Since I recently turned 21, I'm saving up a bit of money for my first handgun purchase. I've been thinking about getting one of the T/C platforms, but I just can't decide which one I want. My criteria are as follows:

- It must be able to take a 22 LR barrel.

- It would preferably take a muzzleloader barrel.

- I'd like to get a mild rifle caliber for it.

Considering these likely apply apply to both, the deal breaker would be price and availability of parts and components, including barrels. I don't know much about these platforms, so what do you think?

More ML options on the Encore without going custom. Both will take a 22LR barrel and both can be had with mild rifle calibers on it. The 7-30 Waters and 30-30 AI are both good calibers for the contender and on the Encore, the sky is the limit. The Encore triggers are a little rougher than the contender but that can be fixed easily even by yourself if you are mechanically inclined with simple spring changes. Pretty simple stuff. The contender trigger is typically a little better and can be made extremely nice with the massaging by someone that really knows how.

If you think you may want a mega caliber or standard 308/30-06 type barrel, the Encore is the way to go. I would definitely recommend the Pachmayer gripset as it shortens the trigger reach slightly and really improves handling on it in my opinion. Ken O'Neil turned me on to that and it was a welcomed improvement.

Accuracy of both is amazing for such a relatively low priced handgun. There are calibers that work on the contender that brings up the power but most are custom options. I use the 309 and the 375 JDJ on the contender as well as the 6.5 JDJ on both the pistol and rifle format. My sons first rifle is a 20" contender carbine in 6.5 JDJ made for him by Mr. JD. You would be amazed at how well that one shoots. Literally dumps them all in one round hole at 100 yards. The 6.5 shoots a 120 ballistic tip about 2400 fps in the 14" barrel and close to 2600 or so in the 20" barrel if my memory is working today. I know its close to that but can't remember the exact number right now. With the 125 partition, its a mean little booger with no recoil to speak of. But any of those require case forming, the 375 being the simplest of all.

With the encore, you can get calibers that match the 309 and beat it a little velocity wise like the 308 and larger but you can buy ammo right off the shelf. No case forming etc which is nice in this day and age of component prices and shortages. But, having said that, the fireform process is fun to me and I've found the fireform loads to be crazy accurate so I keep them with me for shooting varmits/coyotes and such so I'm not really wasting ammo

I use the Encore for 308 and 50 Alaskan handgun barrels these days which are both easy to reload for and have no case forming and have used it for the 375-06 JDJ (amazing to watch hit game!) and the 6.5 Mini Dreadnought (very accurate and flat shooting). But those were both custom SSK barrels and required case forming.

In the end, it comes down to how much trouble are you wanting to go through with loading etc and how big a cartridge do you want to use in this possibly. They also look a little different if that matters to you at all. I'm not picky as I really care about the performance of course but they should also look good just because..hahaha

Here is the contender with a 6.5 JDJ barrel


The encore with the Alaskan barrel on it


Encore with a little slimmer barrel on it for comparison. This is the 375-06 JDJ. Ran the 225 Hornady spire point at 2575 from this barrel. Would do more but saw no reason for it after hitting a few critters with it.


My son's 6.5 JDJ on a contender frame. Barrel is 20" plus the brake.


This is the 309 (top) and the 375 on the contender.

I much prefer the Contender platform. The handle of the Encore is so large and the reach to the trigger so long that I cannot get my finger on the trigger with a proper grip. The Contender is much lighter as well and handier, with a better trigger. You can chamber some pretty heavy hitters in the Contender such as the 45/70, but my favorite is the 7-30 Waters which is capable out to 250 yards. Unless you need 30-06 performance I see no reason to go with the larger gun. I'd strongly suggest handling an Encore before purchasing one. Many makers chamber ML barrels for the Contender, and Bullberry proof tested theirs with 200 grains of P-dex and a 300 grain bullet. Or, you could have a ML breech plug installed in a 45/70 barrel. T/C factory 22 LR Match barrels are readily available and renown for their accuracy.

2 great posts above from knowledgable guys.
I purchased my first Contender at age 18 in 1977. I still have it plus several others. I prefer the Contender as it is lighter and can do everything I need it to do. Most of the JDJ calibers will out perform the shooter. I use the 358JDJ for big game. For muzzleloading I just got a CVA Optima that cost about the same as an Encore barrel. I suggest looking at that option. The best part here is you cant go wrong between the Contender or Encore. Buy one and start shooting!

I prefer the contender as well and the 338 JDJ on the 444 marlin case I think is one I really need to pick up when I have a chance. It seems like the best of both worlds on that platform. Good choice of bullets and plenty of muzzle velocity. Haven't seen one yet that wasn't a great shooter.

Place me in the Contender Corner as well. They just seem more refined and purpose build. The Encore is like a movie sequel. Entertainment.......yes........but, never as good as the original.

And, I have had multiples of both. I've always been in love with the Contender. I have the Encore.........because it's there.

My favorite Contender chambering is the .30-30 AI with 125gr SST bullets at 2,550 fps from a 13" barrel. A very handy platform in my mind.

