T/C Contender

T

twoinchgroup52

New member
A close friend of mine wants to get a Thompson Center Contender. I have no experience with this gun. Perhaps someone out there can answer these questions and make me look good.
1--Is this primarily a hunting handgun or can it be used effectivley for target shooting also??? 2--Would a varmint caliber like 223 be suitable for target shooting??
3--I believe that the barrels are interchangeable, are they, and if so, what would the cost be? Thanks, Twoinchgroup52.
 
1 = both
2 = yes
3 = correct @~$200 - YMMV

Some are unbelievably accurate. Depends on bbl & caliber & sigting equipment. I've a Shilen match bbl in .309 JDJ (approx .308WIN ballistics). Shot a 3X 200yd group that measured .64" (once)... & normally get ~3" at 300yds & 1/2" at 100 are not uncommon.

.223 folks shoot some oustanding groups. Know of one guy who has a straight 36X scope on his for targets exclusively & yes, it shoots.

Bbls are interchangable between specific model frames. There are many bbls made by a boatload of various companies besides TC. & lots of "experiemental catridges" some of which have gone pretty mainstream.

Bullberry & JDJ are among some of the bigger "experiementers." & both turn out some pretty nifty stuff.

The "new" Contender is the Encore - a bit beefier Contender which takes a bunch of off-the-shelf standard catridges like .308, 30-06, etc. Never shot one myself.
 
labgrade is correct. The T/C's can be tack drivers. I'm lucky enough to have own one that is.

Midway stocks barrels as do others. I had some bad dealings with Bullberry with a .223 barrel.

If you reload and want to walk on the wild side, give JD Jones a call at SSK - 740.264.0176
His JDJ calibers are excellent, most are based on the .225 Winchester case. I've been using the .257 JDJ for about 6 years now, taken at least 1 whitetail every year, with 1 shot.

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BKs Pistol Pages
 
I also have a few Contender barrels, mostly in wildcat calibers that I have rechambered from std. barrels. Most noteable is my 358/444 wildcat. What a sweetheart! I want to rechamber a 375 Win to my 375/444 next, then on to a 30/444. I have a 44 to 444 barrel with one of my brakes on the muzzle that is a real hoot.
Kurt V. Wala
Kurt's Kustom Firearms www.kurtkustom.qpg.com
 
Many moons ago, I used to shoot a T/C in the "Production Class" events in IHMSA steel silhouette competitions.

The 10" bull barrel in 7mm TC/U (the 7mm TC/U is a .223 case necked up to 7mm) that I still have prints 5 shots inside 1 inch at 50 yds. Please note that this is with the stock iron sights, not scoped.

Took plenty of trophies with that frame-barrel combo. Saw lots of other guys who used similar setups to clean down rows of steel targets do the same. The TC will shoot allright. All calibers. Like any other gun, you just have to experiment until you find the load they like.

In general, plenty accurate for me, and a real BALL of fun as well.......

Swampy
 
The TC is the cat's meow buddy.
And the 7mm TCU is a wonderful caliber. I have taken several deer and antelope with this combo. My 14" 7TCU would shoot 5/8" at 100. My 12" .223 would shoot 1/2" and my 12" .45-70 would shoot 1 1/2".
I have also owned and shot the .30 Carbine, .357, .44, .22 and .22 mag. All were tackdrivers and shot better than many off-the-shelf rifles.

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Desertscout
desertscout@hotmail.com

"The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference -- they deserve a place of honor with all that is good."
--George Washington
 
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