Encore Pro Hunter Issues

[varminthunter]

I have recently purchase a new Pro Hunter 50 cal and topped it off with a Nikon Omega 3-9x40 scope. Using 150 grains of powder and a 250 grain T/C bullet with the black sabot. I went to the range today to sight the rifle in and noticed a problem. When I got the scope, somewhat zeroed in a 100 yards I noticed that one shot would be right on the money and the second shoot would shoot 4 to 6 inches high. I am cleaning the barrel after every 4 shoots, shoot from a table and making sure that I am packing the powder and bullet to the same depth each time. Rings and base are tight. Don't know what would cause this issue. Anyone have any ideas or have experienced the same issue. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[encore06]

Try dropping down to 100 grains of powder, or using a heavier bullet. My T/C Omega loves 110 grains loose 777 and 290 Gr Barnes TMZ. Sometimes you have to try different combinations to find the correct one for a particular gun.

 

[BlackBelt]

My Optima Pro was grouping like that. One round was dead on the X, and the next would be 6 inches+ up or down or to the side. I shoot from a rest, and was exactly duplicating each loading, with the barrel exactly the same with each shot. I played around with different loadings, and finally presented the problem to my Marine Corps sniper hunting buddy. He fixed me up.
He told me I was shooting too heavy of a bullet.

I went to a lighter bullet for a flatter trajectory, and it fixed the problem.
I went from a 295 grain PowerBelt to a 200 grain TC spire sabot.
200 grains is still plenty enough bullet to kill a deer, but dropping that extra 95 grains really tightened up the groups.
BTW, I am using a 100 grain charge with those bullets.
If nothing else works, try using a lighter bullet.

Like Carl said, you just have to play around with different loadings to see which one your gun likes best.

 

[varminthunter]

I appreciate the suggestions. I think I go by Bass Pro and pickup some lighter bullets and adjust the powder. I'm using the 50 grains preformed pellets. Maybe try the 250 grain with 2 50 grain pellets, if that doesn't help I'll drop to the lighter buller. I may wait a few days before I try this, I fired 40 rounds today shoulder hurts like h***!!! Thanks guys.

 

[Model70Man]

Try 110 grains of powder and a 250 grain bullet.

 

[muddyboots]

Yep drop the powder. I shoot 90 grains 777 with barnes 245 grain and they shoot well.

 

[iowavf]

Not sure what to tell you, I shoot 150 grains, 3 777 pellets, and either a 223 powerbelt or a 250 dead center in my 45 encore and both group well. I don't clean after every shot either, but my 1st shot out of a clean barrel is high and to the right then after that the group is back. Did you zero your scope in with a clean barrel? If so it might shoot differant with a dirty barrel, mine does that's why I have it zeroed in with dirty barrel so I don't have to clean between shots while hunting.

 

[highway]

When I was shooting a Pro Hunter, I was shooting 110 grains of loose with .250 Hornady XTP. Every two shots I would run a wet patch then a dry patch. Shot like a .22 Your bullet weight is a good round. Just drop down on your powder.

 

[FrontierGander]

your bullet weight is fine. If you are using T7, its causing a crud ring build up and you most likely are not getting the bullet seated all the way on top of the powder.

Swab between each shot and give it a few minutes to cool down between shots.

 

[WTM]

150 grains of sub in hot weather, you could be blowing sabots. did you find any blown sabots?

 

[iowavf]

your bullet weight is fine. If you are using T7, its causing a crud ring build up and you most likely are not getting the bullet seated all the way on top of the powder.

Swab between each shot and give it a few minutes to cool down between shots.

If he would load the gun with the barrel clean, then make a mark on the ram rod with a pencil or sharpie, should know if you're seating the bullet the same everytime. I had that trouble when trying to use loose powder with power belts, they didn't seat the same each time. I'm guesing it was due to the hollow plastic end on the bullet and I couldn't always get it seated on the loose powder. It would vary 1/4", but the plastic end fits over the pellots I use.

 

[varminthunter]

I found all my sabots within 20 yards of the bench and all in tact. I have my rod marked to ensure that I am seating the bullet/powder comb the same depth within the barrel. I'm using the Pyrodex 50 grain preformed pellets.

 

[Model70Man]

How and where do you store your powder? The pellets can become saturated with water due to the higher humidity we have been having. That may also be an issue.

 

[iowavf]

I have recently purchase a new Pro Hunter 50 cal and topped it off with a Nikon Omega 3-9x40 scope. Using 150 grains of powder and a 250 grain T/C bullet with the black sabot. I went to the range today to sight the rifle in and noticed a problem. When I got the scope, somewhat zeroed in a 100 yards I noticed that one shot would be right on the money and the second shoot would shoot 4 to 6 inches high. I am cleaning the barrel after every 4 shoots, shoot from a table and making sure that I am packing the powder and bullet to the same depth each time. Rings and base are tight. Don't know what would cause this issue. Anyone have any ideas or have experienced the same issue. Any help would be much appreciated.

