I am considering buying a 24"Encore 280 rem barrel and have heard of some accuracy problems with Encore barrels. Can anyone shed and light on thier experience with these barrels? I have 209-50 babbel and it preforms very well, but just concerned before I buy the 280. Thanks!!
Encore 280 barrel
- Thread starter Bartrak
- Start date
hoginator204
New member
I felt the same way but I took the plunge for a Pro hunter 25-06 barrel. Groups under .6 for 3 shots when I do my part.
The 28" of pro hunter barrel sure makes the cartridge speedy. Almost 3100 with a 120 gr Hornady HP.
The extra length of the 28" pro hunter barrel really balances the rifle out. I personaally find the 24" inch barrels on the Encore to short.
If you are a reloader you have an advantage with setting the proper headspace and for some reason the T/C Encores rifles prefer having the bullets so close to the lands.
There have been several Encore 280 rifles posts on this sight in the past year that have sub 1 inch groups out of their 280 barrels with factory ammo.
Your "caliber" choice is a "wise" choice.
Hoggy
The 28" of pro hunter barrel sure makes the cartridge speedy. Almost 3100 with a 120 gr Hornady HP.
The extra length of the 28" pro hunter barrel really balances the rifle out. I personaally find the 24" inch barrels on the Encore to short.
If you are a reloader you have an advantage with setting the proper headspace and for some reason the T/C Encores rifles prefer having the bullets so close to the lands.
There have been several Encore 280 rifles posts on this sight in the past year that have sub 1 inch groups out of their 280 barrels with factory ammo.
Your "caliber" choice is a "wise" choice.
Hoggy
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Well i bought the 280 barrel and assembled it to my Encore.
I got a box of Rem 140grn corelocks with it. I have shot the box at 25yrds. The first few were scattered in a a 2
" circle, the more I shot it the better it got. When I stoped three shots were within 1/2" of one another.What is the rate of twist on the barrel is it the standard 9.25 or what? I shot the box of shell before it seemed to me like it was setteling down if thst is possible. Scope base was installed with loctite and rings are tight to base and scope.
Maybe I just need to shoot it a little more after reloading
some more ammo. I plan to use the 154grn Hornady.
I got a box of Rem 140grn corelocks with it. I have shot the box at 25yrds. The first few were scattered in a a 2
" circle, the more I shot it the better it got. When I stoped three shots were within 1/2" of one another.What is the rate of twist on the barrel is it the standard 9.25 or what? I shot the box of shell before it seemed to me like it was setteling down if thst is possible. Scope base was installed with loctite and rings are tight to base and scope.
Maybe I just need to shoot it a little more after reloading
some more ammo. I plan to use the 154grn Hornady.
bakerboy
New member
Go to Mike Bellum's web site and read up on accurizing your Encore. As mentioned, head space is an issue. Also the fit of the forend. Matching your twist rate to the ideal bullet will help as well. To determine your twist, draw a line (i use a narrow strip of tape) on your cleaning rod. This line will rotate as your rod is turned by gripping the grooves of the barrel with a tight patch. Measure the length the rod travels in one complete rotation of the mark as you push the rod down the barrel.
Update on my 280 barrel. Called Thompson today and inquired about the barrel and they said it was on the work bench. They checked with the smith and he said barrel would be replaced but wating for one to come from production but gave me the option to take another caliber of my choosing if I desired to. I took them up on offer and ask them to send me a 7mm-08 and they said they would. Good service my only complaint is it took too long. I was searching for a 7mm-08 when I bought the 280 so everything worked out ok.