It's been exactly four weeks since I placed an order with Match Grade Machine for a custom T/C Encore barrel, which arrived in the mail today.



Chambering: 221 Remington Fireball
Twist rate: 1-9" to comfortably stabilize 55 grain bullets
Length: 12"
Countour: Heavy factory taper



This barrel ends a personal trend for heavy kicking calibers/guns I've bought over the last few years in that it is chambered in a small, very low recoiling round and almost purely intended as a target/practice setup. I wanted something that costs less to reload, yet was still capable of shooting well over 200 yards accurately. After doing a bit of research, I determined the 221 Fireball was an excellent compromise. Unlike my other Encore chamberings, this one was designed to work efficiently in a pistol length barrel, use far less powder and cheaper bullets, and recoil even less than my 243 barrel.

I'm hoping to create several handloads using IMR 4227 and Hornady 55 grain SPs to test this weekend. Once I settle on a good load, I'm going to try to handload and shoot at least once a weekend for the next few months. I want to make this the year I become proficient to 200 yards with a handgun, and maybe even make a few decent shots at 300.

Nice.....Let us all know she shoots...

Looken good!

Looking good. With that heavy barrel it shouldn't bounce at all. My XP shoots great with bullets from 45 to 70 gr and is not picky to load for at all.

Almost purely intended as a target/practice setup. (Quote) Oh please don't tell me this. Tell this is only temporary. Tell me that you are going to shoot Pdogs with it. The 221 is great for that.
You now, have a beautiful setup for it. Hope you enjoy the new barrel. 4227 is good and I have used Reloader 7 too.

Charles

Nice barrel Chance! Are you using the same model scope on this barrel that you use on your hunting barrels?

Sharp looking barrel!

I'd love to, but we don't have any prairie dogs around here anymore, and the hunting regs won't let me hunt most small game with a centerfire.




Yes, I'm using the same Nikon Force XR model.

Sweet rig there, Chance. Looking forward to the range report.

to really get into the Pdogs, I have to travel too.
My first post was tongue in cheek.

I hope you have a lot of fun with your rig.

Charles

.........and brings up the possibility of using a riflescope on that beauty! Could get you several more X's there....and a nice wide forend pillar bedded....or hanger bar setup to isolate from the barrel as much as possible....and try for some really tight groups.
Thanks for letting me spend some of your money there

Good job Kyode!

I don't intend to put a riflescope on it. I want to have an almost identical setup as my 300 barrel, and that includes the same scope.

Wolf,

You need to bring that gun out to MT this Spring and help us with our gopher problem (if you consider unlimited rodent gunning a problem). I have used H4227 (IMR 4227) and Lil' Gun with the 40-53 grain bullets in my 221s.

Doc

It is well worth a the hassle and cost of a specific Pdog hunting trip the last week of may/early june. The only down side of such an activity is that is highly addicting.