Author Topic: 22-250 Encore with long throat  (Read 669 times)

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Offline J.G.Terry

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22-250 Encore with long throat
« on: July 21, 2011, 12:23:06 PM »
Took the new 24" stainless Encore 22-250 out for the first time. The rifle functioned flawlessly. On the down side, loading 50gr. Remington  bullets this rifle appears to have a long throat. The load was 35 gr.s of IMR4895. Accuracy was passable for the first time out with untried loads. Got home and found 60gr. Hornady's also had to be seated out to fill the throat. It appears that with 1/12 twist and long throats these rifles are designed for the heavier bullets. Any suggestions on workable loads using 50 or 55gr. bullets will be appreciated. Am I missing something here? :-\

Offline Ladobe

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Re: 22-250 Encore with long throat
« Reply #1 on: July 22, 2011, 09:25:34 PM »
I think for up to 52 gr a 1:14 is standard, 1:12 for 55-60 gr.  TC probably picked 1:12 for all of their 22 CF's because they can also usually shoot lighter bullets, making them more versatile.   
 
FWIW, when the Encore's first came out I ended up going through three 22-250 15" factory barrels to get one that would shoot 50-55 grain bullets to my satisfaction.   Last time I told TC to send me a dozen and I'd return up to a dozen if they didn't shoot.   LOL   Way too long ago to remember what powder and bullets I was using, but the third one was the charm and did very well on long range varmints.   Just one of the reasons so many moons ago I went from factory to custom barrels where I could spec them as I wanted them, and also because of all the wildcats I shot on my TC's.
 
YMMV
 

 
 
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Offline jason280

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Re: 22-250 Encore with long throat
« Reply #2 on: July 24, 2011, 09:36:58 AM »
I've owned quite a few rifles with extremely long throats, in both bolt guns and Contenders/Encores, but they all seemed to shoot fairly well.  I had a 21" Contender barrel in 7mm TCU with such a long throat, I couldn't reach the lands even with 162gr BTHPs.  It was ridiculous, but the barrel still shot pretty well with 120-162gr loads.  I guess my point is, don't worry to much about the throat.  Just try a few loads with 55-602gr bullets, and see how she shoots. 
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Offline J.G.Terry

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Re: 22-250 Encore with long throat
« Reply #3 on: July 25, 2011, 12:48:32 PM »
Yep, where does a long throat become freebore. As you pointed out, even with a long throat these barrels appear to shoot well. Still have do some work on loads on the chronograph to get things leveled out-making up for the long throat. The problem with this Encore was complicated by a scope failure. Put on a thirty year old "gold ring" scope and seated 55gr. Sierra's out with good accuracy/results.  The the first six three shot group with this scope averaged .80 which suits me for a starting load in an unmodified rifle of that weight.  Today, my last five shot group was slightly over an inch this with one flyer.  No wonder you guys like these Encores.  :)