.25-06---leaning towards a single shot

[300whisper_newbie]

KLRIDER Wrote :

Hi, I've been using a Sendero in .25-06 for groundhogs, deer, and black bear for three years now. I love the trajectories this makes and accuracy is superb with a good load (if I do my part). I am thinking of going to a Thompson Center encore rifle in .25-06, to lighten up the load I carry and I just like a single shot. :lol:
Does anyone have experience with the TC Encore in .25-06 :?: What groups does the gun give? I see TC makes two different bbl lenghts--24" and 26" Any preferences? The Sendero has almost no recoil; how much punishment does the TC deliver to the shooter?
Thanks for your reply and experiences.

[300whisper_newbie]

BulletPusher Wrote :

I've only seen the TC in .25-06 on a couple TV shows, and according to what was shown the TC was accurate and droped deer in there tracks.

If any of this was as it actually happened, your guess is as good as mine.

I shoot a Ruger M77MKII Sporter w/24" barrel. If you will read the other posts that I've made you can see what I've done to it and what it will do.

The TC is an interesting rifle, and has a reputation for accuracy. The stories that I've herd about the triggers have been nightmares and have to be worked on the be acceptable. I have no personnel knowladge though and am only going on what I've read and herd other people say.

Something that you might consider is the rifle made by Harrington & Richardson (H&R). The make a .25-06 with a semi heavy barrel, 26"lg, with a laminated stock, the scope base is already attached. I've shot a .308 version and the accuracy is great. I've also read and talked to people that have shot the .25-06 version and they report that it is a great rilfe. Also the H&R is about $250 or maybe even less depending where it is sold, I know that the chepest TC that I've ever seen had been over $500 +.

JMHO for what its worth.

[300whisper_newbie]

KLRIDER Wrote :

Thanks for the tip, Bulletpusher! One of my local shops has the H&R in .25-06 in stock for $249. Gonna go look this evening.

[300whisper_newbie]

mjshell Wrote :

KLRIDER,

I HAVE AN ENCORE WITH A 25-06 ACKLEY IMPROVED CUSTOM BARREL, VERY ACCURATE. A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE HAS A FACTORY 26" 25-06 BARREL ON HIS ENCORE, MINUTE OF ANGLE ACCURACY.

I DON'T HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE WITH THE H&R'S, HOWEVER EVERYTHING I HAVE READ IS VERY POSITIVE ON THE H&R'S.

A WEBSITE YOU WANT TO CHECK OUT IS WWW.BELLMTCS.COM PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE FORUMS. THERE IS SOME VERY USEFUL INFO ON BOTH THE ENCORES AND H&R'S.

[300whisper_newbie]

KLRIDER Wrote :

I did go look at the H&R SB2 Ultra Rifle in .26-06 and bought that puppy. A good looking gun, decent sharp checkering, crowned muzzle, 4 and 3/4 lb trigger, reasonably smooth, nice recoil pad. Put on a Burris 4.5x14 scope and sling and it tips the scale at 8 pounds, not too heavy to carry easily, heavy enough to absorb some of the punch.

Took it to the range today with a couple loads that I use in my Sendero:

1. A 75 gr Sierra HP over 54.8 gr IMR 4350, 3483 fps MV

2. A 117 gr Sierra Spitzer BT over 50.5 gr IMR 4350, 3074 fps MV

Both REM brass with WLR primer.

Weird occurence---it shot the heavier bullet with less powder about 6" higher at 100 yds than the 75 gr bullet. Also threw it higher at 200 yds. :?

This is just the opposite with my Sendero.

It shot the 75 gr bullet about 8/10 ", the 117 gr would only do about 1.25" with this load.

At 200 yards the elevation remained the same, 1.5" above target center, but the groups moved almost 5" to the right. :(

The barrel did heat up after 30 rounds and probably affected assuracy.


:?: Would the fitment of the forearm stock to the barrel affect grouping? It's snug, can't move a piece of .004" between them. Thought about sanding this out for free clearance to 'float' the barrel but it will still contact at the screw baase on the forearm of course.

Any insight as to why this gun shoots higher with heavier bullets and less powder would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

[300whisper_newbie]

mjshell Wrote :

the reason the gun shoots the heavier bullet higher is probably due to the harmonics of the barrel. it kind of goes beyond reason but each different load combination will cause the barrel to react differently when fired, even make a heavier bullet's point of impact higher than a lighter bullet.

as far as bedding the forend, i don't have a h&r, however i have bedded the forends on my encores. some people put a spacer/washer over the screw and between the forend and the barrel to freefloat the barrel. i have had the best results by opening up the forends, wrapping two thickness' of electrical tape around the barrel to give me the gap i desire, and then i apply brownell's bedding compound in the screw area to free float the barrel. this process has given me the most consistent results.
there is a very good link in the www.bellmtcs.com forums that illustrates this process very well. I would think it would be adaptable to the h&r.

also make sure that when firing from bags or a rest, that that you position the forend of the gun in same position on the bag/ rest each shot. the gun may be sensitive to different pressure points on the forend.

good shooting

[300whisper_newbie]

KLRIDER Wrote :

Thanks for the info, mjshell. I will open up the forearm and see where that puts the groups with this H&R.

Also, I can use a bit longer OAL without a magazine to worry about, though my Sendero does group the 117 gr Sierra bullet in my current load at 1/8" at 100 yards if I have a good day. The 75 gr Sierra is too short a projectile to get it closer to the rifling.

How close to the rifling lands are you folks placing your bullet with the .25-06?

Thanks,

[300whisper_newbie]

Guest Wrote :

my 25-06 ackley encore barrel prefers .003 to .005 off the lands depending on the bullet and the load.

good shooting,
let me know how that h&r shoots. my barrels for my encore are more expensive than a whole h&r. i may half to re-think.

[300whisper_newbie]

mjshell Wrote :

KLRIDER,

SORRY THAT LAST POST WAS MJSHELL.