I would like to purchase my first Encore Rifle in either 270 or 25-06. I would very much like it to be capable of 3 shot 1 inch group at 100 yards.
Where do I start? Do I purchase a stock rifle and take my chance on accuracy?
Should I purchase the frame and the barrel seperate?
Does it matter if the rifle is stainless or blue steel?
How about the stock --wood or plastic?
Obviously I need some help .
Thank you in advance for your suggestions.
John

If it were me.....purchase a complete factory rifle in the caliber of your choice. Generally this is less expensive than buying parts. Take it out and shoot a variety of ammo...preferrably handloads that are correctly headspaced for your chamber. If it will not perform the way you want and nothing you try is helping then make the move to the custom barrel, hanger bar setup. Sell off your factory barrel....common calibers will usually sell for at least 85% of new price. My choice
Stainless barrel
I prefer 25-06 over .270
wood stocks....factory stocks I have seen are pretty decent. ( I have yet to see a plastic stock on an Encore I thought looked good)
decent scope and mounts

If you decide to go full up custom barrel plan on spending around $450 plus wood and hardware.
I like OTT or Bullberry but I have others.

From feedback I read on these forums I get the vast majority of factory Encore barrels will meet your accuracy criteria with minimal tinkering.

I have one and I suggest .280 Rem,/7mm express stainless barrel from Natchez shooters supply 100 yards one Jagged hole ! I load my own .

John,

I own an Encore in 25-06, 26" heavy barrel and walnut stock. My best group to date is three shots in 7/16" at 100 yds. using 50 gr of H 4831-SC, with Nosler 115 gr. ballistic tip bullets set .002" off the lands and Federal primers. I am still trying to attain the jagged hole concho mentions. This morning I shot a three shot group of 1 5/16" at 200 yards.

As to the tinkering skb2706 mentions, I replaced the hinge pin with a 1X oversize one, and did a trigger job as mentioned on Mike Belmn's site.

http://www.bellmtcs.com/store/index.php

The hinge pin certainly tightened the action, but the greater improvement in accuracy was a result of the trigger work. No creep, smooth and not a struggle.

I am very pleased with both the 25-06 and the 209-50 muzzleloader barrel. With the muzzleloader, my best three shot group is 1 1/8" at 100 yds, with one confirmed "one shot kill" on a marshmallo at the same distance.

Certainly not the words of an expert, just what works for me.

quote:

my first Encore Rifle in either 270 or 25-06. I would very much like it to be capable of 3 shot 1 inch group at 100 yards.
Where do I start? Do I purchase a stock rifle and take my chance on accuracy?
Should I purchase the frame and

I agree with the above posters. I was almost ready to pitch my Encores when I learned about Bellm's TCs.

Buy your Encore in the caliber you most want. replace the springs and hone the sear, add a hinge 1X pin, open up your forend to not touch the barrel and add some O rings and washers on the forend screws to freefloat the barrel and I'll bet you have a tack driver (or close).

All that stuff is doable in one evening while watching your favorite game.

Extra cost over the price of the rifle is $ 50 or less.