T/C Contender G2 vs. Ruger #1

[twoblink]

Of these two (Single Shot) guns, which would you guys get?? What about ease of use and reliability?

I'd probably be looking at getting either one in a 45/70Gov'ment.

The T/C G2

And the Ruger #1

 

[Master Blaster]

You might consider the Encore instead as it is availible in more powerful rifle calibers than the contender G2.

The Encore has the advantage of being able to switch calibers by changing the barrel for $2-300.

A thompson center contender or encore is capable of being given a match grade trigger job pretty easily. Not so sure about the ruger #1.

 

[critter]

I have the Ruger in your picture. It is one magnificent piece of machinery! It will put the bullet holes touching at 75 yds with the right loads. I took a deer and a hog with it this year.

I can't compare them, but I can testify that the Ruger #1 would be VERY HARD to beat!

 

[pinetree64]

I think if I were only going to have one gun, it would be the Encore, not the G2. However, that is not the case and I have the #1 pictured above. It is short and handy. It is quick to point and I shoot it with confidence. To me it is a perfect woods gun. I use a wrist cartride holder for followups and reloading goes quite fast though seldom really needed. I do feel wanting when I'm hunting a 600acre clearcut, that's when I grab my 30-06AI.

Personally, I love my #1. I'd like to have a G2, but it would be in the pistol configuration. I think that shooting a 6/7mmTCU would be a blast.

Lessons learned on 45/70: for most game the moderate load is plenty. I've shot the full bore 405's before, no thank you. A moderate load with bulk 300g Rem. HPs will take care all my hunting. Tried 300 Barnes Orig Spire Points, look cool but not worth the $$$.

tjg

 

[Bob C]

I have both.

The interchangeable caliber feature is neat, but keep in mind a barrel is still around $200, and each barrel needs a scope, dies, etc.

The Ruger #1, to me anyway, is better balanced, and is more appealing to the eye.

 

[Master Blaster]

From my experience and what I have heard many others say, Ruger rifles are a hit and miss proposition, as to accuracy and trigger quality.

I know more than a few shooters who own thompson contenders and encores. I have yet to hear any thompson owner say that the accuracy on their Thompson was lacking. It is also easy to find someone who can do a tremendous trigger job on a thompson for 50 bucks, if you need the trigger lightened to say 8-10 oz. the trigger as it comes is 2.5-3lbs No take up, No creep No over travel.

The above stated reasons are why the thompson is used by almost all competitive rifle sillouhette shooters.

You can get a very fancy custom walnut stock for a thompson, wildcat calibers off the rack, and do barrel changes in 15 minutes.


A ruger #1 may be a good single shot hunting rifle but it aint an Encore.

I would not even consider another single shot.

But thats just me.

http://www.foxridgeoutfitters.com/section.cfm?section=16

 

[Coltdriver]

I think the only thing these two have in common is that they are single shot. I concluded this after doing my homework on the Thompson family of rifle/pistols and ended up getting a Ruger #1. I have two #1's and one #3 now.

You might ask yourself is you want to shoot full 45/70 loads. The original 45/70 govt is a fairly low pressure load.

If you start putting full house loads behind a 500 grain bullet you will want the heaviest rifle you can get.

If you want to hand load and have variety the Thompson is the way to go.

The one thing I have discovered about hand loading is that once you get a load dialed in to your rifle there is not much reason for changing it! But if you could swap a barrel and keep on tweaking that would be appealing.

The encore is designed to take rifle pressures. The Contender/G2 is not. That is why you can shoot fairly low pressure 45/70 govt loads from a Contender, but you can not shoot full house 45/70 loads with heavy bullets from one.