T/C Encore Bench Gun

L

LouisianaRookie

Guest
Ok..Stop Laughing:D, and here me out.

Here is my deal. I am new to this whole BR shooting thing, and I am very interested in getting involved...In Fact I am getting envolved! So for now I dont want to rush into things...Im here to learn and I want to participate and get to know the ins and outs of BR shooting. I love my TC encore and my G2 Contender. In fact I first bought the T/C because I wanted to be able to add barrels along over the years and increase my collection. Its time for a new barrel and being that my focus is now on BR Shooting, I thought about adding a barrel that could be versatile in BR. I know I will here that the TC is just not cut out for BR shooting...maybe so, I plan to build a Custom Gun one day, when I know more about what I want, but for now I wish to enjoy my TC's.

So with this in mind, are there any suggestions out there. I can add a Custom barrel to my TC for less than I would even pay for a descent Action. I am interested in hearing any thoughts you may have. Maybe even hear from someone who has taken this same route. First step is to get involved, and this is the only way I can for now...So I intend to take it and have fun with it. Who knows...what I learn now may be more valuable to me down the road when I make that big Plunge.:D

Any Comments??????????
 
You might want to check around to see if there are any local clubs/ranges that hold factory class matches. While it might not be the best place to learn all the intricacies of full out BR competition they can be a low pressure (usually) way of learning (or trying to learn) how to read the wind, and load for the best accuracy in your rifle. Even in factory BR your TC will likely have a hard time beating many of the bolt action rifles, but it's a place to learn. If you put a custom barrel on your TC though it will likely not be considered a factory class rifle. Maybe you could get a heavy barrel from TC in something like .223 Rem, 6 PPC, or .22 or 6 mm BR. Larger cases will be harder to get the best accuracy from in my experience.
 
I’ve been a fan of the Contender action and its variants for 30 years.

I’m glad you’re realistic about competing against the custom bolt guns, but I think a lot of guys would be very surprised at how accurate they can be.

Here’s a couple of links you can take a look at to get some ideas:
http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek055.html
http://www.chasemountaincustom.com/services/encore.html

If you’re interested and if I can find the time, I could try to post about my attempt to build the ultimate rimfire Contender Pistol. Let me know.

Landy
 
I went through the exact same process as you are starting now. To make a long story short - I am now trying to sell my custom made stock and forend. (It is on specialty pistols.com if you are interested - or send me your e-mail and I'll send you pictures) I had MGM make a 6 BR barrel (also for sale). I went full out on this project. (trigger job, hanger bar, different hinge pin, different hammer springs, lock up springs, mercury reducer, 2.75" forend, etc) Somedays I shot great groups - others not so great.

I really enjoy postal matches (100 yd score) and that was the main reason I spent the time and money on this project. Since I had a custom barrel and stock - I was in the custom class. I think my best score was a 238 5X. Which, for an Encore isn't bad, but will be dead last against custom bolts.

I hope this doesn't sound too negative. It wasn't all bad. I learned a lot about reloading techniques,bench techn.,equipment,etc, and it was realtivley(sp) cheap compared to a custom rig, but now....it is time to upgrade. If you are truely serious about making an Encore shoot, send me a private message and we can exchange phone numbers and I can go through the list of things I did to try and shoot 250.

Stanley
 
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Great Feedback

You might want to check around to see if there are any local clubs/ranges that hold factory class matches. While it might not be the best place to learn all the intricacies of full out BR competition they can be a low pressure (usually) way of learning (or trying to learn) how to read the wind, and load for the best accuracy in your rifle. Even in factory BR your TC will likely have a hard time beating many of the bolt action rifles, but it's a place to learn. If you put a custom barrel on your TC though it will likely not be considered a factory class rifle. Maybe you could get a heavy barrel from TC in something like .223 Rem, 6 PPC, or .22 or 6 mm BR. Larger cases will be harder to get the best accuracy from in my experience.
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Larry, Good advice....I understand where your coming from and I have located a Factory Heavy in 6BR already...exactly what you mention has crossed my mind. you hit the nail on the head with my attempt here...This is a learning process and the range I will be at mostly is just as you described...a testing ground:D But for now I dont want to jump the gun with the little knowledge I have on BR shooting...I belive it will be much easier for me to have fun with my TC at a lesser expense, rather than jump out and spend $2000 plus on a custom bolt gun only to learn that I need to put in TRIGGER TIME first. This I can do with My encore and G2 and when I do decide to go custom I will already be farther along in the process...and if I do get a 6ppc or 6BR Barrel for my encore...i will already have a jump on good brass, reloading equip. etc:D

