Any love here for T/C Contenders?

nutsforsmiths · Apr 22, 2021

Are there many fans here of the Contender? The different barrels one can get with them is amazing, althought I seem to like the small caliber ones.

Top barrel is in 223 with a Leupold Extender scope
Middle barrel is in 22LR. I thought the silhouette style sights were interesing
Bottom barrel is in 221 Fireball

And the barrel on the frame is an octagonal one in 22 Jet

nutsforsmiths-albums-my-photos-picture23325-t-c-contender.jpg

Jebus35745 · Apr 22, 2021

This subject comes up once in a while, still shoot mine. Now have 2 frames, one is used offhand as a pistol at 50’ at the indoor club. The other is a .357 Max with nice wood. Have 3 pistol barrels, 2 6 1/2” in .22 & .32 mag and an octagon 10” in .38 special. Found a Free Pistol type grip for off hand shooting. Fun & accurate, Larry

Chukar60 · Apr 23, 2021

I owned one once.
I had several barrels. Some were useful to me and others were at best a novelty.
The 12” 223 barrel was a flop for me.
The14” 7-30 Water’s barrel was a bit of an improvement.
The 10” 44 mag barrel I did not care for.
The 45 Colt / 3” 410 barrel was the best of the bunch. It shot 45 Colt like a laser, even shot some 454 Casull out of it. It was the best 4 wheeler gun I have ever owned. Put a half dozen rounds of 45 Colt in my pocket and half dozen rounds of 410 in the other pocket. Best grouse gun ever.
We had a spot we rode where the grouse were thick. We would try to shoot them on the fly with the 410. We got very few, but had a ball trying.

Lonegle57 · Apr 23, 2021

My first handgun, I purchased, was a Contender in the early 80's. I upped my challenge status by starting to hunt with handguns in the late 80's. I came across what I think are good deals in the Contender arena along the way. My herd now hovers around 20 frames, all barreled. I consider myself a Contender fan. Just yesterday I brought home two frames, now have to figure out what barrels will go on them.

Ray1970 · Apr 23, 2021

Had one years ago and kind of starting to miss it. May have to hunt down another one.

If you’re a fan of odd calibers and a reloader that enjoys things like making your own brass they are an absolute joy to own.

I had barrels in 30 Herrett, 7 TCU, 22 K Hornet, 300 Whisper, and a couple of other fun calibers.

GypsmJim · Apr 23, 2021

Mine is an Encore, basically just the older brother. Only one barrel - a 15" .308 Winchester. The first time afield with it I harvested the biggest buck I ever shot. It has been my deer gun ever since.

H Richard · Apr 23, 2021

I had a couple of them, early ones in the 80's. Started with them to shoot Metallic Silhouette. First barrel was a 44 Mag 10", then a 7TCU 10", then a .22 RF, 10", Then a 7x30 Waters 15". And, the last one was a .222 Remington for So. Dakota Prairie Dogs. These IHMSA pins were won using a TC .

saemetric · Apr 23, 2021

Mine’s in 35 Remington, bought in 1978 or 79.

Ivan the Butcher · Apr 23, 2021

I have an Original frame and a second generation, "Easy Open" frame and several barrels including 22 LR, 7TCU and 44 Mag Super 14's, a 12" 375 Winchester Hunter, and a pile of 10" Bull and Octagon barrels. The two I shoot most often are 10" Bull's in 221 Fireball, & 22 Hornet. Ground Hogs are toast!

Ivan

hittman77 · Apr 23, 2021

Mine is (I think) one of the first generation made in the 70s.

Has 2 barrels, one in 357 Magnum and another in 222 Remington with a nice scope.

Cleandean · Apr 23, 2021

I bought my TC/Contender ,new in 1985 . Wanting the .223 Rem. and an auxiliary Bbl. In .35 Remington. Both 14 “ bull Bbl.
Bought dies for both and started reloading. The next addition was a 7mm. TC/U 14” Bull Bbl. I had plenty of brass from my Ruger Mini 14 . Never got a scope for the 7mm ; As it was just as accurate as the other two, that had Burris scopes. Next came...
.41magnum . Iron sights 10” Bbl. Short forearm.
.45-70 Govt. 12” Hunter Bbl. Muzzle Tamer brake Burris scope.
.375 JDJ. 14” Bull Bbl. Muzzle Tamer Brake Bush Nell Elite scope.

