My first Contender, finally!

[David2011]

I'm stoked on my new pistol. Got a Super 14 in .44 Mag last Saturday, loaded up some ammo and tried it out Sunday. It's way different from shooting run-n-gun autoloaders, taking me back to the kind of shooting I was doing in the late '70s. Back then Contenders seemed expensive to a young man on a moderate income. That was when Gibson's had an aisle full of M1 Carbines for $100 each. Compared to the price of competitive guns today they don't seem so pricey. By the end of the first range session it shot 5 rounds in about 2" at 50 yd. I'm sure it will do better as I get used to shooting it and develop loads. The scope is a fixed power 2X. Boolits were Lyman 429421 cast from linotype. No leading at all.

Does anyone have a pet load for this barrel that you would share? I was shooting 19 grains of 2400. I thought I would be able to switch between .44 Specials and Mags but there is too much difference in the point of impact. Sighted in for the Specials, the Magnum loads went completely under the target. It was the most dramatic change in point of impact I have seen. The Special loads apparently spent a lot more time in the barrel, allowing it to move than the Mags did. Fun gun!

David

[Moonie]

I've always liked W296 or AA #9 in 44mag, but I've never had a contender barrel in that cal, mine were 7-30waters and 357max.

[HeavyMetal]

I second the WW-296 as a must have for the 44 mag.

[DragoonDrake]

I really like how the 300gr bullets with 14.5gr of 2400 shoots. I seat the bullet to the crimp groove so I don't worry about engraving the rifling at loading.

my $.02
Adam

[HABCAN]

Again, 296!

[David2011]

As many powders as I have and have used I've never tried 296. Guess it's time. I have a big boolit mold- I think it's 290 grains without going to the shop and looking. I'll give it a try with the 2400. Sounds like reasonable power that shouldn't be too punishing. We used the 290 gr mold back when every gun rag had a new heavy load for the Ruger .45 Colt and Contender every month in the early '80s. Mac and I sent some heavy boolits downrange at impressive velocities. I took some heavy ligament damage in my right elbow and have decided those loads aren't fun any more. It took a year or more to fully heal, even as a young healthy guy who ground winches on racing sailboats every weekend.

David