Inline FabricationTitan ReloadingRepackboxLoad Data
Reloading EverythingRotoMetals2Snyders JerkyMidSouth Shooters Supply
Wideners Lee Precision
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 21

Thread: Question on the octagon barrel

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy Wildwood-Lake's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    KC_Missouri
    Posts
    128

    Question on the contender octagon barrel

    Does the old contender octagon barrel fit on a 1979 contender. And is this barrel any good or should I wait and find a round barrel. I found a 357 mag. barrel 10" for a good price but I was looking for a 357 Maximum 14" tc barrel.
    Last edited by Wildwood-Lake; 08-20-2011 at 10:28 PM.
    When you have shot one bird flying you have shot all birds flying. They are all different and they fly in different ways but the sensation is the same and the last one is as good as the first.
    -- Ernest Hemingway

  2. #2
    Boolit Grand Master


    stubshaft's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Southernmost State of the Union
    Posts
    5,884
    Depends on how old it is. If it is one of the very early ones with the solid bolt and NO relief on the bottom of the lugs it will not fit.
    Old enough to know better, young enough to do it anyway!

    Men who don't understand women fall into two categories: bachelors and husbands!

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Quilcene, Washington
    Posts
    3,674
    I have a couple octagon barrels and they fit all of my frames that vary in ages from the early 70's through the early 90's.

  4. #4
    Boolit Buddy Wildwood-Lake's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    KC_Missouri
    Posts
    128

    old contender octagon barrel

    Here is the barrel in question. Looks like the bottom of the lug is flat.

    Click on the picture.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails octagon.jpg  
    Last edited by Wildwood-Lake; 08-21-2011 at 08:50 AM.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master

    LUCKYDAWG13's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Northern Illinois
    Posts
    3,386
    it should fit octagon barrels are thin i like the round barrels myself
    but if the price is right get it
    kids that hunt and fish dont mug old ladies

  6. #6
    Boolit Buddy Wildwood-Lake's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    KC_Missouri
    Posts
    128
    I'm going to let it go and wait till i find a round barrel. Thanks for the information.

  7. #7
    Boolit Grand Master

    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Phoenix, Arizona
    Posts
    6,213
    The 14" barrels tend to be more accurate than the 10" round. In my experience the octogans are the least accurate generally.

    You haven't lived until you have fired a heavy load in an oct. 10" 44 mag.

    In the light caliiber (22, 38) they are handy to carry and work well.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master

    LUCKYDAWG13's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Northern Illinois
    Posts
    3,386
    [QUOTE=leadman;1371869]The 14" barrels tend to be more accurate than the 10" round. In my experience the octogans are the least accurate generally.

    You haven't lived until you have fired a heavy load in an oct. 10" 44 mag.

    kids that hunt and fish dont mug old ladies

  9. #9
    Boolit Master


    David2011's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Baytown Texas
    Posts
    4,106
    The Super 14 in .44 Mag is an eye-opener, too- after the flinch is over.

    David
    Sometimes life taps you on the shoulder and reminds you it's a one way street. Jim Morris

  10. #10
    Boolit Master Dan Cash's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Western North Dakota
    Posts
    3,328
    Once upon a time, I too had a 10 inch Contender: .30-30.

    I had had bunion surgery on my right foot about 4 days before I got the gun. All in a lather to shoot this thing, my friend and I retired to our shooting range, set up a target and got out the Contender and a box of Remington 170gr. Core-Locked. My buddy helped me hobble to a firing position where I assumed the Creedmoor position. I took care to ensure that my heavily bandaged and padded right foot was clear of the line of fire but that was probably a waste of effort.

    I took aim and pressed the wonderful trigger. The hold and follow through was steady as I saw the target and sight picture clearly illuminated in the ball of fire that erupted from the snout of this race gun. I also saw a lot of cotton wadding and bits of cloth fly before I closed my eyes in agony and let forth a chilling scream. My partner thought I had shot my self and so did I for just a moment. I had no holes but the muzzle blast blew some of the cotton padding and gauze bandage away from my freshly carved great toe of my right foot.

    That target was center punched but I never hit much afterward with that flinch maker. Uff Dah!

  11. #11
    Boolit Master HORNET's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South of Vandalia, Michigan
    Posts
    1,397
    I think the old octagon .44 mag Hot-Shot barrel with the external choke is an interesting handful with stiff loads as well. Mine has ripped the lug for the forearm screw off the barrel 3 times...
    Rick
    ____________________________
    If it looks plumbous, I'll probably try making bullets out of it. Dean Grennell

  12. #12
    Boolit Grand Master Artful's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Valley of the SUNs, AZ
    Posts
    9,254
    Glad too see other appreciate the octagons - and that I'm not the only one to be left holding the forearm in one hand and the rest of the gun in the other.

