Which barrel maker?
 

I think I might treat myself to a new barrel for my TC Encore for Christmas. I have some cash thats burning a hole in my pocket. I'd like a nice deer caliber, that is not a magnum. Was thinking 7mm-08, 308, 6.5x55, or something along those lines. I already have 2 243s, 308, 300Sav, 7.5 Swiss, 30-06, 7mm Rem mag, 223s, 50cal, and I'm sure there are a few I'm forgetting.

What I want is a stainless steel medium weight barrel. What cartridge do you think I should get, and what barrel makers can I expect SUB MOA with?

I have a Leupold VXII 3-9x40 and a Nikon Buckmaster 6-18x40 sitting on the shelf, so one of those scopes will be topping it off.

RE: Which barrel maker?
 

I think its hard to beat Fox Ridge for the prices. Go to www.foxridgeoutfitters.com click on custom shop. A friend of mine in Fargo who is really into Encores really recommends their barrels. What I have bought from them has always been excellent quality.

RE: Which barrel maker?
 

I'll check out those barrels JamesB. You have to have a reccomendation for a new cartridge to try out! I have faith in ya reccomending a good one.

It needs to have more smack than a 243 and not a magnum, so I've left an open playing field for you.....;)

RE: Which barrel maker?
 

I just ordered a 6.5 X 284 from Fox Ridge. I tried to order from Bull Berry but could not get through. I also tried to order from EABCO-but they kept trying to sell me a Fox Ridge. So I bought a Fox Ridge. Tom.

RE: Which barrel maker?
 

I'll have to contact my brother to ask the name - as I can't recall it just now. There is a custom shop in Alexandria, MN that is known primarily for working on Ruger #1's, that has quite a few Encore barrels he creates as well. Just can't remember the name right now - maybe James B knows.

Have you shot an Encore with rifle barrels much? If so, wondering how your accuracy has been. I've only used my Encore in ML form, so I have no experience with rifle calibers. I've have one hunting aquaintance who was not that complimentary with his experience - just wondering if it has worked for others.

IMO, I think I would go for a non-standard caliber in an Encore barrel, since it will be 'custom' to start with - being left handed, I don't have as many options in calibers as a RH shooter in bolts. A 250-300 AI would be interesting to me. I have no quarter bore yet, so that's part of the reason - I see you have that space open as well. Being located in South Dakota I would think your shooting could be at extended ranges, and the 250-300 AI should accomodate that.

Other thoughts - would you like a larger caliber? 35 Whelan is interesting - may or may not be the most useful in SD.

And as a side option, if you ended up wanting to sell either of the barrels later on for half price I would be standin 'n line - LOL.

RE: Which barrel maker?
 

If you are left handed, TC is putting out a left handed thumbhole stock right now that is truly the berries. I ordered one, and am getting ready to order another. As far as accuracy-all the ones i have shot(quit a few), have shot very well. All sub-MOA with minimal work. All handlods, but minimal work. Where is SSK located? Tom.

RE: Which barrel maker?
 

I have never shot an Encore with a rifle barrel before. I am interested in gettin a bigger bore down the line. I have always wanted a 45/70, so this may be the platform it is based on. Or else I will splurge and buy a Ruger #1 in 45/70.

Where I am located it is not uncommon, in fact, to shoot deer beyond 300 yards. I do stuff all of my own loads, and have all my hunting guns shooting around .5 MOA, so getting one to shoot shouldn't be too big of a problem.

The trigger on my Encore is pretty darned smooth and not overly heavy, haven't put it on my scale yet, but I bet it is around 4.5lbs, I would like to lighten it up a bit. Are Encores user friendly, or is it a smith job? I haven't done any research on the triggers yet.

RE: Which barrel maker?
 

Ithink the place is called E. Arthur Browne. http://eabco.com/

I live about 60 miles from there and I am thinking of driving over there and taking a look.

RE: Which barrel maker?
 

Thanks for the link.

Here is a stupid question. Do the Encores have ejectors like a shotgun? Or do they have extractors?

RE: Which barrel maker?
 

Extractors. The shells dont pop out. ALthough Im not sure if they do in the shotgun barrels, Ive never tried one of them.

RE: Which barrel maker?
 

I believe a single point cut barrel is thebest you can get. The one of the other methods is button rifling. My opinion is that button rifling isfor mass produced barrels. I realize that not everyone turns them out as fast as possible. Lilja has a very interesting video on their site. The video compares a factory Remington barrle to one of his. Liljas site is an excellent resource for research. From what i have read the button rifiling distorts and induces stress into the barrel. After the barrel is rifled they air gauge the barrel. They classify the barrelaccording to the results of the air gauge. Select Match Grade (or some other special name) are the best. Just a very few button rifled barrels are in this catagory.However, all single point cut barrels are Select Match Grade. This is not to say that button rifled barrles will not shoot as well as a cut barrel. Do you really need a Select Match Grade barrel? I am building a AR-15 upper with a Krieger barrel (for dogs and yotes). Krieger was my first choice for this project. I am planning on a 308 bolt action for my next project. I have not made up my mind on the barrel yet. It will either be a Krieger or Lilja.

Single point cut
http://www.kriegerbarrels.com/

Button Rifled
http://www.riflebarrels.com/
http://www.shilen.com/barrelGrades.html

RE: Which barrel maker?
 

Yes, EA Brown is the one I was thinking of in Alexandria, MN.

I have not purchased from him, but I have spoken with many that have. It's probably safe to say I just have not purchased from him 'yet'.

As his website says too - he has a single shot called the 97D that he produces himself. I want to get there sometime to look at that one as well.