Anyone here collect contender barrels and frames. How many shoot these accurate guns and what barrels do you shoot? I have one in .22 or and 357 max, both shoot great. Looking to have Bullberry make me a 6" bbl in 32 long. Larry
Thompson Center Contender-.32 single shot pictures
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ACORN
Member
I had couple. 30 Herret, 44 mag, 30-40 Krag Bellm barrel, and 223 Rem. The 223 would shoot sub. 3/8" groups @ 100 yds.
I ordered a 21" carbine barrel, in .22 Rem. jet from MGM in Tulsa...Still waiting... I'll bet that baby will sizzle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JIM....................
JIM....................
cussedemgun
Member
I got some good news & some bad news -
First let's get the bad news out of the way,- 357 max is pretty much a reload your own or go without show. Soooo - forget "cheap Max ammo".
Now the good news, - You can fire 38 special or 357 mag in that barrel, chamber. As for special length ammo, accuracy may suffer some from the long lead from case to rifling.
With either, be sure to clean the chamber area well before going to longer cases.
First let's get the bad news out of the way,- 357 max is pretty much a reload your own or go without show. Soooo - forget "cheap Max ammo".
Now the good news, - You can fire 38 special or 357 mag in that barrel, chamber. As for special length ammo, accuracy may suffer some from the long lead from case to rifling.
With either, be sure to clean the chamber area well before going to longer cases.
eveled
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I have .22, .22mag, .357, two different 30/30 barrels, 410/.45 off the top of my head.
I have a real affinity to the older tapered octagon barrels, I just think they look elegant. The barrel with the scope on it, is a .22lr tapered octagon the scope has flats on it to match the flats on the barrel. Ed
I have a real affinity to the older tapered octagon barrels, I just think they look elegant. The barrel with the scope on it, is a .22lr tapered octagon the scope has flats on it to match the flats on the barrel. Ed
Fishinfool
Member
I have an early pre-easy open frame, along with a scoped super 14 .223, scoped super 14 30-30, and 12 inch 45c / 410 shotgun barrels. They all fit in one TC carry case. It is nice to have a package in one case that can handle everything from target to small game, to big game and birds. The .410 barrel works well on pheasant at about 20 yards and under.
Larry
Larry
OP
I've had mine since the 70's and like the versatility of them. Would also like a 357 single shot and a 20" bull berry or MGM would fit nicely. The bull berry is listed as a match also. Larry
KLYDE
Member
Larry, I sold off my Contender but still have my Encore. I have 3 barrels on order from Bullberry as we speak. 12" .223 and 7.62 X 39mm. And a 10" .44 mag. Good people to deal with. I ordered them early Winter. Hoping to see them soon. I also had the Bullberry hangar conversion done to all of my other barrels. Best thing since sliced bread. I don't know what the lead time is now. They were stating 4 months but I've been waiting longer. They sell some darn nice wood also.
jeed
Member
I'm a Contender too
22LR, 38spec, 357mag, 30carb, 45acp, 45/410 all 10" octagon except the 38spec & 45acp are 8 3/8".
I've also got 2 Jurras custom carbines w/ 3 barrels, 7mm Jurras, 17/223 & 2R Lovell.
I've attached a couple of pics, the target is 10 rounds, 38spec / 50 feet.
I had a bunch of other barrels but sold them off........I never shot them.
22LR, 38spec, 357mag, 30carb, 45acp, 45/410 all 10" octagon except the 38spec & 45acp are 8 3/8".
I've also got 2 Jurras custom carbines w/ 3 barrels, 7mm Jurras, 17/223 & 2R Lovell.
I've attached a couple of pics, the target is 10 rounds, 38spec / 50 feet.
I had a bunch of other barrels but sold them off........I never shot them.
Attachments
zzzippper
Member
I have a 6mm TCU and a 300 Whisper. Haven't got to shoot them yet. What is a good stance for shooting without a bipod?
