Just for info, my G2 weighs in at just a shade over 6 pounds scoped, and is 2 inches shorter than my Marlin 336, which is also a great walking around rifle.
My G2 is in 30-30, so the .223 would weigh a touch more (more steel in barrel due to smaller bore). The only advantage to the Encore that I can see is the Encore can use standard higher pressure (i.e. Magnum) rifle rounds if you get a spare barrel. However, the G2 will accept rimfires with just a barrel change and a flick of the selector switch.
I suggest the G2.