The Encore is much heavier and therefore stronger. It is chambered in high pressure cartridges as well as shotgun and muzzleloader configurations. The Contender is much lighter and trimmer, and as you said it is chambered for medium or low pressure cartridges. I have a few Contenders with barrels in 7-30 Waters and .30-30AI as well as pistol barrels in .22 Hornet and .30 Herrett. They make a nice package for a walkabout rifle. I personally find the Encore too clunky to be appealing. If I were considering an Encore, I would look at the CVA Apex. The Apex is much more appealing to me.
