Encore Blowback
 

Hi all,
The last two days I have spent at the range with my Encore 209x50. I just got the barrel back from T/C with a new breechplug. I'm still not having much luck getting good groups from it but am experiencing alot more blowback today then I did yesterday. I am using the new Remington primers and the first 20 or so rounds with the new breechplug there was virtually no blowback at all. The breech and the spent primers where clean. Today, using the same powder, loads and primers I got so much blowback I had to stop and clean the breechof the gun. The spent primers where also sticking and had to be pulled out.
Any thoughts on why the big change?

RE: Encore Blowback
 

Birdrider..perhaps a little more detail of what you did prior to shooting. What you did during shooting. And the kind of powder and projectiles you tried and I am sure there would be someone on the forum that might have an idea of how to help you get some good shooting loads out of the rifle. You have one of the finest muzzleloading rifles made. It is just a matter of seeing what is causing the problems...

RE: Encore Blowback
 

Possibly cause when you cleaned it and put oil on it. Might make it adhear more? Maybe.

RE: Encore Blowback
 

What is your load and cleaning procedure between shots? Blowback from an in-line "might" suggest some serious over pressure development.

RE: Encore Blowback
 

Something is going wrong I have shot over 1000 rounds out of mine and never had any blowback. Then again mine is all stock using standard primers and powder loads within the recomended limits. My cent and a half.

RE: Encore Blowback
 

To make a long story as short as possible. Bought a stainless Encore new last year. New Nikon 3x9 with Weaver base and Leopould rings. I couldn't get under 4-5 inch groups. Found the Belm site and took his advice on Encore shooting technique and loading procedures. new barrel lug springs, 1x pin and hammer spring, trigger job. Still no good. I have tried Powerbelts various weights, Shockwave 200,250, 300, PRB 180,200, 240, Hornady XTP 240, sub-base, no sub-base, Pyro pellets, 777 pellets and loose, 90-130 grains. Nothing shoots really well. Best so far has been 250 SW with 110 of 777 loose, 3-4 inches at 100 yards. I have tried Winchester and the new Remington primers.
I sent the barrel back to T/C not wanted to cut off the QLA without trying them first. They stated the barrel was in spec, but replaced the breechplug and sent it back. When I started shooting with the new plug and Remington primers the first 20 or so shots where CLEAN. I mean no blowback, residue nothing. Some of the spent primers looked like they just came out of the package. This was with loose 777 from 100-110 grains and 200 -250 SW's. Between shots swabed with 1 patch of Windex/alchohol and 1 dry patch. (I have also tried the spit patch method)Cleaned with same and returned the next day. Same loads as the day before but now lots of blowback, sticking primers etc. I have been getting more of a pattern then a group. I have checked the scope mounts and screws and they are tight. I might get 3 rounds in a 2 inch group and 2 flyers that open it up to 4 inches. I'm a good shot and have been very carefull about bag placement and not flinching.
It's good enough to hunt with but just. I expected much betterwith this expensive a gun. I don't understand what wouldcause the drastic change in the blowback. From nothing to horrible. I'm usingCVAbreechplug grease, not the TC super lube that came on the new breech plug but I can't see why that would be a factor. I'm lubing both the plug and the barrel threads. Hope this is not too long.
Ethan

RE: Encore Blowback
 

This might sound like a stupid question but is the blowback coming from the primer hole or from around the breech plug threads? Did you tighten the plug that same way as before? Have you tried different primers? I see you said that you tried Winchester primers but was that to troubleshoot the blowback or grouping?

You should be getting great results from your encore. My best combination is 200 grain T/C Shockwaves, 130 grains of Pyrodex pellets and Winchester primers. I also have the stronger lug spring and 1x hinge pin. No trigger job yet.

RE: Encore Blowback
 

I have been trying to eliminate all variables in my loading and technique. I try to put the exact same pressure on the plug when I tighten, snug but not crushing tight. I try and use the same number of strokes when swabbing and the same pressure when seating bullets. As near as I can tell the blowback is coming from both loc. When I stipped and cleaned the barrel/action there was blowback coming from the extractor channel on the bottom forward edge of the barrel.
I am thinking that headspace is an issue the same as a regular barrel or the 25 acp conversion.
I have not ruled out a bad scope as to the accuracy problems and will swap out a good known scope next time but this blowback is baffling me. I was really excited about how clean it was the first range trip.

Ethan

RE: Encore Blowback
 

I read somewhere that the new reming primers were the same as the ones that they had before 410 primers ,just changed the name on and package on them.Don't know but I did try the older ones and had made a remark on an earlier post how dirty they shot for me,after firing they were covered in black scoot,I didn't try but a few and went back to using my cci 209 primers don't see the scoot using them.
Wondering to if the winchesters are doing the same in your gun they to come out clean in mine.