New T/C Encore barrel on the way :)

[Buttermilk]

A couple of months ago I sent a Blackstar Accumax I cut rifled blank off to be turned into an Encore handgun barrel. Stainless steel, 1:10" twist. Tight bore with 0.307"/0.299" groove/land dimensions.

This barrel belonged to my uncle who'd had it since Sept 2001. I acquired the barrel from him last summer.

Barrel maker called, said it was ready. Should have it next week.

Octagon profile with a muzzle that should be ~ 0.82" or so.

I will also have a 6 screw scope base. Barrel will be satin stainless.

Chambering you ask? it'll have similar case capacity as the 300 WSM, but be compatible in the Encore platform....

Now for commercial break...

 

[Edd]

Is it next week yet? A picture would be good.

 

[Buttermilk]

Yes indeed, it is next week

Just picked up the barrel from the UPS hub this AM.

Quickly took a low quality cell phone pic (all I have at the moment).

Edd, as you can see, they turned the blank down to 1". Also cut off the 5/8" 'nub' end that would normally be threaded for a bolt gun.

Match Grade Machine also fitted a 6 screw scope base to the part round, part octagon barrel for me as well. I haven't measured to confirm, but it was to be finished at 16.5" inches in total length.

Overall, the barrel looks good. Now, if it'll just shoot as good as it looks.

I originally told them to build me a 29" 300 WM, then changed it to the 16.5" 30-338WM.


Regards,
Rog

 

[Buttermilk]

Couple more pics.

 

[Rupe]

Sharp looking barrel! That should reach out there.
Rupe

 

[ODAVID]

Maybe I missed something but Did MGM do the octogonal barrel work?????

if so who was the contact person. ( not everyone is on the same plateau).?

Can you share how much the octogonal part cost???

Thanks
odavid

 

[Buttermilk]

Sorry if my 1st post left some in a state of confusion. Edd is aware of the history of this blank, so I didn't explain particulars regarding the exact happenings of the blank.

Blank was supplied as an Octagon by Blackstar, ~30" length, tight bore 30 cal. One of the photo's above show it as it came, ready to thread for a bolt type gun, or similarly threaded receiver.

MGM did not do the octagon. However, if you check with MGM's website they offer the octagon and dodecagon shaping.

MGM did the turning down of the blank to the Encore dimensions on the breech end. They also did the chambering, the scope base as well as drill/tap for the fore end, cutting the barrel to length, and the crowning. Lastly, they blasted it for a satin finish.

If you need to speak with someone at MGM, I've personally only had conversations with Kerry and Jeff.

Regards,
Rog

 

[contender hunter]

All I can say is hang on. Looks good.

 

[Buttermilk]

All I can say is hang on. Looks good.

I shot it once and it wasn't bad

Finally got my reloading dies in so will be headed to the range soon.

 

[Buttermilk]

Dbl tap...

Rog

 

[ODAVID]

NO DOUBT YOU HAVE A FLAME-THOWING-THUMPER

I have shot similiar with much success. It truely is nice to not have to carry 15 lbs up a steep mountain especially after the harvest carring out 50 lbs of meat in a pack plus an additional 15 lbs of rifle.

keep us informed


I wonder what kind of ear pretection you use??? electronic ear muffs????

Tks
odavid

 

[Buttermilk]

NO DOUBT YOU HAVE A FLAME-THOWING-THUMPER


I wonder what kind of ear pretection you use??? electronic ear muffs????

Tks
odavid

Huh? Did you say something?

I normally hunt in a manner that allows me to quickly insert earplugs (corded style) just before I shoot. I do have some electronic game walker ears but those are a bit of a hassle for me.

I've owned several big boomers in the Encore, all handgun 15"-16.5" lenght:

308 Win (not really a big boomer, but was my first Encore barrel)
30-30 Ackley Improved (Contender)
30-06 JDJ
7mm Rem Mag
280 Ackley Improved
375 JDJ (Contender)
30-280 Ackley Improved
30-338 WM

No muzzle brakes on any of them.

My 30-06 JDJ would throw a good fireball when loaded with RL22

The 30-06 JDJ was in a standard taper barrel and was pretty stout in the recoil department. The 7 RM was a factory heavy taper barrel. That barrel was the most vicious in the recoil of any I've owned yet.

The 30-280AI, 280AI, and now this 30-338 barrel are all varmint taper and recoil isn't bad on any of these barrels.

71.3 grains of H4831sc pushing a Berger 175 VLD was fairly mild in the recoil department. Of course, that was only one shot.

I'll have a better feel (literally) for the recoil after spending some time at the bench.

 

[Buttermilk]

Re: New T/C Encore 30-338 WM @ the range

Finally made it to the range. Only shot two loads of the few I had with me.

Shots #3, 4, & 5 :

1). 2681 FPS
2). 2691 FPS
3). 2688 FPS

Above load is 2 gr below Sierra's data for same bullet weight.

I'm pretty happy

Also shot load #2:

Sun was setting as I shot this load putting my chrony in the shade. As a result I didn't get velocity data for this load. This load is Sierra's listed book max for same bullet weight.

Recoil was pretty stout on this one .

Regards
Rog

 

[ohnomrbillk]

Am I understanding MGM attached the lug for you?

Do you save any money by sending them a blank?