The weather was warm and the sun was shining today, so I set up my equipment to test the IMR 4166 handloads I didn't manage to get around to Tuesday. Since I'm running out of actual targets, I decided to make my own using some 9" diameter paper plates, which I set up at 100 yards.



My load consisted of Hornady brass, Federal 210 Large Rifle primers, 58 grain Hornady V-Max bullets, and various charges of IMR 4166.

42.5 grains IMR 4166:

Average velocity: unknown due to chronograph error, probably around 3140 fps.
Group size: 2.141", not counting the flier.

43.0 grains IMR 4166:

Average velocity: 3185 fps
Standard deviation: 35 fps
Group size: 1.928", not counting the flier

43.5 grains IMR 4166:

Average velocity: 3220 fps
Standard deviation: 31 fps
Group size: 1.873", not counting the high flier

44.0 grains IMR 4166:

Average velocity: 3239 fps
Standard deviation: 11 fps
Group size: 2.285"

44.5 grains IMR 4166:

Average velocity: 3300 fps
Standard deviation: 31 fps
Group size: 2.990"

I also loaded five rounds containing 45.0 grains of IMR 4166, but after firing the first of those rounds I determined the load was too hot. It was much more difficult to extract than the previous loads, and the primer showed signs of overpressure. The chronograph registered 3318 fps.

I think I got kind of sloppy toward the end, so the larger group sizes toward the end are probably more indicative of my shooting than the powder charge. Still, it seems my Encore prefers 43.0 to 43.5 grains.

What is your honest assessment of the erratic groups. Are they a result of the rest, gun, loads, or shooter?

I really want to help, but looking at the results..........I don't know where to start. My first guess, is we need to work on the platform (rest). Then, the shooter. Then the loads.

But, I ain't you and I wasn't there. So.........help me help you. Where do we start? Seriously.

This is not a judgement. I really want to help. Because, I see a world of improvement available to you. In some way, shape, or form.

Probably shooter and rest. The table I shoot off of is rickety at best, especially when it's windy like today, and I think I have a tendency to rush my shot when that happens. Also, I haven't done much shooting in a while prior to this week.

Cool. Stability is your friend. Especially when working up and assessing loads. Leave all that field shooting crap at the door in regards to assessing the load and the gun. We need a stable platform to launch our hard work from.

You need a solid table of sorts to shoot from. Then, the front rest needs to have some weight to it to dampen shooter induced vibration. That Caldwell rest is great for .22lr and folks that judge their group by the size of the pie plate they can hit. Ain't gonna cut it if you're really interested in seeing the capability of all involved.

Rear bag looks alright. Grip your shooting hand and the rear bag with your support hand. That's the hand that holds everything place. The shooting hand is simply placed on the gun to keep it upright. But, it should be relaxed enough to provide unhindered, relaxed muscle motion of the trigger finger.

The support hand controls recoil. Not the shooting hand. That doesn't mean the shooting hand is a dead fish handshake. Just that it is relaxed.

A natural point of aim is gravely important it consistency and accuracy. The gun should sit on the rest and point where you want the bullet to go, without having to be "held" on target by the shooter. If you relax and the reticle goes off your POA, you do not have a natural point of aim. Adjust the gun, the rest, or yourself until it stays put. Less work for you. Less shooter induced vibration, better results.

Inhale, Exhale, Natural Respiratory Pause, Press the Trigger.

Go forth and prosper.

Great tips from zee imo!

Trigger squeeze..... Keep applying pressure with your finger until its nearly a surprise to go off.

Forend.....imo there are better options than the factory encore pistol forend for best accuracy. Also it being isolated from the barrel as much as possible helps.

Rest.....softer bag or front rest would better for me. Something that cradles rather than bounce from solid top. Sand bags(not necessarily filled with sand) also do great for me.

Wind.....if strong enough definately affects my groups.

Id like to see that nice gun shooting 1" or less @100.

Just some ideas and opinions.... Thanks for great report! The kind i find interesting.

x2 on the wind. We were out shooting last weekend in a cross wind where there was one MOA of drop and 3-4 MOA of windage. The 42.5 and 43.5 look like wind with the horizontal stringing and would be nice groups otherwise.

x2 on the forend too. Kyode, any suggestions on places to look for a forende and hanger bar system for an Encore?

Tonysforendsandgrips is one. I have one with pillars and fits rifle or pistol. Its nice.

Dave dolin at specialty pistols site.....when its not fishing season.

.....and a assmue Ga. Jim still does it in laminates but havnt seen/heard much lately.

Best route may be to ask whos workin over on specialty pistol website.

I didn't notice if listed, but I would assume a 15 inch barrel? I have been toying with the idea of having one of my .243 win barrels cut to 17 inches to allow use of buttstock for a "walking varminter" and yet still be of use as a handgun barrel. I like the numbers that you are showing. I am still learning how to shoot the Encore pistols. I'll be following this thread with interest.

I agree, get a forend from Tony. Laminated Charcoal should go with your Black grip best. I believe he goes out to 12 Inches as standard on his forends. He will also puts a bipod stud in as standard.
His Standard Forend is 1.85" at the widest point, at least on mine. It narrows from about the bipod stud forward. He also makes a Bench Rest version that is much wider. I would go with the Standard one. It looks like what should have been on the Contender to start with.
I have a Laminated Charcoal with a Pachmayr grip on one Contender, and a Black Walnut on the other with the factory Walnut grip with the rubber back strip. I have 13 and 14 inch barrels, and got both forends in 10 Inch. I am totally happy with them.
Tony's forend will be a huge improvement off a rest bag.
I have not tryed a bipod on the forward bipod stud yet. That might be a good thing to try today when I get to the range.

Good Luck
Bob

Great info Zee, the wind don"t help, neither does a hot barrel.