Contenders

[Echd]

I've really wanted one of these for a long time, but don't know much about them.

I know there are Contenders, G2 Contenders, and Encores. For me, honestly, the looks are a big part of the equation- I think the original Contender type, with the engraving on the side, looks beautiful, especially with those handfitting grips and the larger forends. The lines of the G2 and Encores just look unattractive to me. I also have heard the triggers on the original style are best, even though pressures it can tolerate are far, far lower.

I'm not recoil adverse and would like a medium or large rifle cartridge in the gun. I was thinking .30-30, 7-30, .35 Rem, or similar, but those are just ideas. Anything around that range that provides good accuracy and power out to 200y or so would be dandy, and I am not wed to any particular cartridge. It might be used for hunting but if so it will be close range deer (within 100y or so) and perhaps coyote. I have a surplus of 170gr soft point jwords in .30 that could go towards that, if there is a more potent .30 option than .30-30 out there.

Is balance far better with one of the 10" barrels, or is a 14 (one of the Super 14 barrels, maybe?) just that far superior? At the moment I am only looking to purchase one barrel.

Heading to the Greensboro Gun show this weekend and hoping to edumacate myself before I get there to know what to look for. Price is an object, but not unduly so.

[Knight Templar]

Yup I have a couple. The early grips were not good, down right painfull go for the finger groove ones. The later G 2 are stronger. The early ones have 2 major changes. First where the trigger guard hinges and second a split lock on the barrel. I prefer the hinge directly above the trigger and the split barrel lock. I put a sling stud in the metal plate on the bottom of the grip and push against a sling around my shoulder and neck. The caliber you pick will be somewhat determined by the laws where you hunt. I can recommend two, .22lr and .357H, if you reload but any are good. The light weight 10in can really kick.

[300 TC]

Any one of those would be a good choice, but you would need 14" barrel. 375 Win and 45-70 are also good choices.

[Echd]

I will admit to being very amused by the idea of a .45-70 contender, but I'm not sure how tolerable shooting more than a few with one would be. I guess I could just load them lightly.

I have a Buffalo Classic and do love the cartridge, though.

[Don McDowell]

I have a super 14 contender, about all I can tell you is the 35 rem barrel is not for the weak of hand. The 223 barrel is a pleasure to shoot.
I think the new G2 might be the better design as if you let the hammer down with out firing you don't have to break the barrel open to be able to recock the hammer. That's somewhat of a pain in the butt when in a hunting situation you decide to hold off firing, but don't want to have to wait with the hammer at full cock.

[d garfield]

I have had 30-30-35 rem and now I have a 223. The 223 will killdear out to 200 yrds with no problem, and recoil is not bad.

I shoot mine off of the bench,over a leather bag, have no problem shooting 1/4 size of clay pigeon at hundred.
One of he nices shooting toys I own. I shoot mostly 40 gr.v-max, hunting I shoot 60gr hp.Same load I shoot in my rifle.

Garf

[LUCKYDAWG13]

59377[ATTACH=CONFIG]59378[/
ATTACH]

get them both Tender has a 44mag
Encore 17" 308 full bull

[cylinderman]

I have two early contender frames, one is the original non easy open. Honestly I don't find it hard to open but is harder than the other. Original Contender has awesome trigger better than G2. I have a boat load of barrels. 7tcu, 256 win mag, 30/30, 30 herrett, 357 herrett, 44mag, 45lc, 222 rem and more. If you want power 357 Herrett is it. As far as distance and accuracy my 7tcu is hard to beat. As far as grip try both because I still prefer my herrett style grip I have had since 70s

[223Lorenzo]

I've been looking for a long time for another contender after I sold one a few years ago.Found a deal I could not pass up.Back in contender land.http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a127/223Larry/Image0083_zps7e3f09e7.jpg

[Leadmelter]

I have an orginal frame >50,000 that was upgraded by the factory. It is still a little hard to open. I bought a G2 frame because I went on a barrel buying binge and now have about 18. The G2 is very slick compare to the first frame. I am not sure of the status of the custom shop but I am loving the case harden frame.
I just checked and the shop appears to shut down for retooling?
Leadmelter
MI

[LUCKYDAWG13]

the custom shop is gone has been they wont reopen
the G2 line will be dropped too so i hear

[Ken B]

I have the 45/70 and 35Rem there both good shooters. Reload light and there a pleasure to shoot.

