if you got 1-3/8 group at 200 yrds, the gun you have NOW is a sub 1" MOA rifle based on that group
your NOT going to do a LOT better , but doesn't mean you cannot try with it

as for experience with either an Encore and or 700's
I have owned both, and I say HAVE Owned both, as I sold my encore off
bought it more for use an an inline for some states I hunted when I got it
then stopped hunting them states

Nothing wrong with an Encore rifle, minus there a single shot rifle, to change calibers you will be buying a second barrel(good one's ain't cheap) scope and mounts, and every time you SWAP things back and forth you will be re checking to make sure things are ZERO again, there break down pin on the receiver can be OUT of round and can cause SOME folks minor zero changes from that
there will be more slop say, in the fitting of parts over time
as to say a bedded rifle stock of a bolt action gun just due to design

so if you prefer the concept of a fully bedded rifle stock, your NOT going to get that on a Encore rifle

you will save some weight MAYBE on a single shot, and ,again NOTHING wrong with this model rifle

but I would MUCH rather have a bolt action while hunting, for a faster IF needed back up shot!

I have factory 700's and custom built rifles off 700 actions
they are my GO to hunting rifles

I have sold a few hundred 700's and other brand rifles back when I had a gun shop
I have seen ALL brand of rifles OUT OF BOX< be tac drivers SUB MOA rifles and have seem some that didn't
MOST all were able to do well with right loads, but again, MY experience , Savage wins the most ON average SUB MOA rifle out of box game, Rem has been a second, and the rest third place

but a GOOD rifle is a combo of many things, built well, a load it likes, a stock fitted right to gun and YOU, a good trigger, a good scope base and and GOOD scope

and then the GUY behind it all
a combo, and honestly unless your shooting in matches, MOST can get carried away with trying to get SMALL groups when all they do is HUNT with there rifle

I like little groups, don't get me wrong, but over kill in trying for super small groups can be a waste of time and money, and burn your barrel out faster and then your starting all over again LOL

want a challenge on paper targets, IMO< get a good 22 and start trying to make small groups at 200 yards with one
cheaper to shoot, NO recoil and will learn a LOT of shooting skills!