Anyone using a .25-06 barrel on a Thompson Center Encore? I was given brand new reloading supplies for that caliber and am thinking about buying a barrel for mine. If so, what length barrel and how do you like it?
Thanks

Hunter,

My best friend has an Encore in 25-06 and he loves it! I Also own an Encore (243 Ackley) and have found both rifles shoot better than any single shot should.

The 25-06 is best suited to barrels 26� and longer. Granted, shorter barrels will work, but you loose a bit of velocity and increase muzzle blast.

Thank You

I recently had a barrel from the TC Custom Shop in 24" length. It shot great with 100gr Barnes X. Unfortunately, I traded it for something I wanted more...then. Damn,it's a sickness!

Be forewarned that Encore's can be finnicky to load for because of the barrel/forend system. Kinda like Ruger #1's. Some shoot great, others don't, and some with certain loads only. I got so frustrated with a std. taper .308 Encore rifle bbl. that I finally sent it back to T/C. It was spraying 3-5" inch groups no matter what I tried. It came back with illegible scribbles as to what they did (re-crown was one thing I could decipher) and indeed, it now shoots 1-1.25" 3 shot groups with non-premium factory ammo.

Hi. I have Smith & Wesson model 1500 with a 22" barrel. With careful handloads, I can get about 3000" ft/sec with 117 & 120 gr bullets. I do feel that a 24" barrel would be much better, giving more velocity with less muzzle blast, and a better handling rifle.