In early December, I bought an Encore Pro Hunter with a 20" Katahdin barrel in 460 S&W. When I first got the rifle, it would shoot almost MOA groups at 100yds. However, the more I shoot it, the worst the groups get. I have tried three different Leupold scopes, but it still throws rounds all over the target. I am using a TC aluminum Weaver style base, and Leupold rings. I have tried different ammo, but it still gets worse as time goes on. The groups I get with a cold barrel are about 4 inches, and then they really spread. Any suggestions before I get rid of the gun????

Take the foreend off and make certain it's still in one piece - not cracked up internally. Some fellas play with shims to free float it but since it shot well once with the original equipment try simply snugging up the screws when you put it back together. I'd replace the alloy base with one made of steel. Install each with each of the four screws separately, making sure that none of them are bottoming out before pulling the base tight. I lap the rings on all my rifles to make certain they take a good even grip on the scope. A fella might want to try cleaning the bore with a strong copper solvent. After that wear ear plugs under your ear muffs and a PAST Recoil Shield between the recoil pad and your shoulder. Good luck.

nordrseta,

Thanks for the tips. I have checked the forearm, scrubbed the bore well, and have checked and rechecked everything for fit and tightness. I am beginning to suspect that the alloy base is the problem. The rifle has a fair amount of recoil to it, and I have ordered a one piece Talley base and ring set. As far as the muzzle blast goes, regular earmuffs work just fine. The 20" barrel tones it down quite a bit compared to a handgun. The recoil doesn't bother me, I am used to shooting my 458 Lott.

Float the forend, making sure it doesn't touch the barrel and receiver by sanding the trough and inner surfaces. Use washers or O rings around the forend screws to get a gap from forend to barrel contact.

Get a Bellm 1x or 2x hinge pin. Have done or do a trigger job, also from Bellm's (w/ spring kit).

Check barrel gap/headspace and if you reload adjust accordingly, or buy spacer shims from Bellm's.

All my Encores have shown marked improvement with some or all of the above.

quote:

I am beginning to suspect that the alloy base is the problem.

I think you're probably right since initially your accuracy was OK & then deteriorated. The 460 S&W is hard on bases & scopes. My 460 S&W Mag. did MUCH better in the accuracy department when I attached a Leupold scope with an SSK Industries T'SOB 4 ring scope mount.

Just as another test in the search for the problem, I have removed the scope and base and re-installed the peep sight that it came with. If the rifle groups OK with the peep, then the base has to be the culprit. I guess I should have tried this about 50 rounds ago. Woulda saved me some money. Also the suggestions about floating the forend make sense too. Once I get it shooting right again, I am going to send it to Mike Bellm and let him do the trigger for me. Then once all that is done, I am going to leave it the hell alone, and go hunting with it.

On the Bellm Trigger jobs - if you really want to send it, feel free - however, I just wanted to comment that (while no expert) I've installed 2 new trigger springs from Bellm on my Encores - the first one, following instructions, took all of 15 minutes, and the second one took no more than 5. Replacing the Encore trigger springs (with Bellm's instructions) really is that easy.

Now, that doesn't smooth anything out in there, but my triggers were both really crisp (just heavy) to begin with.


As far as scope rings go, I use Burris Double Dovetail rings on all my Encore barrells. They're really study and I've had no problems with them.

Troy

Well, it ain't the rifle. With the Williams peep sight installed, everything goes where it's aimed shot after shot with any kind of ammo I put into it. It has to be the TC alloy base. Like I said in an earlier post, I have a Talley one piece base and rings on order, and I hope that does the trick. If not, I may just leave the scope off and shoot it with the peep sight. I am going to take Troy's suggestion and get the Bellm trigger spring kit and give it a try. If I end up with a bag of parts, I am sure Mike Bellm will put it back together at a price. I'm really relieved that the problem wasn't more difficult to find. I am just pissed at myself for not doing this earlier. Oh well, live and learn. Thanks for all the advice and tips. I will update again once I get the new base/rings installed.

mine is in the 500 S&w. the factory peep sight and the front sight are wrong. can't get the thing to shoot to the sights although the groups are nice and round. also the synthetic fore end split in two after the 12th shot. still haven't got a response back from the company.

Max,

I think that I will need a lower front sight to really get the rifle sighted in correctly. I was testing more for groups this morning, and was not trying to sight it in. With full power factory ammo, I believe that it will still shoot lower than the factory peep will adjust for. I'm just not going to waste any more expensive ammo until I try the new scope mount. I love the way the rifle handles, and have taken one deer and 6 hogs with it. But I don't like having to tinker too much to get it to shoot right. For what it costs, it should be almost good to go out of the box. Good luch with the split forend. Let me know how you make out with TC. Other than a Hawken Kit I bought from them 25 years ago, this is the only other time I have bought anything from them. I hope I can find a scope mount that will stand up to the recoil. I don't know about yours, but mine has a fair amount of recoil. I don't mind it, but I think it is more than the TC base can handle. I'll know by the end of the week for sure.

quote:

also the synthetic fore end split in two after the 12th shot. still haven't got a response back from the company.

I've had T/C scope malfunctions, had minor breakage on a forend, had some problems with barrels I bought used, etc. In each case, I sent the problem item to T/C with an explanation and the item was fixed or replaced with a new one.

After all of the shooting, tightening, etc etc etc, I finally found the culprit that was causing my groups to spread. I replaced the TC base with a Talley one piece base and ring set today, and while it shot better, It still didn't group like it did when it was new. So, I decided to check the only thing left that I hadn't messed with, and I removed the grip cap and checked the stock bolt. Yep, loose as hell. After I tightened it the rifle shoots good as new again. I wasn't loose enough to really notice, but evidently allowed just enough movement under the heavy recoil of this caliber to make the groups spread. One thing about this whole fiasco is that I learned an awful lot about the rifle. Thanks again for all of the tips and advice.

I'm glad to hear you finally got it diagnosed.