It is always depends on what you want to use it for. I have 17 HMR and 17 Mach II in the Contender. If you want to hunt squirrels with it go with the 17 Mach II. If prairie dogs and or just pinking go with the HMR. I found that the HMR at 100 yards was more accurate than the Mach II. Being a 17 caliber you will have to clean the barrel more than a 20 or 22 caliber. I found that the 17 HMR is a lot of fun. I have enjoyed mine. I would guess that the performance would be the same in an Encore or Contender. If you want to have just one 17 caliber barrel the HMR has allot of things going for it. It is a barrel you don't have to reload for it and just pick up and go to the range. It is always nice to have choices. Second thought, you can only get the 17 HMR in the Encore from T/C. T/C off sets the lug to make the center firing pin hit the rim calibers . You could get the 17 Mach II from custom shops by changing the firing pin assembly. I had send these firing pins rim fire Assemblies costing from $35 to $75.