If your 1st shot is on the money are the other 3 shots all high? If so then it sounds like you either need to clean the barrel after each shot, or zero it in with a dirty barrel.

 

[muddyboots]

Dont make it complicated. Just drop the powder and it will shoot fine. I have dealt with tons of m/l over the years over accuracy issues and it is always bad scope or too high powder. Everytime one of those will cure problem.

 

[varminthunter]

Well my powder is brand new and I keep it in the house. One shot is on the money the next is high the next is on the money. I'm going to try dropping the powder and see where that gets me.

 

[stik]

spread out newspapers in front of you and shoot the 150 gr. load over the top of it. notice all the unburned powder on the paper. you are just wasting alot of powder with that 150 gr. load unless you have an extremely long barrel.

 

[iowavf]

Well my powder is brand new and I keep it in the house. One shot is on the money the next is high the next is on the money. I'm going to try dropping the powder and see where that gets me.

Sounds like powder problem, might want to try 777 or white hot pellets and use 100 grains to see what happens. I prefer them over pyrodex.

 

[varminthunter]

I previously owned a T/C Black Diamond and shot the 250gr T/C Shockwave with 100gr pyrodex pellets, thought that since the barrel on the Pro Hunter is approx. 3" longer the 150gr would work fine. My Black Diamond would shoot a 3 inch group at 100 yards. Hopefully if I go back to 100gr powder my Pro Hunter will do the same. I'll try it this weekend at the club.

 

[gravy]

I shot most all of the 250 and 300 grain bullets out of my encore, none had acceptable accuracy with 150 grains of pyrodex or 777. I found some 30gr pyrodex pellets and now I use 2 50gr pellets and 1 30 gr pellet with great accuracy. If I clean after every shot it will shoot 1 inch groups. The 2nd and 3rd shots are a very consistant 1.5 inches higher than the 1st. I shoot the 300 gr barnes and velocity is on par with what the knight rifle catalog shows for 150 grains out of the Knight rifles. I helped a friend with his Encore last year and 130grains was the sweet spot for his as well.

 

[tc 308]

i have to run a wet patch then a dry one.100grain 777.and 250hornady sabot.makes a one inch group on the bench.

 

[Anonymous]

I shoot the same set up as you, but dont use the black sabots, not as accurate . Try the tc 250 grain super glides. Shoot great , bonded, and will take care of that problem.

 

[BDS05]

Same setup as you here except with the Leupold. Try 2 777 50 gr. pellets and a 300 gr. T/C Super Glide. You'll be just fine..I can keep two pellets and a bullet in the T/C Ripcord all yr., then when I need 'em I can count on 'em. They'll still be dry and shoot true.

 

[Team Browning]

I cleaned between shots on my ML's because you arent going to shoot an ML in the woods 4-times without cleaning it. If nothing else run a wet patch and a dry one down the barrel

 

[W.Seay]

Change to blackhorn 209!

 

[tndeerslayer]

90 - 110 grains 777 or BH209 with 250 grain TC shockwave or similar for best accuracy.....Checkout this website http://maxmuzzleloader.com/

 

[square]

I would never plan to hunt with a dirty barrel because of how quicly pyrodex, 777, black powwder can cause corrosion. Unless you plan to hunt with a dirty barrel, the barrel should be cleaned before each shot when zeroing the scope. Clean whatever lube you put on the barrel when you store it with pre soaked cleaning patches ( not pre soaked bore butter or oil patches) Run dry patches through it until they come out clean. shoot. run a pre soaked cleaning patch through, flip it over and run it through again. Then dry patches until they come out dry. Do this after every shot. The condition of the barrel will be very close to the same with every shot. In the field run a spit soaked patch through the barrel after your shot (unless you are in a hurry) and then a dry patch. You can tell if you are getting your barrel to the same condition for each shot by the amount of resistance you feel when you seat the bullet.

Many ML's (not all) just don't group as well with 150 gr of powder as they will with 90-110. My TC likes 90 grains best.

 

[FIREMANJIM]

Eliminate the Pellets and go to powder form powder. I use the Pyrodex in the green can. Fine grains not course. I experimented with the pellets some. Weigh a few with your reloading scale and you will see why. One will weigh 37 gr and the next will weigh 57 gr. VERY VERY ununiform weight wise. A powder measure, fine grain powder will improve your situation 200% I PROMISE !!!!!

 

[FIREMANJIM]

If you are using 150 grains of powder I bet you barrel is SUPER DIRTY TOO. I bet if you pay close attention you will see lots of un burned powder. About 100 grains will make you a "Happy Camper" !!!