I have two encore pro hunter barrels. One is a 25-06 and the other is a 243. I can't seem to get them to group smaller than 1.25 inches at 100 yards. I shoot nothing but hand loads and I have tried numerous powder/bullet combinations. I did try one box of remington factory ammo in the 25-06 and had the same problem. I have tried changing the scpoes, bases, and rings and nothing has worked. Anyone have any ideas on how I can fix this problem?

I would try seating the bullets from .030 off the lands all the way to touching the lands (do not use near max loads when testing this because pressures may be increased with the bullet both touching the lands and being seated deeper in the case, depending on where you are starting from). If shooting a solid copper bullet like the X bullet back off to .050 inch off the lands up to .030 inch off the lands.
Also, get a Lee Factory Crimp die and try putting in 1/4 turn crimp even if the bullet you are using does not have a crimp groove, up to 1/2 turn crimp if you do have a crimp groove at the case mouth. My 7mm STW gave me fits until I started adding 1/4 turn crimp to my non-crimp groove 140 gr. X bullets. That cut the group size in half from 1.5 inch to .75 inch for 5 shots at 100 yards.
Next, make sure when you are shooting that the pistol grip (even on the rifle versions) is not resting on anything like a sandbag. That will often cause vertical stringing in the Contender and Encore, especially the pistols.

Love my break opens: However factory problems can be many depending who actually did the work on your barrels.

In addition to what has been mentioned. SInce you have fast movers it is critical that the forend fit exactly and without bind. Loosen one screw and then the other seeing that 1) each screw holds the forend in place independantly of the other.2) That one screw (either) when loosened, the forend does not pop up or out. If it does then you are creating a bind on the barrel and this needs to be created. I nice piller bedded with relieve can very well elliminate the bind.

Another simple test is to make sure that there is a barrel to frame gap when closed-- should be able to see light between the two. Second, remove the barrel and then punch the pin out that holds the extractor and remove. Careful because there is a flat spring under the extractor. Insert a primed empty case and check to make sure that the base of the case is absolutely flat with the breach of the barrel. If it is not then you haven't head space and your case is wedging against the frame. Set your sizing die a bit tighter to the shell holder and see if you can set the shoulder back enough to compensate.

338

338

was having the same problem with my 243. stock was binding on the barrel. did a little bit like what 338 did. problem solved

Sgt. O