.308 Winchester.

[pistolman44]

Thinking on having a 20" barrel made for my Encore in .308 Winchester caliber. I guess a center bore 11 degree crown would be ok and 1-10 twist rate for bullets up to 180 grain. Has anyone here shoot a rifle length barrel in this caliber in a Encore? Shots won't be over 150 yds for deer sized game. I have a 7MM WSM 24" for long range shooting. I'm figuring this would make a lite weight carry gun in heavy wooded terrain.

[LUCKYDAWG13]

i have a 17" 308 win encore barrel shoots great

[Larry Gibson]

As long as you're having the barrel made go with a 12" twist minimum. The 10" twist is not needed, especially with 180 gr bullets or less. The 12" twist is/was standard for the .308W and will be more cast bullet freindly.

Larry Gibson

[ButcheN]

I have it in a 15" Encore handgun with 1 in 12 and off the bipod it is a tack driver up to 100m with 150gr and at 200m can keep them in a 4" paper plate and at 250m can hit a gallon jug of water every time. I have not clocked it yet but the jug is a shredded mess so it's got the power to kill that far. But all that is if I do what I'm spos'ed to do. haven't tried it on meat yet but it's getting that time (I am worried about buck fever, I tend to get it with a new gun, once I have killed with it I'm better, but that first one) . I just got it about 3 months ago and have been working up my loads. so a 20" barrel would be a killer for sure, and I would go with the 1 in 12 it works great with 150gr great so I think it would be good for the 180.

[Shooter]

I have a 24" .308 Encore barrel. If you like iron, get the Williams target sight to get enough elevation. I had to cut down the front sight too.

[part_timer]

A friend of mine has one in 24" and shoots quite a few deer with it. He seems very pleased as he hasn't bought another rifle that I'm aware of.

[Got-R-Did]

Agreed on the 1/12" twist if you aren't shooting anything heavier than 180 gr. 20" in a carbine barrel should be quite handy much like the Katadin (sp) version of the Contender.
20" length is the same as my Rem PSS/LTR bolt gun in .308 and it is deadly & accurate far past the 300 yds I have available at my range. Sounds like a great project, please share photos when she is complete, as well as target results.
Got-R-Did.

[ShootingLooney]

I have a 20" .308 Win [Mk X Mauser, factory barrel, ca. 1984], & shoot only 165gr Partitions for hunting. I have taken whitetail with one shot out to 312 yards [lasered].
With 165/168 grainers, it [Not always "I"...] will keep them under 1/2", 10 shot groups, at 100 yards, with IMR 4985 handloads.
Personal recomendation is for a flat recessed competition type crown. It is beter protected, and I always clean from the muzzle with a cone style bore/rod guide, and brass brushes.

[pistolman44]

Just got the barrel the other day that I ordered from Mike Belm TC Customs. I'll post pictures soon as I have time to take them. They sure do nice work. That 11 degree center bore crown is a little different from what I have seen on rifles. He removed .015" of the breech face to have correct head spacing. It has a tight chamber with a long throat. It's a 1-10. for long heavy bullets. The barrel started out as a 24" cut back to 20".

[pistolman44]

Pictures of barrel with 11 degree center bore crown from Mike Belm TC Customs.

[Got-R-Did]

Now that is just a dandy little beast! I expect a full report with images of target results as soon as you can arrange for a range date. With a set of dedicated high quality brass and neck sizing for this specific barrel, you should have a tack driver. Thank You for the update and the barrel/rifle pics.
Got-R-Did.

[Four Fingers of Death]

I have a standard 308Bbl on my Encore, 24" with sights. I don't use the sights, they were removed as they foulded the scope I wanted to use. Barrel works a treat.

1 in 12" is the go with 308s and it is the twist most 308s come in. I never checked the twist on the Encore, it works ok though, I have only fired Remington 180Gn CoreLokt factory ammo through it. I will cast and reload for it when I empty the cases (and when I find the forend screws :(