I have a standard weight blue 22 Hornet barrel for the Encore that I purchased used. There was some pitting just in front of the throat, accuracy was poor. Preacher rechambered it for me to 22BR with a .248 NK. pluse he touched up the crown due to some funny looking marks near the muzzle.
I wanted a varmint buster that was short, handy, light and inexpensive, not a combination that usually works out to well. We got lucky, this one works.
Shooting today in very blustery winds it was averaging 4020 FPS with a 40 grain Nosler BT. The powder was Benchmark using a load listed in the book, there were no signs of pressure. It shows accuracy promise with the group of ten shots being just under an inch. I did not adjust for the wind or spend too much time trying for "best groups". It was threatening rain so I would shoot, open the rifle, pull the case, look at the chronograph results, stuff a new round in the chamber and fire it again.
Even after 20 shots like this the barrel was still cool enough to hold the rifle with.
I think some crows and ground hogs are in serious danger with this combination! I like the 22 BR. It is fast efficent and too much fun. The results from a used and abused barrel pushing varmint buster type bullets makes me real happy.
I wanted a varmint buster that was short, handy, light and inexpensive, not a combination that usually works out to well. We got lucky, this one works.
Shooting today in very blustery winds it was averaging 4020 FPS with a 40 grain Nosler BT. The powder was Benchmark using a load listed in the book, there were no signs of pressure. It shows accuracy promise with the group of ten shots being just under an inch. I did not adjust for the wind or spend too much time trying for "best groups". It was threatening rain so I would shoot, open the rifle, pull the case, look at the chronograph results, stuff a new round in the chamber and fire it again.
Even after 20 shots like this the barrel was still cool enough to hold the rifle with.
I think some crows and ground hogs are in serious danger with this combination! I like the 22 BR. It is fast efficent and too much fun. The results from a used and abused barrel pushing varmint buster type bullets makes me real happy.
