Another new guy with several Contender questions....

[OMCHamlin]

  Hi there o'wise & knowledgable Contendervolk, I am but an unwashed & ignorant Contender pretender seeking to figure out a few things about the new T/C Contender carbine that I have paid for but not even got in my hot little hands yet.   But seriously, educate me and affirm (or not) some choices I am thinking about making for this little gun.  It's coming with a 22lr barrel, which I'll keep (everybody's got room for ONE more .22, right?) but, I want to pick up a barrel in 7X30 Waters for it.  I'm thinking about a length of 20-21" for that, but I see that will be a used or custom shop proposition.  
  So, questions:
 That length should get as much ballistic performance as a feller should need to whack a medium sized deer out to 250 yds, right?
  Would that barrel length be legal with a Choat folding stock?  
  What is the shortest length, over 16" of course, that a guy can use with a folding stocked Contender (pre G-2) that meets the ATF minimum overall length? (26", I think?)

Next:
  375 JDJ with a Muzzle Tamed 16-18" barrel, what type of MV should I expect with say a 220 gr bullet?  
  375 JDJ on a limited basis ain't too much for an original Contender, is it?

Last question (for now):  
  .223 barrel, 21-23" what twist is standard?  I'd be using 55gr, most likely nothing heavier, but whatever is standard, is it OK with up to 62gr bullets?

Well, thanks a bunch in advance, ya'll...
Chris

[fyrepowrx]

Chris;

Always good to hear from others that have caught the contender bug. You choice of the 7x30 is a fine one, its a great caliber & more pleasant to shoot than some of the bigger stuff, and is great on deer. Original 7x30 carbines were 21", and there are still a few that surface. Rather than wait for that to happen, just call Ed at Ed's TC's and order one, the price i have seen on used 7x30's is fairly high, so without spending much more you can get a new barrel made up. He had a 24" bull 7x30 last time i talked to him already in stock, he has the custom shop make up some of the more popular barrels in advance and keeps them in stock. he always provides great service too.

i dont have an answer for you on the folding stock questions, have never had one myself on any of my carbines.

the JDJ's are not too much for your contender, i have a 375 & a 358... i personally prefer the 358, but that is just my opinion. if you dont habdload, stay with the 375.

in your JDJ carbine, look for about 2250-2300 fps with 220 grain loads.

If i remember corrcetly TC now uses a 1 in 12 twist, but i think earlier barrels were 1 in 14.

[OMCHamlin]

Thanks for the reply.  I've decided on a 21"ish length for the 223 & 7x30.  I've got to make sure I don't end up with a 223, 1:14 twist,  what do we know about when T/C stopped making them and shifted over to 1:12?  The JDJ will be a 16" w/a muzzle tamer, I'm pretty sure.  I later read that the ATF ruling on folding stocks was exceeding 26" with stock open, but that seems suspect.  However, I read it on the Internet, so as with all things, it must be true.....
R/Chris

[OMCHamlin]

Hmm, OK, what do ya'll think comparing the 7x30 Waters to this new 6.8 Remington SPC as a 250-275 yd bambi whacker?  A quick glance at available charts seems to show the 6.8 as having a slight edge, no?  Does anyone have any feelings as to the future of the 6.8?  Passing fad?  (OK, not that the 7X30 is all THAT strong in devoted following either, I suppose...
R/Chris

[Gitzit]

Yes, the 6.8 is ballistically a little stronger than the 7x30.  The other advantage is there is factory ammo available.  Also the military is currently using it on a limited basis which should ensure some future life.

[OMCHamlin]

Are any of the custom guys doing 6.8 Rem barrels yet?