Post by yoderjac on Jun 2, 2021 15:11:34 GMT -5
I purchased this Encore minus the frame from Jeff: TC Encore. It came with pretty much everything except a thread protector for the muzzle break. I did buy the rod and some accessories from him as well. I'm not a reloader and this is my first smokeless endeavor, so I had to buy a press and some dies and such as well to get started. I bought some 240 grain XTP pistol bullets. I plan to shoot 270 gr acumax but as far as I know they are still not available. I figured I could at least get to the range with the XTP's and use them in the future to foul the barrel each year for a lot less then $2 bullet.
I had an issue with the torx screws in the PRW Leupold rings I first ordered stripping when I tried to move my old scope to it. I never had that happen before. Leupold sent me new screws and brackets for the rings, but in the meantime, I decided to get a new scope. Because of the issue with the PRW rings, I decided to go with the QRW rings (this is a larger diameter than my old scope so I needed to order new rings). I mounted a Leupold VX-6HD 4-24X52MM CDS-ZL2 SIDE FOCUS ILLUM. FIREDOT DUPLEX on it.
My first issue was removing the breach plug to bore sight the gun. Jeff said a 1/4" drive 7/16" socket would work, but the OD was too large to get in the gun. Since TC is now using a 7/16" breach plug, so I just bought one of their removal tools and it worked great.
I finally got to the range on Memorial day for my first opportunity to shoot. Here was my setup.
I had previously sized a pair of the XTPs when the breach plug was out for boresighting. I removed the muzzle brake and kept reducing size until I could start it and push it down the unfouled barrel easily with one hand.
On the range, the funnel worked great! It was very easy to load the 65 grains of IMR 4198 and bullet through it. Next came loading the modules. That was more challenging. I had previously used the little RCBS Partner to load the primers in all 25 modules. At first, I thought I was doing something wrong. I put the module on the ejector and closed the action...or tried. It did not want to close. I double checked everything and gave it a bit more force. It still did not latch, but it closed most of the way. I gave it one more try with lots of force and it latched. I thought maybe it was just because it was the first shot, but as the day went on with subsequent shots, it stayed the same. It is just a very tight fit. I checked each module after ejection and there was no damage to them.
The first shot was not on paper at 100 yards. When I opened the action, the module came flying out unlike the ones in Jeff's video that just fall out. My gun must have a stronger ejector spring. Not a problem once I positioned my hand correctly to catch them, but they will be easy to loose.
Loading the second bullet required 2 hands and significant force. I next took a shot at 20 yards. It was low and barely on paper.
It is is the shot marked #1 the lower left of the right target. I then made some scope adjustments and got a bullseye! It is #2 on the left target. Of course, I was aiming at the right target, so my elevation adjustment was great but my windage adjustment was way off. I made another windage adjustment and aimed again at the right target. I wasn't sure if I was going to get the bullet seated on the third shot it took so much force. My nest shot was #3. Getting Closer. I make another windage adjustment.
At that point, I tightened the sizing die after each shot until I could easily seat the bullet with one hand and little force.
I then took 3 shots with no adjustment between. They are circled, #4, #5, and #6. Interestingly the elevation (not changed) was now off. I'm guessing it was the building fouling.
I adjusted the elevation up a bit an took 3 more shots:
You can see there is significant spread now. I'm guessing this is do to barrel heating.
Keep in mind this is a new gun never before fired and I'm not shooting the high BC bullets yet. I decided not to make any more adjustments until I get them.
When I was done, I replaced sizing die with a die to remove primers and removed all the spent primers from the modules and then put in new primers for next time.
I recorded the chronograph speed of each shot just for kicks with these bullets. I wanted to see the consistency.
Shot 0 - 2048 fps (off paper)
Shot 1 - Unknown ( 25 yards with no chronograph)
Shot 2 - 2283 fps
Shot 3 - 2366 fps
Shot 4 - 2609 fps
Shot 5 - 2682 fps
Shot 6 - 2672 fps
Shot 7 - 2682 fps
Shot 8 - 2588 fps
Shot 9 - 2636 fps
The first couple shots are off in speed from the rest but that is expected. If I look at shots 4-9 the standard deviation is about 40. For shots 4-9, the extreme spread (ES) is 94 fps.
