

I now have several other encore barrels that I am pleased with. Just have some patience and maybe she will continue to perform.

Wishunt.com · « **Reply #2 on:** January 05, 2004, 06:04:12 AM »

Brad, It sounds like you may not have "broken in" your barrel. If you did, I have no answers for ya.

http://www.custompistols.com/bengtson/articles/bblcare.htm

Check out this link. I have used this method on all of my new barrels and rifles. It works like a charm.

I have seen guys pull the rifle out of the box, run a box of ammo though it and as the last few shots drift high and outside they say " it must be me" they go home and give the gun a light cleaning and that's that. Don't get me wrong. If you hunt deep woods and shoot less than 50 yards with a Rem semi auto 30-06 you don't have anything to worry about.

Brad Gray · « **Reply #3 on:** January 05, 2004, 06:25:21 AM »

Raven, Thats it exactly. Wishunt, I did not follow that break in procedure as i have one myself that has seemed to work wonders on all the other rifles I own. Mine like Raven's did seem to have a rather rough spot in the bore about midways down the barrel. you could run a cotton patch through and see that it was pulling some of the cotton away from the patch as well as inspecting with a bore inspection tool on loan from my gunsmith. As i talked with him on thing that might have helped was his suggest to use some Flitz Metal polish on that area. After the Flitz the roughness was gone. Any other suggestions or comments would be appreciated. Thaks Raven ant Wishunt.

HogFan · « **Reply #4 on:** January 05, 2004, 11:31:02 AM »

Brad,

Maybe your gun does not like that ammo. My 7mm-08 barrel will shoot 3/4" groups with 140 gr BT all day, but I tried some Federal 150 gr. spire points I believe, and can't hit he braod side ot a bran with it.

HogFan

Bullseye · « **Reply #5 on:** January 05, 2004, 04:34:36 PM »

I do not follow the break in procedure. Don't fault those who do, I just do not. It could have been the ammo. I also think that some guns do not start shooting their best until they get some rounds put thru them and smooth everything. Does not matter who makes it, a new barrel is going to have some rough spots at the start. I have had more than one barrel like this.

af4kb · « **Reply #6 on:** January 06, 2004, 02:10:46 AM »

Same experience with a 22 hornet Contender barrel.About 50-60 shots before it started to come around.Now I will start all over again looking for the pet load for it. Good Luck Pop

SingleShotShorty · « **Reply #7 on:** January 08, 2004, 09:04:40 AM »

I had almost the same problem with groups with my 308 Win barrel on my Encore, it would shoot 2 rounds touching and throw one. I went to Mike Bellms web site and talked with him and discovered I had a very slight wiggle in my hinge pi when the rifle was closed. Mike suggested to install an oversized hinge pin in it and it cured my problem. Now the barrel shoots cloverleaf groups. I would suggest that before you get PO'd with its performance be sure to break in the barrel. I also found that some of Mike Bellms trigger springs and hones really helped my groups also. All I know is that I'm very happy with my Encore now and plan on adding a 270 Win and 300 Win barrel in the near future.

Brad Gray · « **Reply #8 on:** January 09, 2004, 06:58:55 AM »

I have got the issue resolved. I am now shooting 3/4 inch groups at 150 yards. I floated the foreand by using some small washers as well as shot a few more rounds through the gun. It seems like it has a 50 round break in period. Not to mention the Flitz Down the Barrel and a darn good scrubbin. Man i love this gun. Like all others its addictive. I am now looking for an additional barrel in .221 Fireball. Thanks to all of you for the help and to any others that are having issues stick with it they shoot great and handle wonderfully. I have spent many hours doing gun smith work and new this would come around like everything else it takes time and lots of money ( thats women) i mean't to say patience. :grin: