Tom ... any rifle you buy will be a pain to clean. We got into this sport knowing that all rifles have to be cleaned right after shooting. Also some rifles are more of a pain to clean then others. You want a tuff one to clean, shoot a Black Diamond XR. Great shooting rifle, takes for ever to clean though.

I always look at it this way, if it takes me ten minutes more to clean rifle A then rifle B ... then it takes ten minutes more. Who cares. They all have to be cleaned. I never bought a rifle yet based on how hard it was to clean. I bought them on how well made and accurate they were for the money I was spending. Cleaning easy is just a bonus in my book.

If you are unhappy with the accuracy of the Remington or simply want to update, the Encore will be a great shooting rifle able to handle any kind of powder charge you want to throw at it. There is also the ability to change barrels that you mentioned. And it probably is easier to clean.

Personally, I'd go with an Omega... to each their own.