Author Topic: 6-Screw Base For Encores?  (Read 465 times)

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Offline pab1

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6-Screw Base For Encores?
« on: January 31, 2010, 06:46:48 AM »
After years of using Contenders, I am just starting to play with Encores. I have 6-screw bases installed on my .44 mag through .45-70 Contender barrels. Some people think its overkill. I just picked up a .454 Casull Encore barrel and was planning to send it off to have a 6-screw base installed. Do Encore barrels with heavy recoil need a 6-screw base or is a standard 4-screw base adequate?
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Offline David D.

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Re: 6-Screw Base For Encores?
« Reply #1 on: January 31, 2010, 11:36:01 AM »
Opinions will very on this! But I look at this way. If four will hold, six will hold it better. Kinda like the ring issue, two, three or four. With the heavy thumpers I will take all the security I can get!
Dave D.

Offline jy951

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Re: 6-Screw Base For Encores?
« Reply #2 on: January 31, 2010, 04:40:32 PM »
Well, you can't put a 6 screw base on any barrel, I think its only for a full bull barrel.  If the barrel is full bull, I'd prefer 6 over 4 anyday, but probably not necessary as they come from the factory with only 4 even in magnum calibers. 

Offline Grumulkin

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Re: 6-Screw Base For Encores?
« Reply #3 on: February 01, 2010, 10:21:03 AM »
Yea, SSK Industries can put a 6 screw base on any barrel.  They recently put a 6 screw T'SOB on a tapered 375 H&H Magnum Encore handgun barrel for me and it's not the first they've done for me.  The price of their base includes drilling and tapping the extra 2 holes you'll need.

I'm not sure you need a 6 screw base for a 454 Casull but it wouldn't hurt anything.  I would definitely recommend a 6 screw base for handgun rounds to be fired in handgun barrels with a recoil equivalent of the 460 S&W Magnum and on up.

Offline Steve P

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Re: 6-Screw Base For Encores?
« Reply #4 on: February 02, 2010, 08:20:59 AM »
If it needed 6 screws, TC would have put them on there.  But then again, TC isn't loading your ammo to your pressures.  You may need 6 screws to keep your mount in place.  If you do need to add two more screws, DO NOT attempt to do this yourself.  LET TC or an EXPERIENCED barrel maker like SSK, Bullberry, etc add the holes for you.  If you drill too deep, you will get into a pressure zone and can have some horrible results. 

I have seen two burst Contender barrels.  Both had the 6 hole bases on them.  Both were re-chambered to larger diameter cartridge.  Both peeled liked bananas from the chamber forward.  You can imagine what happened to the base, screws, scope, etc.  Shrapnel imbeds in soft tissue!

Be safe first and foremost.

Steve  :)
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