I'm not near ready to comment on the accuracy of the gun until I get the high BC Acumax bullets. I did use a lead sled, but I did not take care to avoid barrel heating issues. My objective was just to foul the barrel and get it on paper for later.
Overall, I'm favorably impressed with the gun so far. I'd appreciate any thoughts or suggestions as I move forward. My nest outing won't be until I can get the Acumax bullets.
I had an issue with the torx screws in the PRW Leupold rings I first ordered stripping when I tried to move my old scope to it. I never had that happen before. Leupold sent me new screws and brackets for the rings, but in the meantime, I decided to get a new scope. Because of the issue with the PRW rings, I decided to go with the QRW rings (this is a larger diameter than my old scope so I needed to order new rings). I mounted a Leupold VX-6HD 4-24X52MM CDS-ZL2 SIDE FOCUS ILLUM. FIREDOT DUPLEX on it.
My first issue was removing the breach plug to bore sight the gun. Jeff said a 1/4" drive 7/16" socket would work, but the OD was too large to get in the gun. Since TC is now using a 7/16" breach plug, so I just bought one of their removal tools and it worked great.
I finally got to the range on Memorial day for my first opportunity to shoot. Here was my setup.
I had previously sized a pair of the XTPs when the breach plug was out for boresighting. I removed the muzzle brake and kept reducing size until I could start it and push it down the unfouled barrel easily with one hand.
On the range, the funnel worked great! It was very easy to load the 65 grains of IMR 4198 and bullet through it. Next came loading the modules. That was more challenging. I had previously used the little RCBS Partner to load the primers in all 25 modules. At first, I thought I was doing something wrong. I put the module on the ejector and closed the action...or tried. It did not want to close. I double checked everything and gave it a bit more force. It still did not latch, but it closed most of the way. I gave it one more try with lots of force and it latched. I thought maybe it was just because it was the first shot, but as the day went on with subsequent shots, it stayed the same. It is just a very tight fit. I checked each module after ejection and there was no damage to them.
The first shot was not on paper at 100 yards. When I opened the action, the module came flying out unlike the ones in Jeff's video that just fall out. My gun must have a stronger ejector spring. Not a problem once I positioned my hand correctly to catch them, but they will be easy to loose.
Loading the second bullet required 2 hands and significant force. I next took a shot at 20 yards. It was low and barely on paper.
It is is the shot marked #1 the lower left of the right target. I then made some scope adjustments and got a bullseye! It is #2 on the left target. Of course, I was aiming at the right target, so my elevation adjustment was great but my windage adjustment was way off. I made another windage adjustment and aimed again at the right target. I wasn't sure if I was going to get the bullet seated on the third shot it took so much force. My nest shot was #3. Getting Closer. I make another windage adjustment.
At that point, I tightened the sizing die after each shot until I could easily seat the bullet with one hand and little force.
I then took 3 shots with no adjustment between. They are circled, #4, #5, and #6. Interestingly the elevation (not changed) was now off. I'm guessing it was the building fouling.
I adjusted the elevation up a bit an took 3 more shots:
You can see there is significant spread now. I'm guessing this is do to barrel heating.
Keep in mind this is a new gun never before fired and I'm not shooting the high BC bullets yet. I decided not to make any more adjustments until I get them.
When I was done, I replaced sizing die with a die to remove primers and removed all the spent primers from the modules and then put in new primers for next time.
I recorded the chronograph speed of each shot just for kicks with these bullets. I wanted to see the consistency.
Shot 0 - 2048 fps (off paper)
Shot 1 - Unknown ( 25 yards with no chronograph)
Shot 2 - 2283 fps
Shot 3 - 2366 fps
Shot 4 - 2609 fps
Shot 5 - 2682 fps
Shot 6 - 2672 fps
Shot 7 - 2682 fps
Shot 8 - 2588 fps
Shot 9 - 2636 fps
The first couple shots are off in speed from the rest but that is expected. If I look at shots 4-9 the standard deviation is about 40. For shots 4-9, the extreme spread (ES) is 94 fps.
I'm not near ready to comment on the accuracy of the gun until I get the high BC Acumax bullets. I did use a lead sled, but I did not take care to avoid barrel heating issues. My objective was just to foul the barrel and get it on paper for later.
Overall, I'm favorably impressed with the gun so far. I'd appreciate any thoughts or suggestions as I move forward. My nest outing won't be until I can get the Acumax bullets.