I think I'm hooked!

[Gunrush128]

So here's what I've got since late November! I also have 2 more barrels on the way for the contender!  Top to bottom... Prohunter frame with 26" 204 Ruger & Bushnell 4-12x40AO, G2 Contender "Super 14" 223 & Illuminated T/C 2.5-8 Handgun scope, Prohunter rifles 12ga. slug barrel & Leupold UltimateSlam 2-7 scope, 20" Prohunter Katahdin 209x50 & Leupold VX-I 2-7.... and on the way... 14" SSK 375JDJ barrel magnaported topped with 4x Leupold handgun scope, and "Super 14" 7-30 Waters & 1.75-4x Tasco handgun scope.

I just feel like I lost track and all of a sudden I've got 2 frames, 6 barrels, & 6 scopes!  I don't even want to add up the cost... LOL

Eventually I would like to get rid of the composite stock set from the encore and get either walnut or laminate, but I think the bank account needs a break for a little while!  Not for long though!

[Ranger413]

I know exactly what you mean.  My love affair with T/C Encores/Contenders started with purchasing an SS Encore 209X50 muzzleloader about six years ago.  Its still topped with a Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9X40.  I then added a 24" .223 barrel that I wasn't happy with and sold it off.  I picked up a 26" .223 barrel that I still have.  Its topped with a Bushnell Elite 4200 4-16X40.  This "family" has gray laminate wood.

Along about this same time I bought a second Encore frame in handgun format.  I had a 15" .308 barrel with a Bushnell Elite 3200 2-6X scope.  I had trouble justifying this gun after I bought it.  I ended up selling it off.  I don't really regret that, but it was a shooter.  It was also a looker - it was stainless with brown laminate wood.

I bought an older Contender with a 10" .22 l.r. match barrel.  If I remember right I had it topped with a Bushnell red dot sight.  I ended up trading it off.

My son is now nearing the hunting age, he's gonna be 10 in a couple of months.  Since he's left handed and I didn't want to invest in a left-hand-only rig I bought him a G2.  Right now its set up with a 23" 22 l.r. barrel and an old Simmons 4X scope that I Duracoated.  I've since ordered a 23" 6.8mm Rem SPC barrel and a 209X50 muzzleloader barrel for him as well.  I think he'll get the rifle and 22 barrel for his birthday and I'll save the other barrels for Christmas and maybe another birthday.

While drooling online over T/Cs I recalled that I've always wanted a .308 barrel.  I grew up with the .308 and found it to be a great whitetial round.  After doing some reading about cutting down a ProHunter from 28" to 23" I had to have one.  So, now I've rounded out my Encore collection with that barrel, and let me tell you it is handy.  Its wearing a Bushnell Elite 4200 3-9X40. 

And, its not over.  Usually it never is.  Seeing and shooting that G2 got me thinking that I needed a handgun.  The G2 I bought for my son came with a 44 mag barrel.  So, Friday I signed for a pistol frame and installed the 44 mag barrel and it now wears a Leupold 2X scope.  A friend of mine was parting with all of his handgun barrels and I managed to snag his 14" barrels in 22 l.r. and .223.  Not sure what direction I'll go for optics on those two just yet.

My bank account also needs a breather.

[pl270]

Yep. Just bought my second with a muzzleloader barrel that I don't even need. There was another on the shelf he offered me for the same price. If I could've only found a way........

[Ranger413]

I blame websites like this for my affliction.  When I start reading about stuff I get the bug.  Then the bug keeps growing because I keep reading & researching to make informed decisions.  Usually those informed decisions revolve around spending a little extra to get the right/quality thing.

I've done this over and over.  I've been over at AR15.com and whipped up a M4gery.  I've been on this site and had my share of Contenders and Encores.  I even built up a Savage in 338-06 thanks to this site (under Custom Rifles) and SavageShooters.com. 

Internet a bad thing?  For my bank account and bitching wife yes, for my gun collection no.

[Gunrush128]

^^^  I feel the same way Ranger.  I feel like I have to take advantage of every good deal that comes up on here.  And then I read into the performance of other cartridges and it makes me want to buy a new barrel.  It seems like its gonna be a never-ending cycle.