Clarification please

[bub524]

I've been reading through the posts a bit and have decided to buy a TC
1.What is the difference between a Encore and Contender? Reccomendations?
2.What kind of price am I looking at for a .223 blue?
3. how much are extra barrels?
4. Who has the best prices?
Thanks.

[swampthing]

1. Encore's are beefier and will handle higher intensity cartridges such as .300mag where as Contenders top out with 30-30's and the like.  Both handle .223's. Encore is about a pound heavier, anything the Contender does the Encore will do and then some.
2&3. A blue .223 barrel runs about $220-$240 new for either the encore/contender
4. I don't know
I had both, they are tack drivers, and the warranty/service is awesome.
If you don't ever want to shot a .308 class cartridge, as the 45-70 will accomplish most any hunting need, I'd get a G2/contender. At 6.5 pounds scoped they are quite lively to hold and carry.
Enjoy

[quickdtoo]

I think you'll find some of, if not the best prices on TC products at two GBO sponsors, Ed's TCs  and Midsouth, you find links to them and all GBO sponsors on the GBO home page by clicking the GBO logo on any forum page, top right hand corner.

Tim

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/index.php

[Grumulkin]

The advantage of the Contender is the ability to use barrels for rimfire cartridges.  Special barrels are made to shoot rimfire cartridges in the Encore but they look weird and I wouldn't want one.

With proper cartridge selection, both the Encore and Contender can fire cartridges suitable for every thing from small varmints to elephant.  If you want to shoot high pressure larger diameter cartridges like the 22-250, 30/06, 416 Rigby, etc., then you need to go with the Encore.

I've purchased numerous Encore and Contender barrels, many of them new, many in stainless steel, none less than about mint and in the vast majority have paid significantly less than $200.  If you aren't in a hurry, watch the classifieds in this and other web sites and check the auction sites.

[Keith L]

TC is making factory rimfire Encore barrels as of this year (they are in the catalog, but I have yet to see one in a store).  I see the advantage of the Encore to be the ability to use much more potent chamberings, and the advantage to the Contender to be slightly lower cost and lighter weight.  They are both really good guns, and you will enjoy either one.

[Davemuzz]

All of the above.

The Encore frame weighs about 1 lb more than the Contender frame. (Which is why it can handle the heavier calibers)

I have a Contender (well, actually 2 Contender frames...lazy I guess...but the 2nd was a good buy). One in .223 rifle configuration with a factory 23" bull barrel. I have a Leupold VX-II 4-12X 50MM Objective lens mounted on it. This set up is an absolute tac driver. I shoot Nosler 40gr BT over BL-C2 and it will put 10 rounds inside a quarter at 100 yards. This is my favorite gun.

My "other Contender" I have for handgun barrels. Right now I only have 2 barrels. A 45\410 10" barrel. This one shoots 45 long colt's or 410 shotgun shells. The 45 long colt's are not the most accurate as the throat is too long. But, in the spring when Starlings are nesting, there's nothing like a little 410 practice with the Contender handgun. The other barrel is a 7-30 Waters and it's an excellent 200 yard deer handgun.

I also have a Encore in .243 (the prohunter). It's a tac driving gun as well.

I don't think you can go wrong with either the Encore or the Contender.

Dave