[45-70 Chevroner]

Looking back I have had a bunch of different calibers in Contender barrels. My favorite was the 35 remington, I don't know why I sold it. I guess I thought something else would be better. I shot that barrel with factory loads and a whole bunch of cast loads. It shot everything very well. My best groups were shot with a RCBS 35-200 gr. FP.

[uscra112]

I caught the Contender bug a year or two ago, but I'm recovered now.

IMHO the G1 with the true set trigger is the neatest, but also the weakest. Not up to anything past .357 Magnum in my book. It is magic with a Hornet barrel, when I can find a rest. Shoots better than many rifles. A good .22 rimfire barrel could be a treat. Ditto a .25-20, 218 Bee, .32-20. The .222 or .223 Remingtons, OK. Maybe even .357 Magnum.

Someday I will work up loads for my .30 Herrett barrel. Why do I have a .30 Herrett? I dunno, it was because it was cheap, I guess. They seem to be a glut on the market. (Watch people trying to sell them on Gunbroker.) I'm a sucker for homeless puppies, too. What I will use it for I can't imagine. I don't shoot silhouettes, it's too powerful for woodchucks, and much too anemic for deer. Coyotes, maybe?

I reamed a .38 barrel out to .357 Maximum for deer, and while it shoots well, I think it's pounding myy G1 frame too hard, and will eventually stretch it if I shoot it with full loads for anything more than fall sighting-in. I keep that barrel for deer season only.

The very idea of a .45-70 Contender Gen 1 or Gen 2 makes me cringe. I love the .35 Remington, but in my Marlin, thank you, not in a Gen 1 Contender, or even a Gen 2.

Here's why I say that: The single-barrel shotgun makers all abandoned the sliding underlug locking system about 1902, and they knew what they were about. You cannot find one of those today that hasn't been shot looser than the kingpins on my old '51 Dodge. Using big cartridges in any such action is child abuse. If you have to use big rifle cartridges, at least go for the Encore. Better yet, go for a real rifle action that can stand them.

The stock grips are absolute killers with anything that recoils. I dare you to ask me how I know. A Pachmeyr grip is far more comfortable and will make you a far better shooter. It did for me.

I for one cannot shoot the thing offhand at all. It has to have a rest. This has led me to buy another gun for garden defense. I need to be able to take offhand snap shots on chucks, and they just are not possible with the Contender.

I will keep my Contender only because I detest hunting deer with a shotgun, and I do not own a muzzle loader that shoots a big enough ball.

Phil

[357maximum]

7TCU easy to shoot, easy to load for, accurate, brass is cheap (well it used to be), and damn deer deadly. I recommend the 14inch pistol or the 21 inch carbine...the 10incher is handier but the 1oincher is better suited for something like ye ol 357mag.....that will kill deer at 100 all day long too......lots of options .......I want them all :lol: , but the 7TCU would be the last one to leave the safe.

[uscra112]

7TCU easy to shoot, easy to load for, accurate, brass is cheap (well it used to be), and damn deer deadly. I recommend the 14inch pistol or the 21 inch carbine...the 10incher is handier but the 1oincher is better suited for something like ye ol 357mag.....that will kill deer at 100 all day long too......lots of options .......I want them all :lol: , but the 7TCU would be the last one to leave the safe.

Good point. I should have generalized more by saying that the limit is anything with the powder capacity of the .223 case!

[bpratl]

What is the lightest cast bullet and load for a 14" 45-70, on a contender frame, for light recoil and plinking?

[Shooter]

What is the lightest cast bullet and load for a 14" 45-70, on a contender frame, for light recoil and plinking?

.457 round ball over 10 Gr. of Unique, pistol primer.

[bpratl]

.457 round ball over 10 Gr. of Unique, pistol primer.

