Contender vs Encore
#37830
10/29/2008 6:08 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 486
briarhopper
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OP
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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?
If it were supposed to be easy, they'd have sent my little sister to do it.
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Re: Contender vs Encore
[Re: briarhopper]
#37832
10/29/2008 6:47 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,222
bisleyfan44
veteran
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veteran
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,222 |
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'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a handgun today.
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Re: Contender vs Encore
[Re: bisleyfan44]
#37838
10/29/2008 8:05 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 277
Mike S
enthusiast
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enthusiast
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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.
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Re: Contender vs Encore
[Re: Mike S]
#37839
10/29/2008 8:11 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,655
wapitirod
Shootist
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Shootist
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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.
Last edited by wapitirod; 10/29/2008 8:34 PM.
I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them. John Wayne-The Shootist
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Re: Contender vs Encore
[Re: briarhopper]
#37850
10/29/2008 11:15 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,461
pab1
Distinguished Expert
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Distinguished Expert
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Posts: 4,461 |
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.
Experience is the best teacher, hunger good sauce. Osborne Russell Journal of a Trapper
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Re: Contender vs Encore
[Re: pab1]
#37862
10/30/2008 12:34 AM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,105
Russell
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,105 |
Like pab1, I've got both but have always prefered the Contender. It was my first and still the first one I reach for.
It's not the gun, but the man behind it.
Sheriff Russell Cottle, Ret. USMC; 1967-1970; Vietnam-'68-'69
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Re: Contender vs Encore
[Re: Russell]
#37865
10/30/2008 12:40 AM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 402
hunlee
addict
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 402 |
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
Last edited by hunlee; 10/30/2008 12:54 AM.
Hunlee is friend to all,,,Is a lover not a fighter and has fathered many children!!!!
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Re: Contender vs Encore
[Re: briarhopper]
#37871
10/30/2008 1:11 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,704
Tigger
Distinguished Expert
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Distinguished Expert
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Posts: 4,704 |
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.
NRA Life Member
** NEVER! Moon a Werewolf!!**
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Re: Contender vs Encore
[Re: Tigger]
#37893
10/30/2008 3:14 AM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 435
BINGO
addict
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addict
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Posts: 435 |
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.
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Re: Contender vs Encore
[Re: BINGO]
#37899
10/30/2008 4:08 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 454
lhunter03
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Lars
.357 maxi, .375 win, 30-30 ackley, .450 marlin, and anything else that goes boom!!!
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Re: Contender vs Encore
[Re: lhunter03]
#37913
10/30/2008 2:50 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608
s4s4u
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608 |
I vote 'Tender as well. I can't get a good grip on the Encore, period.
Rod, too.
Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
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Re: Contender vs Encore
[Re: s4s4u]
#37916
10/30/2008 3:50 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 651
larry223
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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
tc,s 223 35rem 7-30 waters 6.5jdj 375 30/30ai 6mm/223 22lr encores 7mm-08 308 redhawk 44mag.
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Re: Contender vs Encore
[Re: larry223]
#37919
10/30/2008 4:24 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 486
briarhopper
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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?"
If it were supposed to be easy, they'd have sent my little sister to do it.
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Re: Contender vs Encore
[Re: briarhopper]
#37920
10/30/2008 5:40 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,655
wapitirod
Shootist
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Shootist
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Posts: 7,655 |
I think you'll be happy, let us know when you get the new toy!
I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them. John Wayne-The Shootist
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Re: Contender vs Encore
[Re: lhunter03]
#37936
10/30/2008 11:35 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 50
10drenkor
journeyman
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journeyman
Joined: Feb 2008
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I like both,I tend to carry my Encore more than my tender but I like having the choice.
Last edited by 10drenkor; 10/30/2008 11:37 PM.
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Re: Contender vs Encore
[Re: 10drenkor]
#37999
10/31/2008 4:42 PM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 294
dertiedawg
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 294 |
Does the contender have a blackpowder barrel or is it the Encore only
Scoped Satin Stainless 7.5in Ruger Super Redhawk in 44 Mag. 50 Cal CVA Optima Black Powder Pistol
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Re: Contender vs Encore
[Re: dertiedawg]
#38010
10/31/2008 7:15 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 651
larry223
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as far as i know no black powder in the tender i have never seen one. larry
tc,s 223 35rem 7-30 waters 6.5jdj 375 30/30ai 6mm/223 22lr encores 7mm-08 308 redhawk 44mag.
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Re: Contender vs Encore
[Re: larry223]
#38011
10/31/2008 7:19 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,655
wapitirod
Shootist
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Shootist
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Posts: 7,655 |
you can get rifle barrels and I would think you could get a custom barrel made or shorten the factory rifle barrel.
I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them. John Wayne-The Shootist
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Re: Contender vs Encore
[Re: wapitirod]
#38015
10/31/2008 9:05 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963
KRal
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963 |
You can get a black powder, .45 cal, for the Contender G2 but, it will not fit the original Contender frame...KRal
It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
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Re: Contender vs Encore
[Re: KRal]
#38018
10/31/2008 9:22 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,655
wapitirod
Shootist
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Shootist
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I thought all contender barrels were interchangeable accept for the armor alloy
Last edited by wapitirod; 10/31/2008 9:23 PM.
I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them. John Wayne-The Shootist
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Re: Contender vs Encore
[Re: wapitirod]
#38038
11/01/2008 12:13 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608
s4s4u
Shootist
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Shootist
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Posts: 9,608 |
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 ;-)
Rod, too.
Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
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Re: Contender vs Encore
[Re: s4s4u]
#38055
11/01/2008 1:43 AM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,655
wapitirod
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,655 |
aren't there some companies making custom blackpowder barrels that you can use in the old contender frame?
I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them. John Wayne-The Shootist
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Re: Contender vs Encore
[Re: wapitirod]
#38072
11/01/2008 4:01 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608
s4s4u
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608 |
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.
Rod, too.
Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
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