Like these??







I have tried the Encore platform on two separate occasions, and ended up selling them off each time. They just don't have the same feel as a G1 Contender. The balance is just not right to me, and they are bulky. If you do decide on an Encore, I would vote for the 308 Win, or the 338 Federal. I will also throw in one more that can actually be chambered in both, the 8X57 Mauser. SSK offers them in the Contender, I do have one, but does have a disclaimer saying not to use the European loaded ammo, and to stick with the American made stuff or equivalent handloads. The case capacity is within 2 or 3 grains water, compared to the 338 JDJ. I have run Speer 170 grain semi-spitzers to 2370 fps before the action got a little sticky to open. Dies and brass are cheap and easy to find, and it would be different from anybody else. Of course in the Encore the sky would be the limit. The 338 JDJ in the Contender is a very good cartridge and easy to make. I'm getting 2500 fps with 180 grain Nosler Accubonds with no indication of excessive pressure. Very accurate with CFE223. I know, the water was muddy enough, but that's what we're here for!!!

I don't feel so bad anymore, after seeing the picture above...

You my friend are TWISTED, ADDICTED, I"m a couple away from you, awesome collection!

Guys I know many of you love your brakes and porting and they do keep a gun down in the heavy hitters. As far as the 358JDJ in a scoped 14 inch barrel I do not find a brake necessary although my max. 250 grain loads do kick. I use Pachy grippers on mine and they work great. What I do know is guides and PHs do not like brakes due to the extra muzzle blast. Good luck making your choice. Maybe one of each is a good idea.

Holy smokes Mech. You are a mad man.

How do you decide which one to use today. One each day would be 2 1/2 years of deer seasons for me.Color me jealous

.

I am a little late to this thread; I?d highly recommend a single shot. However, like many have pointed out they are kind of like your favorite chip ?can?t have just one?. Having the Contender & Encore I gravitate to the Encore more. With the strength of the Encore you have far more centerfire choices. For me it?s the easiest and most cost effective way to work with wildcats or improved cartridges.
I have two Ackley Improved cartridges that have not been mentioned, each for the Encore.
SSK - 15? 257 Ackley Improved 40 degree with arrestor brake.
SSK ? 16? 7x57 (Mauser) Ackley Improved 40 degree with arrestor brake.

Both cartridges are mild mannered to shoot sporting excellent accuracy. The improved design out of a short barrel will equal and exceed the parent cartridges rifle velocities. The 257 caliber is likely on the light side for Elk sized game but the 7x57AI will match mid-range 280 Remington rifle velocities.

For example (7x57AI):
120 grain weight = 3000fs - Tested 120 NBT & Sierra 120 PH
140 grain weight = 2900fs ? Tested 139 Hornady SPT & Sierra 140 PH
150 grain weight = 2700fs ? Just started testing the Nosler 150 BT & Sierra 150 GK. I suspect I?ll inch closer to 2800fs with the right powder.

I have taken whitetails with the Hornady 139 SPT at 2800fs, but really liked the terminal performance of the Sierra 120 PH at 2900fs. All deer that I have taken have been less than 125 yards.

Good luck on your choice!
Buck..

On paper, the 358 JDJ is a perfect handgun round, but I always heard the recoil was hard. You don't think it's that bad without a break? I worry about my hearing as well as my hands, so I'm not too interested in brakes.

I wear double hearing protection when practicing and I always wear hearing protection when I am hunting.
IF, you are not wearing hearing protection when you are hunting, every shot (with or without a brake) is damaging your hearing.

Amen. I have tons of those cheap foam ear plugs with all my gear just in case I forget my walkers. Cheap insurance.

With my older hands and wrists my 358 hurts if I hold it wrong, and mine is magna ported. If I hold it down[tight window opening] and only let it come straight back it whacks my wrist hard. would be nice if someone made an aftermarket brake like the Savage that you can open or close as needed. Even one shot without some kind of ear protection is too many. I like my .358 jdj but some days its more fun to shoot than others.

My Walkers Game Ear muffs are invaluable. For under 100 bucks you can enhance your hearing and save yourself from going deaf

Yeah, I really don?t care what paid guides think about my gear or equipment. In today?s environment with a veritable smorgasbord of hearing protection options, if he thinks my brake is too loud, the cheap ass can stick his little toes in his ears when I shoot.

Makes no nevermind to me.

I guide hunters. I always carry my own hearing protection.

I double up on the range and use electronic muffs in the field, but hearing loss and bad tinnitus has made me paranoid. I haven't used brakes, so I don't know how bad the noise and blast is. Probably not as bad as I imagine. I like the idea of being able to have a heavy hitter like the 358 JDJ available.

Just to be clear I am an advocate of always wearing hearing protection when shooting. I have electronic muffs and ear plugs. I usually just use plugs while hunting.

The worse gun I own for muzzle blast / cylinder blast is my S&W 460 XVR. The flash and pressure wave is dramatic. Far worse than any of my Contenders. I made a solid plug to seal off the brake on this gun and I prefer shooting it with the plug. It is such a heavy gun that the felt recoil with 240 grain loads is less than a 44 magnum. If I were shooting heavier bullets perhaps I would prefer the brake.

The following advice is intended for the OP's first post regarding his selection of a muzzleloader barrel. Some food for thought regarding the Contender/Encore guns. They are not sealed breech designs, and as such, you're going to suffer a bit of blowback into the action area. I bought a 209x50 Encore SS rifle, customized with birch brownish-laminate stocks, all metalwork done in dark grey Duracoat. It is an exceptionally nice looking and shooting piece. But within 50 rounds, the evident gas leak around the breech was consuming the coating, causing the metal to rust. My new direction if pursuing a BP pistol or rifle, would be one specifically designed for the task, not simply adding a barrel to an existing Contender or Encore. My guns have to shoot good while looking good, YMMV.

To add on to the info. From RedSS about Muzzleloading pistols vs. TC barrels. - I went with a CVA Optima V2 pistol and am very happy that I did. You get a great shooting, stainless, full gun for the price of a TC barrel. I highly recommend it.

I aggree with bills. I bought a CVS Optima V2 and have hunted with three zezskns killing five deer with it. I love it and I think you will too if you try it.

Thanks again everyone. I truly appreciate all the feedback. In the end I'm thinking I'll stick with my original plan and start shopping for an encore in .308.

The two main issues that seem to pop up about the encore are both easily fixed in my opinion. The grip I can modify. The trigger I can order a kit for and polish/install myself.

The last few posts about the muzzleloader are good ones. I will definitely consider the Cva if I get to that point.

Merry Christmas everyone.