Wanting a new 6.5" Contender barrel. Which caliber?

[GARD72977]

I'm more or less just thinking out loud here. I decided its time to buy a new contender barrel. I'm wanting something to shoot offhand @ 50yds so power is not a concern.

Narrowed it down to 32 SW long, 38 spl 10mm 44 spl or 45 ACP (cut with rim and two extractors so I can use ACP or Auto rim.)

They all appeal to me. Just want something different I think a 32acp or 38 super would be neat with its simi rim but no one chambers it.

I'm going to machine a weaver mount down and run reflex sight like a vortex venom.

I'm more of a cartridge nerd so some of the odd chamberings interest me.

[Leadmelter]

Try a 22 hornet or a 32 20 barrel. Mild recoil.
Leadmelter
MI

[Preacher Jim]

6.5" barrel I would do 44 spc accuracy great, your dual 45 acp or auto rim is interesting

[GARD72977]

This will be a cast boolit it shooter. Been doing some research and the 32sw long may struggle at 50yds unless great care is taken with the powder charge.

I'm leaning toward the 44 spl. Its oddball for contender and the powder charge would be more forgiving.

50yds is not a deal breaker. 25yd would be fine. I just want to shoot it when I take my 22lr silhouette gun to the 25/50yd range. Been looking at short wadcutter molds in odd calibers. 65gr waddcutter in a 380 would be so far in left field that its interesting! May not hit paper st 25yds though.

I'm wanting a small straight wall cartridge with mild case capacity. I guess common sense would be 38spl throated for wadcutter or a standard 44 spl

[MT Gianni]

32 h&r.

[Groo]

Groo here
Get a 327 mag.
You can shoot 327,32 H&R ,32 long, 32 short AND 32acp!!!!
Also , with a 6 in barrel you will get many FPS over factory spec!!

[LUCKYDAWG13]

why not a 41 mag

[JimB..]

38 spec, and thread the barrel while you’re at it.

[GARD72977]

Groo here
Get a 327 mag.
You can shoot 327,32 H&R ,32 long, 32 short AND 32acp!!!!
Also , with a 6 in barrel you will get many FPS over factory spec!!

This is why I want a custom barrel. I would never shoot a 38 in a 357 or any of the short 32's in a 327. I'm looking for a very accurate barrel and throated for the bullet I want to shoot.

No offense meant to you Groo.

41 mag is too much capacity for bore for my needs. In wanting to send a cast boolit it 750-850fps. I'm really considering having the barrel chambered for a wadcutter. I'm guessing it would shoot SWC as well.

It really comes down to distance and size of hole in target. 32 and 38 with right twist will be accurate @ 50yds. 44 special wadcutter my be a 25yd gun because short wadcutter bullets would have to be used but the huge hole in the target would be awsome.

I'm kind of leaning toward wad cutters for the clean holes the make in paper. This is just going to be a range gun any way.

[arlon]

For practicality, I'd guess the 38 special would be a great choice and save lead/powder. I like the 32 long too but I guess if I was going to spend the money and wanted something slightly different maybe a .41 Special (wouldn't hurt that I have 9 .41 moulds including a wadcutter). (-:}

[NoZombies]

I've shot my 10" contender .32 S&W long out to 100 yards without issue, same with numerous .32 long revolvers.

[GARD72977]

I decided a 44spl will suit my needs well. I'm going to have it throated for WC and SWC. I may try a WC on the light side for 25yds. A good SWC should hold accuracy to 50yds and beyond.

Have to work a little overtime. I have been buying too much!

[Preacher Jim]

Gard you will not be sorry my 6 1/2" 44spc breaks clay birds on 100 yard burm

[GARD72977]

Got side tracked on this goal. I bought a 10" 7tcu barrel in the swapping and selling section. It was a deal I couldn't pass up. I also bought a burris scope for it on another sight. I may use the sights from the 7tcu on the 6.5" bbl . it would save a couple hundred dollars!

Now I have another caliber I don't have time to load for. I'm thinking That teaching my woman to reload would be a good idea!

[TCLouis]

Ya gonna shoot cast out of the 7mm TCU?
If so the Soupcan GB mold or the Lee work pretty well with Junior1942's load of WC820 (N).
Think his web site is still up

[GARD72977]

Ya gonna shoot cast out of the 7mm TCU?
If so the Soupcan GB mold or the Lee work pretty well with Junior1942's load of WC820 (N).
Think his web site is still up

I shoot cast out of everything! (almost) I have a nice 140gr ballisticast mold. it's PB so can't push it too hard.

[TCLouis]

Junior1942's load may exceed the velocity of that PB boolit, but I always actually try something with cast boolit loads before I make any claims whether it will work or not.

[Marlin356]

If you're thinking of a 44 Spec, 44 Mag barrels are available and can be downloaded to 44 spec.