Whats the difference between the Contender and the Encore?

Joe,

The biggest difference is that the encore is built to handle high pressure rounds where the contender works best with low pressure cartridges. Also the encore will not shoot rimfire where the contender has a firing pin selector switch.

But the Encore CAN fire rimfire rounds with the addition of a simple conversion kit. Just thought I'd mention that.

And, the Contender is lighter than the Encore. Granted, that's not usually an important consideration, but speaking from years of experience shooting the Contenders and having used the Encores since they first became available, I still prefer the Contender. I feel that if one can't cleanly harvest a deer with quality cartridges such as the 6.5mm JDJ, 7-30 Waters, 7mm Bullberry, .309 JDJ., etc., then one won't be able to do so with an Encore and more potent rounds, either.

For the non-reloader, however, the Encore is a better porposition as factory rounds such as the .260, 7mm-08 & .308 WCF do extremely well in it.

Thanks for the replys. I've been thinking about getting one of the two to add to the collection. I really like the versatility. I've also been considering getting a muzzleloader. I've seen ads for the encore with muzzleloader barrels, can you get one for the contender?

The contender also has muzzleloader barrels.

The Contender muzzle loader option can only be used with the new G2 frame. The muzzle loader barrel will not fit other versions of the Contender frame or the Encore frame. Encore has it's own muzzle loader barrel, shotgun options and stocks.
You can swap barrels beween the older Contender and the brand new G2 but not the stocks.
The older version Contender has a slightly better trigger IMHO but you don't have to reactivate the firing mechanism by opening the frame if you decock the G2.
Encore is bigger overall, ergo heavier, takes high power loads, like 300 mag and beyond, and is every bit as versatile as the G2 or the original Contender...just more of a good thing.

You might want to run a search on this forum in then handgun hunting forum because the issue has been discussed before in depth. When I say contender I'm also referring to the G2.

The contder is a lighter frame that cannot handle all high intensity cartridges, it can take full pressure on the .223 sized rounds, but as the cases increase in dia, opperating pressure has to drop. Asside from the 357, 41 and 44 mag, the contender performs at is best when chambered in wildcat rounds. That said, it is easy to load for and accurate. One big plus of the contender is a huge supply of used barrels at moderate prices, and I've tried 1/2 dozen different used barrels and sold them for at least as much as I paid for them, often times more.

The encore is a heavier/bulkier gun, but it can handle a variety of high intensity rounds and there is no need to use a wildcat chambering to get outstanding performance.

If you want a lighter gun, then go for the encore, and with it's best chamberings, let's call it a 250 yd deer rifle, and 150-200 yd for the bigger species. If you want a flatter trajectory and more power, go with the encore and call it a 300 yd deer rifle, and 200+ for the bigger species.

With that said, darn few people have the field shooting skills to take game at the ranges the guns are capable of. It's one thing to shoot clay pidgeon sized targets at 250 yds off the bench, it's quite another to pull that off in the field.

I'm partial to the contender because I figure part of the reason to use handgun is to have a lighter more compact package vs. a rifle, and the contender follows that theme. If I want rifle performance, then I carry a rifle.

Originally posted by Paul H:

quote:

I'm partial to the contender because I figure part of the reason to use handgun is to have a lighter more compact package vs. a rifle, and the contender follows that theme. If I want rifle performance, then I carry a rifle.

Well said.

Hey Bobby, I still got that 6.5 barrel, it's still doing good. You don't always have to have a conversion in the Encore to shoot 22 lr
I have one of Mike's(OTT) 22 lr Encore barrel made to work without an adapter. This thing shoots better at 100yds than most of my 22 lr rifles do at 50 yds. Not trying to horn in or anything but didn't if you might have forgotten about his 22 lr barrels.

Steve E........

Steve-Thanks for bringing that up. I had forgotten about Mike's barrels. I've been meaning to order something from him as that's about the only barrel I've yet to give a try. But I can never seem to figure out what I'd want or need...

Glad you are still enjoying that 6.5 barrel.

Bobby