Let's talk about encore barrels

JTPinTX

JTPinTX

Custom Call Maker
First off is quality. I bought my Encore when they first came out, before they got real popular, and both my barrels shoot very well. I have a 15" .223 and a 15" .260 that will shoot bugholes when fed right. However, my father bought one later, say 3-4 years ago, and had alot of trouble with the factory 25-06 barrel on it. He sent it back to T/C and they replaced it, the replacement was quite a bit better, but still nothing like the two barrels I own. Is this a common thing with the factory T/C barrels nowdays?

Where is the best place to buy an Encore barrel? I have always shot mine as a pistol, but I need a calling rifle for my son, and figured this would be the best way to set him up. I figure just a std weight .223 would be perfect for him, but I am tempted by the .221 Fireball.

I saw another brand of barrels on Midway that I have never heard of before (which always causes me concern), has anyone used them?

Who makes a good reasonably priced barrel? Dad ended up getting one from that guy up in the northeast that EDM machines chambers, and it is a very good barrel, but I don't have the time or money for that right now.

Any suggestions?
 
There are far more very good factory TC barrels than there are bad ones...IMHO. If you want to narrow the odds even better you will pay for it.
But you can always go to
Bulberry (be prepared to wait til the 'second coming' for Fred)
OTT (where your dad went)
MGM (my choice)
Bergara
Van Horn
SSK (it would be my last choice)
Coyote (cheapest custom shop job I've found)
 
Midway has the Bergara barrels. http://www.bergarabarrels.com/

They brought in Ed Shilen of Shilen barrels to help them with the process of building a good barrel. If anyone would know how to build a good barrel it would be Ed. I have talked heard talk of people using their barrels and they have all spoke well of them. Go to their website and read it through. For the money I don't think you would be going wrong. Plus Midway is a great company and won't steer you wrong.
 
I had wondered about the Bergara barrel. I just hadn't heard of them, had no idea. Thanks for the info and link on them. It may be what I am looking for, they are about $60 cheaper on Midway. I was just curious on some feedback from folks who had either used them or knew people who had.
 
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I have had five Encore barrels; 209X50, 7mm Mag, .223, 7mm-08, and .204 Ruger. They all shoot exceptionally well EXCEPT for the 7mm Mag which I no longer own.

My uncle had a .44 mag built for his Contender about 10 years ago by Bullberry. It is an exceptional barrel but higher in price and longer in wait.
 
Honestly, I was very suprised when my dad's original T/C barrel wouldn't shoot... All I had ever heard on them was good, and I was very impressed with the two I have from them. I felt bad because I had reccommended it to him and then he had all the trouble with it, I felt somewhat responsible. But the .223 I have will shoot in the .3-.4 range when the loads and the shooter are right, and the .260 is not too far behind. And those are out of 15" pistol barrels. Go figure.

Being in manufacturing I understand that every now and then a bad one can get through, but I also understand that when productions levels dramatically increase sometimes it is difficult to maintain Quality Control. Was just curious what others had seen.
 
how do you get ahold of coyote custom barrels do they have a web, i have searched and have not been able to find them since i saw them on ebay a year or so ago
 
Those Bergara barrels are very intriguing. Especially in contrast to a $400.00 custom barrel. I'd like to read some reviews on them.
Defcon
 
Quote:
Those Bergara barrels are very intriguing. Especially in contrast to a $400.00 custom barrel. I'd like to read some reviews on them.
Defcon



Go to Graybeard Outdoors and go to the TC Encore and Contender rifle forum. There are a few threads on Bergara barrels. Heres a link to the forums: http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.php If you type in bergara in the search bar near the top of the page you'll get some threads about them.
 
I actually read a review somewhere on one and for the life of me I can't find it. It was one someone did on a forum and if I remember right after reading it I swore I was going to buy one to give a try but I have so many guns as it is that it is borederline rediculous.
 
Well, I'm gonna do it. Got my list together last night and am going to call Midway this morning. Bergara .223, 24" std weight, Talley one piece rings and base, Pachmayer Decelerator forend. After all, it is mainly going to be a night calling/plinking rifle for my 12 year old. As long as it is decent it should be fine, and if it turns out to be a hummer then so much the better. I will try and write it up after I get it in and play with it some.
 


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