I have an Encore with .22-250 and 7mmrem barrels. I have neck sized brass fired in each caliber a only a couple times, but after second or third firing, the cases don't chamber properly. So I full-length size the case and that requires more force than I want to admit to. Then I have to trim a ton of brass to get it to length. The rounds are not hot by anymeans and I follow the proper procedures and make sure the die touches the shell holder when resizing.

At first I thought it might be due to improper bullet seating depth causing excess pressure so I tried different depths with little improvement

I know there is some flex in the Encore when fired, but it is getting to be so that I don't like shooting it because the shells were so hard to work. I have all but quit shooting the 7mm because of this reason and am tempted to get rid of the gun for something else.

Has anybody had this experience with reloading shells or the Encore?

i have an encore in 22/250 with no such problems. I sounds like you have a bad chamber - send it back to t/c they're very very good on warranty

Opinions vary but when laoding for an Encore or a Contender it is advisable to NOT neck size. The preferred method is to 'bump' the shoulder back each time the case is sized just enough to allow closing of the gun. There is a very good website dedicated to explaining this process and general breakaction gun info.

www.bellmstcs.com

Mike knows his biz....if after reading and using his techniques you still are dissatisfied with your Encore....pm me I'll buy it and the barrels for a fair price.

Thanks skb2706,

I approached loading my Encore like a bolt-action rifle, which apparently is not what I should be doing. I will try this technique tonight with some empties from this last weekend.

Run a search for the encore. There is a website that focuses on them, but I can't remember what it is. They have reloading tips. They say to flr because of the break open action. I load for my friends encore and I have the die adjusted so it just bumps the shoulder back a little. So far no problems with his.

another place to get a great deal of information about encores + contenders is at Specialty Pistols
Someone on the that forum knows the answer to about
any question you can fire at them about single shot pistols.

I tried the method from www.bellmstcs.com. I actually had to turn the die in about an 1/8 of a turn further than I expect to do to full-length size. The 7mmRem took a bunch of force, but the 22-250 didn't take any more than usual. I have not fired any rounds to see if accuracy is affected, but the action closes very smoothly now.

I really wish that they had never told people to adjust the die until it touches the shell holder.
This gives you headspace that may or may not be appropriate for your chamber. I NEVER adjust a die that way. I adjust the die starting a least a full turn above the shell holder until the case will chamber in the intended rifle without feeling any crush fit. This is with the extractor and ejector, and firing pin removed from the bolt body on a bolt action.

Adjusting the die down to the shell holder gives you a round that will fit probably in any rifle, but not a close fit to your rifle. For an Encore, it is important that the case be adjusted to the chamber. It is possible that
you may need to full length size each time. Encore's are decent firearms, but they are far from precise. You
may need to adjust your methods to suit the particular Encore/barrel combination.

For Encores I generally chose cartidges that require case forming such as the 30 Herritt. That way I can tailor
my brass for the Encore.

Elk Hunter, you are totally right. I never had a reloading buddy or mentor. I had to read a bunch of books to get this far. I still am new to the hobby even though I have been doing it for just over a year.

If it is necessary to full-length size every time then I guess that is what I have to do. I like reloading and it is fun to me so the more time I get to spend on it the better.

quote:

Originally posted by MThuntr:
...after second or third firing, the cases don't chamber properly. So I full-length size the case and that requires more force than I want to admit to. Then I have to trim a ton of brass to get it to length. ...

Hey MThuntr, I've not had an Encore, but I had a Contender Carbine. Interesting firearms.

What kind of "Lube and Press" are you using when you Full Length Resize?

Hot core, When I started reloading I bought the Lee Anniversary kit with the Lee manual. So the press is the Anniversary press not as heavy duty as some of the other brands. I am using the Lee brand of lube. I mix it with equal parts of water to prevent me from using too much.

Hey MThuntr, When I first asked the question, that is exactly what I was wondering if you had. Lots of folks have the Lee Press and do fine with them, but I do see mention of "handle breakage" from time to time.

But, for some Good News, it is "normal" for a Case being Full Length Resized to require significantly more force to reform the entire Case than during Neck Sizing. And that is true for any rifle, not just Thompson/Center products. Lots more work being done to the Case.

One of the simple things you can do to help the situation is to get a small tin of Imperial Sizing Die Wax(ISDW) and use it for your lubricant. I normally use regular old Resizing Lube for my Resizing operations too, but when I need to Reform a Case to something different, I go to the ISDW. But, it would reduce your Force needed to do your normal Full Length Resizing and is easy to remove by wiping with a Paper Towel or tossing in a Tumbler.

I believe ISDW is currently being marketed by RCBS, so your local Gun Shop should have it, or I'm sure you can order it on-line from any of the Reloading Supply stores.

Now, as to the Lee Press, if you happen to have a buddy who also reloads, that has a different Press, take a few cases, your Full Length Dies and your current Lube over to visit him. Resize a few on his non-Lee Press, and you should notice it takes Less Force, especially if the Handle is longer.

Or, take all the same stuff to the Gun Shop and see if they will let you try Resizing 5-6 cases on a Bigger Press. I have a good old Rock Chucker, but there are a lot of excellent BIG strong Presses available. Once you use one, you will easily notice the difference.
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I've not heard the comments about "Not Neck Sizing" for a T/C action, but I do understand the logic. I remember when I first got one the recommendations were to Resize the Case just enough so the action will "snap shut" with a brisk closing of the action on an empty Case. Since I've always Partial-Full Length Resized(P-FLR), it was what I'd planned to do anyhow. Never even thought about Neck Sizing until I got a 22Hornet barrel and I did try it on that one.

All the T/C barrels "I had" seemed to be cut a bit Large on their Chambers and with a long Throat. The larger Chambers would exacerbate the Case Resizing Force, since they would be larger and require even more effort to Resize.
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Now, after all the blabbing, I doubt you have a problem at all. I'd suspect what you are "feeling"(more force needed) is normal for your T/C Chamber, your Lube and your Press when Full Length Resizing, or P-FLRing.

Best of luck to you.