Contender or Encore rifle??

[Dinny]

I want to get a MGM barrel chambered in .357 Maxi that is 18-20" long and have a muzzle diameter of .600".  Sticking with my lightweight theme, should I get one for a Contender or Encore? I know there's a few pros and cons for both, but how much of a weight difference will there be?  Any idea how much the Encore would weigh, with that barrel, and synthetic stocks before a scope is added?

Thanks, Dinny

[eskimo36]

If lightweight is the main goal get the old style contender(not G2) and a synthetic stock set.  I didnt take one of mine apart to weigh but my guess is there is a pound difference in frame weight between a contender and an encore.   The barrel shank is bigger (1.10") on an encore than on a Contender (.810) so the contender will be a much lighter barrel.  

[DEACONLLB]

There is several pounds difference in contender and encore has to do with stock size as well as barrel weight as has been said contender frame with composit stock is much lighter I have a encore with a Boyds custom stock and 223 bull barrel and the weight is almost the same as my Ruger 1, size and weight of scope can also make a big differance.   

Deaconllb

[Win 1917]

I just finished building an 18" 357max Contender with a 4x scope. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet but if it shoots half as good as it feels in the hand its going to be my favorite deer rifle. I'm going to be shooting out of climbers and small stands mostly. If I was going to be shooting from the ground, offhand, etc in more open terrain I would probably opt for a little longer barrel because the 18" is pretty light in the muzzle.

[Dinny]

I just finished building an 18" 357max Contender with a 4x scope. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet but if it shoots half as good as it feels in the hand its going to be my favorite deer rifle. I'm going to be shooting out of climbers and small stands mostly. If I was going to be shooting from the ground, offhand, etc in more open terrain I would probably opt for a little longer barrel because the 18" is pretty light in the muzzle.

Can you tell me what it weighs and with what stock and other accessories are on it?

Thanks, Dinny

[Win 1917]

Here's a picture of it. There's a limbsaver recoil pad on it that's not in the picture. It weighs 6lb 5oz total. To give you an idea this thing makes my scoped Marlin 336 feel like a rather big gun by comparison. I went with the high plains stock because of it's high comb that I wanted or silhouette shooting. At some point I'd like to get the Choate pistol grip woith one of the AR type stocks with a synthetic forend for hunting...talk about a super light hunting rifle!
Barrel - 18" factory tapered
Forend - Tony G
Stock - High Plains
Aluminum Weaver base and steel rings (switching to Warne)
Nikon Pro-Staff 4x scope

   

[woodchukhntr]

Contender.  My .35 Rem. 16-1/4" barrel on my G2 action with wood stocks, a steel Weaver K3 scope and a stock sleeve carying 5 rounds weighs 6 lb. - 1-1/2 oz.  I hardly notice it when I'm in the woods.  I think I'll try it on my pre-G2 action to compare weights.

[Dinny]

Thanks for the pics and info. From what I make of this, the Contender weighs about 1 pound less than the Encore and I could look at between 6 and 7 pounds depending on how it is scoped.  Interesting.......I have some decisions to make now!

Thanks, Dinny

[kynardsj]

Dinny, I own rifles in the Contender and Encore. Both are nice but down the road if you want to add more calibers in a big bore size the possibilities with the Encore are better. You're somewhat limited with the Contender frame. In fact every day I have to talk myself out of a 20 inch 500 S&W mag barrel for the Encore so I'll have a rifle to go with my pistol. Can't do that caliber with a Contender. Good luck on your choice.

[Dinny]

Steve,
  That's a valid point you make. I have a desire to own a .35 Whelen barrel too. Decisions, decisions, decisions.....Why can't this be an easy choice?  

Thanks, Dinny

[kynardsj]

Well then, there you go. A little more weight for a lot more strength. Of course you know the Contender/Encore bug will bite you and you'll start thinking of all kinds of calibers you need for one reason or the other. I was happy with my two blue Contenders then thought well I need some stainless. Now two stainless Encores later I can't stop looking at new caliber barrels. Just a wonderful disease.

[Keith L]

Or, you could be like many of us and have several of each...

[Dinny]

Or, you could be like many of us and have several of each...

Funds are limited these days, I'm on a fixed-income. 

Ok, maybe I'll have just two, one Contender and one Encore.

Thanks, Dinny

[leadman]

I have an old style Contender with a 21" tapered 30-30 barrel, 4X Weaver. Weighs just over 5 pounds. Very accurate and easy to carry.

If you can find an older 21" tapered barrel in the caliber you want this will decrease the weight. You could even shorten it to lose more weight.

[Dinny]

I have an old style Contender with a 21" tapered 30-30 barrel, 4X Weaver. Weighs just over 5 pounds. Very accurate and easy to carry.

If you can find an older 21" tapered barrel in the caliber you want this will decrease the weight. You could even shorten it to lose more weight.

Thanks for the tips. I have decided to stay with the Encore I have. Afterall, that way I can get a 35 Whelen barrel for it too.

Thanks, Dinny

[Win 1917]

Either choice is a good one and you'll be happy with the Encore. In a 35 Whelen you could handle just about any game animal that walks.