I went through the exact same process as you are starting now. To make a long story short - I am now trying to sell my custom made stock and forend. (It is on specialty pistols.com if you are interested - or send me your e-mail and I'll send you pictures) I had MGM make a 6 BR barrel (also for sale). I went full out on this project. (trigger job, hanger bar, different hinge pin, different hammer springs, lock up springs, mercury reducer, 2.75" forend, etc) Somedays I shot great groups - others not so great.

I really enjoy postal matches (100 yd score) and that was the main reason I spent the time and money on this project. Since I had a custom barrel and stock - I was in the custom class. I think my best score was a 238 5X. Which, for an Encore isn't bad, but will be dead last against custom bolts.

I hope this doesn't sound too negative. It wasn't all bad. I learned a lot about reloading techniques,bench techn.,equipment,etc, and it was realtivley(sp) cheap compared to a custom rig, but now....it is time to upgrade. If you are truely serious about making an Encore shoot, send me a private message and we can exchange phone numbers and I can go through the list of things I did to try and shoot 250.
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Thanks Stanley,
I will be sending you that PM. I am all ears when it comes to learning any new tricks:D

You definetly are not too negative...Im not especting to go out and set any new records here..basicly Im just using what I have to get started and fully understand that I will ned to go another route when I want to be a serious contender in this BR Game:D

I’ve been a fan of the Contender action and its variants for 30 years.

I’m glad you’re realistic about competing against the custom bolt guns, but I think a lot of guys would be very surprised at how accurate they can be.
Click to expand...

Exactly Husker! There is always someone who needs a reality check at times...and I hope that maybe I can surprise a few people...we will see:D
 
Humor is good!

You can put make-up on a pig, but....
__________________
Tyler
Click to expand...

OINK! Livin High on the HOG:D
No its not a fair Comparison, but the Challenge is to do your best with what you have. Im curious to see what my capabilities are. :D
 
Different Perspectives

You are a little vague in what you call "BR Shooting". If you mean building a Rifle, going to the range, and seeing just how much accuracy you can ring out of a particular Rifle, then by all means, spend your time, effort, and money, on your TC.

But, since this is Benchrest.com, we are required to give the the message about it's capabilities when compared to a real Benchrest Rifle, or even a Factory Action based Custom set up for extreme accuracy work. Whether you are shooting in Matches, or just hanging with your friends at the range, the shortcomings of the TC will make themselves evident in short order.

Picturer this. After you spend allof the effort and money, and some guy sits down with a Factory Savage in 223 and out shoots your TC, you will see what I am alluding too.

In short, there is no way a TC based Rifle will ever agg with a Rifle based on a good, solid bolt action. I won't sugar coat it one bit. I feel you are wasting your time, and your money. If you want real accuracy, (the kind that gets other shooters attention on a Sunday afternoon at the range), save your money and aquire a more suitable platform. The TC has it's places in the Firearms World, but sitting down at the Bench and shooting very small groups is not one of them.

But, you have to start somewhere. I just hate to see shooters waste good effort on lost causes.........jackie
 
Mr. Schmidt is right on (again). Is it a cheaper way to get started? Yes and no. Yes, it is cheaper than buying a used custom rig. Probably not cheaper than buying a good Savage. About the same as a Rem 700. How do I know this? My barrel from MGM cost $520. Custom stock and forend = $400. Roughly 900 just in the barrel and stock/forend. This does not include the frame, optics, front and rear rests, and any reloading equipment - but they would be a wash - cause you need those anyways no matter which you choose. The frame I am going to keep for hunting purposes.

Was it worth it for me? That is a toss up. If I would have saved my money instead of trying this encore project, I would have been in a custom rig by now - now I am 2 years behind. However, I did learn a lot.

One thing still bothers me about what you said = you want to see how well your capabilities are. That is the frustrating part - the encore has to be locked up each time - which means you have to move it off the front rest - break open the action, close the action and replace it back on the front rest exactly the same way each time if you want to see how good YOU are (not to mention indexing the cases). When I would have a flier - I wasn't sure if it was me or the equipment. That is a bad feeling. That is why I'm selling. When I miss - I want it to be my fault - not my equipment's.

