I have a 24" .45-70 on a Contender with Rynite stock. This gun weighs right at 6½ lbs loaded with scope. With factory 300 gr. loads free recoil is about 33 fpe. It was a bit intimidating at first but I can now easily shoot it from the bench.

405 gr. loads of about 1800 fps give about 36 fpe free recoil. 1800 fps is about as fast as you can go in the Contender. I would not hesitate to use the load but don't have a suitable target!

The only reason I would get an Encore is to shoot either the 6.5x55mm or the .375 H&H. With the proper barrel configuration recoil shouldn't be any worse.