School me on T/C Contenders and Encores

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I am gaining interest in single shot break action handgun.
I have always liked single shots.
I'm interested in a short .223 or .30-30 with a scope as a coyote getter in my combine.
I've always been a t/c fan.
I'm seeing some on Gunbroker for <$750....
I could also deerhunt with it if I had straight wall cartridges.

What to look for?
What to avoid?

I know nothing about these guns.
 
They would make a fine combine sidekick. This one is 30-30 but I also have a 223AI barrel, 7-30 waters barrel, and a 357 mag hotshot barrel. All are more accurate than I am. The 7-30 and 357 are 10” and have been shot exclusively off of a traditional pistol grip setup with plenty accuracy to 100 with iron sights on the 357 and out to 200 with the 7-30. It will shoot further but I won’t shoot at an animal that far so I haven’t really played with it much past hunting range. They are not getting any cheaper, and with TC being shut down and sold by S&W I’m wondering what will happen with prices in the very near future. The patents are expired and there is a company trying to get going making clones, company name is SSK-50. As far as getting into a contender goes, it seems like buying a used gun in an odd caliber can be the cheapest, then sell that barrel and buy something more common like the 30-30 or 223 for it. I would not ever miss a chance to plug for the 7-30 waters though, it is a truly incredible use of a 30-30 brass case. 16F3323B-2159-4ACE-A36C-679D226452BD.jpeg
 
I have a G-2 pistol frame, and my barrels are: factory 22lr, MGM 224 Valkyrie, SSK 30-30AI, and a factory 7x30 Waters.
They are all in the 14 to 15 inch barrel lengths.
357 Maximum is a hot rod straight-wall cartridge, and the 357 Mag does better than you would expect out of the longer barrel and no cylinder gap.
I have a couple of 357 magnum revolvers that will shoot as good or better than a Contender, so I don't have any straight-wall chamberings for my G-2.
I like MGM, Bullberry, and SSK for my custom barrels.
How far do you want to hunt with them?
 
1) Ask Ernie.

2) Do what Ernie says.

3) I prefer a G2 Contender or an Encore. Only favoring the Encore if you want the option to shoot more powerful cartridges, for example, if you only want to have ONE SP frame instead of several. I’m with Ernie - no straightwall cartridges, might as well be shooting a wheelgun (with possible concessions begrudgingly acknowledged for big cartridges like 460S&W, 45-70, etc - for the size, I might rather have a long Contender than a big ass S&W).
 
They would make a fine combine sidekick. This one is 30-30 but I also have a 223AI barrel, 7-30 waters barrel, and a 357 mag hotshot barrel. All are more accurate than I am. The 7-30 and 357 are 10” and have been shot exclusively off of a traditional pistol grip setup with plenty accuracy to 100 with iron sights on the 357 and out to 200 with the 7-30. It will shoot further but I won’t shoot at an animal that far so I haven’t really played with it much past hunting range. They are not getting any cheaper, and with TC being shut down and sold by S&W I’m wondering what will happen with prices in the very near future. The patents are expired and there is a company trying to get going making clones, company name is SSK-50. As far as getting into a contender goes, it seems like buying a used gun in an odd caliber can be the cheapest, then sell that barrel and buy something more common like the 30-30 or 223 for it. I would not ever miss a chance to plug for the 7-30 waters though, it is a truly incredible use of a 30-30 brass case. View attachment 1000803
Wow, I really like that 30-30. @WestKentucky .

I have been yearning for a new deer gun. My want is for a .45/70 that I could cast bullets for, and reload for. I think about a Sharps or a falling block, but would settle for a break action H&R to add to my meager collection. But, it must be in handgun form to be Illinois legal.
A .45colt with my 300gr cast bullets would be more suited for my type of hunting.
 
They would make a fine combine sidekick. This one is 30-30 but I also have a 223AI barrel, 7-30 waters barrel, and a 357 mag hotshot barrel. All are more accurate than I am. The 7-30 and 357 are 10” and have been shot exclusively off of a traditional pistol grip setup with plenty accuracy to 100 with iron sights on the 357 and out to 200 with the 7-30. It will shoot further but I won’t shoot at an animal that far so I haven’t really played with it much past hunting range. They are not getting any cheaper, and with TC being shut down and sold by S&W I’m wondering what will happen with prices in the very near future. The patents are expired and there is a company trying to get going making clones, company name is SSK-50. As far as getting into a contender goes, it seems like buying a used gun in an odd caliber can be the cheapest, then sell that barrel and buy something more common like the 30-30 or 223 for it. I would not ever miss a chance to plug for the 7-30 waters though, it is a truly incredible use of a 30-30 brass case. View attachment 1000803
Wow that’s a nice setup. It has me looking for contenders on gun broker. I’ve always wanted one, maybe it’s time before they start to get hard to find
 
Huge fan. Have a g2 and 3 mgm barrels. I can't recommend mgm for custom barrels enough. I have a .22lr a 223 and a 300blk. They're all 12 inch barrels and all will shoot moa. Even the 22 with cci standard, will print .5inch 5 shot groups at 50 yards.

Edit: my avatar is me shooting the 223 with a built in muzzle brake.
 
I’m with Ernie - no straightwall cartridges, might as well be shooting a wheelgun (with possible concessions begrudgingly acknowledged for big cartridges like 460S&W, 45-70, etc - for the size, I might rather have a long Contender than a big ass S&W).
I’m a bit opposite of this. The contender pistols (specialty pistols in general) do something kinda odd with recoil. Heavy and slow wallops the shooter harder than fast and light. You couldn’t give me a pistol barrel in a big straight wall like 460 or 500. I had a 44mag 16” and used it in pistol form but nobody that shot that setup liked it. It was loaded hot but it left the hand stinging after just a couple shots. 41 mag is the max straight wall for me. I will shoot rifle rounds all day pistol carbine or rifle setup.
 
