Added a "big boomer" to my 'Tender barrels!

C

Cheapshooter

New member
SSK 10" 45-70! This one should be a lot of fun.....For a little while!!!:eek:
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Very nice. I just bought 45/70 barrel from T/C and I'm waiting for a smith to drill the front sight for me. Let me know how yours shoots. What are you planning on firing for a load? I bought some Rem 300grain
 
Very nice. I just bought 45/70 barrel from T/C and I'm waiting for a smith to drill the front sight for me. Let me know how yours shoots. What are you planning on firing for a load? I bought some Rem 300grain
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Thanks. I have some 300 gr.JHP loads from a local loader that are suposed to be good in the 'tender. Eventually I'll get my loading bench back up and running, then work up my own loads for it.

I have a boomer also, 375JDJ and it is a really good handgun for anything like the 45-70.
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That one is on my wish list also. When I bought it it came with Super 14 35 Remington & 14" 22 LR match barrels. Since I've added a 14" 223, and now the 45-70. Next on the list in another small caliber. A 22 Hornet.
 
Wow! The muzzle flash on that thing ought to be impressive!

I have a 15" Pro Hunter in 7mm-08 that behaves any awful lot like a hot 44mag.

That thing of yours is like.... I don't know what. A firing breathing dragon, I guess.:eek::D
 
Wow! The muzzle flash on that thing ought to be impressive!

I have a 15" Pro Hunter in 7mm-08 that behaves any awful lot like a hot 44mag.

That thing of yours is like.... I don't know what. A firing breathing dragon, I guess.
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I'm pretty busy for the next week and a half. Hope to get this monster to the range ASAP to see what it's like. My scoped 35 Remington Super 14 barrel is a real handful, I can't wait to touch this thing off....I think.:eek:


How will you conceal it?
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I'm 6'4'' 300#.....Anywhere I want to!:D
 
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I knew some folks up in your neck of the woods that were trading a 6 or 8 inch 45-70 back and forth. Loading Trailboss IIRC. Recoil wasn't bad but it was impressive to shoot.
 
I have one of the 14" ported barrels....

Fun to shoot, recoil is...energetic.

Becareful with the loads. The Contender should be held to class I(blackpowder velocity/pressure) loads until/unless careful reloading practices show you can safely increase things a bit (should you so desire).

My current favorite load is a 400gr cast over the old Lyman manual's factory duplication load. Very authoratative and ...stout in the hand. Due to the porting and heavy barrel (and length) muzzle jump is considerably less than my 10" unported light wt octagon .44 Mag barrel!:eek:
 
Those oct 44's will grab your attention right quick. Dad had one bored out to a 444 marlin that he used to kill downed elk. Without a doubt the most brutal, nasty, hellspawned handgun I've ever made the mistake of firing. Sure was fun :D.
 
Had one of those LIGHT WT OCTAGONAL 44 MAG.Back in the 1970'S .Blew a set of buelher rings off the base .sheared the rear screws off ,the forend was the snap on back then .IT WAS FUN :D
 
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Becareful with the loads. The Contender should be held to class I(blackpowder velocity/pressure) loads until/unless careful reloading practices show you can safely increase things a bit (should you so desire).
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So what do you think of 300 Gr. JHP loads advertised as "safe for 1886"?
Or is there a factory load you would suggest to try in it until I get my loading bench back up and running. (Darn basement remodle!!!:()
 
What the hell is a "Tender"? Whatever it is, it bears a striking resemblance to a Thompson Center Encore.
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Thompson/Center Contender. Mine is a G2(later version) I bought it used with a Super 14 (14") 35 Remington barrel, 14" 22 long rifle Match barrel, and Burris 1.5-4 scope. I've since added a couple scopes, a 14" 223 barrel, and now the 10" 45-70.
 
What are you planning on firing for a load? I bought some Rem 300grain
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Ouch. I've fired those out of my Super 16 Contender. They hurt like hell. My hand was numb after just a few rounds. Like closing your hand around a firecracker. Maybe mine's worse since it's tapered-it's kinda like a thin pipe at the muzzle. I would recommend PAST shooting gloves.
 
So what do you think of 300 Gr. JHP loads advertised as "safe for 1886"?
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According to my old loading manuals, loads for the 1886 average 200 to 400fps (max) more than those for the Trapdoor Springfield. While these are most likely still safe in the Contender, it could be they cross the max safe load for your particular gun.

Contenders are good strong guns, but they are not bank vaults. If the load is too hot, the gun could unlock on firing (I have had this happen, without any other trouble, but it is kind of scary), and case extraction can be very difficult.

One thing about the Contender, you don't have to hang on to it to "maintain a firing grip for followup shots". All you have to do is hang on well enough not to drop the gun, or let it hit you in the head!

I have seen under-experienced shooters get wacked in the head by my Contender, shooting 400gr "factory duplication" loads (1300fps from a 22". not sure what they were actually doing from the Contender's 14"). And, this happened AFTER they had watched me shoot the gun, including shooting it one handed! Wrists locked well enough, but no thought given to locking their elbows!:D:eek:

While it can be managed, one needs some practice to do it well. The Contender in .45-70 is no slouch in the recoil dept. I use the Pachmyr grips, as they work a little better for me than hard plastic or wood.
 
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