I have a Contender with a 35 Rem and a 223 barrel. I am thinking of selling it and getting a Encore, to go with higher pressure round, like 6mmBR and 7mm 08. I know the Encore is heaver, What are the pros and cons.

Mark

you said it....the encore IS heavier AND bigger. both are superb arms, and the 6br/7-08 cartridges are as well. that said, if i'm packing one to hunt, it WILL most likely be the contender for it's more reasonable portability.
the 35rem and .223 covers a lot of hunting chores!

get you a custom 6br n set it up for a bench/varmint rig. try it out a while n see if you like it. be a shame to get rid of the contender though. you will eventually regret that imo.

i have a 15" 7-08 and custom 15" 6br. both are great, but like i said, if i go deer hunting with a single shot....guess what goes with me first....35rem. mine is a rimmed version on the 303 british case. it will hammer a deer at 200yrds with a 180gr hornady spitzer.

i hang onto the 7-08 so far, because IF i need to go beyond 200yrds, which is rarely the case. it is an accurate factory barrel.

7 08!!!
I love this round.
I have said this before....but for ME, the 7 08 is the BEST combination of recoil vs power. I don't like braked guns for hunting because they are too loud.

The 7 08 has all the power you would need for deer out to as far as you could hit them accurately, and the recoil is mild enough to be accurate.

Last year my Encore took a buck at 300yrds, and this year it took a buck that was facing me at 110yrds right through the white beneath his chin. Both were big bodied deer, and will be full shoulder mounts.

I LOVELOVELOVE the Encore in 7 08!!!!!

You won't be sorry.

JMHO

MN

The size is what precludes me from owning an Encore. I cannot get a comfortable grip that allows me to reach the trigger, regardless of who makes the furniture. If you have large hands you may be fine but try before you buy.

i had both like having 22 barrel on the contender but the encore is great in shorter barrels and can cock it and not have to open the gun like the contender. but both are great guns..

I have AND use both. They both have their place, but more importantly, they both have their points in which they shine! The Encore is bigger and heaver, but nonetheless it is more applicable for shooting longer rangers. The bigger frame is more user friendly for the larger case the Contender can’t utilize, particularly in chamberings in which factory ammo is available. HOWEVER, that heaver rig is more suited for steady shots off real shooting situations IMHO. EG, shooting a trophy like minnesotahunter said at 300 yards!! For deer and hogs under 200 yards, the Contender just rocks. And lets face it, the majority of deer shot in the USA are at 150 yards or closer… … … …

I know, bla bla bla bla bla… I would go handle an Encore before you consider one. As Yoty said, DON’T SELL YOUR CONTENDER!!!!!!!!!!

The new G2 has the same features as the Encore.

this is true have not own the G2 mite be good gun to have. i started just wheel guning and cant stop lol. but every tc i had shot very well.

if your just trying to increase range you might look at one of the wildcat 7mm's based on the 444 or 405 case and just keep the Contender and accumulate more barrels. If your going after bigger critters then the 375x444 is the way to go. If you need more power then the Encore is the way to go but even though my primary single shots are encores I would rather be carrying the Contender. I'm using encore frames because I'm chambering in the big belted mags and I need the strength.

OK
Let me catch my breath...
I may have been a little exited in that first post.
Must still have some adrenalin going from the hunt this weekend.

There are some great points made here.
The Encore is too long a reach for many people. You definately need to try one out first.

Also, the contender is probly better suited for offhand shooting.

When I hunt I carry a revolver, and my Encore, so all the offhand shooting is done with the revolver. The Encore is always rested on a shooting stick or tree or backpack or whatever.

And certainly most deer are taken at closer ranges....but....on the off chance that Mr. Big comes out across the field....I like having the option.

These guys are right. Depending on what you want it to do, and depending on grip size, the Contender may be the better choice.

MN

Minnesota, I think you are right on!!! Everyone here has stated what works for them and why. What else could you want from such a great sight! LOL Lets face it, if we were all cookie cutters from the same mould it would be really easy to pick out a handgun… … …

This is exactly what I found out recently when I took an Encore in on a partial trade...combine the fact that I could barely reach the trigger comfortably with the fact that the trigger itself is slicker than snot on a doorknob and it made for a very uncomfortable platform to shoot. I will keep my Contenders. As a matter of fact, I ended up trading the Encore for another Contender.

My advice is at least try to handle one before you make the decision.

With the uncertanty of T/C,IMO it would definately be a mistake to sell your contender! Hunt with it while you look for an encore.Check Gunbroker,take your time,p/upa frame or barrel first,whichever you come across first! I'd most certainly keep anything T/C. Good luck !

Kyode,

I have 2 custom action rifles with more than a few barrels in 6 BR and 6BRX. A friend has a Encore in 6BR for Bullberry, wood and all. He has groundhog kills out to 380 yds. I would love to have one, but hate to give up my Contender.

Mark

All I have left is Custom Encores-- Just like the big BOOM too much-- I also have big hands so the grip is not an issue.

If you can, keep your Tender, and then get a Encore-Best of both worlds

Words to live by.

I say keep the Contender and get a rimfire barrel. With a 35,223, and a rimfire your ready to take on the world.

Maybe add a 45/70 before one takes on the world ;-)

But, yea, those 3 will do the better part of it. A 45/410 is a nice compliment.

I have both and would say ( Ernie has right idea )
keep the one and save up and get the other

You guys make sure you remember this:
I am encouraging a guy to own both a Contender & an Encore...

That's the only way to do it, not that I needed much encouragement but when I showed up on here years ago I always found comfort and support when I would buy a new gun which always made the butt chewing from my wife that much less painfull

oh ernie....yer jis tryin ta cover up yer XP madness.

if TC drops the G2, i may hold you accountable

a real handgunner should have a......

contender
encore
xp
striker
moa
competitor
revolver

.....or 6 of each, or half a dozen of another.

Ive got a Tender in 30.30 and a Encores in 243. Im thinking the Tender will be my hunting rig and my Encore will become my bench rig rather it be in the field or on the range. I bought the Encore first and I got a good deal on my Tender. I bought the Tender with the thoughts of making a extra dollar but I wont sell either one for nothing. Those 2 and a good revolver,(Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter) Im happy! Once I get my hands on a Striker I will be unstoppable !

Like its been said get both of them you will be happy.

Recently got a 45-70 with 16" barrel and thumbhole stock. I just bought a 35 Rem and pistol furniture. Can't wait to bust a cap or 3.

I have always hunted with single actions and my main sidearm is a 5.5" Bisley 45 Colt. Plan on having both available to me in the woods.