Author Topic: Understanding the Encore vs. Contender (Read 520 times)

T/C nimrod · « **on:** August 20, 2003, 03:02:34 AM »

I have never shot an Encore, therefore do not know how the barrels are configured. Are the barrels, chambered for the Contender, able to be shot off an Encore frame? And, depending on the answer to the first question, can you get Contender chamberings in Encore trim?

In other words - if my Waters barrel won't work on an Encore frame, can I get a "factory" Encore barrel chambered in 7-30? Clear as mud?

DesertRam · « **Reply #1 on:** August 20, 2003, 03:05:31 AM »

Barrels for Encores and Contenders will not interchange - sorry. There are some factory chambering options that are the same (.223 flies to mind), but the 7-30 is not one of them. I don't suppose there's a real need to shoot the 7-30 off the Encore when you can do it much better off the Contender AND shoot the 7-08 with the Encore. I'm sure you could have a 7-30 barrel made, but you're SOL as far as the factory is concerned.

T/C nimrod · « **Reply #2 on:** August 20, 2003, 03:15:07 AM »

Thanks. The idea of consolidating to one style of frame is out of the question then. I figured there was a fail-safe designed into the barrels, but wasn't sure.

securitysix · « **Reply #3 on:** August 20, 2003, 05:55:30 AM »

OK, lemme see if'n I understand the questions.

1) Can you put a Contender barrel on an Encore frame?

Answer: No. Several things keep it from happening, but the short answer is "no".

2) Can cartridges traditionally chambered in the Contender (.222, .223, 7-30 Waters, .22 Hornet, etc.) be fired in the Encore and can barrels be had for such purpose?

Yes. Any cartridge that is safe in the Contender is safe in the Encore. The reverse is not true. You can get a 7-30 Waters barrel from the T/C Custom Shop (don't know about standard factory offering) for the Encore. The 7mm-08 may be a better choice, balistically speaking, but that isn't always the deciding factor.

If you're talking about getting rid of your Contender and replacing it with an Encore, it can be done, though you will have to replace every Contender barrel with an equivalently chambered Encore barrel. It could get pricey, but you can offset some of that when you sell your Contender and barrels for it (assuming this is your intention).

If I understood wrong, I apologize.

T/C nimrod · « **Reply #4 on:** August 20, 2003, 06:31:37 AM »

Correct understanding - I'm not willing to go through the load development all over again.