I hear that the Encore is a superbly handling gun. I am looking for a rifle which handles well, and which I can use to get off quick, accurate offhand shots while deer hunting.
Does the Contender Carbine handle as well as the Encore?

My other objective would be to have it in a caliber that is cheap to shoot for practice purposes. Since I do not need a long range gun in GA, I am thinking of something in 44 mag.. which I could reload cheaply. Unfortunately, the Encore does not come in this caliber.. nor does the Contender Carbine.

I guess I could just get 2 barrels.. one for my hunting caliber, and the other maybe in .223 for practicing. If I did this with the Encore.. how important is it to get the same barrel type (ie both heavy barrel or both open sight barrel)?

Thanks.. sky