I don't have one yet,i need some help to decide
wich one to get.It will be used for deer hunting
mostly and some varmit too.dose anyone hunt only
with a pistol?''i dont want to use the tc as a
rifle. Thanks!

ive got both so it depense what rounds you wana use.ishoot deer with 35rem in contender i havent shoot one with encore yet. also you can consider a savage striker if you wana be stuck with one caliber unless you get the stuff to change barrels mine is a 243 ive got 2 deer with it.im thinking of setting up the contender with 7tcu for close stuff and the striker 243 for long/backup. ive got a 257 jdj id like to get a deer with its for the encore. may help ya some jason

The Encore can do everything the contender can do and more, but it weighs more and has a larger grip.

reloader len,

I think that SSK has one of the best "summaries" of the Encore:
http://www.sskindustries.com/atlantis/encore.html

Be forewarned, though - Encores are ADDICTIVE!

Regards, Bill

reloader len,

That is a very good article on the Encore.Over the years I've used the Contender and Encore both to take deer.Both are up to the task.Some of the advantages of the old Contender are gone with the new frame.The new Contender is a scaled down Encore which is not a bad thing just different from the old style.The old style frame had a trigger stop adjustment screw and an external sear adjustment screw.You could set your trigger so it would break like the famed glass rod.The new style has the trigger stop screw only as does the Encore.But a very good trigger should be easy to achieve just as it is with the Encore.I've got two Encore frames a blue and a stainless both have a very crisp trigger set at about 2lbs.If you have very small hands the reach to the trigger on the Encore might be a deciding factor.It is a little bit farther.If you want to be able to shoot magnum cartridges I think the Encore is the best choice.It handles the belted cartridges without batting an eye.I shoot or have shot in Contenders-35Rem,7-30Waters,45-70,7mmBr(a little too much for the Contender),375JDJ all did a great job.In the Encore I currently shoot-30'06,300Winmag and 338Winmag.I shot a 338-06AI the last couple of years but had it rechambered to the 338Winmag.All of these are Pistol length barrels 15" for the Encore 14" for the contenders.The more powerful rounds have muzzle brakes.Hope this helps some if you have any other questions I will try to help get them answered for you.

The contender is lighter, and has a vast supply of reasonably priced used barrels out there. The downside of the contender is you pretty much have to use wildcat cartridges and handload to get it to it's potential.

With the Encore, you can use any of the .308 based rounds, and have a fine hunting gun, but you have the added bulk and weight over the contender.

Either one will effectively take deer out to 200 yds if not a bit more, if you can shoot to the guns potential.

I have given advice in the past to use the contender as a pistol and the Encore as a carbine. Its still good advice.