I did a lot of looking around this morning, and a lot of thinking about it while I was out cutting firewood. If I really stop and think about it, the contender appeals more to me for it's handgun capabilities than it does for it's muzzleloader uses. Aside from my GP100, I really haven't shot anything other than a muzzleloader for at least 4 years. The Pro Hunter seems like a much better muzzleloader than does the Contender. My biggest concern witht the Pro Hunter is barrel length for hunting in some of the cover that I do. If I decide that's an issue I can always buy the shorter 20" Katahdin barrel sometime down the road. I think that's probably the route I'll go.