Can I use 230 grain or 200 grain .452 45ACP bullets that I cast, in the 45-70 ?

[Echd]

Most .45-70s slug from .458-.461 and .45 ACP is normally .451-.452, so you may have some issues.

I appreciate all the advice, everyone.

[bpratl]

Most .45-70s slug from .458-.461 and .45 ACP is normally .451-.452, so you may have some issues.
I appreciate all the advice, everyone.

Thanks, I was hoping that it would be the same as I own a few contender barrels and I have been looking at a good deal on a very good used 45-70 barrrel with a muzzel brake. If I pick up the barrel I would slug it and purchase the correct mold. More brain food.

[kenyerian]

Love my contenders. my favorite barrel is the 22 hornet. very accurate and fun to hunt varments with. I hunt deer in Ohio with a 45 colt barrel and i have a 7 TCU for out of state trips. I like to squirrel hunt with my 22 mag barrel. I have two frames both G-1's. I've had a couple of encores and I just don't like them as well. However if you are going to shot more powerful calibers a encore is necessary to handle it. I'll probably get another encore one of these days but I'll keep my contenders. I've never shot a 45-70 but I'm sure it will do the job on a deer. Hmm. maybe I need another barrel.

[John Allen]

I have the 45/70 with a 16" barrel. The recoil is heavy but not earth shattering.



I will admit to being very amused by the idea of a .45-70 contender, but I'm not sure how tolerable shooting more than a few with one would be. I guess I could just load them lightly.

I have a Buffalo Classic and do love the cartridge, though.

[357maximum]

Good point. I should have generalized more by saying that the limit is anything with the powder capacity of the .223 case!

Just to be gin clear...I WAS NOT AGREEING WITH YOUR GENERALZATIONS.

The 30/30, 35ReM, 30,357 Herret all fit nicely into the Contender format...I shot them all and I like them all. My Dad has a contender 30herrett that has had thousands of full house jacketed rounds through it with no issues. If you are stretching frames on the contender you need another handloading lesson or two. I will say that the 357MAX loaded to it's potential does not belong in the contender frame, but if you keep the pressures down it is a good fit there too. I would not want a steady diet of my 357MAX encore loads in a contender but I load my MAX to it's potential. It all comes down to pressure.

[kbstenberg]

If the OP doesn't mind I have a newbie question.
Will all barrels be interchangeable between G1/ G2 and either rifle or pistol length barrels?
357 Maximum does a pistol length barrel in 7TCU attain almost the same velocity as a carbine barrel?

[45-70 Chevroner]

If the OP doesn't mind I have a newbie question.
Will all barrels be interchangeable between G1/ G2 and either rifle or pistol length barrels?
357 Maximum does a pistol length barrel in 7TCU attain almost the same velocity as a carbine barrel?
For the most part, "Yes". The first model had a solid one piece locking lug. The second third and forth models all use a split locking lug. If you happen to have a first model barrel with the solid one piece lug you can order a two piece from Thompson Center and probably won't cost you anything.

[rush1886]

For what it's worth, I'll throw in my 2-bits. I have both G1 nd G2 frames-prefer the G1. I've shot 10", 12" and 14" barrels, and for my hands, I prefer the 12" configuration. Currently have a 14" 22lr, 10" 357max, 12" 357max, and a 12" ported 375JDJ. Had a 45/70, sold it. Love the JDJ. In fact, made a one shot kill on a moose last fall. Working on a boolit load for it right now.

Again, my 2bits, with your parameters, I'd take a serious look at the 7-30 Waters, or, you'll have to do some scrounging but they're out there, a 30-30 Ackley Improved.

For my hands, Pachmayer grips are an absoute must.

Good Luck!

[gbrown]

I have 4 Contenders, 3 carbines and 1 pistol (Super 14) in 357 Herrett, 30/30 and .223. These are the original frames--earliest 1972 and latest is like 1984. Wouldn't trade or sell for much less than some needed medical procedure for family. Love them. I've owned as many as 7 at one time. I love to shoot them. Full power in .357 or .30 and reduced loads for the grandkids. My hunting rifle is the 30/30 carbine. Extremely accurate. If I found one cheap, would pick up another.

