RE: encore barrel changing
I was just kidding, lol!! The hinge pin is just around for the ride after the barrel locks up up so I would look there last not first for problems. Are you resting the gun on it's barrel when shooting? If you are don't, use the forestock as close to you as you can. Use a piece of wood to tap in the pin so you are not shocking your scope. I use an old ball starter with the round top to do this. Are you sure the butt stock is tight? On new rifles it would not hurt to remove the buttplate and tighten up the screw holding it to the receiver.
Last but not least check all the screws on your scope mount bases and rings the first couple times you shoot the barrel to make sure they have not loosened at all. This all will help you retain zero. You will have a slight change in POA everytime you shoot with every rifle this should keep you close to MOA though. Yes the Encore shoots MOA!!