Each target
was making the same shaped group which is an indicator that something needs
attention. We also knew that we would never be able to achieve great accuracy
with the 5 1/2 pound trigger pull. We returned to the shop to find the problem
with the gun and correct the trigger.
Upon stripping the Encore we observed that the butt stock was loose and the
forend was rubbing quite hard on the receiver. An Allen wrench cured the loose
butt stock. 400 grit sandpaper would cure the rubbing on the receiver. Now
we just need to get the bear of a trigger down to between 2 1/2 and 3 pounds.
T/C has agreed to rework the action to get the trigger down but it must be
returned to the factory.
Overall, I felt the results were quite impressive for an out of the box gun.
I will update this article after we re-shoot the Encore with the minor tweaking
having been completed.
Day 2 Results - June 24th, 2000
We never were very big on patience so Gene gave me the green light to fix
the trigger rather than return it to T/C. However long the wait would be,
it would definitely be too long. Although I have never seen the inside of
an Encore action, it only took a few moments to figure out what needed to
be done. Less than 30 minutes later, we had a crisp, clean 40 ounce trigger
that was indeed a treat to use.
The forend was another matter. We anticipated only needing some light sanding
to clear the receiver but it ended up taking some serious work with a wood
file and some 60 grit sand paper to relieve the rubbing. Once the correct
amount of walnut was removed, we covered the bare wood with linseed oil. We
were now ready to return to the range and test our "new and improved"
Encore.
Time was limited, so we decided to use the .40 QT Polymer Tip in 195 grain.
We would use the same charge as before to determine whether in fact our accurizing
work did benefit the functioning of the gun.
The target says it all. We shaved
almost 1/2" off the group size and we are convinced that by adjusting
bullet weight and powder charge, we can easily get the Encore groups down
to 5/8" - 3/4". We will leave the fine tuning of the powder charge
and bullet weight for Day 3. We will keep you posted.
Day 3 Results - July 8th, 2000
We finally got out for Day 3. Our goal was to adjust powder charge and bullet weight to see how well the Encore would actually shoot. Although it was very hot and humid, the conditions were by far the best we had had to date. We used Pyrodex RS as well as pellets. We continued to use CCI Magnum primers. As time was somewhat limited, we elected to only try the .40 QT Polymer Tips in 195 and 215 grain.
The Encore would shoot the 195 grain QT very, very well with 100 grains of powder with the best group going .491". The Encore was better than acceptable with 120 grains running about 1.5". It would not shoot the 195 QT with 150 grains of RS or with 3 pellets.
The Encore would not shoot the 215 QT with 100 grains and it would shoot about 1.6" with 120 grains of RS. Loose RS at 150 grains shot about 1.5 " but it came alive with 3 pellets shooting 1.167".
Day 3 Target
I believe that this will conclude the testing of the Encore. We could go on week after week but I think we proved our point. We took an out-of-the-box gun and with a little common sense, a little target analysis and a little work, we got a great shooter.
We do not know if we have a good one or a bad one. The inside of the barrel is flawless. The wood work and fit is first rate. It looked like it should shoot and it does. Gene and I will continue to test with it because the 209x50 Encore has taken the first step to becoming Gene's "Muzzleloader of Choice" this fall when we attempt to shoot a White-tailed Deer at 350 yards on video.
Follow up to the above Encore testing - March 5th, 2002
We managed to horse-trade
an Encore for one of my .17 Remington. Now that we had one of our very own,
I felt I would have a real opportunity to wring it out. We started by applying
what we had learned from Gene's and did the trigger and freed the forend before
shooting.
The gun shot well but was very inconsistent. After a lot of frustration, we
determined that the pin used to attach the barrel to the receiver was moving
causing lots of problems. One day the gun would shoot sub 1" groups exactly
where you wanted. The next day, same load would shoot 3" groups and be
5" left and high. I grabbed a piece of tool steel and turned a .001"
larger pin. Instantly things stopped moving and the accuracy we were able
to achieve could be repeated day after day. Group sizes could now be counted
on to stay around 1" with a variety of loads.
I did another horse trade and got a 22-250 barrel for the Encore action. With
the new pin, this barrel shot better than I would believe if I had not seen
it myself. I found several loads that would easily shoot .5" groups and
better at 100 yards. This got me back thinking about the muzzleloader barrel.
Maybe there was more left to "wring out" of the Encore muzzleloader.
To this end I stripped the fixtures from the barrel
and centered it in my 4 jaw chuck. We were going to cut the "QLA"
portion of the barrel off and machine a new target style crown. In the cutting
process, we determined that the QLA was actually .012" off square. I
expected big things from the new crown and was not disappointed. I believe
at this point we will leave the Encore alone and just enjoy shooting it. I'm
looking forward to T/C making .45 Encore barrels with the correct 1:28"
- 1:30" so I can achieve the same magic from our .357 PTS bullets that
we achieved with the .40 PTS in the .50 caliber.