I have both and might have to lean a bit toward the Contender if only because I have an older version where I can adjust the trigger myself. And I can make it nice and light, yet safe. This helps eliminate some shake that can occur from gripping the gun and starting to press the trigger if pull is heavier than optimal (at least it does for me.) Admittedly, I only have a .223 14" bbl on the Contender yet have taken my .308 Win. Encore to Africa twice plus taken a couple deer with it.

I have the 3 different T/C models, I like them all,I have favorites in each model.Do not overlook the G-2, when it comes down to it, I"ll take the Encore in 308, or 7mm-08, power and accuracy when you need it.

Has anyone used a 6.8 Rem barrel on a Contender? I noticed the T/C website has them listed as a potential barrel option.

I know a couple guys who have and they like them, but I prefer rimmed cases in the Contender. The small capacity of the 6.8 limits it to relatively light bullets. If limited to factory ammo I'd suggest the 30-30 but for the handloader options are wide open.

I've also heard a lot of good things about it, but that was likely out of a rifle. I have plenty of 130 grain .277 caliber bullets already, which is why I'm asking. If you think the 7-30 or 30-30 is a better option, though, I'd definitely choose one of them instead.

The 6.8 uses the lighter slugs typically when I've seen it used.

Isn't that just because the longer bullets won't fit in an AR-15 platform?

They have to be seated so deeply that they eat up a ton of case capacity. The little 110 or 115 or whatever it is that is factory loaded does a pretty good job on deer from what I've seen when my buddies used one I built on an AR platform though. In the contender, I do know how that would effect it if you seat it long. Gonna have to find someone that has one. You just don't want to stretch a frame.

TW, if you can find a G-2 in 7-30 waters, that would cover you.

The magazine does limit length, but I'm not sure how much throat you'd have to work with in a factory barrel to seat long.

I have 5 Encores and 7 Contenders. I favor the Contender due to the lighter weight and size. If the cartridge I am looking at is safe to use in the Contender, I will go that route every time.

I might just go with the 7-30 Waters then, especially since I know I could find powder for it.

I started shooting and reloading the 7-30 Waters this year in my T/C Contender, trust me, you won't be disappointed. Awesome cartridge and the accuracy is astounding!

Although I love my 7-30, another great choice would be the 30-30 AI. Brass is formed by simply firing factory or handloaded 30-30 ammo in the improved chamber and you can hunt/practice as you form your AI brass because accuracy is generally very good with standard 30-30 ammo. Forming Waters brass is a bit more involved, and factory brass/ammo is a bit hit and miss as far as availability. I'd been shooting the Waters before I started loading so had built up a stash of Federal 7-30 factory brass.

Can you form 7-30 brass by running 30-30 brass through a 7-30 sizing die?

Can you form 7-30 brass by running 30-30 brass through a 7-30 sizing die?

I have owned both. An encore in .308 and a contender in several calibers including the already mentioned 30-30. I now only have the contender, but that's because I was to quick to open my mouth when asked to price the encore. Can't go wrong with either in my opinion. See which feels better in hand and purchase.

yep, just fire form it and you are ready for load development.

That would be handy since 30-30 brass is much easier to find.

I would recommend starting with virgin brass.

You mean never fired?

As in new.

Ive never had a 7-30, but am sure it would be great. I have the 30-30 AI(ackley improved) in a factory super 14. Love it!

Have 2 encore handguns and several contender and a couple G2 contenders. The G2 contender is my favorite but love em all.

Contenders are just a lighter more compact package for hunting.

Thanks for the clarification.

When a cartrige is fired the case gets hot and then cools, which hardens it. When a work hardened case is expanded, as in fire forming, it may split imediately or fail at a later date. Not worth it, IMO.

I visited my local store to make sure they could order me one, and they said they can. It will probably be around Christmas before I buy one, but at least I know they can get me one.

Must be a G2 then, eh? Looking forward to the range report. Does it come with barrel, or frame only?

Frame only, since the barrels are listed separately. I figure I'll get a blued/walnut frame with a 12" blued 22 Match barrel.

How much are they asking for barrels?

Well, the suggested retail price was $355 for the 22 barrel and $523 for the frame. I don't know how much the store will charge, though.

Since you have some time before your frame arrives take a look around here:

http://matchgrademachine.com/

You can get a custom tube for less than factory if you keep it under 13" in length. They made my 13" Waters and it is a tack driver. Their lead times can vary but it is well worth the wait.

You can check on gunbroker.com with the search word "contender" and approximately 16 pages of contender related items will come up. If you sift through them you will find new and used barrels in all sorts of calibers. Barrels ship without an FFL so they will come right to your door. I have purchased several barrels over the past year through the site and haven't had any issues. In fact, I picked up a stainless 14 inch in 7-30 Waters with a Leupold mount and 2.5-8X Leupold scope for $380. The barrel shoots several handloads into less than an inch at a hundred yards. I like it, I like it a lot!

I haven't ordered anything yet. I'm going to wait until after Christmas so I'll have a fair bit of money saved up.

I was browsing Bullberry's website, and I noticed they have an amazing selection of calibers to choose from. Are there any there that you think might be a better choice?