[357maximum]

If the OP doesn't mind I have a newbie question.
Will all barrels be interchangeable between G1/ G2 and either rifle or pistol length barrels?
357 Maximum does a pistol length barrel in 7TCU attain almost the same velocity as a carbine barrel?

G1 and G2 barrels/forends will interchange, grips/stocks will not. The G2 muzzleloader barrels will change between models with a very slight modification.

With my load of 26.0 grains H322 and the 7MM-THOR I was just over 1900 with the 10incher and 2512fps with the 21 incher....a substantial difference. The 10 incher was accurate but was alot louder and had a ton more muzzle pressure...aka BLAST. For a pistol I would recommend the 14inch 7TCU over the 10 incher anyday. That would only lose about 100- 150 fps or so from the 21".

[357maximum]

I must be the odd man out here...I like the rubberbacked original wood grips as well as the Herret/Fajen style thumbrest grips made of wood. My Pachmyer grip has dust on it....might need it when the 14 inch 35Rem comes my way...maybe, maybe not....I really like the wood grips even with my 14inch 30/30.

[ubetcha]

I have a super 14 in 30-30win that I shoot I.H.M.S.A metallic silhouettes out to 200meter and it has never let me down(when i do my part).I love shooting that thing

[scb]

I must be the odd man out here...I like the rubberbacked original wood grips ......
No, for me they're they are the best grips I've had on my Contender. The first Contender I fired belonged to a friend of mine back in the mid 70's. Those factory grips were terrible. 3 rounds of either 30/30 or 44mag would cause the bones in my right forearm to ache. They were miserable.

[Echd]

http://i.imgur.com/mwGRxxL.jpg

Picked this up today. .30-30 Super 14. Wasnt planning to spend so much, but walked out the door with a leupold 4x m8 eer scope too. Sure is a lot of fun, but my college student budget's going to have me on ramen noodles for a month!

Great shooter, though. First shot at 50y was in the bull- if that's not a good omen, I dont know what is!

Time to run some cast in it... I've got some 155gr and 120s, time to play around!

[kbstenberg]

Another newbie question. Can a person put a rifle stock on a contender with a pistol length barrel?

[ktw]

Another newbie question. Can a person put a rifle stock on a contender with a pistol length barrel?

You can, but it would be a violation of the law.
http://www.atf.gov/regulations-rulings/rulings/atf-rulings/atf-ruling-2011-4.pdf

-ktw

[bpratl]

Yes it will fit but I do not think that it would be legal, at least in my state it would not be, if the barrel is less than 16.00"

[357maximum]

Another newbie question. Can a person put a rifle stock on a contender with a pistol length barrel?


A barrel on a buttstocked contender needs to be 16 inches , unless you like the idea of a stay at club FED. Ain't freedom great?

[leadman]

The original Contender is stronger than some people give it credit for. I had a 44mag barrel that I rechambered to 445 SuperMag, then to 444 Marlin. I fired several thousand rounds of factory equivalent rounds thru it with no problem of any kind.
I also have a 30-30 that was rechambered to 30-30 Ackley Improved. A little more speed and alot more case life. My favorite barrel is a 6.5TCU. Took an antelope in Wyoming a few years ago at a lazered 255 yards. The 120gr Nosler BT hit right where I aimed and went all the way thru. Antelope went about 10 yards.
With the 30-30 barrel if you decide to hunt deer with it the 125gr Nosler BT does a fine job on them. Also a great cast boolit cartridge.
Good shooting with your new purchase.

[quilbilly]

Over the years I have accumulated several old style frames and as another writer said, a boatload of barrels. My favorite barrel length has been 10" and I have found the 14" barrels very cumbersome in the field. For coyotes out to 150 yards my favorite for years has been the 32-20 loaded to 1450 fps with the 113 gr rnfp-gc boolit. For deer size game I like the 7mm TCU since it is very efficient and accurate plus brass is easy to reform and the barrels (I have both 10" and a carbine) like cast boolits.

