Author Topic: Looking for a little Contender/Encore 101 (Read 517 times)

SwampBuck · « **on:** November 02, 2004, 03:51:26 AM »

I really dont know a whole heck of alot about these guns but I am considering buying 1. Whats the difference between the contender and the encore? I eventually want a .410/.45, muzzleloader and maybe a 30/30, which do you recommend? Do you know of any site where I can read and get more info on these guns besides this one? Before I buy, I wanna know what I am getting into.

grumps · « **Reply #1 on:** November 02, 2004, 04:15:01 AM »

The G2 contender is just a smaller version of the encore. It also has a smaller varienty of centerfire calibers available. G2 will weigh about 4LB and the encore about 5LB in pistol configuration. The encore is a bit larger and has the capability of using larger cals up to 375H&H in the rifle. It is also a bit heavier. If you want 45/410, and 30-30 the G2 is your choice. It also has a 45 cal. muzzleloader avail. I have and use both G2 and Encore. If I going to use big bullets I use encore but if I'm going to use smaller I use the G2.

SwampBuck · « **Reply #2 on:** November 02, 2004, 04:45:03 AM »

thanks grumps, does the encore have any shotgun options?

SwampBuck · « **Reply #3 on:** November 02, 2004, 04:46:43 AM »

Who is the recoil on these things? IS the 30/30 barrel set up like a hand gun?

Hawkeye · « **Reply #4 on:** November 02, 2004, 05:31:53 AM »

The Encore does have the option for shotgun barrels. Fox Ridge carries the 28gauge, 20 gauge and 12 gauge. They also have one or two rifled shotgun barrels for slugs.
The Encore is heavier but will accept more heavy hitter calibers than the Contender for factory barrels.
The Contender - there are a lot of them floating around, used and still some new and at good prices. The Contender is lighter in weight but you can get some very good custom barrels that you can hunt most anything you desire with. Lot's of Contender barrels on the market also so you can try different calibers and if you don't like it, trade it or sell it.
The Contenders seem to have the better triggers right now but there are people doing Encore trigger jobs now.
I guess the Encore would be the way to go if you wanted to have it in the rifle configuration and some long range shooting rifle calibers with out having to go custom. The Contender has the rifle features but to get some real good long range calibers you have to go custom on the barrels.
Hope I have clouded the situation.
I have 4 Contender Frames and 10 barrels. I sold my Encore. It was an early one and I didn't like the trigger pull and the weight.
Now they make the G2 with took the place of the Contender. It is a good frame from what I hear. I have only shot one in a 30-30 and it did well with a 2x7 TC scope and 125grn reloads.

Good Luck :-)

Mike

myronman3 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 02, 2004, 11:52:37 AM »

recoil aint bad at all. i would suggest getting a pachmayer grip for it; as it makes it even more managable. the 30-30 is an excellent cartridge when loaded with spire point bullets. mine will out perform me every time. i wouldnt hesitate to take a 200 yard shot (if everything was perfect). i know the gun is able to do it.

i have a 410 barrel that i break clays with quite frequently. nice mild recoil.

regarding muzzleloading; you would be better off with an encore if you intend to use it for muzzleloading.

the real advantage of the contender is the ability to fire rimfire and centerfire cartridges. i think custom barrels can be had for the encore that fire rimfire rounds, but more $.

now i am assuming you want a 30-30 pistol barrel, a shotgun barrel, and a muzzleloader rifle barrel? you might want to be a bit more specific in exacly what you are looking for. which caliber and what configuration for each?

as far as better sites to help you out, good news and bad news. the bad news is you are out of luck, because the good news is you found the best site. folks here will take time to help you get what is right for you, explain questions, help with problems; all for free. you hit the jackpot. :mrgreen:

crawfish · « **Reply #6 on:** November 02, 2004, 02:18:32 PM »

The Contender because of its design has always been limited to cartridges that generate about 40,000psi on the breach face. More and more wildcatters were pushing that limit and even exceeding it so T/C came out with the ENCORE which can be chambered in 99.9% of the cartridges out there today. The Encore can shoot in the 60,000psi on the breach face range so you can have a 3006, 300WinMag, 7MM Mag, 257Roberts, .243Win. None of those can be chambered in the Contender. Lastly the barrels can not be interchanged between the Contender and Encore frames.
The Encore comes in 28g, 20g, and 12g. The Contender used to be chambered in .410 but I haven't seen one advertised in ages. I'n sure if you really wanted one Fox Ridge or Ed's could get one for a price.