Encore Accuracy

[Honna]

I have a 209 x 50 Encore muzzleloader I have had it for three years. The first year I had it I was shooting 100 grain of Pyrodex pellets and a 245 grain Powerbelt bullet and had groups of two inches at 120 yards. This year I shot the gun and I can't get any sort of pattern at all. I shot the Powerbelts, Shockwaves, and Platium Powerbelts and cleaned the barrel after every shot and they all shoot crazy what do you think the problem could be?

[Pittsburghunter]

Make sure the buttstock is tight.
Change the type of powder you are using and work up a load.
Check your sights or scope to make sure all are tight

Anything change physically with you since last year? How about theshooting range is that the same?

[HEAD0001]

Are you using the same powder you bought three years ago?? You might need a new can of powder. Your powder could be bad. Tom.

[flint head]

I would bet the gun is fine... like everyone said make sure you have a good scope and quality rings, then work on your load. These guns are almost alwaysMOA shooters.

[Johnmorris]

I sighted my encore in with 1 x scope at 50 yds 2 inch groups. I mounted a 3x9 x40 and had a hard time holding 4 inches. Before you ask the mounts were the same and everything was tight ths scope had just come off another rifle that shot 1 inch groups at 100 with it. I really have do some load development. I put the 1 x back on for muzleloader season and had same zero and group. These and all guns are a law to themselves and the scopes.

[Tahquamenon]

I'm thinking the pellets mayhave gone south.

Once you open the package, they begin to draw moisture contaminate unless you store them in a sealed container.

Try a new package of pellets. Or make the switch to loose power (the only way to shoot imho). Loose would be 777 FFG or BM3 if you can find it.

Also, inspect the bore for copper fouling. Use a cleaner to remove copper, lead or plastic such as Butch's Bore Shine. Scrub with a soaked brush followed by soaked patches.