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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 573
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 573 |
Folks.
I've had a couple of Encore tubes .223 Fox Ridge , a tack driver with the right load ,.270 factory shoots moa . A Bullberry.22K Hornet that is another sub moa , Fred Smith made it for himself , won a shoot with it and chanced it off , cost me $5.00 ! All my tubes including the 209x50 are good shooters
My question is am I lucky ? I've was told they are no good for coyotes or fox and the factory barrels are no longer up to par . One fellow said to just go with a Ruger #1 for accuracy.
What is the experience of the shooters on The Campfire?
Thank you in advance for your time help and consideration.
Semper Fi, Soup The war to end all wars started 100 years ago today. I wish they had told scum bag McNamara !!!
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 11,777
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 11,777 |
I do not have an Encore. But I have had four Ruger #1 rifles. Accuracy and Ruger #1 do not belong in the same sentence. All for of mine were poor accuracy wise.
NRA Patron
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 15,898
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 15,898 |
I've had Contender and Encore rifles for a long time. I always get excellent accuracy when I do my part. I will say that all my barrels are made by MGM.
There are 2 rules to success:
1. Never tell everything that you know.
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 98
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 98 |
I had several Tenders and switched to Encores when they came out and now have about a dozen barrels and all are accurate, some are as they say scary accurate. I had a Bullberry 12 inch Tender barrel in 357 x 44 B&D that wouldn't shoot under 4 inches at 100 yds until Fred told me to stop shooting 180 gr bullets and shoot some 158 gr bullets. It was a proverbial tack driver after that.
Steve.......
GOA Life Member NRA Patron Life Member North American Hunting Club Life Member
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,761
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,761 |
I have a T/C pro hunter 25-06 barrel along with a T/C custom shop 250/3000 sporter weight barrel, both are sub .75 shooters.
Doc
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,396
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,396 |
I have had over 20 barrels and several "receiver/frames" over the years. I've gotten all but two to shoot MOA or better. I gave the 7mm 08 to a friend and he couldn't get it to group either. The second, a 460 S&W MGM barrel I am working on a load for now but there is not a lot of load data for the 460 especially in a rifle length so the going is slow. I have seen some promise using Lehigh "max penetration" lead free bullets so I think with a little tweak here and there it will be good too.
Never try to teach a pig to sing... ...it wastes your time and annoys the pig!
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,378
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,378 |
I've had Contender and Encore rifles for a long time. I always get excellent accuracy when I do my part. I will say that all my barrels are made by MGM. When I do my part... I too have a number of custom Contender and Encore barrels. My 20BR Encore (VVCG) rifle is a shinning example of having to do my part. I have shot a number of groups that were 1/2 an inch wide and 3+ inches tall, which were due to inconsistent lockup of the action. If the action was simply closed it resulted in lockup issues, where if it was "snapped" closed the lockup was more consistent and nice round 1/2 to 5/8 inch groups were the norm. In addition, every reload results in the rifle being removed from the bags and then repositioned - again consistency issues. Bottom line - when I do my part! While my Encore is quite accurate, if I add inconsistency into the equation, accuracy suffers.
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,675
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,675 |
CraigD "Bottom line - when I do my part! While my Encore is quite accurate, if I add inconsistency into the equation, accuracy suffers.[/quote]
I agree with you. In fact, I shoot Encores, bolt actions, Ruger #1/#3, pump, leaver and various shotgun actions, plus a BB gun and "I find that anytime I add inconsistency to the equation accuracy suffers."
Last edited by Rug3; 04/07/17.
BE STRONG IN THE LORD, AND IN HIS MIGHTY POWER. ~ Ephesians 6:10
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. --Winston Churchill
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 861
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 861 |
I have a Encore rifle barrel in 280 and one in 243. Both are more accurate out of the box or with some work than my three bolt action rifles I HAD. After working up load for the 280 with Nosler 140grn Accubonds I have taken an elk, two whitetails and some coyotes. The .243 is shooting about an inch at 200yds right now with 90 grn Accubonds. I sold all three of my bolt rifles, 2 Remingtons and one Savage. I also have three encore pistol barrels and they all shoot just as good.
