First off, I don't have an Encore, I have a Contender Carbine.. I have a friend who has an Encore handgun in 308, and he says it's the most accurate "rifle" he has. Another friend has an Encore rifle in 22-250, who is still working on loads, but pretty regularly shoots under an inch at 100 yds... I have no doubt he can get much smaller groups when he settles on the right combination... In short, I think an Encore will consistently outshoot nearly ANY bolt action rifle out of the box...... I think you should buy you a frame and stock, and start finding the barrels you want... look on EBAY and other auction sites, check out Bullberry.com for custom barrels... you should be able to get an Encore ready to go for around 450 dollars or so.... I got the Contender because I wanted a light, short rifle in 22 K-Hornet... looking back, I would go with an Encore, as the weight/size isn't that much different.... and the caliber selection in the Encore is WAY better....