  13. #13
    Boolit Mold ShootingLooney's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Posts
    15
    Depends on Personal Preference as much as anything else, to gegin with.
    I, for one, muchly prefer the LOOK of an Octagon barrel over a clunky, unbalanced, round version. But I do have several of them ugly round barrels, too.
    I have a Contender with a .45 ACP 10" Octagon that will shoot [off sanadbags, I ain't quite so steady nowadays... On a good day. With enough sleep. And no caffine in my system. ] 10 rounds inside 2" at 50 yards, open sights.
    I say, gofer' it!
    ShootingLooney

  14. #14
    Boolit Master at Heavens Range

    Junior1942's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Tullos, Louisiana
    Posts
    2,886
    My 10" oct barrel eye-opener came after I reamed my 357 mag out to seat a longer bullet in its crimping groove. A 190 gr cast bullet @ 1724 fps in a 2 lb 8.8 oz pistol was way too much for my right hand and wrist. I calmed it down to ~1400 fps, and it's still a handfull. It's why I always advise guys with handcannon fever to shoot one before they buy one. One shot might cure the fever.

    But IMO, a 10" T-C barrel, octagon or round, is way better for thicket hunting than a 14" round barrel. It's much easier to hold out at arm's length.

  15. #15
    Boolit Bub gemihur's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Ridgelines of Virginia
    Posts
    32
    In a 10" tube the Herrett does it better than the 30-30.
    The octagons are ok but the beef on the bulls helps to manage the shot after pulling the trigger.
    I agree that the 14's are most user friendly but that's a lot to tote around all day.
    Many of my super 14's wear a brake by David White that affords me to use them as a carbine then a sling assists their portage.

  16. #16
    Boolit Grand Master pietro's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    New England
    Posts
    5,272
    Quote Originally Posted by Dan Cash View Post
    Once upon a time, I too had a 10 inch Contender: .30-30.

    I had had bunion surgery on my right foot about 4 days before I got the gun. All in a lather to shoot this thing, my friend and I retired to our shooting range, set up a target and got out the Contender and a box of Remington 170gr. Core-Locked. My buddy helped me hobble to a firing position where I assumed the Creedmoor position. I took care to ensure that my heavily bandaged and padded right foot was clear of the line of fire but that was probably a waste of effort.

    I took aim and pressed the wonderful trigger. The hold and follow through was steady as I saw the target and sight picture clearly illuminated in the ball of fire that erupted from the snout of this race gun. I also saw a lot of cotton wadding and bits of cloth fly before I closed my eyes in agony and let forth a chilling scream. My partner thought I had shot my self and so did I for just a moment. I had no holes but the muzzle blast blew some of the cotton padding and gauze bandage away from my freshly carved great toe of my right foot.

    That target was center punched but I never hit much afterward with that flinch maker. Uff Dah!


    Regarding the early .30-30 Contenders, once upon a time (early 1970's, IIRC), I was cruising a New Hampshire gunshow, and came across a fella with a bloody patch on his forehead and carrying a new-looking .30-30 Contender, complete with a T/C leather shoulder holster.

    When I asked him if he wanted to sell it, and how much did he want, he told me $100, because he was anxious to get shut of it for hitting him in the head when he fired it.

    Soooooo, I bought the rig for $100 - then traded it (no cash difference) for an O/U shotgun while I was still walking around the show, about 30mins later.


    .

  17. #17
    Boolit Master

    TCLouis's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Middle TN
    Posts
    4,404
    My first Contender, Way back When, was the 10" octagon 44 mag with choke and the old style wood stock.

    Gadfry that thing could kick.

    14" 45-70 witn my milder loads is not even close.

    My 10" octagon 22 LR is the most accurate barrel I own, at least with some ammo that I have very little of and it is irreplaceable so 10 inchers can be accurate.

    I would hold out for a bull barrel or the 14" Max you really are seeking.
    Amendments
    The Second there to protect the First!

  18. #18
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    the south end of northern Virginia
    Posts
    1,129
    The T/C octagon barrels are good the only problem I ever have see with them is finding an octagon fore end to go with them. A friend of mine has an octagon .221 fireball and its his favorite barrel. If the price is right grab it you can always use it for trade material later if you don't like it.

  19. #19
    Boolit Master

    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    East Tn
    Posts
    3,785
    Just for the record this thread is from 2011 and I assume he has a barrel by now.
    Statistics show that criminals commit fewer crimes after they have been shot

  20. #20
    Boolit Master
    historicfirearms's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Petoskey, MI
    Posts
    1,379
    I have a 256 win octagon barrel that is scary accurate, probably the most accurate pistol I have ever had. I've also got a 10" round 30-30 and love that barrel too. I can't figure out why people don't like them. It's accurate and recoil with factory ammo isn't bad. The one octagon barrel that recoils hard is the 44 mag. Ouch! I also prefer the looks of the octagon barrels. The blueing and polish job on them is excellent.
    I was a dog on a short chain.
    Now there's no chain.
    Jim Harrison

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check