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rong
Member Posts: 8,459
What year did thompson center contender come out? I have an earlier model 23-25 win 10" bbl with bushnell 2.5x scopes and TC shoulder holster. I never really could find any info or value on it. I bought 10 boxes of shells when i bought it in 1991 for 235.00, back then shells were 17.95 a box. My father bought a newer G1 and there is difference in the engraving of wolf and my has contoured grips, mine is just a little more detailed. It is pleasant to shoot. thanks
Comments
TC contender with a 45/410
barrel and 22 match barrel-$350.
question is :what kind of
accuracy can I expect out
of the 45/410 barrel shooting
45 colt.i have no interest in the 410
ans do they sell 45 colt only barrels
without the long chamber.
Thanks--rong
Jason Warner
Both TC and aftermarket vendors make barrels in most any caliber for the TC. I even bought a original TC barrel in .45 ACP years ago.,
But you're pretty close to the T/C shop in Rochester, they make barrels and you can get everything from 22 lr to 45/70 barrels for the Contender. You might want to visit the Kittery Trading Post, they always have alot of spare barrels for the Contender and the prices are pretty good, anywhere from about $125.00 on up.
I haven't used a 45 Colt out of the 45/410 barrel for a while. In general a longer jump through freebore space doesn't help accuracy. If you reload there is usually a separate section for the T/C in 45 Colt, you can go much hotter than normal when you're shooting out of the T/C as opposed to an old (or new) Colt SAA.
Edit: I knew I should have done a "don't stuff a 454 or 460 into the gun" post, I agree with the "don't do it" post below. The Contender isn't strong enough to handle the higher pressure of those cartridges with their much larger base. The Contender can handle higher pressure from smaller based cartriges such as the 223, but not something as large as the 454/460. Closest I can come is that T/C recommends using 28,000 cup 45/70 loads as max in that chambering, many reloading manuals allow 1895 Marlin pressure loads of 35,000. The 454/460 are way over that level.
If your really feeling macho you can try capping some .454 Casulls or .460 S & W's in your barrel, if the chamber is long enough. The .460 is a sure thing for getting your heart pumping and eyes watering.
Rufe,
Not so sure the 454 and 460 are a good idea. While the Contender G2 is strong, it is not as strong as the Encore. T/C does not chamber either of those two rounds in the G2 because of the pressures they operate at, and the back thrust they create against the breech face with the heavier bullets. I know they chamber the 45-70, but the operating pressures that are loaded by most manufacturers, are for the old Trap Door's.
Best
I'd say you got the set-up for a .22lr at the right price and the 45/410 got thrown in on the deal.
If you like .45 Colt and don't want what you have then buy one in .45 Colt only. The barrel you have is going to do decent. Sometimes they actually do very well. You never know until you shoot it.
I'll say again what's been said before, if you have the contender don't get too wild with the pressures on big cases. Get an Encore for that.
I would like to stick with a 45 colt
only.