I need some help on this one. I got some gift cards/money for Christmas. It's finally time to start putting together a Contender or Encore. The problem is I don't know which way to go on this one. I was leaning towards an Encore Pro Hunter for a long time. But then after hunting season this winter, I realized how nice it would have been to be walking through the woods with a 24 inch barrel as opposed to a 26 or 28. I can get a stainless Pro Hunter frame and a Bergara barrel with tool free removable breech plug for about $575. I can do a blued Contender G2 for around $600.
I'm really not sure which way to go on this one. I really want stainless, and I worry since TC no longer makes a G2 muzzleloader barrel that maybe the Contender isn't the way to go. I've located a few Contender barrels, so the initial purchase isn't a problem, but if something happens to the barrel or breech plug, then what? On the other hand I really like the size of the G2.
So, what do you all recommend?