TC Contender Receiver Build

[dave19113]

Jan 27, 2024 9:40:30 GMT -5 junebug said:

Depending on what you want to do with the barrel and how far you want to do it at. The 10 in handles better and carry's better, the 14 inch gets you more velocity and a longer sight radius. If you want to do longer ranges then don't overlook the bottle neck cases like 30-30, 7-30 waters 300 Blackout etc. The sweet thing about Contenders is you tailor the barrel length and caliber to the job you want to do. Its not a one trick pony!

Sorry, I forgot to list what I was doing with it.

I live in Va, so its eastern woods hunting. A long shot is 100 yards but probably 90% of the deer I shoot get killed in the 30-60 yard range.

I was going to scope it with a low power optic. I still have a few Leupold 2x and 2.5x in storage so I planned on putting them to good use

[dave19113]

Jan 27, 2024 9:50:09 GMT -5 edk said:

Jan 27, 2024 9:40:30 GMT -5 junebug said:

Depending on what you want to do with the barrel and how far you want to do it at. The 10 in handles better and carry's better, the 14 inch gets you more velocity and a longer sight radius. If you want to do longer ranges then don't overlook the bottle neck cases like 30-30, 7-30 waters 300 Blackout etc. The sweet thing about Contenders is you tailor the barrel length and caliber to the job you want to do. Its not a one trick pony!

Oh, oh! Now your getting our friend into "there's no such thing as one" barrel territory.

Yes, Im trying to keep my horse blinders on and focus on one caliber set up but there are still such a large amount of selections. It makes it really tempting

I have an encore rifle and played the game with the multi barrels. I still have quite a few laying around just because I loved the configuration so much. I always figured getting frames would be be easy; bad decision on my part.

[brant]

You can do a lot with a 10 -12” 45 colt or 44 magnum with a 2x scope!

I have a new unused g2 frame and a new unused 2x scope that are begging to get in the game right now. I can’t make my mind up on what to buy for a barrel.

[dave19113]

Jan 27, 2024 11:24:46 GMT -5 brant said:

You can do a lot with a 10 -12” 45 colt or 44 magnum with a 2x scope!

I have a new unused g2 frame and a new unused 2x scope that are begging to get in the game right now. I can’t make my mind up on what to buy for a barrel.

Yes, I felt the same way. 

Its such a shame when you have a great build platform but dont do anything with it.

[brant]

Among my barrels are a 44 magnum and 41 magnum, both 14”. FOR ME, I would prefer them to be 10”. But, I did make an 80 yard shot on a crow with that 44 magnum with a 2x leupold. I have since added a 14” 17hmr barrel with a 2-6x scope that does that type of work for me with nary a hiccup. I think I actually have 3 g2 frames left without barrels. I do have plans for each though. It will only take a little time and a bit more money. The planning is part of the fun!

[pacecars]

My first Contender was a 14” .41 Magnum that I put a Leupold 2x scope on it. My first victim was a Fox Squirrel at 125 yds with a 210 gr cast bullet. The .45 or .44 is an excellent choice also

[rleprechaun]

I have 5 contender frames and 10 Contender barrels. 12" 45 Colt. If you want a bottle neck to hunt deer with get a 30-30, send to Gary reeder, have him rechamber to 30 GNR. Fire form with cheap 30-30 factory load. Loda after fire forming with 150 gr. bullets.

[rleprechaun]

45 Colt Contender load, Hornady 300gr. Mag, 22.0gr. 296, Starline case, cci lpm primer.

[junebug]

Most people will find the 10 inch barrel much easier to carry and shoot offhand. It just balances much better than the 14 inch.
A 10 inch .45 Colt,[my favorite],41 mag, 44 mag,357 max all would work very well for whatever you want to do with them. Don't forget to add a 10 in .22 to the mix for cheap practice and smaller varmints. Open sight's if you can still see them or a small red dot like the Vortex venom or it equivalent so as not to change the balance of the gun.

[bigbore5]

My two dedicated woods Contenders for the Carolina woods are a 12" 357max and a 10" 30 Herrett. Have been for nearly 40 years and I don't think it'll change, but I do like my old 300 whisper and 7×30 if it's a little more open.

If I am working on a field or longer right of way, it's the 7×30 or 6.5JDJ in 14".

[blackmamba]

Encore 10" bull barrel in 44 magnum by Bullberry. Tight chamber and bore makes a great shooter. A 12" barrel in 375 Winchester would be nice for a little more range.

[magnumwheelman]

I also hunt with a 10" 45 Colt

[contender]

For the OP.

As you can see by my handle,, I'm a Contender fan. Have been for decades. Since you've mentioned the areas you plan to use it,, (eastern woods, where I'm also at,) and already have .44 & .45 stuff,, to simplify things, start there.
A 10" in .45 Colt is a very, very good choice, and should be just fine for your purposes.

I have been a long time fan of my 7x30 Waters around here for most of my deer hunting. I have used a few other guns & calibers for deer,, but since my primary purpose is to get meat for the family,, I do something not many will do. But the Contender in 7x30 Waters can do. I make neck shots only. It's a very accurate caliber, and since I have it scoped,, with my load,, it's like a laser. I will pass on shots that I feel aren't optimal for this. A neck shot is a small target. But it's an instant kill, and ruins zero meat. DRT.

But in general,, with your info,, I'd opt for the .45 Colt. To me,, that caliber in a Contender is extremely versatile, and deadly. It seems the .45 Colt has a wider selection of bullets for it,, especially cast ones. I cast,, and powder coat,,, and the .45 has a very solid, well proven track record.

[dave19113]

Jan 30, 2024 10:47:01 GMT -5 contender said:

For the OP.

As you can see by my handle,, I'm a Contender fan. Have been for decades. Since you've mentioned the areas you plan to use it,, (eastern woods, where I'm also at,) and already have .44 & .45 stuff,, to simplify things, start there.
A 10" in .45 Colt is a very, very good choice, and should be just fine for your purposes.

I have been a long time fan of my 7x30 Waters around here for most of my deer hunting. I have used a few other guns & calibers for deer,, but since my primary purpose is to get meat for the family,, I do something not many will do. But the Contender in 7x30 Waters can do. I make neck shots only. It's a very accurate caliber, and since I have it scoped,, with my load,, it's like a laser. I will pass on shots that I feel aren't optimal for this. A neck shot is a small target. But it's an instant kill, and ruins zero meat. DRT.

But in general,, with your info,, I'd opt for the .45 Colt. To me,, that caliber in a Contender is extremely versatile, and deadly. It seems the .45 Colt has a wider selection of bullets for it,, especially cast ones. I cast,, and powder coat,,, and the .45 has a very solid, well proven track record.

Much thanks for the reply and thank you to everyone who gave some great ideas on builds.


I ended up going with the 10" 45 colt from SSK. It was a hard choice between them and MGM.

SSK was a little more cost friendly and has a great reputation. I looked into Bullberry as I had a 20 inch 22 hornet barrel from them many years ago. It looks like they are going through a transition as now they are call Bullberry Legacy. From what the website says it looks like they just got up and running. Maybe changing ownership

www.bullberrylegacy.com/

As for the barrel; it looks like it will be a 12 week turnaround. It gives me plenty of time to get some loads set up as well as catch up and powder coating.

[majorKAP]

7-30 Waters is correct. Let's stick with that. 7x30 = 210 is also correct.