Super 16 44 mag contender

[Curtis44]

Guys I just traded for a 16" contender barrel in 44 mag. This makes up into a really compact carbine! Got any suggestions for a good CB load? I have several 44 moulds that I use for my 44 wheelguns, but I have little experience with 44 rifles (other than my 44/40 Marlin). I notice that it has a long freebore so I expect to have to seat bullets out to get any accuracy. Anybody know why T/C does this? To lower pressures? I have a 10" 44 barrel that is reamed the same way.

[C A Plater]

I don't usually load any different for a carbine but with the very generous throat you will be able to load "long". I doubt you will be able to seat them out enough to touch the rifling. As to why I don't know but the lower pressures is as good as any reason I've heard. Congratulations on the nice find of the Super 16 in .44 Mag. I have one in .30-30 pictured here (http://tcbunch.com/kiosk/contender_carbine2.jpg) dressed up in a B&C thumbhole stock set an is my favorite tree stand gun.

[Curtis44]

Thanks CA, I got to shoot it some yesterday and it shoots very well with 429215 and 429244 seated out just short of the rifling. I used 11.0 Unique with the 429215 and 19.0 2400 with the 429244. It should be a great deer thumper! Groups were sub 1" at 50 yds, some close to 1/2 ". I plan to try 429098 and the RCBS 44-250K and 44-200 as well. I,m not sure I want to try any of the 300+gr slugs in it since it bucks quite enough with 250 grains! Actually the 11 gr Unique load is rather pleasant to shoot and should have plenty of punch to hunt with. I use 10.0 gr and the 429215 in my 44 revolvers and it is usually very accurate in any gun I try it in. I increased the load to 11.0 gr in the contender due to the long seating.

[bcarver]

I have a 45-70 Super 16.
It is the neatest gun I have to carry.

[klcarroll]

I recently built up a TC carbine using a 14” .44 Mag barrel (……And a permanently attached muzzle break to make it legal!). It makes for a REALLY handy little gun that is an absolute pleasure to carry around.

I have been loading 9.5 grains of Unique underneath a 429421; …….And I suspect that the load shoots better than I am holding!


Kent