OP
Anyone here collect the barrels? What would a 6 1/2" bbl be worth in 22 or 32 mag? Is there a contender collected forum? How do the Jurras guns shoot? They look great, Larry
KLYDE
Member
Larry,
Depends on the maker. All of my barrels, 7.62X39, 30.06 and 7-30 Waters Encore rifle length, were made by the TC Custom shop in Rochester, NH. before the fire and ultimate sale of the Company. Super nice in fit, finish and workmanship. Thompson Center was a first class operation and it is a disgrace to see the quality of todays product versus the TC operation.
A short time ago, I decided I wanted a .44 mag barrel and recently purchased a new barrel made by you know who. Absolutely horrible. Stamped roll marks for caliber designation that were so deep the metal was all raised and rolled over. Looked like it was made by bubba and a ball peen hammer as compared to my old TC Custom Shop barrels. I never shot it and sold it on the TC Forum for a loss just to get rid of it. I'm now waiting on a custom 10" from Bullberry. BTW Bullberry does excellent work if you are looking for a custom barrel.
Check out the TC Forum. They have a for sale section similar to this forum. (Not as nice as this forum though). You might be in the 200-250 area, possibly even more if the caliber is unique. The original Thompson Center barrels will command a premium over aftermarket.
Depends on the maker. All of my barrels, 7.62X39, 30.06 and 7-30 Waters Encore rifle length, were made by the TC Custom shop in Rochester, NH. before the fire and ultimate sale of the Company. Super nice in fit, finish and workmanship. Thompson Center was a first class operation and it is a disgrace to see the quality of todays product versus the TC operation.
A short time ago, I decided I wanted a .44 mag barrel and recently purchased a new barrel made by you know who. Absolutely horrible. Stamped roll marks for caliber designation that were so deep the metal was all raised and rolled over. Looked like it was made by bubba and a ball peen hammer as compared to my old TC Custom Shop barrels. I never shot it and sold it on the TC Forum for a loss just to get rid of it. I'm now waiting on a custom 10" from Bullberry. BTW Bullberry does excellent work if you are looking for a custom barrel.
Check out the TC Forum. They have a for sale section similar to this forum. (Not as nice as this forum though). You might be in the 200-250 area, possibly even more if the caliber is unique. The original Thompson Center barrels will command a premium over aftermarket.
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gmiller0737
Member
I have a earlier Contender Frame & Put a Carbine Butt Stock & a Gonic Arms GA-90 .45 Caliber Muzzleloader Barrel on it makes for a Light but Accurate Black Powder Gun,Gonic was a small outfit in New Hampshire they are long out of business now.
mi2600
US Veteran
I originally bought mine to shoot .256 Win Mag. I liked so much I bought extra barrels in .44 Mag, .45LC, .357, .22LR, .221 Fireball, and 25-20 WCF.
Fun to shoot. Easy to clean.
Fun to shoot. Easy to clean.
OP
There are some great responses so far. Will check out the TC forum. The ML bbl sounds neat. May have a nice set of exhibition rifle wood and make a cool 357 match with a 20" bbl. Sometimes life is good, Larry
KLYDE
Member
Larry,
I'll help you spend some of your hard earned cash.
Pictured is my Encore with a 18" 7.62X39 bbl. (.308 bore). This barrel and my 30.06 were originally made at 26" length. I also have a 20" 7-30 Waters barrel. The 26ers were a little too long and didn't balance well. Also, surprisingly the 20" barrel always shot better than the longer tubes. I recently read a great article on short bull barrels versus long tubes and the short barrels often hold better accuracy do to better harmonics. Contrary to what we have read for years on long tubes.
I sent all the barrels to Bullberry for their proprietary hanger install. Since I have Bullberry pistol barrels on order and they only come with their hanger I figured it would make it easier all around. While there, I had the two 26 inchers cut down to 18" and recrowned. The heavy short barrels result in a nice compact package that balances much better. I'd give the shorter barrel length some serious thought if ordering a custom barrel. More so if you get the full bull barrel profile.
I don't know about the other barrel makers but will highly recommend Bullberry. Super nice people and quality work. Also they procure their barrel blanks from some of the premier barrel makers in the country. Won't mention any names.
18" TC Custom Shop bull barrel profile. I believe it is .875". Bullberry full bull profile is 1".
