encore pistol.... which cal should I get?

[chinquapin]

I'm looking for a deer/hog pistol.  I'm a bow hunter mostly and it's way too much of a pain to carry a rifle and a bow. It's very feesable to carry a pistol and bow though.

I'm thinking maybe a .308,.243 or a 30-30.  I hunt all different terrains from pines to flatlands,swamps and mountains.  I'm looking for a tack driver out to around 100yds.  I know it's all in how I shoot it that those 3 calibers would do the job.

As far as the weight and recoil just looking for y'alls opinions.....I really appreciate y'alls time in reading this and any info provided.

Thanks,

Ben

[Dezynco]

My opinion only....

Consider the Contender (old style or G2) in a caliber like 30-30, 7x30 Waters, 6.8 Remington, etc.  The Contender is about 1 pound lighter, thus making it easier to pack as a "back-up" gun for a bowhunter.

Granted the Encore can be purchased in larger rifle calibers that can reach out a little further, but you stated that you needed a tack-driver out to 100 yards or so.  I'm not knocking the Encore (it is indeed a very fine firearm), but I prefer the Contender as a pistol, the Encore as a rifle.

[chinquapin]

THanks for the info!  Why do you prefer the contenders over the encores?

Ben

[KYODE]

they are smaller, lighter, and easier packin.

35rem would be a great choice for a deer/hog pistol....and 30-30Ackley Improved would also. lottsa great choices.

[critter44]

I have an older Contender in 30-30 that will shoot well under 1" at 100 yds. with my handloads. PLENTY good enough for hogs, deer. I have taken several deer with it at various ranges and would use it in a second on hogs. Mine is a super 14" stainless barrel.

I have no experience with the other calibers you mention for the Contender/Encore.

[GhosT]

chinquapin,


WOW, yer getting some good advice.

Ya said...100 yards max,
at that range, might wanna consider a 44 magnum too!

I own an "old style" contender(Pre G2)....100 yard is not an effort for deer sized kill shots....
And true, lighter than an ENCORE....better factory trigger set up too  IMHO.


That said, do a little research...
The ENCORES in rounds like  .308........recoil becomes a factor, but, ya can increase yer distance....ALOT.

If sure think most shots 100 yards or less......totally agree...go Contender....

My "OLDSCHOOL" Contender has a 14" .22 rimfire match grade barrel......
More accurate than any .22 rifle I ever owned!
Added that just in case might wanna consider target....or smaller game hunting!


Just my 2 cents....

[banjoman]

For a bow hunting back up gun definately the Old syle contender. (probably in the 12" hunter model) Much easier to carry than an Encore. Caliber for deer and hogs out to 100yds.Calibers Hmmm  375 Win, 35 Rem, 44mag, 30/30 (AI) if you reload, 357maxx,7-30 waters 445 Super mag. Having both the Contender is noticeably easier to carry then the Encore but the Encore will handle way more horsepower, not needed in your situation. You are getting lots of good advice here If I were you I would go to my local gunshop and handle both of them before I make up my mind.

[Hopalong7]

   Yep, I'd go Contender too and if you're carrying all this other stuff I'd be thinking 10" barrel in .30Herret or since hogs were mentioned in .357Max or .357Herret.  Lotta pop in a small package.  GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt 

[chazgin]

Just a thought, both the 357 Herret and 445 Super Mag in short Contender barrels can be quite a handful. Lots of muzzle blast and recoil.

[Dezynco]

Yea, the 357 Herret is a bit of a pain to make brass for, and you'll probably have to order jacketed bullets for it, but BOY does it pack a wallop!  My Contender 357 Herret barrel is 10" and it really has a lot of recoil, but it packs easily and I wouldn't be afraid to take a shot at almost anything on this continent with it, even out to 150 - 200 yards.

Almost any of the "standard" cartridges are excellent also, and would be better if you don't want to handload.  30-30, 35 Remington, 45-70, 44 mag, 7x30 would be great.

[Grumulkin]

It's true, the Contender does weigh a little less than the Encore if that make any difference to you.  The Encore will take high pressure rifle cartridges while the Contender won't.  I think the system for shooting rimfire cartridges in the Contender is better than the Encore if that makes any difference to you.  If I had to choose just one, it would be the Encore.

As far as cartridges are concerned and of the ones you mention, I would go 308 Winchester.  The case construction in the 308 is more robust than the 30/30 Winchester and economical brass is more available for the 308.  Three shot groups of an inch or less at 100 yards should be doable with the 308 and it would do better at longer ranges than the 30/30.  The 308 would be more versitile than the 243 Winchester.

Actually, I think the 243 Winchester is a cartridge we could do without.  It's marginal for big animals and if you're going after varmints, there are better cartridges like the 22-250.

I've shot a bunch of different cartridges in Encore and Contender handguns.  I didn't find it easy to get a load with the 44 Rem. Mag. or 357 Herret that would shoot 1.5 inches at 100 yards.  The biggest animal I took with the 357 Herret was a Black Wildebeest so I know it would work fine for your purpose but if you make your own brass it's a bit of a pain and if you buy it, it's expensive.

[chinquapin]

Fellas I really appreciate all the great info y'all have given me!!!!!!!!  I'm taking all that into consideration and trying to make up my mind on which one I want.  I'm definately going to a dealer around and handling both before I make up my mind for sure.

Thanks again I really appreciate it.

Ben

[cornfedboy2000]

been huntin out to 150 yds with pistols for quite some time now, same with my father, and both my uncles... we've all tried different calibers and hands down (in our opinion) 260.  the 7-08 is good, but we've all settled in on the 260, 100 yds and inside isn't even a stretch.  Good speed, excellent penetration and energy.  Look into it.  I'm new to encores, but it has been my favorite rifle/pistol/muzzle loader set up to date.  I've shot the 260 in pistols like the Lone Eagle, and the Striker and it is deadly.