I can't give you any feed back on an Encore. But if you don't have hands on experience with a 25/06 or 25/06AI they are just what you are looking for. I have the plain version and my brother has an AI. Both will do all that and more. My brother is a varmit only hunter and I go both ways when I can. Had mine about a year. Bought it mostly for fun time at the range. Most accurate gun out of several that I have. Both rifles are bolts but both are 1/2 inch shooters with hand loads. Now it is my first choice for anything up to deer size. Wish it was first on my list a few rifles ago.