Cut and crowned with Bullberrys recessed 11degree target crown.
Bullberry fore end hanger system. Dovetailed bases with the screw on hanger. One screw in forearm for mounting.
Here's a blast from the past. April 1970 Shooting Times featuring the TC Contender. I was 13 years old and wanted one of those rascals in the worst way. I remember sitting drooling over this mag like it was the Sears Christmas Catalog. Eventually did buy one. Sold it off a year or so ago to a work buddy. Doesn't float his boat and he keeps asking me if I want it back. It's tempting.
Regards Mike
I'll help you spend some of your hard earned cash.
Pictured is my Encore with a 18" 7.62X39 bbl. (.308 bore). This barrel and my 30.06 were originally made at 26" length. I also have a 20" 7-30 Waters barrel. The 26ers were a little too long and didn't balance well. Also, surprisingly the 20" barrel always shot better than the longer tubes. I recently read a great article on short bull barrels versus long tubes and the short barrels often hold better accuracy do to better harmonics. Contrary to what we have read for years on long tubes.I sent all the barrels to Bullberry for their proprietary hanger install. Since I have Bullberry pistol barrels on order and they only come with their hanger I figured it would make it easier all around. While there, I had the two 26 inchers cut down to 18" and recrowned. The heavy short barrels result in a nice compact package that balances much better. I'd give the shorter barrel length some serious thought if ordering a custom barrel. More so if you get the full bull barrel profile.
I don't know about the other barrel makers but will highly recommend Bullberry. Super nice people and quality work. Also they procure their barrel blanks from some of the premier barrel makers in the country. Won't mention any names.
18" TC Custom Shop bull barrel profile. I believe it is .875". Bullberry full bull profile is 1".
Cut and crowned with Bullberrys recessed 11degree target crown.
Bullberry fore end hanger system. Dovetailed bases with the screw on hanger. One screw in forearm for mounting.
Here's a blast from the past. April 1970 Shooting Times featuring the TC Contender. I was 13 years old and wanted one of those rascals in the worst way. I remember sitting drooling over this mag like it was the Sears Christmas Catalog. Eventually did buy one. Sold it off a year or so ago to a work buddy. Doesn't float his boat and he keeps asking me if I want it back. It's tempting.
Regards Mike
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MarTay6
Member
Pieced together a Contender Alloy frame (Gunbroker), Bulberry grips, 14" MGM barrel in .223 w/a Burris 3-12 scope. Haven't shot it yet, anxious to see how it performs.
Wes
Wes
I have a 357 herret a 30 herret and a 222 all with 2.5 power scopes.all 10 inher that shoot well
steveno
Member
I have had:
22 lr (10 & 14 inch)
22mag (10 & 14 inch)
221 Fireball (10 inch) should have kept that one
223 Remington (14 inch) good shooter
223 Remington carbine barrel ( I think it was 21 inch) really big mistake
256 Winchester (10 inch) not much good for silhouette IHMSA
25-35 Winchester (10 inch) really loud
7 mm TCU (10 & 14 inch) both really shot good
30 Herrett (10 inch) big mistake
357 mag (10 inch)
357 mag hotshot (10 inch)
357 Max (10 & 14 inch) the 10 inch is REALLY LOUD , 14 inch really shot good
41 mag (10 & 14 inch) 14 inch really shot well
45 Colt/410 vent rib (10 inch)
22 lr (10 & 14 inch)
22mag (10 & 14 inch)
221 Fireball (10 inch) should have kept that one
223 Remington (14 inch) good shooter
223 Remington carbine barrel ( I think it was 21 inch) really big mistake
256 Winchester (10 inch) not much good for silhouette IHMSA
25-35 Winchester (10 inch) really loud
7 mm TCU (10 & 14 inch) both really shot good
30 Herrett (10 inch) big mistake
357 mag (10 inch)
357 mag hotshot (10 inch)
357 Max (10 & 14 inch) the 10 inch is REALLY LOUD , 14 inch really shot good
41 mag (10 & 14 inch) 14 inch really shot well
45 Colt/410 vent rib (10 inch)
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