Success with my T/C Encore!

[selmer]

I finally got out this morning with my 6PPC barrel and my Encore for some grouping and load development. First of all, I love my new 6.5-20x40mm Nikon Monarch! Anyway, I had success with all of my loads except the 90 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips. It's a 1-10" twist barrel, so it should stabilize them, but I have a feeling the velocity isn't high enough to allow the twist to stabilize them. However, the 85 gr. Sierra SPT's shot into a .652" group at 100 yds, I need to re-group this load with Nosler Partitions to see if it will be my deer load for this fall. The 70 gr. MK's shot OK, .85". The real surprise was my fireforming loads. I have a plethora of 55 gr. Nosler BT's from varmint loading with my .243 Win. and I decided to put 26 gr. of 4198 below the 55 gr. BT. Talk about accurate! I sent the first three shots into .247" and the following two opened the group to .421"! I never expected that kind of accuracy from my fireforming loads, hopefully it maintains with the 55gr. BT's with the formed cases and an appropriate load of H322, 4198, or H335. I also had previously grouped some 68 gr. Bergers which went into .542". I picked up some 65 gr. BT Bergers and will load them up this weekend for future load development, as well as the 85 gr. Partitions to check their accuracy with the load that shot so well. I fully expect the Partitions to group as well or better, they always have in my .243. I didn't have the chrony set-up this morning, so I'll reload some of those accurate loads and see where the velocity is at. I had hoped for some 1/2" groups from the Enccore, but never expected consistent sub-3/4" groups, especially a 1/4" group!
Selmer

 

[encoreguy]

Did you try 87 grain v-max's? Everyone tells me they shoot great out of 1 in 10 twist barrels. That is the bullet I plan to start with in my .243 Encore, then I will try 88 and 90 grain Berger's as well as 90 Laupa's. The new Hornady bonded 85 grainer looks very interesting and if it shoots, may be my deer load. Keep us posted on your progress! Encores are great when they shoot like that!!!!

 

[jb77]

Selmer tell us about your Encore.

Where did you acquire the 6PPC barrel?

Have you had anything else done to the gun?

My Encore was sent too Mike Bellm in Oregon for a trigger job and it is awesome. I have barrels in 223 and 7mm-08 and would like too either AI the 223 or add a 6mm to the collection.

 

[selmer]

It's a lightly used TC custom shop barrel that I bought back in December. 26" heavy contour, blued. I have a 6.5-20x Nikon that I'm using on it. I also have done the Bellm trigger job myself and am using the 2x oversize hinge pin on it. That's all I've done and I'm thrilled so far. I have a .243 barrel that I need to work up as well, but so far hasn't seemed quite as promising, having difficulty getting under 3/4" at 100 yds.
Selmerfan