I just picked up an Encore barrel chambered in 35 Whelen. It is a used TC Pro-hunter barrel 28" long. I loaded up 225 gr Nosler Partitions and 200 gr Rem Cor-loks over Varget powder. WLR primers and new Winchester cases. 36-06 necked up.
I shot it at the range just now and my first impression is disappointment. I shot two five shot groups for each bullet weight and my groups where in the 10 inch range at 100 yards.
I know most of the tips and tricks for bolt action rifle accuracy and if this was a bolt gun I would immediately float the barrel, recrown the muzzle and glass bed the action. After that I might start messing around with different loads or more machine work.
The question to any Encore riflesmiths out there is what barrel or action work can or should I do before messing with my handloads to try to improve this accuracy?
Thanks
Dan