Author Topic: Encore vs. Contendor (Read 994 times)

punisher · « **on:** May 10, 2005, 02:17:24 AM »

Will soon be purchasing my first TC handgun.
I am still struggling with my decision (Encore vs. G2 Contender).
Doe the G2 frame accept 20 or 12 gauge barrels ?

skb2706 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 10, 2005, 03:32:08 AM »

Nope - the best you can do for a shotgun on a G2 is a custom built 28 ga. and it will cost you big $$.

C A Plater · « **Reply #2 on:** May 10, 2005, 03:42:56 AM »

The G2 frame does not accept 12 or 20 gauge barrels. It is a smaller frame and while it looks like the Encore, the barrels are incompatible. Generally, .410 is the only shotgun barrel available for the G2 although there may be a custom 28 gauge out there somewhere. The Encore is stronger and heavier than the Contender and can take much more potent calibers such as .300 Win. Mag., .454 Casull and others that would take a G2 apart. The Contender can do rimfire right out of the box while the Encore can not without a special adapter. Look at the Fox Ridge web site (T/C Custom shop) or Bullberry's and check out what calibers are offered in each. Figure out what calibers you want to try and what frame supports that. That will pretty much tell you what frame to get first.

rickyp · « **Reply #3 on:** May 10, 2005, 05:28:07 AM »

right now I have both a older contender and a encore.
I like them both. the contender if lighter and better suited for me when I want to be more mobile like when I am Small game hunting.
The encore is heaver and bigger this will work good for me when I am sitting in a deer stand ( I just got the encore) and using a heavy recoil round.

You can get any round chambered for the contender + a lot more. the only thing is if you want a rim fire barrel for the encore you will have to go custom. OTT makes a rim fire barrel that doesn't use an adapter. and they are priced about the same as most custom barrels.

skb2706 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 10, 2005, 06:09:56 AM »

Plater - if you go to "your" link to the tcbunch website....go to the VanHorn website...check calibers available. He clearly lists a 28 ga. barrel for a Contender.

punisher- depends on what you want to use the gun for. If you want a strictly big game gun I'd go Encore.
If you want a smaller carry gun or something that does not need the bulk of a Encore then a Contender is a good choice.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 10, 2005, 10:14:16 AM »

Encore no questions asked.

Myerslake2005 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 11, 2005, 12:56:21 AM »

I had the exact problem you had a few months back. I went with the Encore since I plan on using it for big game hunting. You can purchase standard rifle ammunition over the counter if you don't reload and if you want a caliber made for the Contender OTT will make you a custom barrel for about any caliber you would want. The Encore does weigh about 1 pound more then the G2.

C A Plater · « **Reply #7 on:** May 11, 2005, 01:28:53 PM »

Quote from: skb2706

Plater - if you go to "your" link to the tcbunch website....go to the VanHorn website...check calibers available. He clearly lists a 28 ga. barrel for a Contender.

I knew I saw it some where, I just couldn't remember where even though I have a Van Horn barrel. I think Gonic may have had one too at one time but I'm not certain. More CRS syndrome i guess. :?

haroldclark · « **Reply #8 on:** May 11, 2005, 06:49:58 PM »

I don't know about the 28 gauge shotgun barrels by Van Horn, but I have an Encore barrel is 7mm BR that is 18.5" with a 1.5" muzzle brake for overall 20 inches. It is a full bull and my opinion is that when you don't have a Van Horn barrel, you are out of barrels.

I have 3 shooting buddies that ordered a Van Horn after seeing mine shoot. Van Horn will make most anything for you.

He even makes his barrels from bar stock and you can get any twist you want. Some of the other Custom barrel makers use ready made blanks and the cannot offer tight twists in any or all calibers.

My partner and I were talking about ordering another Van Horn barrel. We are so satisfied with the 7mm BR barrels that we are afraid we would be disappointed if we got another caliber.

Such tough decisions!!!!!

http://www.mygunroom.com/dvgunshop/calibers.htm#28%20Gauge

Harold Clark

punisher · « **Reply #9 on:** May 11, 2005, 09:44:13 PM »

I have purchased my first TC (Encore frame)
Now I need to decide which barrel ...
decisions, decisionss .......

Any reccomendations (SSk, Blueberry, factory ??)

skb2706 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 11, 2005, 09:55:21 PM »

If it were me i would go factory first....the overwhelming majority of them are quite good for about half what a full up custom job will cost you. If for some reason you decide you don't like the factory barrel sell it off and go custom. But be prepared to wait as long as several months from order time to deliver.

rickyp · « **Reply #11 on:** May 11, 2005, 10:11:38 PM »

Quote from: punisher

I have purchased my first TC (Encore frame)
Now I need to decide which barrel ...
decisions, decisionss .......

Any reccomendations (SSk, Blueberry, factory ??)[/quote ]

Before anyone can give you a recommendation as to what barrel(s) to get we need to know more information and what you intend to do with the Encore

hunting? what type of hunting hard woods, open fields stalking, from a stand, AND THE STATE, COUNTY AND TOWN LAWS.

informal paper punching?

You reload or not?

what other firearms you have?

all this information will affect what barrels you should get
Computation shooting

punisher · « **Reply #12 on:** May 12, 2005, 01:27:43 AM »

Primarily Whitetail hunting in Michigan (woodlands/swamps).
Also may want to hunt Coyotes in the off season -
initially will only have $$ to purchase one barrel/scope.

Northern Michigan is rifle/shotgun zone, southern Michigan
is a no rifle zone - pistols are allowed but believe current law
requires a "straight walled" caliber.

rickyp · « **Reply #13 on:** May 12, 2005, 02:51:08 AM »

Then I would go for the 454 casull.

It will meet the straight wall requirements for southern Michigan and the 454 is plenty enough for woodland and swamp distances.

a big + as You can use 45 long colt out of it for practice .

While it will not be the best for Coyotes it will work out to the same range as for deer.

If you want a bottle neck I would go with something like the 243 winchester. this is not the best for deer but you can load heavy bullets in it and work for the woodlands distances and be very good for Coyotes but then you will not be able to use it in southern Michigan.

Do not forget about a scope. with the 243 winchester you will almost need one as with the 454 casuall you Can get by with the iron sights that come with the barrel

punisher · « **Reply #14 on:** May 13, 2005, 01:10:38 AM »

How about recoil ?
I'll assume a 243 has much less recoil than a 454 ?

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 13, 2005, 01:16:25 AM »

Quote from: punisher

How about recoil ?
I'll assume a 243 has much less recoil than a 454 ?

If those are the choices you are looking at the 243 will work for both applications. Just use a heavier bullet for deer and lighter Coyotes. But you could use the heavier for both.