Concerning the Thompson Contender ...

[Mulliga]

I was shooting at the range today with my AR and a gentleman next to me was shooting at targets with his Thompson G2 Contender pistol (chambered in 7mm TCU I believe). Both our targets were set up at 100 yards, and he routinely got about 1/2" groups (my groups were about 2"). He said he never felt the need to own a rifle when his pistol was so accurate.

Is this kind of accuracy normal for the T/C pistol line? I've heard they are incredibly accurate.

Keep in mind he shot the pistol from a full benchrest (grip and fore-end fully supported), and he used his own handloads. His gun also had a trigger job (he claimed it broke at six ounces, and I believe it - one touch from my finger caused to to break), and a scope.

 

[carebear]

If he challenges you to a duel, apologize immediately.

 

[Heysoos]

It's been a few years, but I've gotten to shoot a Contender chambered in 7mm...I've always had good luck with it, I don't think you'd be unhappy with its accuracy at all.

It can be somewhat of a bear unless you've got mosterous powerful hands, but then again, I guess they chamber them in 45-70 too. I've seen a couple deer taken with the 7mm though, seems to knock em down just fine, especially if you can get time to set it on a rest.

 

[Moondoggie]

If you miss with a Contender set up like that, it's cuz you screwed-up!

 

[SDC]

I was shooting a G1 Contender with a Super-14 barrel in 44 Mag at our 25-yard range, and it was rare for me to NOT get at least 2 shots of a 3-shot group touching; they can be amazingly accurate. On a related note, does anyone know if the G1 and G2 barrels are interchangeable?

 

[Onmilo]

You can use any Contender barrel on either version.

G2 grips will not interchange with Contenders but all barrels will.

A pleasant shooting Contender that will be extremely accurate and loud is one in .222 or.223.

The .22 LR and .17HMR calibers are extremely accurate in these guns.

 

[trickyasafox]

i have an encore in 223, and i LOVE shooting it. i probably get more pleasure from that then any other gun right now. with my bushnell trophy 2-6 on it and the rest of the gun being totally stock, i can get a 5 shot group in 3/4 of an inch at 50 yards. my best group at 100 yards is just over an inch and a half. i blame my inability to shoot better for that group even being that large. im gonna pick up a barrel in 7-08 for it for deer by next season hopefully.

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpnuke/index.php

there is the tc owners group. great site, great guys and great info if you ever get a lil more interested in them

 

[P95Carry]

I have a Contender and caseydog has an Encore - both with .223 barrels. We shoot them with equal enjoyment. I think we both agree that accuracy is all but astonishing. I know if I do my part - mine will shoot very tight and in fact, like as not - tighter than my Ruger 77 MkII!! Mine seems to do well with WWB 55 grain FMJ rounds.

Last year we ''despatched'' an old HDD at 100 yds ... very easily ... five shots each. Then, at end of last year when we had a small shoot at my local range, we again did a ''five shots each'' - on paper at 100 yds. Light was none too good and we both called one or two shots we felt were a tad off ... and this was the target ... let's say three shots had felt less than good ... that makes the rest, for me - pretty darned useful for a handgun.

 

[steveno]

the 7 mm TCU is a very accurate cartridge so I'm not surprised. I have super 14 barrels in 41 mag amd 357 max with 2x Leupold scopes. 1 inch groups at 50 yards are normal. I had 221 Fireball and 223 barrels do the same at 100 yards

 

[Standing Wolf]

Is this kind of accuracy normal for the T/C pistol line?

It's not at all unusual. Much depends on the caliber, ammunition, condition of the barrel, and of course, the shooter, but Contenders have always been prized by those whose passion is accuracy.

 

[Kamicosmos]

Yup!

I have a 12" SSK .44 Mag barrel for my Contender. It's neat to see a tight group of .44 at 100 yards!

I have thought about getting more barrels for mine...I should do that. Like a 378 JDJ...heh. Actually I shot a 7-30 Waters, and with the MuzzleTamer, it wasn't bad at all on recoil.

 

[Ky Larry]

My .223 Contender with a T/C 2.5X7 scope and a 14 inch barrel is the most accurate handgun I have ever fired. Handloads are almost freaky accurate.
I've been trying to come up with one load for both my Contender and my Ruger 77V. I've come pretty close but haven't got there yet. It sure is fun trying.

 

[happy old sailor]

my older TC is in 30/30. it does shoot good, i want a .223 bbl for it, but have an old Fireball i have rechambered for .223. now that is accurate. so, i cannot justify the .223 bbl for the TC. i have shot other ppls TCs and None were dogs. i think everyone should have a TC to impress friends and amaze others

 

[carpettbaggerr]

He said he never felt the need to own a rifle when his pistol was so accurate.

