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Post by heavybarrel on Sept 10, 2015 13:43:32 GMT -5
Which one would you choose and why? I am interested in maybe changing out my factory TC barrel on my Encore Pro Hunter. I have never really been satisfied with the accuracy. I have tried to many different combinations to list but the end result is mediocre accuracy at best.
Thanks
Heavy Barrel |
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Post by triplese7en on Sept 10, 2015 14:44:02 GMT -5
Many times accuracy problems are either related to the plastic sabot, or in your case, could be related to the breechplug hole, old design, or even the Encore hinge pin. There are even times when an ill-fitting stock-to barrel combination can create accuracy woes. Then there's the aprentice shooter that has tried 22 different bullets with two fifty grain Pyrodex pellets, then lets the pellets package age for 5-6 years. It could be the same shooter that never tried to mix-in 30 grain pellets, or tried switching to loose powder. Sometimes five grains plus or minus, can tighten shot groups. Then there's the apprentice that only shoots conicals inside a sabot gun and wonders why he's having troubles. So really, we can't help you much, without knowing more about you - your bullets - your powder ..... even your cleaning and swabbing habits can be wrong. But odds are, it may be your gunstock, hinge pin or breechplug old design, or the plug may be just plain wore out. hinge pin linkhinge pin link |
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Post by heavybarrel on Sept 10, 2015 20:02:35 GMT -5
To many powder charges and bullets to mention, using blackhorn and tried everything from 90 gr volume to 120 gr volume. Started weighing charges with my RCBS electronic powder dispenser and scale. I now weigh each charge and have worked up to max 5 grains at a time.
Shooting a max load of blackhorn and Hornady SST with supplied sabots and getting decent groups around 2 to 2.5 at 100. I keep reading about people getting 1 to 1.5, and I would be really happy with that.
As far as cleaning, I use butches bore shine, and clean to bare steel. I installed a new breech plug last year with same results as old plug. My gun is 10 years old or so with the quarter turn breech. I clean breech with 1/8 bit and torch tip cleaner.
I have installed a flanged hinge pin to try that route but getting same results.
Heavy Barrel
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Post by heavybarrel on Sept 10, 2015 21:08:18 GMT -5
Not by no means an expert but novice. I have read about free floating the forearm and looked at oversize hinge pins. I went with the flanged model that Bellem sales but really didn't see much difference in groups. I keep my sabots in a climate controlled environment and shoot with a fouled bore when using Blackhorn. Seems to be the most consistent powder I have tried so far. I do have some of the new Federal bullets on order to try, and I have been advised to try the Barnes TMZ's which is a bullet I have yet to try. Bought several different sabots, can't recall all the ones I have tried. Bought a bunch of Hornady SST'S so lately I have been focused on using them. Have tried them with numerous different sabots, but found that the supplied sabots that come with the TC Shockwave bullets shoot as good as any. I primarily shoot the 250, but have tried the 300s. I have not relieved the ears of the front stock and they do rub hard on the hinge pin flanges, heard I should relieve them?
Heavy Barrel
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Post by bestill on Sept 10, 2015 21:31:31 GMT -5
Federal209a primer, Barnes290 tez with supplied sabots and 90 grain blackhorn209 and dry patch between shoots . This load will shoot. Way better than 2" groups
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2015 8:08:53 GMT -5
If you want to go Encore Bergara get in touch with Carlos at Eds Gun Shop in Vass NC. He can probably beat any competitors price. Definitely get the Western Powders Blackhorn 209 plug also.
My go to load when I had mine was 105-110gr BH209 with 260-300gr Harvester PT's in Harvester smooth black sabots. It also liked the Barnes .458 300gr Socoms in a Harvester crush rib sabot. A Bellm 1x hinge pin should take up the wiggle if there is any from the factory pin. Trigger jobs are pretty easy also if its on the heavy side. If you upgrade the trigger uograde to a heavier hammer spring also. Bellm sells all the parts you need at affordable prices.
When I shoot BH209 I do not swab between shots.
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Post by encore50a on Sept 12, 2015 8:46:02 GMT -5
I've owned many Encores and Pro Hunters. Each one of them loved 107grs volume (75grs weighed) BH209, CCI209M primers and Barnes 250gr TMZ bullets. I seated the bullets HARD on the propellant. Mike has many accessories that can help with accuracy with directions, except for the scope and shooter. Never owned an Encore platform rifle that wouldn't shoot MOA at 100 and many would shoot better than MOA at 200.
If its maintaining 2 or 2.5" groups, I would suggest more trigger time.
Using only my personal experience with a couple Bergara barrels on TC rifles, including Bergara barrels from Bellm, they shoot no better than the factory TC barrels I've owned. A guy that shoots with me purchased a Pro Hunter from an estate. The owner had shot the rifle only a few times but, the last time he shot it, he passed before getting the barrel cleaned. It was badly pitted. A new Bargara barrel was purchased from Mike, and to be honest, it didn't shoot any better than his pitted barrel. I still believe more trigger time is needed......... Good luck.
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Post by heavybarrel on Sept 12, 2015 18:51:23 GMT -5
I have one of the flanged hinge pins installed with no noticeable accuracy increase. Has anyone else tried them with any success? I may try a 1X pin, they are not expensive. How hard should the pin be to install, resistance wise? To insure that it is effectively helping??