[blaser.306]

Whatever you do, when you put your frame and bbl's away at night . Make em sleep with one foot on the floor! I made that mistake when I had 2 . A 7mm Tcu 10" and a 22 lr 10" and somehow it has grown to a family tree with 15 branches ! They seem to multiply when you are not lookin!!!

[bbqncigars]

As far as the 30H being "too anemic for deer", I am glad the last mulie I bagged didn't know that. My '74 frame is just fine shooting the comped 45-70 barrel. The Herrett grips are a welcome upgrade to the original ones.

[marshall623]

Contenders I like them all
Scoped is my 7-30 Waters and my 10" 7 TCU wearing the irons
http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv151/marshall623/Timpic030.jpg

[Echd]

Another question-

What's a good sling? One not just for carry comfort, but for assistance in offhand shooting as well.

Preferably not a $200 leather rig, but after a few evenings blasting away with this thing I'd probably buy it! I'm a sucker for the platform already.

[NVScouter]

Amuzing isnt the word for a full house 45-70 load in a Contender. I've had two of these barrels and why yes I was dumb enough to buy a second one.....

I've owned about 6 of these and only have one left. I only like 10-12" barrels for balance and handling. I've had 8-18" barrels and highly recomend buying 22LR, 22H or 223 (not both), 30 or 357Herrett/35Rem, 44mag/45LC/454. With that you can do about anything short of buying one of the JDJ barrels.

I'm not a fan of 7-30 in T/Cs since everything it does my 357 Herrett does a bit better and more comfortable. With the exception of brass forming. The 30-30 is in the same boat IMHO. The 375WIN does tempt me from time to time too. The early T/Cs I favor over G2s for overall feel and triggers.



I will admit to being very amused by the idea of a .45-70 contender, but I'm not sure how tolerable shooting more than a few with one would be. I guess I could just load them lightly.

I have a Buffalo Classic and do love the cartridge, though.

[NVScouter]

If you stick to 10-12" barrel use a holster a sling just adds weight. Your handgun hunting not short carbine hunting. Some folks really over do it with T/Cs long barrels, slings, big scopes, tripods. It defeats the purpose IMHO.


Another question-

What's a good sling? One not just for carry comfort, but for assistance in offhand shooting as well.

Preferably not a $200 leather rig, but after a few evenings blasting away with this thing I'd probably buy it! I'm a sucker for the platform already.

[No_1]

I have a few myself: 4 early frames with plenty of barrels.... I like my 18" 218 Mashburn Bee and my 14" 22 hornet the best. I also have 14" barrels in 256 Winchester, 41 Mag, 45 Colt, 22 LR, 17 Hornady M2 and a 8" barrel in 44 mag. I have owned 30-30, 7TCU, 7MM International Rimmed and 45-70. I must say I prefer the carbines and short pistol length to the 14" barrels. All of the current ones in stock are by custom barrel makers.

[Three44s]

Two early frames here and several barrels.

The standouts for me are the .22 Hornet, 7mm TCU in 14" and longer and the .30 Herrett.

My Hornet and Herrett are "10's", the TCU I have are 14" and 21".

Everyone seems to turning their backs on the .30 Herrett, as they seem to be a drag on the market, I ran to the bargain!

Sure, case making is a bit of a chore but I like a good challenge!!

I also have a super 14 in .30-30 that shoots lights out thus far but the balance is an issue just as in the 14" 7mm TCU ....... those 14 inchers make the tender into a rifle without a stock and you have to have a rest in my experience.

The notion of a sling has not escaped my thoughts either to push against.

Barring that, borrowing wrists from a gorrilliha would be an option!

Best regards and enjoy the ride!!

Three 44s

[Leadmelter]

I had not heard about them shutting down the G2 or closing the custom shop. On their website, they said the barrel making is down for retooling.
What is S&W doing to our beloved Contenders? Another casulity of corporate America?
Leadmelter
MI

[williamwaco]

I know a dealer who has specialized in TC's since they were created.

He says his contacts at TC are telling him that S&W bought it to make barrels for S&W.
He thinks Contenders are a thing of the past.

