So in a matter of weeks I?ve assembled the following:
Stainless Contender G2 pistol frame
223 TC barrel and scope
30-30 TC barrel and scope
300 Blackout 12 inch SSK barrel and scope
I ordered an MGM 14 inch 44 magnum barrel (scope tbd)

Here?s my question. I also have a stainless Encore pistol frame and am curious if I should order a 308 Winchester or 243 Winchester barrel. Not for hunting purposes, just plain fun plinking and enjoyment. How?s the recoil on the 308? Thoughts and opinions are more than welcome.

My favorite encore round was the 356 Winchester.
Second in line was the 257 Roberts.

I did have a 308 full bull barrel as well as a 14 twist 243 win that started life as a 6 PPC

Both were fun to shoot the 243 shot 55 gr bullets very well and would detonate a cantaloupe at 350 yards.

If I had to choose one it we 356 Win

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so much for easing into the addiction.
welcome to the club.
between 308 and 243, I would go with the 243 based on the following reasoning.

I have a 15" factory 25-05 that I am shooting 100gn hand loads out of. haven't checked velocities yet, but they were respectable out of my rifle. It's fun to shoot with mild muzzle jump, I would say I could shoot all day but i haven't had it that long or put that many rounds down range. I have a 308 savage striker that has a much sharper recoil and a good bit of wrist twist that is a lot heavier that I don't really enjoy shooting that much so i haven't taken it out to hunt with yet.

I have a 15" 243 Encore barrel with a 4x swift scope that I will make you a really good deal on. Send me a message if interested.

If you handload I would make that 308 a 307 Winchester for the rimed case.
If a non-reloader 243, 260, 7-08, or 308 would all work fine. I would have a Four Gill Muzzle Brake installed on any of the Encore barrels larger than 223. The muzzle brake makes them a lot more fun to shoot.

Bob R

In a Encore I would split the difference between the 308 and 243 and go with a 6.5 Creedmoor. Ammo is easier to find than 260 and performance is close.

Way to get started. I would look at a 6 mm or 6.5 caliber, for your other barrel. If you want to be able to shoot the heavier bullets in 6mm, you might consider either a MGM 243 Winchester with an eight twist, or a six Creedmoor, which will probably have a one and 8 twist. 6.5 Creedmoor will probably have a 8 twist as well. This will have a lot less recoil than 308 Winchester, and will be fun to shoot.
Another great little cartridge and 6mm is the 6mm BR. If you don?t reload, you might wanna forget that option

BTW, you can also hunt with each of the cartridges I listed.

Based on your list of items, I'd say you got it bad. And it will only get worse! Of the two Encore cartridges you mention, I would go with the 243 Win. If hunting were your primary goal I would go with the 308 Win. Not that you can't kill animals with the 243, I just think it would be a better choice.

I agree with Ernie 100%

I've been going through some gun acquisitions myself lately - gotta love this life! There are obviously a lot of good options out there but between the two you listed,I would go with the .243 for plinking. Also, do what Bob said and get a brake on it. Not that the recoil without will kill you, it's just so much more fun with one.

I had a 243 barrel once. It was fairly pleasant to shoot even without a brake and plenty accurate with lighter bullets. Probably would have made a great coyote gun if I hadn't sold it.

I shoot the Encore with a .30-06 barrel. The recoil will wake you up but it is still manageable. Why not go for both? One to hunt deer & up with and one for varmints. If you get the .308 you might want to look at handloads with the Barnes 130 gr. TSX. That is what I am running and it helps the recoil quite a bit.