School me on the T/C Contender?

[stoky]

The 7-30 cartridge was developed as a lever action rifle cartridge, for Ken Water's daughter. As a rifle cartridge it was somewhat of a disappointment and couldn't get by ammo manufacturer's lawyers with the velocity that Waters wanted of a 140gr bullet.
Years later it was picked up by Contender shooters. It is an outstanding cartridge for the Contender. It ruled pistol silhouette shooting for years and AFAIK it still holds the long range pistol accuracy record.

 

[stoky]

How come I want one of these?
maybe .45 LC

 

[WestKentucky]

Grumulkin, I have been eyeing a few stocks similar to yours. Could you please pass info on manufacture or place of purchase please.

 

[Grumulkin]

I bought the stock from the long gone Fox Ridge Outfitters which was Thompson/Center's custom shop.

 

[stoky]

Bullberry sells high end wood stocks and barrels.
http://www.bullberry.com/custom-woodwork-for-thompson-center-break-actions.html

 

[WestKentucky]

For a definitive one-hitter-quitter a chopped contender seems odd in anything other than 45-70. Go big or go home...or go big then go get a cast put on your hand.

 

[stoky]

From the .45-70 Contender section of an old Sierra manual:
"........recoil is extremely severe. At no place within the data section is recoil not objectionable. Accuracy was suitable for this chambering to be considered for handgun silhouette. The negative effects of severe recoil will most likely limit its use as a silhouette cartridge, however."
go figure

 

[urbaneruralite]

Seems like I read something about having to open and close to reset the trigger or prevent accidental discharges whenever you cock it or something? Can someone give a run down on safe handling as it differs from other similar designs?

 

[stoky]

You don't have to open and close it to reset the trigger. The trigger is reset when the barrel release (trigger guard) is depressed.
http://www.vintagegunleather.com/gun-manuals/pdf_T/thompson_g2contender.pdf
One nice feature is that the trigger pull is the same whether the hammer is cocked or not.
If the barrel is opened with the trigger cocked, the hammer drops to a stop and doesn't contact the firing pin(s). If the action has not been opened and closed, the hammer only drops as far as the stop.

 

[Grumulkin]

From the .45-70 Contender section of an old Sierra manual:
"........recoil is extremely severe. At no place within the data section is recoil not objectionable. Accuracy was suitable for this chambering to be considered for handgun silhouette. The negative effects of severe recoil will most likely limit its use as a silhouette cartridge, however."
go figure

I think that would be true. There is quite a bit more felt recoil in a Contender versus a Redhawk just shooting the 44 Remington Magnum cartridge. I highly doubt many would like to touch off a 45-70 cartridge in a Contender handgun.

In addition, you'll find a number of different published acceptable loads for the 45-70 cartridge depending on what platform it's to be fired in. Some of them would be too much for a Contender.

 

[Captcurt]

Special Attention to Loads for 7 TCU

I landed up with an old Contender with a 10" 222 rem barrel and a 14" 7 TCU. The first 7mm loads from once fired brass from another gun didn't go boom. After a little research I found that I needed softer primers, plus, the headspace had to be perfect. I took 223 ammo and fired it in the 7mm barrel. Then by partially resizing and not touching the shoulder I was able to come up with some loads that worked. Took 2 deer this season using 120 Nosler BTs. If I had it to do over I would pick the 7-30 Waters. It is much easier to load for.

 

[PO2Hammer]

Recoil in the original Contender can be high with the big bore cartridges like the various .45's and the .44 Mag.

The 30-30 is a nice shooter with less recoil than the big bores, terrific accuracy and just plain fun to shoot even with the 10" barrel. Muzzle flash with rifle powders is impressive. Light cast loads shoot like laser beams.

The .221 Fireball is the most fun centerfire cartridge for the Contenders, others love the .270 Ren (sic), .222 Rem and the .22 Hornet.

IMO the G-2 was a big improvement in shoot-ability with the steeper grip angle and heavier frame. It doesn't have the refined trigger of the old design, but it would be my choice for the big bores.

 

[PO2Hammer]

This was my old G-2 with modified factory wood and a custom 7" .357 MGM barrel. I wish I had it back.

 

[IKE]

I've had Contenders (non G2's) since the mid 80's and Encores since they came out in the 90's and have gone through a bunch of different barrels through the years for both......I've hunted and competed in IHMSA matches with them.

I thinned the herd considerably on my 14" and 15" pistol length Contender and Encore barrels a couple years ago and kept only what I felt I couldn't live without.

Currently;

Contender = four frames......barrels in 22 LR, 6mmTCU, 6.5mmTCU, 7mmTCU and 300 Whisper.

