stinkeypete
New member
^^^ what he said. We have a very diverse sport. It used to be that accuracy was the holy grail.
Bolt action hand guns. WHY?
- Thread starter 2wheelwander
- Start date
Accuracy is where the bolt action pistol, or even the Contender really shines.
The other area it shines in is being able to shoot cartridges that revolvers and service class semi autos cannot.
bottle necked cases are no big deal in the single shot, but those with sharp shoulders rarely work well in revolvers and service class semi autos are severely limited in the size of the rounds then can use.
There are even single shot pistols that can handle the big belted magnum rifle rounds, and while there is a measurable performance increase, I consider the waste of powder and power to offset the gain. And, that's not even considering the increased recoil.
Single shot pistols have a place, they are a specialty tool, very good at what they do, and I find them to be a lot of fun, as well. They aren't made to do everything, they're made to do one thing, REALLY well.
The ones I have, do.
The other area it shines in is being able to shoot cartridges that revolvers and service class semi autos cannot.
bottle necked cases are no big deal in the single shot, but those with sharp shoulders rarely work well in revolvers and service class semi autos are severely limited in the size of the rounds then can use.
There are even single shot pistols that can handle the big belted magnum rifle rounds, and while there is a measurable performance increase, I consider the waste of powder and power to offset the gain. And, that's not even considering the increased recoil.
Single shot pistols have a place, they are a specialty tool, very good at what they do, and I find them to be a lot of fun, as well. They aren't made to do everything, they're made to do one thing, REALLY well.
The ones I have, do.
I believe it was Townsend Whelen who said "Only accurate rifles are interesting"
I have very little interest in truly inaccurate firearms.
But between the competitive benchrest rifles and Brown Bess Muskets are a lot of interesting firearms that are perfectly adequate at doing their job.
Unless their job is winning bench rest competitions.
While its always risky to draw a subjective line in the sand,John Plaster suggested (in his book "The Ultimate Sniper") That a rifle that delivers a consistent 3/4 MOA performance or better is adequate for a serious sniper rifle.
He then goes on to explain very few shooters are capable of matching their rifles for performance in the field.
Accuracy is an admirable pursuit, but a pre-ar Win M-70 30-06 that shoots 2.5 MOA is still a thing of wonder and beauty.
The 250 yd clean kill is no less interesting when enjoying seared backstraps on the plate.
There comes a point where "More accurate" is satisfying on its own, but as a practical matter, is largely ego.
Yes,its cool to have a rifle that usually delivers 0.4 MOA at 100 yds! Wonderful!
But a 2 MOA at 100 yd rifle misses the point of aim by a maximum of 1 inch,and its usually closer.
How many of us can hold better than that without a bench?
If I am a 3 MOA shooter, it doesn't matter much whether I have a 0.5 MOA gun or a 1 MOA gun.( The difference is 1/4 in at 100 yds)
That might matter at a benchrest match or a general bragging session (among fishermen) but many a family has been fed by a person with an heirloom Win 94 or a Bubba Custom SMLE that nobody wasted the ammo to figure out what it would group.
I have very little interest in truly inaccurate firearms.
But between the competitive benchrest rifles and Brown Bess Muskets are a lot of interesting firearms that are perfectly adequate at doing their job.
Unless their job is winning bench rest competitions.
While its always risky to draw a subjective line in the sand,John Plaster suggested (in his book "The Ultimate Sniper") That a rifle that delivers a consistent 3/4 MOA performance or better is adequate for a serious sniper rifle.
He then goes on to explain very few shooters are capable of matching their rifles for performance in the field.
Accuracy is an admirable pursuit, but a pre-ar Win M-70 30-06 that shoots 2.5 MOA is still a thing of wonder and beauty.
The 250 yd clean kill is no less interesting when enjoying seared backstraps on the plate.
There comes a point where "More accurate" is satisfying on its own, but as a practical matter, is largely ego.
Yes,its cool to have a rifle that usually delivers 0.4 MOA at 100 yds! Wonderful!
But a 2 MOA at 100 yd rifle misses the point of aim by a maximum of 1 inch,and its usually closer.
How many of us can hold better than that without a bench?
If I am a 3 MOA shooter, it doesn't matter much whether I have a 0.5 MOA gun or a 1 MOA gun.( The difference is 1/4 in at 100 yds)
That might matter at a benchrest match or a general bragging session (among fishermen) but many a family has been fed by a person with an heirloom Win 94 or a Bubba Custom SMLE that nobody wasted the ammo to figure out what it would group.