Heavy Barrel
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Post by schunter on Sept 12, 2015 19:21:06 GMT -5
I installed the Belm 1X hinge pin in a few Encores. Cant say it was a great improvement but didn't hurt. The oversize pin should not go in by hand but should need to be tapped in with a mallet.
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Post by heavybarrel on Sept 14, 2015 15:11:38 GMT -5
Has anyone used the flanged hinge pin? I had to replace the original washer with a SS washer because the original bent and allowed the screw to pass through. Figured it would help with the side to side movement, but can still be installed without needing a mallet. May just order a 1X pin and give that a try.
Heavy Barrel
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Post by encore50a on Sept 14, 2015 17:40:00 GMT -5
Has anyone used the flanged hinge pin? I had to replace the original washer with a SS washer because the original bent and allowed the screw to pass through. Figured it would help with the side to side movement, but can still be installed without needing a mallet. May just order a 1X pin and give that a try. Heavy Barrel My last NEW Pro Hunter, took a 2x right out of the NEW BOX. IMO solid pins are better. |
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Post by hawghunter on Sept 16, 2015 19:44:22 GMT -5
I have a MGM 50 caliber ML barrel. It shoots better than my Pro Hunter barrel. Check them out.
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Post by heavybarrel on Sept 17, 2015 18:42:23 GMT -5
Update on Encore. After reading advice on here about larger pins from Bellm, I decided to order the 1X and the 2X combo pack. Just went out and installed the 1X first and still noticed a little slop when I tried moving the barrel in the action. So I then tried the 2X pin, had to use a small hammer and a brass punch to drive it in. I noticed a big difference in that there is no noticeable slop. The action does not fall open like it did with the factory pin or the flanged pin, but it opens like an over under shotgun, with a little resistance. I am excited about trying it as soon as I get a chance and will report the results. I also ordered a 10 pack of TMZ Barnes and two 10 packs of different thickness sabots to try. Also as I mentioned I got the new Federal bullets in.
I also wanted to mention that I sent my old original plug to Ron Laughlin to have a vent liner installed and just got it back tonight. Perfect job and very very fast turn around from Ron!
Heavy Barrel
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Post by heavybarrel on Sept 17, 2015 19:02:20 GMT -5
Update on Encore. After reading advice on here about larger pins from Bellm, I decided to order the 1X and the 2X combo pack. Just went out and installed the 1X first and still noticed a little slop when I tried moving the barrel in the action. So I then tried the 2X pin, had to use a small hammer and a brass punch to drive it in. I noticed a big difference in that there is no noticeable slop. The action does not fall open like it did with the factory pin or the flanged pin, but it opens like an over under shotgun, with a little resistance. I am excited about trying it as soon as I get a chance and will report the results. I also ordered a 10 pack of TMZ Barnes and two 10 packs of different thickness sabots to try. Also as I mentioned I got the new Federal bullets in.
I also wanted to mention that I sent my old original plug to Ron Laughlin to have a vent liner installed and just got it back tonight. Perfect job and very very fast turn around from Ron!
Heavy Barrel
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Post by 10ga on Sept 18, 2015 21:07:28 GMT -5
I am a believer in .458 bullets and tight sabot in 50s. I shoot the Speer .458 at 300 grains. In one gun use BCR sabot and the Orange sabot in the other gun. I find that any of the .451 ro .452 bullets just don't give the accuracy as the .458 bullets. My guns don't seem to know if they are shooting Barnes, Hornady, Remmy, or Speer bullets, just so long as they are .458 and 300 gr or more wt. JMHO, 10 ga
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Post by heavybarrel on Sept 23, 2015 21:25:00 GMT -5
Glad I didn't give up on my Pro hunter and its factory barrel. Finally got a chance to shoot a few rounds this evening and with the 2X pin installed I shot better than an inch group. I actually shot 5 times but the first was a mild charge to foul the bore. Shot 4 more that were within 2"s of each other. 3 were well within an inch and the fourth was probably me. I also have several other bullets and a variety of sbots to try when I get a chance to shoot some more.
Group was shot with 84gr weight of Blackhorn 209, Hornady 250gr FTX and Mag Express sabot.
Very happy with gun and hope to get some repeatability of goo group.
Will report groups with different bullets but I highly recommend a larger hinge pin for all Encore owners. Made the biggest difference on how gun locks up and shoots.
Heavy Barrel
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Post by bestill on Sept 23, 2015 21:42:54 GMT -5
Add Barnes29 tez to your bullet test list . They are accurate and definitely deer killers
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Post by heavybarrel on Sept 24, 2015 5:31:01 GMT -5
Ordered some .458 325Gr Hornadys FXT's, got some of the new Federal bullets and some 250Gr Barnes TEZ or TMZ unsure but flat base tipped bullets. I also have the Harvester 12 and 24 sabots, and a couple other types that I cannot recall right now. When loading my 250 Hornadys and the Mag Express sabots that I have been using, I get a fair amount of resistance so I am unsure of what sabot to try with the .458's and the Barnes bullets. I know that I saw a post on here explaining the difference in sabots and I would like to find that post again if someone can point me in the right direction.
Thanks
Heavy Barrel
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