I felt like posting an update to this thread. I finally got good groups with the barrel. Here is what I had to do:

1) Bought and mounted the new scope base.
2) I had to buy high rings because the scope objective was hitting the new base.
3) Bought Bellm's oversize hinge pins. I got a 1x and a 2x, the 1x worked well.
4) Bought Bellm's stiffer lock bolt springs.

After doing all the work, I got 1" groups at 50 yards with Winchester Platinum Golds. I didn't have time to go out to 100 yards but most of my shots have been under 100 lately. I went out Thursday to do some late scouting for a new location. I was carrying my Encore and an 8 pointer jumped up. He ran 60 yards and then stopped. Here is a picture of him.