I am trying to choose which way to go. I want a .308 single shot handgun to scope and use for antelope this year. What the Striker saves you in $$ it looses in adaptability.Need input from the masses.

If you are wanting a .308 Winny then the Contender is automatically out of the race. That round is too high pressure for the Contender...but if you want something with the .308" bore diameter then you can get the .30 Herrett, 30-30 Win, 30-30AI or .309 JDJ in the Contender which would be great.

Back to the .308 Winny cartridge ...I personally love the Striker...as a rested gun. They are way to large to effectively shoot offhand. For antelope there is a great chance you will have a good rest to shoot from...a backpack, rock, shooting sticks, etc. I don't really care for the plastic stock though...too cheapo for my taste. The wood stock Super Strikers are nice though. Used Strikers (w/ the plastic stock) can be had for around $300. Do you get Handgun Hunter Magazine?? There is an article in it about making the Striker adaptable and switching barrels very easily. I've heard the author of that piece REALLY knows his stuff!

Then the Encore...it will also do the job very well and you probably already know the pros on it...easy to change barrels, barrels are everyhwere for sale, and a very quality handgun. The con is the price...they are expensive to buy a complete gun.

Best thing to do.......find someone who has each and shoot the guns.

I shoot both.
Encore, you have the option of different barrels and it generally has a better trigger out of the box. All Striker triggers I've tried, including the one on mine, were +4 lbs, creepy and not adjustable. At least you can change the spring in the Encore if it is a problem. I changed the spring in mine from 3.5 lbs spring to 2 lbs in less than 15 min.

Yeah...the Stirker triggers are not the greatest. I have one Striker trigger (all factory parts) that easily and safely adjusted to 2#. The other Striker was horrible and required a Rifle Basix trigger.

Not sure if you are looking for a .308 caliber or the 308 Winchester.
If this SP is going to be primarily for antelope and also possibly deer you can go down in caliber into a 6mm, 25 or 6.5, not to mention the 7mm's. Antelope are easy to put down with good bullet placement. Bob Milek took many a antelope with 6mm-223 and the 250 Savage. Nothing wrong with 30 caliber. I have one myself. You have many options when it comes to this critter and a specialty handgun.

shewww! any of the three could work just fine. i think it's gonna boil down to personal preference.

me?........i'd probably take one of each although i don't have the striker yet.
a 6tcu contender???
a 7-30 waters contender???
a 30-30AI contender???

a 6BR encore???
a .243 encore???
a .308 encore???

or heck, even a 7-08 encore
way too many great options to narrow it down easily.

well i can say i have all three and ive killed deer with all three.for a factory gun i love the striker i did put a rifle basics trigger in it and as they say it is easy to switch barrels just takes more than a screw driver. ive got a 18'' 338/06 barrel on it. as for the encore once i got a custoum barrel i cant stand factory ones but they are nice my friend has killed plenty of deer with his factory 7/08 barrel out into the 300yard range.and for the contender id go with a 7-30waters it a nice round. jason

Encore. Next question. Seriously, the adaptability of the Encore along with the trigger make it an unbeatable choice.

Contender or Encore. I prefer the Contender (or G2) because of its size and weight. I just feel like it handles better as a handgun. I have an Encore, but prefer use it configured as a rifle. It all comes down to personal preference. Best bet would be to handle and shoot both to see which one you prefer.

If you truly meant .308 Winchester, then this discussion is moot. The Encore is the only choice. So much more versatile than the Striker IMHO.