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

I'd not assume that a .44 Mag will be cheaper to shoot than a .308 or .30-06 for practice...one can find decent practice FMJ military ammo (non corrosive, reloadable) for the latter calibers for $3.50/box of 20.
Using some of that ammo in a Win Model 70 in .30-06, we managed 1" groups at 100 meters.

I'd go with the Encore in .308...better to have the 250 yard range without worrying about holding low/high and not need it than to worry about the .44's rainbow trajectory past 150 yards.

sky guy, the Encore is a great rifle (I have one in .243). However, it is not the gun I would use for fast offhand shots. As a single shot, I believe it is much better suited to precision (i.e., take your time, use support, etc.) shooting.

For a fast handling .44 I'd give serious consideration to the Marlin 1894P. I have an 1894S that I really like, but the P version has an even shorter (carbine length) barrel that should make it even better for quick shots. I'd get the Ashley Outdoors scout scope mount (install it yourself on the Marlins) and a Leupold or Burris scout scope and you'd have a dandy .44 mag scout for fast, accurate offhand shooting, with the potential of very fast follow-up shots.

As I said, I love my Encore, but wouldn't use it for the application you describe. I'd be happier with the Marlin.

cogito, ergo armatus sum.

I love my Encore...<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Check out this site: www.virginvalleyguns.com

Hunt Safe!

Jack