Around here, Encores have a reputation for being hard kckers, especially the MLs and slug guns. The only Encore rifle I ever fired was a ML with a laminated thumbhole stock. It was a real anvil, so it soaked up the recoil pretty well. Those synthetic 20" jobs ought to be pretty sporty. If legal, I think I'd go with a .357 Max and maybe 180 Swifts.