I bought the .375 from JD Jones . I went to his home office at SKS Indusries in Wintersville Ohio where I met and talked to him in person.
Quite a thrill for me that day that I lightened my wallet & my checking account both.
TSOB Mounts and rings, his .375 JDJ Bbl.
Set of RCBS dies
Rainy day as I was done with the purchases, talked reloading, hunting & cars with JD Jones over a cup of coffee.
He showed me his 1983 Delorean , and said $25,000 would buy it today.
It was 2003 ,& I said I know about the DeLorean cars from my cousin .He had one and the inate problems that they developed. “ I’ll pass”, but yours looks real nice”. I already had an antique car to dive into.
But meeting the famous Hunter, inventor & author ... made a really good day.

mtgianni · Apr 23, 2021

I have two contenders and two G2 contenders. bbls are as best I remember:
10" 22 lr
10" 22 Hornet
12" 7 TCU
10" 357 Max Mike Bellm rechamber
14" 30-30
14" 44 Mag
23" 223
23" 7-30 Walters
22" 30 Badger wildcat 38 special case ran in a 30 mauser die
3 Encores all rifle bbls
243 Win
7-08 Win
7 Rem Mag.
I bought the 7-08 for a rechamber to 358 but it hasn't yet happened.
The Max and 22 Lr wear irons the rest are scoped.

Homie · Apr 23, 2021

Bought my first one in the early days of IHMSA when I thought I should be getting better scores than I was with my 8 3/8ths M29. Had factory barrels in .357Mag, .357 Herrett, .30 Herrett, .30 Ingram, and a .30/30 Win. My scores did get better but I was shooting every weekend and couldn't afford a divorce.

Contender fanciers might appreciate the story from the Coors Schuetzenfest when they announced a SS Pistol Match. The late Bob Milek, who wrote a lot about the T/C, showed up with a group of followers predicting a T/C victory.

Unbeknownst to them was the fact that the late Dean Miller of the deHaas/Miller SS fame had produced three pistol versions of that action. Match results were Miller 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.

As car guys say, you can't beat cubic dollars!!!

oddshooter · Apr 23, 2021

I think Mike and Kurt Bellm are the top of the line makers for the 357 Maximum. The T/C's they have put together for me are outstanding shooters. What a great family.

Prescut

double-dipper · Apr 23, 2021

I got one back in the 80's when Silhouette shooting was all the rage.
Its been hanging out in the back of the safe since the 90's

The son in-laws enjoy shooting it, so I keep it.

gmiller0737 · Apr 23, 2021

I have a Earlier One but Now it's My Black Powder Rifle & has been for a long time It has T/C Carbine Butt Stock & A Gonic Arms GA-90 .45 Caliber Muzzleloader Barrel with a Leupold 4X Scope it's Light & Accurate uses 209 Ignition System Gonic went out of business long ago I think it was early 90's when I purchased the Barrel New

m75rlg · Apr 23, 2021

A squirrel and deer getter for sure. A ten inch .22 and a 12" .30-30 barrell for handgun. Recently added a .30-30 carbine barrell and stock for a left eyed grandson who killed a buck his first time in the stand with it.

Johnnu2 · Apr 23, 2021

YUP... bought my Contender "backwards". Saw a used .357 Herrett barrel for sale with RCBS dies and some fire formed brass; all for a good price. Snapped it up and not too long thereafter, bought the frame and furniture to shoot it with..... Still have the whole she-bang along with a .221 Fireball barrel. 10" bbls for me....Big game and small game.... got'em covered with one OLD contender.

J.

Rocket3 · Apr 23, 2021

Here's my favorite, Bullberry 22LR Match

max503 · Apr 23, 2021

My 10 inch 22 Match barrel is the most accurate 22 rimfire I have ever shot. Rifle or pistol.

Any love here for T/C Contenders?

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