Encore = two frames......barrels in 6.5x55 Swede, 6.5x284 Winch. and 35 Whelen.

The original Contender frame hasn't been made in several years and sooner or later parts will dry up.

The G2 frame is a little smaller than the Contender frame and is angled differently and it hasn't been made for a couple of years but rumor has it that they will start being made again next (2016) spring......we'll see.

As far as I know the Encore frame has never stopped being produced but I'm not positive on that.

 

[JFrame]

This G1 stainless Contender with 14" match barrel is my favorite plinker, and also the piece I'm most likely to take for squirrel hunting.

I absolutely love the flexibility of the Contender platform. It can go from a super-accurate .22 pistol to a brush-busting .44 mag carbine with the turn of a few screws.

 

[PapaG]

If I'm not a fan I don't know who is. I now have four. I've had five others. These stay. Gen one carbine in 22lr, does 3/8" for five CCI Minimal hps at 50 yards. Gen one carbine in .223 and 30-30, easily one MOA with decent handloads. G2 carbine in 45-70 and 50X209. Both still works in progress but showing promise. Gen one, last version pistol, barrels in 22, 222, 30-30, 357, 44, 45/410, and 45 colt. 22 will do 1 1/2 MOA at 100 on a calm day. 222, same. 45 colt will beat 1250 fps with a moderate load and a 255 swc. 30-30, still in development. 357 seems to be impervious to leading.
I love em all.
Never had much luck with the 45 Colt from the 45/410 barrel til I went to 460 cases and seated bullets out (colt loads!). Previous experience with gen ones in 45 410 and original grips made me appreciate the last iteration.
Had, in the past, Hornet, various other calibers, and a 410 long barrel. Kept what I have now and am happy.
Faves: 22, 222, 223, 30-30, and 45 Colt but most shot is 357.

 

[rabid wombat]

For all of you who shoot 30/30 - can you give some load data? I have a TC in 3030, 44, and 22. I am interested in all that you have to say....

THANKS!

 

[OhiaBoy]

As others have said its a great platform. I shot my way into International level in IHMSA production class with a 10" 7mm TCU. Also have a 10" 22lr and a 14" 30-30 barrel that J.D. Jones re chambered to 309 JDJ for me.

 

[NMRevolverGuy]

Thanks for all the info! Sounds like ima get me a contender!.... Eventually. I think it would be nice to have one in .17 HMR. was at a gun show yesterday and saw 3, 2 .45/410's and .22, all at 400 dollars, give or take 10 bucks. Killed me to walk away but I had just ordered an s&w 460v so ill just have to be strong till the next show. Oh the struggles of being a "gun nut"

 

[NMRevolverGuy]

Also, that is one beauty of a rifle setup you have there, Grumulkin!

 

[eastbank]

i had three TC receivers and seven barrels that i picked up and sold two receivers and six barrels, the seventh barrel was a ten inch bull .357mag rechamber to 35 remington and i could not give it away. several years ago i thought why not try it out, BOY am i glad i did. as with a 2x burris eer and 200gr factory shells shot from a bench rest it cuts bullet holes and it does kick a little, but not that bad and it has become my favorit four wheeler firearm. i have a holster the rides on my four wheeler and it has a sling that i use to carry it around my neck when walking. my long rang pistol is a XP-100R in .260 rem with a 2.5x8 leupold scope, i have shot three inch groups at two hundred yards with it. eastbank.

 

[musicman10_1]

Here is what I have for my T/C set up. I started with one frame and 3 barrels way back in 1995. In the last few years I added a few more barrels and scopes and forends and items that I had always intended to get but hadn't gotten around to doing.



Top:
.44 mag
.223
.22 lr
.410/.45
7x30 Waters
.45-70 Govt.

The 7x30 is among my most accurate firearms and has been used to take Javelina and a cow Elk.

 

[Fleetman]

Years back when my dad and I used to shoot metallics, SSK offered barrels and conversions and we opted for a conversion from .44 Rem Mag to .444 Marlin....just about any hit will topple rams.

7-30 is an excellent round also.

 

[flipajig]

I'm another TC fan 3 contender frames and one encore
10 different barrels 5 super 14" scoped barrels
One 23" carbine barrel
3 10" octagon
One 28" pro Hunter.
Probably my favorite is my 7-30 waters very accurate although my 7TCU 44 mag 22 lr 223 222 357 mag 256 win mag and 45-410 all get a work out. My 23" 223 has turned into my truck gun
You won't regret getting a TC just watch out for mulplying barrels and frames.
Flip

 

[PO2Hammer]

For all of you who shoot 30/30 - can you give some load data?

The Lyman manual has a complete section on loads for T/C's.