I' m no expert- quite the opposite, I' m just now ordering my first ML (New Frontier Beartooth Magnum in .50, from Cabela' s). But in my reading here I came across an article by a late expert that suggested lapping the barrel. I can' t find the link at the moment, but it invloved fine lapping powder, two barrel brushes, many cleaning patches and time; the result was a shiny smooth barrel, 100-200 fps of extra muzzle velocity, and no burrs.

I remember reading it too I think he susgested using fine valve lapping compound.
The JB ' s works for me over the years I get some awesome groups sometimes.But I don' t think I get anymore fps because of it.

Very common, and generally true-- according to " Doc" White and others.

Okay, I shot my Encore again this weekend but I am still left scratching my head! This time, instead of using 295 gr Powerbelts I used the 300 gr SST' s and 3 Pyrodex pellets instead of 2. Also, I field cleaned after every 2-3 shots. Started off a few inches off the bullseye at 50 yards so I adjusted the scope accordingly. The next 3 shots were perfect and I finally thought I was getting somewhere BUT every shot thereafter was 3 to 4 inches high.
If my Encore didn' t hold such a decent pattern, I might blame the barrel, the breach plug, or the load I' m using, but now I' m convinced that it' s a scope and/or mount issue. Do you think that the crosshairs could be hanging up when I make an adjustment and then maybe they get jarred loose after a few shots? Just seems like it could be happening. I usually bump the scope firmly with my hand after making any adjustments to avoid this issue but I forgot to do so when I shot yesterday.
The season comes in in less than two weeks so I' m running out of time. Does anyone have any last words of advice?
Thanks...

If someone said, " I need an accurate load in a big hurry-- out of time!"

The best answer I can give you would be a 240 grain Dead Center .40 caliber / .50 caliber bullet, pushed by two Pyrodex or Triple 7 pellets.

That load has given me consistent 1/2" groups in a Knight Elite, sub-MOA in a Knight Extreme, and sub 3/4 MOA in my Encore- day in, day out.

You must spit-patch between every shot. You also must use the supplied seating tool to not deform the pure lead, though the sabots themselves are easy-loading. That' s the best I can offer.

I still wasn' t convinced that I didn' t have a mount problem so I took my gun back to the shop last night and replaced my one-piece T/C see thru mount with a Leupold quick disconnect mount (non see thru). This Saturday will be my last time out at the range before muzzleloader season next week so I am still hoping to get this bad boy zeroed in. If I can' t, I think I' ll find the nearest pond and see how far I can fling it!

For anyone who' s interested, I shot my Encore today and it looks like I figured it out. It had to have been the scope mount that was causing all the problems. The new Leupold mount and rings seem much better. Consistently shot 1" groups at 100 yards. Just in time for Maryland muzzleloader next week! Whew!

Glad to hear it! Get a big' un.

jimbo, shot mine this weekend with unbelievable results using 100 gr. pryrodex pellets and 245 gr powerderbelts. once the scope was adjusted all three bullet holes in the target were touching at 100 yds.

thinking back i think i had at least 2 inches of ramrod sticking out of the barrel after seating the bullet. seating the last half inch was very difficult after a couple shots, used my bullet starter to push on the ramrod.

what i did to make sure the bullet was properly seated was shook the rifle ...i could hear if the pellets were loose and moving. i plan on marking my ramrod so i will know instantly if i' m good when hunting.

my plan to do this will be to use my rangerod (extra long fiberglass ramrod) and mark it when the barrel is empty. then i' m going to subtract a bullet and 2 pellets from that and mark the ramrod that came with my encore.

Jroot,
My patterns weren' t quite as tight as yours- I' m a little green with envy! [:-] With my hunting ground barely allowing you to see more than 60 yards in most places, I' m pretty confident in my gun now, but for the late muzzleloader season I hope to have it driving tacks.
Good luck this week!
Jim