The difference is the way the rifle is tested for one thing. Thompson Center, Knight, and a few other companies put their barrels through pressure tests to prove the barrel is safe with the manufactured recommended loads. Meaning they barrel will not blow up under normal manufacturer recommended loads.

My understanding is, when dealing withCVA/ BPI actually, there really is no way to determine what the "safe" barrel pressure rating should be. When youspecifically ask them about barrel pressure limits on the phone they respond.. they are safe. Nothing more then that. Ask them if they even test the barrels and see what they tell you. Yet if you go by the barrel pressure reading on the barrel of the BPI rifles, technically a number of different loads you shoot, surpass that barrel pressure rating. So the first issue would be, under certain conditions, the barrel says they are not safe, but the person on the telephone tells you they are.

I do not have a problem with BPI warranties. Every time I have used them, and we are talking a number of times, they have always came through for me. All it ever cost me was shipping one way to their company headquarters in Norcross, GA. I have had to use Thompson Center customer warranty for work, once. I broke the stock of a Renegade in a hunting accident. I called to purchase a new one. They instead shipped me one for free.

What I want to say, is your happy with your rifle, don't worry about the difference. If you're happy with a CVA, Winchester, Traditions, New Frontier, and a few other brands, then purchase them. Save your self some money. The barrel issue must not, or at least should not bother you. Load them to manufacturer's recommendations. I know there are reports of BPI barrels blowing. And it was suggested some of these incidents happened when the barrel was loaded to manufacturer's recommendations. The trouble is there is little to no solid substantiated information about the circumstances and loads at the time of the incident. These incidents are handled out of court and parties involved are not permitted to discuss the incident per agreement.

If you deal in some of the higher end BPI rifles, you find the fit to finish excellent. Look at all the recent posts on the Apex and Kodiak. They praise the rifle's appearance, finish, fit, and accuracy. So something must be right there. I personally own one CVA inline rifle. It is a great shooting rifle. I shoot it all the time. It is a very accurate rifle. I do not load more them 100 gr of powder, but that is a personal thing with me for MY peace of mind.

Now we come to the idea, will a Thompson Center barrel blow? I am sure they will. If you want to load them enough to make them. Do I ever worry about a T/C barrel blowing? Every timeI load one. That's why I am so careful to make sure it is loaded to the specifications of the manufacturers. That is my safety net I feel.

As for your brother in-law's Encore that is not as accurate as your $100.00 CVA.. IMO he needs to work harder on his load or your shooting skills are better then his. Although I will say, the CVA is a good shooter most of the time and not all rifles, no matter who makes them, are perfect every time off the line.