Encore issues…

Shot my TC Encore 7mm RM a few weeks back. It seemed to send a few fliers for some reason to start, but then I remember it seeming to calm down and got the gun sighted in. Or maybe that’s just how I remember it, we had about 10 guys sighting in at once….

I shot it again the other day and it wasn’t even on paper at 200 yards. (I was expecting 2 inches off center at the most.) Off paper shocked me. The gun has always been handled carefully. Scope wasn’t bumped. I then proceeded to shoot a few more shots and got very inconsistent results.

What’s the potential problem(s)?

1. Loose scope/screws. (Doesn’t appear to be the issue at first glance, but I haven’t had time to look at it closer). Do you guys use loc-tite on your scope screws?
2. Scope malfunction issue (Hope not, its a Leupold VX-III, very near new)
3. Fouling in the barrel cause that much inconsistency?
4. Haven’t found a factory ammo it likes?
5. Other TC/Ammo/scope issue????

For deer season, I didn’t have time to figure it out so I switch over to my .243, which is dead on at 300 yards from the bench.

Just irritating to have that gun out of commission for the time being.

I always use loc-tite. I would clean your barrel really good first off. Is it a TC barrel?

I have an encore in 270 and have the same problem. What I have found is that the barrel gets really fouled after 4 shots and I have to clean it. If I clean it after 4 shots, I’m back in business. Hope that helps.

Yes, its a TC (Pro Hunter) barrel on an Encore action.

Good to know about barrel fouling, even affecting accuracy after only a few shots. I was going to check and loc-tite the scope screws/mounts, and then clean it well… Next trip to the range I thought about cleaning after each shot – or at least run a bore snake through it… (which would also give the barrel a chance to cool…) Hopefully those thing will help.

Thanks.

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I have an encore in 270 and have the same problem. What I have found is that the barrel gets really fouled after 4 shots and I have to clean it. If I clean it after 4 shots, I’m back in business. Hope that helps.

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If Barrell Fouling after 4 shots affect the accuracy that much – that gun would be heading down the road if it were mine!!!!

Barrel not the gun.

You hit the obvious things to check. Make sure you use blue lock-tite and not the red.

L/pold scopes…(I’m bias to Burris) Have a good reputation for their warranty service. If you find the scope is failing, they’ll most likely replace it.

Loads – Every barrel is different and some are much more sensitive to variables than others. Bullet type and weight besides the type of charge can all be culprits in this.

Which 7mm is it? Short action Mag, Ultra mag, 7mm-08?? most likely has a 1:9 twist rate which is most common for 7mm. Please verify that and let me know which factory loads you have tried.

BTW, I would avoid using a bore snake unless it is a field emergency to clear an obstruction. Bore snakes can deposit crud in your barrel as you pull them through…….

Mike, i looked up my brother-n-law’s data for his TC. Pro hunter SST barrel 26″ 1/9 twist. He had a similar issue with any factory loads.
He shoots a hot load of a Barnes TSX with 4831SC powder that is above the max in the reloading data manuals

I want to say it was 1 in 10, and a 28″ heavy fluted SS barrel, but I could be wrong. I was getting conflicting reports searching the ‘net. You are probably right with 1 in 9.. (?)

7mm Rem Mag Pro Hunter..

First thing to do is give it a massive cleaning and copper removal… Then possibly lap the rings and re-mount the bases.

Does your BIL get pretty good results with a hotter load? What grain bullet?

Thanks

Mike

Mike
I talked to a buddy of mine at TC. Barrel is 1:9. Not the 1:9.5 and I verified this with my bil. The 150 gr Boat tails are the optimum bullet selection. M BIL’s is a tack driver. He used a recomendation from the Barne’s load data and hit a jack-pot on his second or third test load (running them with a higher than recomended max load.)

I don’t handload (yet.. maybe someday), but I should find some ~150 grain loads (boattails) and go from there…

Maybe something like the 154gr Superformance Interbond/SST that Hornady offers?? I’ll have to give a bunch of loads a chance after I get the gun all cleaned and de-fouled.

Thanks for the info Randy!

Mike

If you get down in the Watertown area, give me a shout. I might be able to help you out on some reloading stuff

Randy, I’m from J’ville originally, so I just might do that.

BTW, we should try to get out salmon fishing sometime, I think we’ve talked about that in the past. I get down that way occasionally in the summer, although it seems to be less and less lately. (Not really complaining, as my kids are taking ever-increasing amounts of “my” time, which is a GREAT thing. )

Mike

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… my kids are taking ever-increasing amounts of “my” time, which is a GREAT thing. )

Mike

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You got that right!

Here’s my sweety. She’s 12, been working at my side to learn all she can. Stood at the bench and loaded the “Lucky bullets” for gun season. She shot her doe with bullet #1, and I shot a small 9pntr with bullet #2. Only could have been better if she shot them both!!!!
I love this trail cam pic…Olivia going to recover her doe in the fog and rain! Dedicated youngster

Excellent!