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?

Buy the Pro-Hunter and you wont have any complaints. I would buy the T/C barrel though.

SuperKirby

Just my opinion but really hold out for the Stainless. In the long run, if you plan on keeping the gun - I really feel stainless is the way to travel.

As to which gun.... you really get to make that decision, but as I read your final statements I think you have really already made the decision with your own observations.

Good luck

Get the SS Barrel, and as Sabotloader stated, you've already made up your mind on wich MLer to get.
And I've said this a few times already in a few post, if your in No Hurry to get the MLer, Wait a while. The Prices on them will drop as all the Hunting Seasons come to a end. You can save yourself a good chunk of Cash if you wait and shop for the deals.
Best of Luck!
(BP)

Let me put another thought in your head SuperKirby (just something to keep you up at night ).

For a great shooting easy carrying walk around gun, the Omega X7 with a compact 4X scope is mighty hard to beat. (24" barrel including breechplug, 38" overall length, 7 & 1/4 lbs with scope)

There's only one problem with them. They're getting hard to find.

i was in the same boat....wanted an encore for years, finally got serious about it last year and ran across a sweetheart deal on a used prohunter. I agree, hold out for the stainless. i dont think you really notice the extra couple inches of barrel....remember its a single shot so the action is much shorter, i think it balances itsself out nicely. After i bought mine i got a 7mm-08 barrel for gunseason and a 22lr barrel for plinking and small game. One nice thing about this setup is youre always shooting the same gun, same trigger.....once you get it how you like it, its hard to beat.

Thanks guys. The stainless is kind of the way I'm leaning, I just wish I could find a stainless G2 barrel. The only ones I've see are custom, and I can't afford 500 for a barrel. The pro-hunter frame is probably one of the best deals I've seen, but I may still wait awhile anyway.
As for the X7, for a long time I was strongly considering one of those, but am thinking that I would also like to have the possibility of a handgun barrel for it down the road. MN says it's legal to shoot with a 7mm-08 in a handgun barrel, but can't use a 357 or 44 mag in a rifle barrel. Go figure.
Maybe I'll just sit and wait for a couple months and decide then.

If I had the money I would hold out and see what Knight will be offering next year. I am holding off now to see what they come up with.