Has anyone used a T/C Encore for benchrest Shooting? I have one and have the .50 209/50 barrel (for hunting ). I am toying with the idea of bechrest shooting and would rather just buy a barrel for my T/C rather than a whole new gun. I have researched this a fair amount and have not found where anyone uses an Encore for such shooting. If anyone can point me in the right direction as to finding out if this a good idea or not, I would appreciate it!!

Regards,
Chuck

Hi pzlehr,

Are you asking about shooting from a bench rest for improved accuracy or are you talking about Benchrest competitive target shooting? The T/C Encore is not a good action for Benchrest competitive target shooting.

Frank

One reason for a NO is the suuuuuuuuuuper loooooooong lock time. Another is the inherant inaccuracy of the action.

Go to a match and see if you see any weapons with hammers including lever actions. That'll tell ya something---pruhdlr

One reason for a NO is the suuuuuuuuuuper loooooooong lock time. Another is the inherant inaccuracy of the action.

Go to a match and see if you see any weapons with hammers including lever actions. That'll tell ya something---pruhdlr

Yes, those are the answers I am looking for. This being the case, what would be a good rifle to start out with? Another question...I once had a Contender pistol with a 10" 22 Hornet barrel. I shot 3 times into a dime size group at 100 yards. I always thought that was pretty good, and that a rifle barrel must be even better(the Encore). Is it that for bench rest shooting the tolerances are even closer( I know the distances are further but don't they vary 100,200,300yds,etc?) What would be a good rifle and what kind of prices can I expect? Thanks for your answers and help...I really appreciate them!

Chuck

If you are talking about shooting registered benchrest competition; go to benchrest.com.

It is a specialized game with a fairly high cost to play, if you want to be competitive. A Remington 40X is the only thing I can think of from one of the major gun makers that will even get you in the ballpark. Most of these people are shooting $2-5k custom rifles. By the time you add a scope, reloading equipment, rests, etc. it is going to cost a chunk of money. Then you have to learn to shoot. :D

I do think some of the clubs have "fun" matches like egg shoots and so forth.

At one point in my life I was into benchrest shooting. I subscribed to Precission Shooter and everything. I was never up to the great shooter/equipment level. I just "dabbled".

The biggest thing about BR shooting is repeatability. Same shot,same way,everytime.

I had several T/C's over the years. Both pistols and rifles. My wife's main hunting weapon is still a SS frame and bbl'ed T/C rechambered in .30-30AI. My T/C's were chambered in .223. The pistol would shoot in the .450" to the .500" range with 50gr Berger's. My rifle would shoot in the mid .3's with the Berger's also. These were my hunting weapons. I shot BR with a .308.

The groups were always 5 shots at 100yds. The above mentioned accuracy would not even qualify you for a BR match. I could at least qualify with my .308 but I never came close to a win.

There have been quite a few perfect groups shot in matches. With .308 the group would measure .154". Five shots through the same perfect hole. This has always seemed incredable to me but it has been done quite a few times now.

To start out with,I would suggest that you take a close look at the Savage line. One with the AccuTrigger. Start off with .223. Heavy bbl(20"),bedded action that has been trued by a "real" gunsmith. BBL recrowned also. This should get you down into the .200" to .250" sized groups. This,depending on your ammo.

The very best way to get into BR shooting is to start going to matches. Walk the line,and talk to whoever will talk to you. Look closely at their equipment and how it is set up. Alot of the shooters are vane people and are eager to tell someone how good they are and how they got that way.

For me,that was fine. I listened and learned. -----pruhdlr

KenK has given you good information. The 40X (http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/custom_shop/40-x/model_40-XBBR_KS.asp) would be the only factory rifle for a reasonable price. It is available in some desirable cartridges and you have to buy it from Remington's Custom Shop. If you decide you don't want to bench rest you will have a great varmint rifle.

Frank

Model 40-XBBR™ KS
http://www.remington.com/images/products/firearms/cs/40xbbr_ks[1].jpg

The T/C Encore can in fact be made accurate enough to shoot in a NBRSA competition...

I have built several complete Encores that will routinely shoot in the 1's and 2's at 100 yards and 2's and 3's at 200 yards...

guns are built to complete NBRSA rules and regulations for both heavy and light gun qualifications....

A

depending on what kind of competition and how much money you have look at the sako trg's they are competition guns, or atleast that is what it says on their website

Encores can be very accurate. It just takes time and know how. Here is an excellent article about one rifle and the barrel maker who is the best in the business for a custom T/C

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek055.html