I had just about decided on getting and Encore Pro Hunter until I saw the Remington model 700 LSS in a limited edition 280. I haven't looked at too many rifles with a black laminated wood stock, or messed with the x-mark pro trigger. What does everyone think about the two? Thanks.

I have a m700LSS 7rem mag, it is an excellent hunting rifle. I have killed many deer & hogs with it & would highly recommend 1 in 280 as a primary hunting rifle. Mine is a steady sub 1" rifle. My gunsmith has adjusted 1 xtrigger & said it went well.

I don't view the encore as a hunting rifle, just a plaything to try different calabers. I have 2 frames & have never hunted with either. Their accuracy is hit or miss, if you get a good 1 they are as accurate as a bolt action rifle but a bad 1 patterns like a shotgun. I find it much easier to shoot a bolt action than an encore. If you want to hunt with a single shot, I'd buy a Ruger #1.

I can't comment on the Remington, as my one experience with them several years ago was wholly distasteful, from rifle performance to follow-up from the factory. However, I will say that I've had good luck with Encores. I've hunted with mine in three forms - muzzleloader (elk, deer, hogs), rifle (deer, hogs, antelope), and pistol (deer, hogs, antelope, feral goats). I really enjoy hunting with the Encore platform, and have come to appreciate its interchangeability and versatility. All of my barrels (factory ML, factory pistol, and Bullberry rifle) are/were very accurate. I find my Encore to me no less accurate (with me shooting ) than any of my bolt rifles, with the exception of my Browning Varmint .223.

If you're set on one cartridge and expect to hunt with it pretty universally, the bolt rifle is probably your way to go. If you appreciate playing around with different cartridges in different configurations, try the Encore. My experience indicates that you won't be totally disappointed.

Remington bolt action rifles have a good reputation for accuracy. If your intention is to have one rifle, it wouldn't be a bad choice.

If you, like I do, like to play with a variety of cartridges, you can't go wrong with an Encore. My experience with Encores and Contenders spans well over 20 factory barrels and with handloading and a bit of playing around, none of the scoped rifle barrels have failed to deliver any less than 1.5 MOA 100 yard groups and in the majority will do in the 0.5 to 1 MOA range. In fact, I have an Encore 500 S&W handgun that gives less than 1.5 MOA 100 yard 3 shot groups. I have a Contender handgun in 223 AI that will do about 0.6 MOA.

As for Encores and Contenders not being suitable for hunting, that is pretty much a bunch of baloney unless you need more than one shot; actually even if you need more than one shot. All of my big game animals have been taken with either an Encore or Contender and include a number of deer, a zebra, a blue wildebeest, a black wildebeest, etc.

While they are different in style, they are both excellent hunting rifles. You really need to evaluate your hunting style and the main objective of the rifle. If you shoot much from a bench, I find any of the T/Cs to be kind of a pain. To cycle the break open action with another shell, they have to come out of the bags. Can you live with a single shot? Parts are more readily available for the Remington. The T/C has a larger selection of calibers and combinations that can be changed out very easily.