You don't quit playing because you get old, you get old because you quit playing!
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 17,821
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 17,821 |
Contender .35 rem rifle........shot great. Just decided a break open aint for me when deer hunting. Like my #1 way better. Would like one rebarreled to .35 rem.
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28,813 Likes: 4
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28,813 Likes: 4 |
I've seen .35 Whelens around. For handloaders, there's a free .35 Rem. included.
What fresh Hell is this?
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,154 Likes: 13
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,154 Likes: 13 |
Couple of 15 year old Fox Ridge barrels and a newish Bullberry for a Contender carbine. They all shoot very well
I am..........disturbed.
Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass. -Twain
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 132
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 132 |
I have four Contenders with 16" to 20' MGM barrels. 22K hornet, 30-30AI, 7mm TCU, and 300 Whisper. All are excellent shooters.
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,961
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,961 |
One Encore barrel and several Contender barrels...all shot better than I expected.
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 178
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 178 |
I was really disappointed in the Encore until I bought an MGM barrel. My MGM in 35 Whelen is all I could ever ask for in a single shot. Now considering a 308 barrel. Between the 308 barrel at 26" and the Whelen, not much a fellow could not hunt.
There was no greater freedom than when I would leave Holiday Park Fish Camp heading my airboat west toward the Big Cypress. Fuel for 4 days, a good machete, an ice chest. No phone, no radio. Just God and me and the Everglades.
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,858
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,858 |
I have 5 barrels from 50 cal muzzle loader to 300 win mag.. My favorite is a 20 inch stainless bull barrel .308.. pure death on hogs and deer and very handy and light. I love my .204 too, and as others have stated before, all of them are plenty accurate if I do my part.
I do have a slightly oversize hinge pin from Bellam which helps I think. Pain to change barrels tho'....
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 362
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 362 |
I've struggled with accuracy on the factory barrels as well as the Bergara barrels. But I rarely have a issue with the customs - MGM, Bullberry, SSK. If I'm looking for accuracy, I no longer consider the factory barrels.
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 915
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 915 |
I've had a stainless heavy barrel 22-250 Encore for a couple decades. It has been one of the most consistently accurate rifles I have ever owned. 50 or 55 Nosler BT and a stout load of AA 2460 work nicely. After break-in, the bore was moly coated and all bullets have been coated in my tumbler. A TC blued 30/06 barrel that I also had would not shoot worth a darn. A lot of powder was burnt in vain trying to find a decent load.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,154 Likes: 13
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,154 Likes: 13 |
The T/C Contender Carbine menage a trois: .22 short match chamber, 20" with CCI CB Shorts. It shoots CCI HVHP with the same precision. Typical groups at 50 yards with a red dot sight run .5": .30 Sneezer runs .5-.7" for 5 shots at 50 yards w/red dot sight. This target was fired at closer range in the course of load development but is fairly representative of performance.: .30-30 Winchester; 22" barrel, El Paso Weaver K2.5: In the process of bringing this all together, the receiver was purchased, shipped to T/C for the easy open mod and barrels purchased for the .22 and .30-30 from Fox Ridge. The Sneezer barrel is 19" in length and was crafted by Bullberry. Early on I found it necessary to bed the forend and stock, but once that was handled...shazaaam!
I am..........disturbed.
Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass. -Twain
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 9,732 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 9,732 Likes: 1 |
So, what I'm reading here is that everyone that's shooting good groups with their Contender is using an aftermarket barrel. You're making me queasy! It's hard enough getting a Contender into Canuckia. I'm going to have to start sacrificing virgins or goats or something before everything arrives. Luckily, this is farm country and we sacrifice virgins every spring to guarantee a good crop.
Safe Shooting! Steve Redgwell www.303british.comGet your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain Member - Professional Outdoor Media Association of Canada
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