Last edited:
stagpanther
New member
Truth in what you say; it just depends what the shooter is "into." I see the pre-season rifle crowd show up where I shoot two weeks before deer season every year and generally they shoot rifles that very likely they've rarely if ever cleaned and usually they call it good if they can put 3 to 5 shots at 5" or less on a paper plate at 100 yds. Not my thing--but they generally fill their tags.
I have been shooting Contenders for over 30 years. I currently have barrels in 22LR, 223. 6.5x30JDJ, 35 BullBerry, and 357 Maximum. I am a handgun hunter.
The last few years I have added Bolt Action Handguns to the mix. I have a 6.5 CM Nosler M48, as well as an M48 in 22 Nosler. For practice I have an XP100 in 22LR. They all shoot very well. My 6.5CM M48 will shoot with most Deer Rifles all the way to 600 Yards off the bench. (Bipod with a Rear Squeeze Bag) I have a Log Book with Drop Corrections all the way to 600 yards in 25 yard increments. I have Brakes on all of my Ho Power Barrels. A Brake makes them much more pleasant to shoot. Shooting Single Shot Handguns will grow on you if you let it. I also get pleasure from out shooting rifles at the range.
Bob R
The last few years I have added Bolt Action Handguns to the mix. I have a 6.5 CM Nosler M48, as well as an M48 in 22 Nosler. For practice I have an XP100 in 22LR. They all shoot very well. My 6.5CM M48 will shoot with most Deer Rifles all the way to 600 Yards off the bench. (Bipod with a Rear Squeeze Bag) I have a Log Book with Drop Corrections all the way to 600 yards in 25 yard increments. I have Brakes on all of my Ho Power Barrels. A Brake makes them much more pleasant to shoot. Shooting Single Shot Handguns will grow on you if you let it. I also get pleasure from out shooting rifles at the range.
Bob R
I love handgun hunting. IMO, to get out beyond normal handgun range(100 yds), you need a longer action than a revolver or semi auto can do.
I find I want to step up to something in the range of a BR - 444 Marlin case, 6.5-30 cal bullets, running about 2100 - 2800 fps.
I shoot mostly flanged cases and don’t really want a 500yd elk cannon. I’m ok at 40-50000 psi. The original contender does what I need. That said, if I wanted to run a BR case, 308 case or get more accuracy, I would definitely go bolt action.
I want to carry in a holster, so Contender 14 is a better fit.
I have a 375 JDJ, 30 Herrett, 7-30 Waters and a 17 hmr. Covers my needs well.
I find I want to step up to something in the range of a BR - 444 Marlin case, 6.5-30 cal bullets, running about 2100 - 2800 fps.
I shoot mostly flanged cases and don’t really want a 500yd elk cannon. I’m ok at 40-50000 psi. The original contender does what I need. That said, if I wanted to run a BR case, 308 case or get more accuracy, I would definitely go bolt action.
I want to carry in a holster, so Contender 14 is a better fit.
I have a 375 JDJ, 30 Herrett, 7-30 Waters and a 17 hmr. Covers my needs well.
The Verminator
Moderator
The problem solved was one of improving accuracy and increasing power.
That was easy.
As noted, power, range and sometimes accuracy are the main advantage’s.
I had a Savage bolt action pistol in 243 that actually held 2 rounds in an internal magazine. I think it weighed as much as my 20” bbl M94 30-30, I didn’t keep it it for long.
I do really like Contenders though.
I had a Savage bolt action pistol in 243 that actually held 2 rounds in an internal magazine. I think it weighed as much as my 20” bbl M94 30-30, I didn’t keep it it for long.
I do really like Contenders though.
I did a little looking and the bolt action pistols from other makers (Savage, Weatherby, etc) all came out with the Metallic Silhouette Shooting in mind.
The Remington XP-100 was introduced about a decade before that, (1963) in .221 Fireball , I believe primarily, as a technology demonstrator.
When dropping the rams became the game, the XP-100 was there, ready and able to handle larger, more potent cartridges.
The Remington XP-100 was introduced about a decade before that, (1963) in .221 Fireball , I believe primarily, as a technology demonstrator.
When dropping the rams became the game, the XP-100 was there, ready and able to handle larger, more potent cartridges.