I'm thinking of getting a pistol in 243 or some similar caliber for deer, and am considering an encore or a savage striker. Any strong feelings one way or the other? There must be some owners out there...

I OWN THREE SAVAGE STRIKERS---7MM-08, 22-250 AND .22LR. 7MM-08 IS MY DEER CALIBER WHICH I JUST PURCHASED SO I HAVE YET TO HUNT W/ IT. SHOOTING HAS GONE WELL BUT AS USUAL W/ STRIKERS THE TRIGGER NEEDS WORK, EITHER TINKERING W/ FACTORY SETTINGS OR INSTALLING RIFLE BASIXS BRAND. I ALWAYS TINKER FIRST BUT IF I CANNOT GET WHAT I WANT OUT OF FACTORY I WILL INSTALL THE OTHER. ACCURACY HAS BEEN GOOD W/ FACTORY AMMO (REM 140GRN CORELOKT). I WILL WORK UP HANDLOAD LATER WHEN TIME ALLOWS. THE .243 WOULD BE A GOOD CHOICE FOR DEER AS IT ALSO ALLOWS A "DUAL" PURPOSE AS A VARMINT GETTER.

I HAVE NO EXPERIENCE W/ ENCORES SO I CANNOT SPEAK TO THAT.

GOOD LUCK W/ WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE!