I'm looking at the possibility of expanding out a little. I've shot .45-70 for years, and don't want a divorce :). But I'm liking the whole handgun thing pretty well, especially the .44. I'm thinking about the possibility adding a T/C to the mix, and keep shooting the .45/70. I like the idea of versility of other cartridges, but am not real adventuras in the cartridge field. I pretty well find what I trust and what works for me, and stick with bit. So, my question is, if I am going to always stay with common calibers like .44, 45-70, 30-30 etc, do I need a Contender or an Encore, or is there really much of a differance at that level?

Depends on the caliber you choose. For the ones listed above, the Contender will fill the bill nicely and in a lighter, more compact pkg. The Encore can handle the above calibers plus so many more. It is heavier and bulkier, but it will allow you to shoot the higher-pressure rounds like the 30-06, 308, 270, 243, etc. that the Contender can't handle. It all really boils down to the calibers you wish to use.

I purchased a new Contender this spring, I had the same question
and was told to try putting each in my hand before I decided.
I found a shop that had both frames in stock, The Contender fit
like a glove - The Encore was slightly larger, and I found that
only the Tip of my trigger finger was touching the trigger.

I'm partial to the Contender although I like the ability to add more powerfull factory cartridges with the Encore but in all reality the Contender was the starting point and the 375JDJ in the Contender has killed the biggest baddest animals on the planet and done it quickly and cleanly. I would suggest doing like Mike S suggested and hold both. I will almost bet that the Contender will be more comfortable and with the cartridges you listed and the availability of more powerfull custom cartridges available from J.D. Jones and Gary Reeder you can handle anything on the planet. The one thing I should add that to get the most out of a contender you should reload, you don't have to but with cartridges like the 7-30 and 30-30 which have round or flat nosed bullets in factory loads you can reload with spitzers and get much better ballistics out of.

I have both and prefer the Contender. I've never felt undergunned with one. The Encore feels a little too bulky to me. Growing up, I always drooled over the ads in magazines of the engraved Contenders, so they hold a special place in my heart.

Like pab1, I've got both but have always prefered the Contender. It was my first and still the first one I reach for.

Hunlee is one that own contender in 223!!!!!7-30 water!!!!!375 windchester!!!!!45-70!!!!!With this said Hunlee is wanting Encore aswell!!!!!!Hunlee like Contender and Encore butt Hunlee need to get into the wife purce for extra USA$$$$$$GREAN BACK DOLLAR for purchase of Encore!!!!!!Life has ben very good to Hunlee!!!!!Hunlee will get nice silverey Encore fraime with nice silverey barrle!!!!!!Contender of hunlee will all barrel are blue and Hunlee like blue butt hunlee is ready for silverey!!!!

hunlee

For the cartridges you listed the Contender will do just fine. I agree with Rod that reloading for the cartridges listed will enhance thier performance from factory offerings.

Myself, I prefer the Encore. I like the idea of being able to shoot the higher pressure cartridges. The Encore is heavier than the Contender so take that into consideration if your hunting is alot of hiking. The grip is bigger but remember that custom grips are available from many places that can fit your hand.

My 2 cents. I like the Contender. The calibers you mentioned are available on it & then some. The Encore is just too ungainly for me.

Contender's rule!!!

Lars

I vote 'Tender as well. I can't get a good grip on the Encore, period.

i have both and when i go out the door right now the encore goes
most of the time (7mm-08) but i just got a 7-30 waters i hope
will replace that some of the time.
the tender grips better for me.
larry

Thanks, guys. I was leaning toward the Contender, but wanted to be sure. The Contender it is.

I owned one obout 18 or 20 years ago for a few weeks, with a .44 mag bbl. It was absolutely beautiful, but, up to that time, I had never owned a 44 hurt me as bad as that one did, so I sold it. But, ah, the ignorance of youth!

Wasn't it Mark Twain that said that "youth is wasted on the young?"

I think you'll be happy, let us know when you get the new toy!

I like both,I tend to carry my Encore more than my tender but I like having the choice.

Does the contender have a blackpowder barrel or is it the Encore only

as far as i know no black powder in the tender i have never
seen one.
larry

you can get rifle barrels and I would think you could get a custom barrel made or shorten the factory rifle barrel.

You can get a black powder, .45 cal, for the Contender G2 but, it will not fit the original Contender frame...KRal

I thought all contender barrels were interchangeable accept for the armor alloy

They are, except for the G-2 blackpowder barrel. From what I gather there is a pattent thing regarding T/C and the Contender and a maker of a BP barrel, Gonic, for it. No other factory can make a BP barrel for the Contender other than Gonic. Well, a new name (G-2) and a new set of rules. Now T/C can make a BP for the G-2, but not the Contender so they added a pin to the bottom of the barrel and a hole in the G-2 frame that accepts it, whereas the Contender can't.

Simple solution is to remove the pin from the barrel and it fits all frames. Of course you'll "void your warranty" but WTH, you got blackpowder ;-)

aren't there some companies making custom blackpowder barrels that you can use in the old contender frame?

There are a few, heck anyone with skills can turn a 45/70 into a BP, but I think it's pretty much old bad blood between T/C and Gonic. Custom shops will always do their thing but they aren't really "producing" barrels, and there hasn't been a Gonic BP barrel made in years but there is that patent thing. T/C got past that with the new G-2 model. Lawyers, can't do with 'em, and can't shoot 'em.