I wonder if he can shoot it more accurately than a rifle away from the bench. What sort of accuracy do you think he gets from a standing, unsupported position?

 

[Tacoma]

It's also worth noteing that T/C shooters are often fanatical about accuracy. True, the guns themselves are accurate enough (in most calibers and barrels) but LOTs of experimental handloading is often behind those groups. This is especially true when you start talking about specialized calibers like the 7 TCU.

 

[HSMITH]

I have an original Contender with a 10" 223 barrel, it will shoot sub MOA at 300 yards from the sandbags. At 50 yards the groups are often one hole for five shots. It is more accurate than any rifle I currently own. I shoot rifles more accurately, and they certainly are easier to shoot well for most folks. It is neat having a pistol that is amazingly accurate, but it isn't all that practical unless punching paper or have the time to seek out a good rest.

 

[P95Carry]

You probably know H - I too am a Contender freak! Mine with the .223 14" bbl will shoot way better than I do now in old age.

I really want to put it to the ultimate test with groundhog hunting ... but fear I'd have to have a portable rest with me! Standing - unless a tree handy, I think ''barn doors'' may enter into the equation. Still, I love the darned thing.

Never tried at 300 but I am sure MOA is achievable.

 

[Harry Paget Flashman]

Had a Contender in the Seventies with a .44Mag and .222 barrel and used to drive up to Nevada and hunt varmints(jack rabbits) with it. I sold it to buy other guns and regreted it since. Last year I bought the G2 Contender with the .410/.45LC and .223 barrels. It is too far to Nevada and the jack rabbits are quicker than I am nowadays but it's a fun plinking and range gun. Last Thanksgiving I stumbled on a .221 Fireball octagonal 10" barrel in pristine condition while making the rounds of the local gun stores and snapped it up for $130. The big bang and muzzle flash are a bonus.

 

[41 Redhawk]

You can use any Contender barrel on either version.

Except that you can not use a G2 muzzleloader barrel on an old frame.

 

[SteelEye]

carpettbaggerr,
"I wonder if he can shoot it more accurately than a rifle away from the bench. What sort of accuracy do you think he gets from a standing, unsupported position?"

Silhouette shooters use the creedmore position which is lying on your back with the gun against your leg. This position is, for some, just as stable as a bench. In a typical match, is not uncommon for 15 or more consecutive rams to topple at 200 yards. And let us not forget those crazed shooters who shoot half-scale at 500 meters.

So, yes, away from a bench but not standing, a Contender and its shooter can be more accurate then the "average" rifle shooter, benched or not. There are some standing shooters who can do this too but they are a very rare breed.

 

[Moondoggie]

P95;

For a portable rest, use a 5 gal plastic bucket with a padded (seat) lid and a pair of dowels joined loosely with a bolt/nut for a "V" rest. You can put rubber tubing over the top of the dowels to protect the finish on your gun.

Friends & I used this method for shooting prairie dogs in SD in areas where you couldn't lay prone due to prickley pear.

I apologize for thread drift.

 

[P95Carry]

Moon - no probs, only minor thread drift! Good thinking ... I must remember the dowels ... so simple and I'd imagine pretty darned effective. Thx.

 

[Ranger61]

I have 20 contender barrels and nearly all of them are very accurate with the 22 K Hornet, the 223 and the 6.5 TCU each showing incredible accuracy. The 6.5 TCU just shot a 10 shot group into the size of a dime at 50 yards and that was using a case forming load of remington bulk 120 grain bullets and HS-7 powder at about 1700 fps. I can't wait to see what it will do with a good Sierra bullet.

 

[Smith357]

Is this kind of accuracy normal for the T/C pistol line? I've heard they are incredibly accurate.

The short answer is yes, I had a Conteder with 8 barrels they all shot that well. My 14" .233 with a 3x7 in a three ring mount shot sub MOA from a rest using necksized only brass and 25 grains of Varget topped with 50grn Ballistic Tips. The 10' .22 shot inch groups from a rest at 50 yards with a Leupold 4x but the best was the .22 match grade Bullberry even with its poor trigger (compared to a real target rifle) using RWS R-50 it would outshoot Winchester and Anschutz Target .22s.

 

[OtG]

[thread drift]
Are the Thompson Contender or Encore rifles as accurate as the pistols? I haven't really heard much about them regarding accuracy.
[/thread drift]