Author Topic: Comparison - Encore vs Conteder/G2 (Read 796 times)

TomD · « **on:** July 06, 2004, 08:10:03 AM »

I am curious and don't to see an expalnation in the T/C catalog; Beside some of the Barrels made for each, what is the difference between the Encore and the Contender/G2.

I just bought the Encore in 209 x 50 but would still like to know the difference(s).

Thx

PA-Joe · « **Reply #1 on:** July 06, 2004, 08:29:14 AM »

Contender - Light Frame contender barrels only
G2 - Medium Frame contender barrels only
Encore - Heavy Frame Encore Barrels only
Encore ML - Heavy Frame Encore barrels only ML has a different forend than regular rifle barrels so you will need a new forend.

TC was trying to make a beefed up contender to handle magnum cases and went the the Encore. The Encore is too heavy for the average shooter so they reduced the weight creating the G2.

TomD · « **Reply #2 on:** July 06, 2004, 08:42:59 AM »

Thank you.

Also, is the action on an Encore rifle the same as the Encore pistol?

In other words, can I use the rifle action with pistol grips, barrels & forends?

mikej · « **Reply #3 on:** July 06, 2004, 09:46:58 AM »

Yes, but according to some, including the BATFE, if you purchased the Encore in rifle form, you must pay the BATFE a $200.00 tax in order to stay within the legal parameters on short rifles.

PA-Joe · « **Reply #4 on:** July 06, 2004, 10:09:54 AM »

It depends also on were you live and if they require you to get a pistol permit. Barrels less than 16-inches are pistol barrels and you cannot use a rear stock. Likewise you cannot use the hand grip and a barrel over 16 1/2 inches that would be a short rifle.

TomD · « **Reply #5 on:** July 06, 2004, 01:53:51 PM »

Well, as I live in CT, I'd have to assume the most fierce restrictions

And, I'm not much into hand gunning except for my 2 single shot black powder replicas. I was just curious.

I haven't had the opportunity to try my Encore 209x50 at the range yet, but I'm pretty confident with all the feedback that I've read on this site that it will do as well as I can make it do :grin: . I intend to start with 2 50gr Pyrodex Pellets and a PowerBelt 295gr Aerotip.

One thing that concerns me though. I traded-in my NEF Huntsman (with 3 other barrels) toward buying the Encore. There were two main reasons why.

1) Although the Huntsman was extremely accurate, it always threw the first shot out of a clean barrel about 3" or so from the intended POI. That flier left me with little hunting confidence. And yes, I made sure that the barrel was free of oil, etc before firing the first shot. After that, with a spit patch in-between it was a tack driver.

2) It was butt ugly and I really liked the look of the encore!! :shock:

My concern is that a few posts have said that they have the same 1st shot flier issue with the Encore?

I really don't want to have to shoot a first shot before each hunt, so I hope after the break-in period, that I don't see this issue.

Regardless, I'm sticking with the Encore...Next up, the Turkey barrel (I sold my previous NEF Turkey Barrel in the trade-in package that I mentioned above)!!

I appreciate all your assistance.

oneshotonekill · « **Reply #6 on:** July 07, 2004, 03:44:41 AM »

One of the biggest differences is that the G2 has a selector allowing the use of rimfire or centerfire calibers, the Encore is centerfire only. With the G2 being somewhat stronger than the original contender the caliber availability is close to the encore.

mikej · « **Reply #7 on:** July 07, 2004, 04:31:25 AM »

I use the 2 50 gr Pyrodex pellets and the 295 gr. Powerbelt HP in my 209x50, and I get 4"@100 yds., with 3x9 Weaver scope. This is much better than any of the saboted projectiles that I tried. None of them in any weight or configuration shot worth a darn in my Encore. By worth a darn, I mean staying on paper at 100 yds. These rifles seem to be pretty finicky on what they like and don't like, so be prepared for alot of experimentation. Good luck!

TomD · « **Reply #8 on:** July 07, 2004, 06:37:29 AM »

I'd be bummed if I can't get better than 4" @ 100yds. The Huntsman that I traded-in did much better than that with 85grs of pyro RS & a 295gr all lead HP Powerbelt! It just threw the first shot out of a clean barrel.

I've never used the Pyro Pellets, only loose Pyro RS, so if I get the same results (4") with the pellets, I'd go back to the loose powder and try to find the best load. I'd also try the all lead 295gr HP Powerbelts.

Bullseye · « **Reply #9 on:** July 07, 2004, 07:42:38 AM »

I see multiple statements in the posts above that the G2 is stronger than the original Contender. That cannot be said. The only calibers available for the G2 are the same calibers available for the original. It might be a stronger design, but that fact has not been proven to me and T/C does not rate it as being any stronger than the original.

Questor · « **Reply #10 on:** July 07, 2004, 07:53:49 AM »

The Contender makes a good pistol and a crummy rifle. The Encore makes a good rifle and a crummy pistol. (Unless you like awkward carbines or monstrously huge pistols.)

TomD · « **Reply #11 on:** July 07, 2004, 09:00:01 AM »

Well, that sums it up nicely :-D

Thanx for all the inputs, so far!!

Any comments/experience on the first shot fliers?

Questor · « **Reply #12 on:** July 07, 2004, 10:00:27 AM »

The only first shot fliers I've experienced have been due to:
1) A newly cleaned barrel that required a fouling shot.
2) A mental failure on my part because I rushed the first shot or otherwise wasn't ready to shoot. This has been the most common problem.

TomD · « **Reply #13 on:** July 07, 2004, 01:37:55 PM »

Is there any process known to man, or at least Encore men, that would replace the fouling shot?

Is the discharge of a couple of 209 primers sufficient?

And, if a fouling shot is the only solution, do you foul the barrel before each hunt, or foul the barrel for a week at a time during the hunting season?

Also, does this issue disipate as 100's of break-in shots have been run through the barrel?

I'm too anal retentntive to leave my rifle dirty for more than a day, so I hope there's another solution... :grin:

At least I know that this issue is not a pure Encore issue as I had the same problem with my previously owned NEF Huntsman.

Bullseye · « **Reply #14 on:** July 07, 2004, 05:21:34 PM »

I run a couple of patches down my 209X50 and then fire two primers before loading the clean gun. My gun does not suffer from the first shot flier syndrome. Shot two deer last year with a clean barrel and hit them right where I was aiming.

mikej · « **Reply #15 on:** July 08, 2004, 07:20:37 AM »

I think that I'd sight in for the first shot out of a clean cold barrel, and not worry about the followups. In my experience, since I'm no Natty Bumpo, by the time the smoke clears and I could reload the rifle, whatever I was shooting would be in the next county unless I made the first one count. Just my opinion.

mikemayberry · « **Reply #16 on:** July 10, 2004, 04:29:57 PM »

At the range today I had the opportunity to shoot a G2 rifle and a G2 pistol. I was there to shoot my 12" Encore .44 Mag.

Impressions were dramatic at how much lighter the G2 14" 30-30 was compared to the Encore. It had wood grips and when I shot it, it hurt my hand. I may have not held it well but it felt like it had more recoil than the .44. I'm sure the weight difference was what made it feel that way.

Next the new acquaintance let me shoot his G2 .357 Max rifle. I was impressed with how it handled and the felt recoil was minimal.

I have not been around either long enough to form a final opinion, but did want to share today's experience.

Mike