Recent Encore/ G2 comparison

[rickt300]

Wandered around the gunshow yesterday and handled several Encore rifles set up differently. One thing I really noticed was the Encores were way heavier than the G2 style guns. I really don't see the need for the very long tubes either. All in all I wouldn't replace any of my high powered bolt rifles with an Encore but they are nice rifles just the same.

[sportsman223]

 I have both G2 & Encore each serves a different purpose, and your right I would not replace mine with a bolt rifle either.

[skb2706]

I don't get it....did you think they were supposed to be the same ? They were not intended to be the same and any comparison is an apples to oranges deal. The concept of 'replacing' one bolt rifle for one breakaction rifle is silly. They are not for everyone and I am sure that the engineers at TC knew that from the start. I would own at least one of every kind of gun I could get my hands on and never intend to replace any of them.

[rickt300]

There are some real sensitivity issues here. Let me put it this way, what I like about the original contenders and the G2's is missing in the Encores. I am not saying that I won't own one someday and I did say they are nice rifles but I think I'd go for a Ruger #1 RSI first. That said If I had handled a carbine version of the Encore with a lighter contoured barrel I might feel differently. I also think though the Encores are meant to be different than the Contenders though similar something was lost in the translation.

[dakotashooter2]

The "encore " was produced to fill the demand for higher pressure cartridges the contender would not handle. Essentially it was a "large"  contender with some minor modifications/improvements (or so someone thought). It was my understanding that there was much displeasure with the encore "frame size" and the G2 came about as a "beefed up" contender to handle mid-range pressure cartridges. It was my understanding that is why the G2 barrels were designed not to fit the old contender frames but the old barrels would fit the G2 frame.

[skb2706]

It was my understanding that is why the G2 barrels were designed not to fit the old contender frames but the old barrels would fit the G2 frame.

I have not found that to be the case. My frame from the serial number range of 196,000 will take any barrel I have purchased or came with my G2 (7-30 Waters 23" full bull, .204 Ruger 23" FB). They often do require some fitting when it comes to locking bolts tho.

[Keith L]

The G2 and original Contender are made for the same pressure levels.  The only G2 barrel that will not fit an original Contender is the muzzle loading barrel, and according to the factory that is because the older frames are harder to clean the residue out of.