Encore or bolt action

G

Gsjcky

Member
Looking for my go to calling rifle, and looking for opinions...
Order a custom 22-250 barrel from MGM, 26 inch with 1 in 9 twist, for my TC pro hunter, or order a Timney trigger for my Weatherby Vanguard 22-250 and call it good. A Leupold vxIII 3.5 x10 will be mounted on either rifle. 55 gr sierras will be the handload of choice. I call yotes in Colorado, and Wyoming.
What do you think? Thanx
 
I've got a encore that I like to use for certain things mostly just for fun shooting. For hunting uses I have a cz550 and a t/c icon because if you need a follow up shot quickly a encores not that fast. Long story short put a trigger in the weatherby
 
I hunt a lot with a combo gun, usually 1 rifle barrel and 1 shotgun barrel(I do have some with 2 shotgun barrel and 1 rifle barrel). Much of the stuff I hunt you rarely get a shot at second coyote. So if it doesn't bother you to let one get away with out at least slinging some lead at it go for the SS. From my experience with Vanguard triggers I doubt that the factory trigger would take it out of contention as a coyote hunting rifle. In more open country I like a bolt action. I have an very good AR but don't hunt with it.
 
Seems like the opinion is bolt action. With the Encore I think I take better shots, knowing I only have one shot or maybe 2 at the most. But I also seem to be passing on marginal shots, but you can’t hit them if you don’t shoot. I’ve been using the encore this last month for hunting yotes, and have been happy with the results. I also have not had an opportunity for a double this season. I do like the shorter overall rifle with a single shot, even with a26 inch barrel. Going out on Sunday, might be the last trip with the Encore. Will have to see how things pan out.
Thanx for your opinions.
 
If it's working for you why change? I agree with your thinking as far as making your shot count. One should apply that to all shooting no matter how many shots you've got. Too much spray n pray goes on anymore.
 
Good question tj66. The reason for change is a performance issue.. I purchased a used encore 22-250 barrel in August. I put together a quick load for it, mounted a new scope and decided to give it a try. I’ve had some issues with missfires with this gun/ammo, which has cost me yotes on 2 occasions. Encores can be very picky about their ammo. When it works, it works well.
I’ve always hand loaded up to potential for years......why shoot a 22-250 at 223 velocity? Encores do not handle pressure as well as a bolt gun, because of the flex in the action. That’s a negative. But the positive is custom barrels can be made at a fraction of the cost of a custom bolt gun. A 22-250AI with a fast twist barrel can be had for $400. With that combination, it’s possible to load under max,with a heavier bullet , and still have better performance than a bolt gun.
Now the weatherby is just easier , and more predictable. An accurate, dependable bolt action in 22-250 is the definition of coyote rifle. Do I roll the diced on something new and different, or do I stay with old reliable and go hunting? That’s the question.
 
I have no experience with the Encore. Can see why your looking if you are having performance issues. Does the Vanguard have the 2 stage Hact trigger that is on the Howa's? If so the spring can be changed and it will adjust down nicely for a hunting trigger, if you like 2 stage. And no doubt it will make for a nice coyote rig.
 
Yes, my Vanguard has a 2 stage trigger. The rifle is made by Howa, with the Weatherby name on it. Where can you get a replacement trigger spring?
 
I like my single shots, have had several Contenders, one Encore and a couple Martini’s. Always said the the only person that needs a repeater was they guy who planned on missing his first shot. Also have had a couple Weatherby 257’s. Both the Contender and Encore sometimes need a stronger locking lug spring. The only one I could not keep from vertical stringing was an Encore 25-06 AI when going past 3600fps with 85gr BT. 3950 at 100 yards gave 6 inch vertical. The two most likely causes for you misfires is a weak hammer spring or reloads where the shoulder was set back too far giving excess head space, but what do I know looking at it a thousand miles away
 
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I just cut mine down. Lots of videos out there on how to do this if you are comfortable working on it. Took little over 1 coil off to make nice pull for hunting.
 
I have addressed my hammer spring problems, and knock on wood, will have no more miss-fires. I bump size my brass, so I don’t think it is a headspace problem. I also have a Bellm oversized hinge pin on the frame.
Parson, it sounds like your an Encore fan. In your opinion.... am I chasing my tail with the Encore,or would the Vanguard be a smarter option?
 
One really needs to like singles to justify them. In the handgun game, hunting or silhouettes they were in my opinion fantastic. We all know the break action design has its problems especially with high pressure. I have had 22rf, 222R, 223, 22 Hornet, 17 Squirrel, 17 Rem, 445, 30-30, all shot fantastic and could hold their own against most any non- benchrest rifle, but they can be finicky. The only one I gave up on was the 25-06 AI. I wanted a long range coyote gun but a standard 25-06 would have done the job without the fire forming, the vertical stringing etc. I can’t tell you what to do, but if you stick with most any standard caliber and away from high pressure I think they are worth it, but it’s like a woman, they are great would not want to go without one but you need to be willing to put up with their peculiarities
 
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Should have added, I now have a Weatherby Mark V in 257 for my long range coyote gun, I obviously don’t worry about saving hides, as a former farmer/rancher I just want them dead
 
I'd stick with a bolt gun. I've killed doubles that I'd have never shot with a single shot. They're just way too slow to load,especially if you miss and need a quick follow up shot. If it's an unreliable bolt gun I'd probably see about selling it and find one that is.
 
I do like a bolt action rifle.....but i love the single shot TCs. Mine are handguns. There is absolutely no reason an encore would not handle maximum 22-250 loads. They are not as strong as a bolt, and do flex, but that only matters with borderline cartridges on the contender or encore. The belted mags in an encore may push the edge enough with hot loads. The 22-250 is just fine. Its case diameter is not large enough to cause pressure/flex problems on an encore action.

#1. If you reload, make the case fit the chamber perfectly, taking into account the barrel/frame gap. Adjust dies for proper headspace. You want aprox .002” clearance just like any rifle/cartridge.

#2. If you want to speed up single shot reload capability, carry a cartridge holder on your wrist with 3 or 4 follow up loads. Wont be that much slower than a bolt gun if you practice it a bit.

Killed many a deer with contender and encore pistols. 😉
 
Ordered a Timney trigger today from Midway Should be here mid week. I think the Encore will be put away for a while, but I can see a 223 barrel in my future. Thanx for the advice.
 
Encores are fun, I've had one since they came out with it. My deer rig is a 22" MGM .357 Max barrel (also have the .45/70 katahdin carbine pro-hunter barrel). Had a handgun version for many years so it took a pile of deer in a 12" .44 mag configuration. Having said that like others have said, it is a single-shot...buy both, you won't regret it.
 
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