You heard me say, on the straight-wall cases it wasn't something I wanted, for couple of reasons. Mainly, because I have two 357 Magnum custom revolvers, that shoot lights out at close or far distances.

I did mention two though, and both were a smaller caliber than the 41 Magnum.
I mentioned the hot-rod 357 Max, and the 357 Magnum
In a 10"-16" Contender barrel the 357 Magnum is a joy to shoot.
Add a solid bottomed brake, and it goes to total puff-cake level.
I don't use straight-wall cases for the majority of my hunting, but in revolver form I have used the 357 Magnum, to shoot steel out to 500 yards.
I have taken big game out to just under 200 yards.

Animals I have killed with the 357 Magnum revolver: Black Wildebeest (155 yards), several Antelope (from 90-190ish), Whitetail (to the 150ish), Warthogs (35-90 yards) , Blackbuck (75 yards), Javelina (143 yards), and Springbok (90 yards).
By the way, all of these animals in Africa were not hunted out of a blind or shot out of a vehicle, it was all spot and stalk.
I have done this with two different 158 grain jacketed bullets.
The 357 Magnum does a great job of killing.

Armored Farmer already has his choice figured out with a, "45colt with my 300gr cast bullets." Of course, you can always change your mind and add more barrels, quite easily:D
That what makes this stuff cool, as we all have different preferences.
There is a lot of ways to skin the cat. My ways are not better or worse, they are just different.

I promise you this, I would not have used revolvers so much if it wasn't for Chris Rhodes at Bayside Custom Gunworks.
He has been a enabler for me in the revolver world, and I have been an enabler for him in the specialty pistol world.
It has made it fun and different to use revolvers for hunting, but I still prefer my XP's more.
Chris still prefers his revolvers more.

I am enjoying reading about the different handguns you guys are using or plan to use-Go For It!
 
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I have been considering a 224 Valk or 6mm arc... edit: need to get a spring replaced on my g2 frame first though.

Since I already have the Valk, I have my eye on the 6mm you mentioned as well.
I haven't shot my Valk enough to justify adding another barrel, especially in a break-open action.
 
Can get a 45LC barrel or 45-70 for a Contender if that is your want.
I have barrels in both .45 Colt (16”) and .45-70 (14”) and I reload for both.

9cpUJjOh.jpg

Shooting the same weight bullet at the same velocity, the larger cartridge has a noticeably greater amount of recoil. And “Ruger-Level” .45 Colt loads about as hot as I care to shoot more than a couple of rounds.

But be aware, the accuracy of T/C factory .45 Colt / .410 barrels is not great. My factory .44 barrel shoots great, though.

If you’re getting a .45 Colt barrel, I would get one from one of the custom barrel shops, and skip the .410 dual chambering. Get a dedicated barrel if you want to shoot the shotgun ammo.
 
Encore in 7.62x25, Bullberry Barrel. Very accurate in my hand-loads out to about 90 yards, depending on the Bullets and powder. haven't really had a chance to play with it in about 5 years however!
Left to Right.
Sierra 135gr HP
Remington 135gr SP
Nosler 125gr Ballistic Tip, extremely accurate out to 100 yards, but when I was testing all stocks were B/O and I moved on to the Remingtons.
Better Bullets, 110gr Carbine Hard Cast, 110 Diameter resized to 109. These I pushed to the max. I could leave a 1/16" indent in a piece of 2x4" solid Steel bar stock out to 80 yards and send the steel tumbling pretty good. From what I remember was pushing close to 2000 FPS.
 

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The original Contenders had fantastic triggers if that's important. Very light and crisp.
I personally preferred the G2 for the grip angle and strength.
The originals were prone to frame stretch from some of the high pressure cartridges. The G2 was designed to eliminate that and reduce recoil with a greater grip angle and a bit more weight.
My favorite was a 10" 30-30. Easy recoil compared to .44 or .45.
The big bores get pretty snappy in an original Contender.
 
I’ve got both ends of the spectrum, a 17 Mach IV and a 35 Remington. I snuck a 223 and 7tcu in just for grins. They are all 14” barrels and shoot great, the 17 is down right amazing. Recoil is noticeable with the 35 Remington, especially down in Creedmoor position. An elbow pad is highly recommend. A couple big band-aids too!
 
I moved from Southern Illinois last year. I don’t see the need for anything over a 357Max for the corncrunchers. It’s a flat shooting hitter, loaded with a 170/180gr FXT or JHP. But hard to say no to the 45LC, but no need to load it heavy for deer. But the strength is there if you wanted to load it hot.

I did hunt with a 44mag 10” TC one year. Great shooter, and think I even used WWB cause that was what was the most common and accurate out of it. Put a Millet 3MOA Reddot on it, could get five rounds in a post it note (from bench) at 100 yards. And not much recoil.

Someone mentioned getting an oddball caliber one and selling off the barrel. That was the reason I got the one I had in 44. Everyone thinks you have to load it to the gills to kill something. Not so. Reason I used factory ammo was I didn’t load for 44 at the time.

I always wanted a 41mag or 45LC barrel for it. Might get an Encore or G2 someday.

I also had a CVA Scout Pistol in 44 and 357. Had 357 made into a 357Max. Went back to the 44 and found it to my liking better. 310gr Lee boolit under 2400 and it was a great shooter. Just wish the Scout came in shorter barrel lengths like the TCs.
 
@LeftyRed don't quote me on this, but, iirc the. 44 mag reaches its stride @ a 10-12 inch barrel. Everything past that is just adding unnecessary barrel length. According to ballistics by the inch.
 
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