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Post by eliminator on Jan 4, 2020 22:22:30 GMT -5
Last summer I acquired a first generation Contender manufactured in 1981. When I bought it, I knew zero about the Contenders except that I was sure I was getting it at a steal (which was indeed true). It is in pistol configuration with factory wood grips and a 10" .223 barrel and a Bushnell scope. I bought it with the plan of making it into a single shot rifle/carbine in .327 Federal magnum. I am now thinking I want to do this initially in .32-20. What I need/desire is a walnut rifle stock and forend along with a barrel. I'm thinking of ordering a barrel from Match Grade Machine but I'm unsure of the contour and length I should get. I'm mainly unsure of the contour due to stock forend fitment. It seems there are sight mount considerations as well. For those who have done this with Contenders, do you have any advice? It will be used as a range toy. I may try some pointed projectiles for grins.
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Post by potatojudge on Jan 4, 2020 23:28:46 GMT -5
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Post by eliminator on Jan 5, 2020 1:03:11 GMT -5
Wow! Thanks for the information potatojudge. I like that stock with the red pad, exactly what I'm looking for. That barrel looks good too!
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Post by potatojudge on Jan 5, 2020 1:10:10 GMT -5
With Bullberry closing, I think MGM makes the best Contender barrels. My 44 mag MGM carbine shoots great with a Tony's stock set.
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Post by Encore64 on Jan 5, 2020 5:52:30 GMT -5
MGM built my TC Carbine Barrel in 327 Federal. It's a tapered 22" and they use the .311" bore stock.
Factory 100 grn runs 2062 fps with great accuracy.
Think you'd be very happy with something like this.
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Post by eliminator on Jan 5, 2020 7:41:38 GMT -5
Encore, when you had your barrel built did you specify a tapered barrel? On their build page it has the options of full bull, factory contour, and carbine. The carbine option is a no go due to caliber size alone I think. Do you have a picture of your setup?
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Post by eliminator on Jan 5, 2020 7:45:08 GMT -5
With Bullberry closing, I think MGM makes the best Contender barrels. My 44 mag MGM carbine shoots great with a Tony's stock set. I was looking at Tony's site last night. Lots of good options there for sure. |
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Post by AxeHandle on Jan 5, 2020 7:51:32 GMT -5
Personally I just don't like the Contender/Encore based rifle. Love them as a pistol but they just seem unwieldy as a rifle. That said.. Your circus and your monkey... Bullberry made beautiful wood. They will be missed. I like Pachmyer forearms and grips on TCs that I'm doing much more with than just looking at.
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Post by potatojudge on Jan 5, 2020 10:37:06 GMT -5
Personally I just don't like the Contender/Encore based rifle. Love them as a pistol but they just seem unwieldy as a rifle. That said.. Your circus and your monkey... Bullberry made beautiful wood. They will be missed. I like Pachmyer forearms and grips on TCs that I'm doing much more with than just looking at. I think a full length barrel Encore rifle is a different beast than a short barreled Contender. Stock and scope make big difference in weight also. My Contender carbine with a 16 inch 7-30 barrel, factory synthetic stock, and Leupold 3-9 is IIRC 4.5 lbs and almost as short as you can legally go. It's the opposite of unwieldy. My 16 inch 357 max carbine with a rollover comb dense walnut stock and big Zeiss, you could argue that's unbalanced as a weight/size arrangement and feels unwieldy. However you decide to spec out your rifles or handguns, getting them to feel right to you is what's important. |
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Post by Encore64 on Jan 5, 2020 10:45:34 GMT -5
Encore, when you had your barrel built did you specify a tapered barrel? On their build page it has the options of full bull, factory contour, and carbine. The carbine option is a no go due to caliber size alone I think. Do you have a picture of your setup? My barrel was ordered when you could request a specific muzzle diameter. Mine is .700" which gives a barrel thickness of just shy of .200". Love the Contender Carbines for many reasons. Mine start at 17 Ackley Hornet and top out at (2) 50-70 Govt. |
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scotth
.30 Stingray
Posts: 214 
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Post by scotth on Feb 12, 2021 11:27:14 GMT -5
MGM built my TC Carbine Barrel in 327 Federal. It's a tapered 22" and they use the .311" bore stock. Factory 100 grn runs 2062 fps with great accuracy. Think you'd be very happy with something like this. if you could go back and do it again would you change anything on this 327 barrel build. thinking about ordering a 327 contender barrel from mgm. |
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Post by Encore64 on Feb 12, 2021 11:35:22 GMT -5
I would not. Some people prefer shorter barrels, but I prefer the muzzle blast farther from my ears.
I chose to have the barrel tapered for lighter weight.
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Post by magnumwheelman on Feb 12, 2021 12:12:32 GMT -5
This is my favorite stock configuration... while the camo laminate may not be for everyone, they are available in walnut as well...  same stock on my .410 / 45 Colt barrel... I can shoot this with the carbine length lighter weight barrels with one hand like a handgun, or shoulder up... with the .410 barrel I often pop rabbits on the run, shooting one handed, yet can get down to serious business like in the 1st picture with a 16" barrel or longer...  |
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scotth
.30 Stingray
Posts: 214
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Post by scotth on Feb 12, 2021 13:39:15 GMT -5
i was thinking 24 inch but really like the 21 inch also. so now i am thinking split the difference. 22 inch barrel on a .311 bore with a medium contour.
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scotth
.30 Stingray
Posts: 214
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Post by scotth on Feb 12, 2021 13:42:56 GMT -5
i really like the camo laminate but i was thinking the plastic stock would be lighter and i all ready have one but really liking the wood option also.
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