Need Advice on long-range muzzleloader barrel for Encore platform

[Theist]

I own a Encore muzzleloader and I want to buy a high quality barrel for it so I can reach out a bit further. Utah recently changed rules on scope magnifications on muzzleloaders. Any input is helpful. I'm leaning towards a bullberry barrel. But they are spendy


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[Colorado Cowboy]

Is there something wrong with your barrel? Normally you have very definite range capabilities because of sight limitations and bullet/powder choices. If it shoots decent groups now at 100 yds, I would get the scope you want and see if that helps.

Can you use Sabots and pelletized powder? They generally are more accurate and will shoot longer ranges.

It is very unusual to wear out a barrel in modern M/Lers. Almost all the barrels are stainless and last a long time. Regular steel barrels can rust and get pitted if you don't take care of them.

 

[Theist]

I bought this gun on a classified sight and have had a terrible time getting it to shoot straight. I have killed a deer at 168 yards but missed my fair share with it and I can shoot very well with a rifle. I've killed three deer close to 600. I have a leupold ultimate slam scope on it and still struggle shooting it. That's why I think it's the barrel. So I'm going to try a new one. I've shot 75 bullets through it with sabots, powerbelts. With no luck. The best bullet I found is a pr bullet sabot at 240 grains and triple seven powder in loose form at 110 grains. Still poorly shoots. Pellets shoot poor out of this gun. I clean it between 5 shots and swab it with every shot. I put the ultimate slam on for a New Mexico hunt and missed my bull at 185 yards shooting of sticks which I can normally do well


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[Colorado Cowboy]

Get ahold of Thompson Center and ask one of their people about it. You might get a new barrel from them for free as it still might be warranted. Sounds like something is wrong.

 

[Work2hunt]

Get ahold of Thompson Center and ask one of their people about it. You might get a new barrel from them for free as it still might be warranted. Sounds like something is wrong.

+1. On calling T/C first before you replace the barrel. I have a T/C and had some issues and I called them and they worked everything out for me perfectly.

 

[50bowhunter]

Muzzleloaders are just plain fickle. Not saying there couldn't be and issue with the barrel, but I would bet the right load for your gun is out there. TC's are known to have a tight bore and some bullets just won't shoot. The problem is it could be the the sabot or the bullet (or both). I would suggest looking at harvester sabots. I got a new TC triumph last year that gave me fits. I got some harvester crush rib sabots and a box of TC .452 250gr xtp's and it starting shooting better than half of the centerfire rifles I've owned.


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[stevevan]

I experienced the same as 50bowhunter. I have a TC Omega that was very fickle. I too tried the Harvester Sabots and worked up a combo that shoots to my expectations. I also went to a "Spin Jag" on my starter and ramrod. This I believe helped as well as the Spin Jag keeps the bullet aligned every time its pushed down the barrel and seated.

 

[Theist]

I'm going to call Thompson and see what they think. I've been through multiple bullets and powders. I m pretty irritated with it. I'll get back with you fellas after I get some results


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[ore hunter]

I had many issues shooting at max loads of powder,,,back off your powder charge and see if that brings back the grouping,,ive had my bullets shooting all over then once I backed off the powder it started grouping well..I only hunt w 80 gr of 777 behind a great plains conical in .54 cal,,,if yours is only a .50 you may need to back off even more than that...at longer range you will need to figure out your bullet drop and you can dial it in.I hit milkjugs at 250 yrds w mine,,and I get about 28" of drop at that range.let me know if that made a difference for you?I don't think its the barrel unless extremely pitted.also I use a felt under my conical and that I think also helps too,,,and that's prim style that is required out here in Oregon.

 

[ore hunter]

I use a lyman great plains side percussion w a hunter 1 in 32 twist,,#11 perc caps,,80 gr 777,felt pad and a all lead hornady great plains 435 gr conical,,,thats without sabots,powerbelts,pellet powder,and that is also with peep sights.grouping is a lot more important than speed.

 

[Slugz]

So....something to consider.......I think the tolerances these days for barrel inside diameter in muzzleloaders are starting to get rather big....I've measured a few and my initial reaction each time was...."no wonder this thing doesn't shoot straight" I'm not a bench rest expert by any means but I take a lot of their lessons learned and applied them to our hunting rifles. In all cases when someone came to me with this problem we went with Thor bullets and BH/209.....if you can go the pellet route I would do that also. There is a few threads on here discussing it. Thor puts out a bullet that is the correct size for your barrel. Give them a call and they will send a sizing kit.

I've had numerous people on the verge of throwing away their muzzleloader then 3 months later knocking down an elk and talking nice about their weapon again

 

[lostriverproductions]

Get this barrel
http://www.hausofarms.com/Bergara-RB4009S-MZLDR-Barrel_p_189.html
Use buckhorn 209 powder, and top it off with PRbullet of you choice. You won't find a better barrel. But it might not be your barrel it might be your hinge pins. They might be loose, there are several options from over size to locking.