[williamwaco]

I went back and read the complete thread and I am confused.

It my understanding and my experience that the G2 barrels will not work with the G1 frame.

I have a G2 with about half dozen barrels. None of them will fit my G1 frame. I can install them but they will not close into battery. I took it to a store that had about a dozen G2 barrels. Not one of them will close on the G1 frame.

I understand that the custom shop used to convert the G1 frames but alas, no longer.

Can any of you that own both frames offer any advice?



.

[Sc0]

My brand new Encore Prohunter says "Made by S&W" in front of the trigger guard so that rumor might have some truth to it...

[ubetcha]

My favorite load for my silhouette shooting in my 14" 30/30 is 18.5 gr SR4759 with a RCBS 165gr sil.Your mileage may vary

[Ken TN]

Hello, My name is Ken and I'm a Contenderhaulic.
I currently own 4 G2's. I have sold all my early model Contenders. Once I did trigger jobs on the G2's they were as good as any of the G1's I had.
Mike Bellm has trigger job instructions for the G2 and Encore on his web site.
I would have to say the 22 Hornet is one of my favored rounds...Must be as I have a 10", 12" and a 21".
I have shot thousands of 22LR rounds from my 10" barrel in NRA and IHMSA competition.
The largest round I use is a 444 Marlin Rechamber by Mike Bellm in a 14" barrel with the factory Muzzle tamer brake.
I have a 10" 7TCU but hate the muzzle blast, must be why I sold the 10" 223 and got the 14". Still need to get a 14" 7tcu and maybe a 21"...
Carbine barrels 204 Ruger, 223 and the above mentioned 22 Hornet. Need to get a 357 Max carbine to go with the 12" one.

Made the mistake a few months ago, before the crazy gun frenzy, of going to the gun show and found a Encore Rifle in 243 with a spare 204 Ruger.
The Dealer said he took it on trade and nobody even wated to look at it in the 6 months he had it at his shop, he took my low ball offer without a counter offer.... hope that does not mean I'm now a Encoreahalic.

Looks like I need to find a sponser, but this is the wrong place for that with all the enablers here!

Enjoy that 30-30 it will soon need friends.

[kavemankel]

I have been wanting a .223 barrel to outfit my frame with in rifle length. Did they ever make a 18". I know they made a 16".
not sure if I want the 23" barrels I have been finding but cant find the shorter lengths untill you get to 14"

[C A Plater]

I have been wanting a .223 barrel to outfit my frame with in rifle length. Did they ever make a 18". I know they made a 16".
not sure if I want the 23" barrels I have been finding but cant find the shorter lengths untill you get to 14"
I'm certain a few were made in the custom shop that were 18" but standard barrels were 16", 21" and now 23". If you have your heart set on one that length then I suggest you go with a custom maker like MGM or Bullberry for one.

[lovedogs]

I might as well add my 2 cents in here, too. I love my Contenders, too. You do have to keep an eye on them though because as was noted earlier, they do tend to multiply. I started with a 10-inch .223. It shot great but was slow. I sold it and got a 14 incher. It also shoots exceedingly well. The .22 LR Match is awesome...only .22 LR I've seen that shoots in less than an inch at 100 yds. The 12 inch .30-30 is nigh perfect on deer. But if ranges aren't long the 14 inch .44 mag is also great. I've had the .45-70 but it wasn't very accurate...not that hard to shoot but it just didn't like anything I fed it. Had a wildcat .35-375 KAP that was awesome...it took six elk...but it wasn't very useful for anything else so it walked off. Have had a .22 Hornet for almost a year and it's really a good shooter and I love it, too. I'd hate to have to get rid of any of my current stable. If I could always get components I'd probably say my favorite is the Hornet. But for a "do everything" barrel I think my all-time favorite and one I'd never get rid of is the Super 14 .44 mag. It shoots both jacketed and cast into less than an inch at 100 yds. and will kill anything I need to shoot. It's been years since I've shot j-bullets in it because it shoots cast so well. It's hard to pick a favorite caliber in a Contender, isn't it?