Again, not trying to discourage you - just relaying my experience.

Stanley
 
For between 850-1000 you can buy a rem based BR gun that will open your eyes. It may not be competitive at a big match but can more than likely hold it's own at a local. No better way to learn loading techniques and bench techniques than with a BR gun. It will be cheaper now and in the future.

Good luck and welcome to bench shooting and hopefully to Benchrest in the future.

Hovis
 
Awesome Feedback

The same story rings true each time on the old TC, but I understand exactly what you are trying to save me from. I will, when I feel that I am ready to go full Competition, purchase a Custom Bolt Gun. However, I am just getting started and I really would like to trick out my TC anyway. I want to get my feet wet so to speak at the bench, not saying I wont sit next to one of those guys with the stock bolt gun that out shoots me. I know this will happen. The design of the break action simply is not consistant with good handling at the bench. I realize this and still I wish to toy with my TC for personal reasons. Thankyou for all comments and I can see this will be a very helpful forum for me from now on. I will for certain have more questions...and be coming here for more advice. For now I need to put in the time at the range. I never have intended to spend a fortune on the TC but only to improve what I have, and be consistant at the range. I do have a limit on how far I will go with this and, and when I reach that point my TC will be at its best for what I wish to invest. I never said I wouldnt have another Bench Gun Project, I just want to do this first:D
 
I just deleted an epic post :eek:

For the price of a decent Encore bbl and forend you can buy a Savage 223 with the accutrigger. If you actually want to shoot in matches this would be your best low cost way to go.

One of the keys to shooting good aggs is not upsetting the rifle on the bags. Needless to say with the Encore this is not possible.

Sometimes you would like to be able to bust out your shots as fast as possible to get them all on the target before the condition changes. Impossible with the TC.

To really be able to read the flags you need a rifle that wants to pound all the shots into one hole. If the best the rifle will do is a .5 agg you won't be able to interpret the flag's subtle messages. I just discovered this nugget at our last group match which was my first match with a REAL BR rifle.
 
Thankyou...

Crb,

I hear good things on Savage all the time, I will definetly do more research on your suggestion...had a Savage 110 once in 243..it was awesome! I realize how important timing on shots and conditions change is and I know that I cant acheive it witht he TC. This TC project will be my personal little nitch for fun. But, I do need to settle on something in a bolt design that I can build from.

How about a Rem 788 action...these little guns seem to be very accurate as well like the savage.

Keep the coments coming, and thanks for all the info so far.
Im BencRest Bound I know..just got to work out my kinks:D
 
I hope you enjoy your Encore project. If you want any of the "tricks" that I did for the Encore send me an e-mail through private message.

Stanley
 
My Experiment

Contender ,
5.6x50R Imp ..RWS case
" On Target Technologies "Step Barrel 18" Gill Brake
80 Amax , 2880 fps
3 peice Alum Block , By C&J Machine
Rest by C&J Machine
Burris 8x32 Black Diamond

I have shot PD's out to 1140 Yards with this rig .To My knowledge these are the longest shots with a Contender pistol , esp in 22 caliber . And to my knowledge I am the only one around experimenting with Barrel Blocked pistols . and shooting Long Range ...This Block will be put on a g2 soon , in 22 caliber to play in Baby Bench .

I have 2 other Blocked projects in the works , a Striker and a Encore Pistol...
Please don't Rip me to Bad , LOL ... I'm always experimenting ..
enjoy!!

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/22-204imp/The Block/DadsPictures-FloridaShawnOwenKin-7.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/22-204imp/The Block/DadsPictures-FloridaShawnOwenKin-8.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/22-204imp/The Block/DadsPictures-FloridaShawnOwenKin-5.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/22-204imp/The Block/DadsPictures-FloridaShawnOwenKin-2.jpg
 
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thanks for sharing

Vince,

Thankyou for sharing those pics and comments.
OTT has made major contributions to the Shooting industry, with all the new innovations coming about, who knows what to expect.

:D
 
"LaRookie, if you haven't already been here, then you need to visit this site. Mike Bellm is good people. You have any questions, shoot him an email. He will share his knowledge on the Encore platform."


He used to go by Dennis Bellm, anybody know why he changed it?
 
Vince,

All that aluminum must act like a big heat sink. Does the barrel warm up much?
 
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