I am about to purchase a contender soon for hunting. I am more or less decided on the ss encore. Trigger reach is a little long though and regular contender is perfect for me. I have to turn my hand some to get my finger on the trigger but still got a grip. I wished someone made a grip i can just swap out to fix this issue for me. I saw one today that was a 7mm08 16" setup new for 659.00. When I was ready to buy at the first of the year new ones were not available in the stores in my area and online seemed a lot of placed were out also. Who has the best prices online? I can order and save sale tax and hope to get it cheaper priced. I do not need adj sights as the one I looked at today had. I will be buying a scope. I want to order from someone reputable.

I too have been looking for a few months, I decided on E. Arthur Brown at first, but I don't know about you, but with all the options you can get, I found it was cheaper to go through T/C custom shop. Wholesale Hunter had the best price, then EABCO if you wanted to just get the frame with a trigger job(I have heard that is the best for the encore)I wanted a muzzlebrake so it is cheaper for me to get it through T/C, cuz I want walnut grips also. I want to customize a little bit, so I am going through T/C if I can get them to answer thier phone, have been trying since last week, on hold for 45 mins then my phone disconnects, so maybe I will go through EABCO yet!!!!

Bud's has the best bang for the buck of anywhere on-line that I have found.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/21_791

Hello bravo2
Just for Clarifacation . There are 3 Frame Sizes in the T/C
Family.
#1 The Original Contender is a Small Frame
#2 The G2 Contnder is a MED Frame
#3 The Encore Is a Large Frame
The G2 and the Contender are More Comfortable to Grip / Carry
Compared to the Encore.
Most People Dont Like the Reach of the Encore , There ARE
Several People and Companies that Make Replacement Grips
I have Had a Custom Set Made for my G2's, They Where Made to Fit my Hand , And Fit me Like a Glove.
I Have Been Told They can Make a Set to Reduce the Reach for a Encore.
Of Coarse The Encore can Handle a Lot Bigger / Hoter Calibers.
As far as Buying a Encore or G2 You Could TRY BASS PRO.
Thats where I Have Gotin the Best deal Sofar.
They Dont keep them in the Stores But Usualy have some in the
Whare House . And can get it in 3-7 Days

I bought an Encore 30/06 through Bud's last year. Very easy transaction, fast shipping, daily e-mail updates, and they paid the freight. No complaints about their service.

I thought of calibers 25-06,270,7mm08,maybe 308. I read it seems the 7mm08 being a good one and low in recoil then the 308 and also flatter shooting so figure to get it. I do not know how the 25-06 and 270 compares to it though in a single shot pistol 15" barrel format. I figure I can get a .223 later and another couple calibers bigger 30 caliber. I'm not worried about heavy reciever of the encore. I figure I would use a stick rest when shooting when not on the bench.

7-08 is a good one, IMHO. You might look at Gunbrokers. I have bought several TCs there.

7-08 is the perfect balance between performance and recoil. It actually passes the 308 in impact energy after around 350yrds with less recoil.

You can probably tell I have one, and love it. Perfect deer round.IMO

If you watch Gunbroker regularly you may be able to get a steel of a deal. I have bought all my stuff for my Contenders off of there and have not had any problems from anyone.

One thing to consider about buying it from out of state is Transfer fee from a FFL, unless you know someone to do the paper work cheap. It could be $25 or $50 just for a transfer.

Yes I know. I buy a lot out of state and it saves me on sales tax. Usually its cheaper price on the gun also that way.