Author Topic: Contender rifle for whitetails - advice sought (Read 1238 times)

yukiginger · « **on:** August 06, 2003, 03:13:51 AM »

I have a contender pistol - ss in 357 magnum, 10" barrel. I like this setup and took it deer hunting, but for the most part I stick with my shotgun here in upstate NY. Anyway, I have been thinking of getting a deer rifle for traveling for some whitetail hunting. I have always considered making a rifle out of the contender.

I have done some searching on this site and others, and I am familiar with most of the custom stock and barrel makers for the T/C products. It looks like the 7-30 Waters might be the best choice in a non-wildcat cartridge, and that is my preference, as I would rather not bother reloading for it, at least to start. I doubt I would ever take a shot past 250 yds., and most I expect would be in the 100 yd. range.

My question is one that has been asked many times before: are the custom makers worth it, and worth it for a cartridge like this. I see Ed has T/C custom shop barrels, and he has one in the Waters, 24" bull. Does this make the contender rifle front heavy? And what about the accuracy and quality of the custom shop barrels? Should I go with a Bullberry instead?

On to the stock. I really like the looks and reputation of the Bullberry stocks. I am tall, at 6'4" and maybe getting custom length of pull would be a good idea. Someone else posted a message about gunstocksinc.com, and their offerings also look pretty nice. I am looking for advice here. Should I go with a factory stock, or one of these customs, and if so, would I want to go with a custom barrel from one of the makers or could I stick with the T/C custom shop barrel. I know Bullberry uses a unique mounting system. Is it worth it?

I would prefer getting a good recoil pad added, too, to make it as soft-shooting as possible.

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

Mark

RonF · « **Reply #1 on:** August 06, 2003, 03:44:20 AM »

I can't help you on the stock issue, as my dimensions differ from yours in a big way - factory stocks work fine for me. On the barrel, if you're not going to reload, there is absolutely NO reason to do anything other than buy a standard issue barrel for the type of use you plan.

RonF

Sgt Mike · « **Reply #2 on:** August 06, 2003, 05:12:24 AM »

Mark,
I had a Contender rifle in the 7-30 Waters. It did a great job until I needed that second quick shot. Look at a Howa 1500 bolt action for the same money a stock, foearm and barrel will cost, plus the advantage availability of ammo. I did and I am happy. Don't get me wrong I still have Contenders and Encores and always will
Mike

WW1 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 06, 2003, 06:44:34 AM »

Hi Mark....for what you are describing I feel you will be hard pressed to find a better cal than 7-30...I have a hunter pistol in that cal that is deadly...just picked up the carbine barrel and going to try it...I wish the factory ammo for it wasnt so limited, but at least you have factory ammo...hahaha...I have been shooting the Federal Premium 120 grainers in the hunter and off a bench can keep them in less than 10" at 400 yards...am really looking forward to playing with the carbine...my barrels are factory and I have read that TC has some problems, with their chambers and rifling as far as accuracy goes, but that out of all the cals, the 7-30 Waters is one that is consistanly good, that is why I bought mine...
as for the stocks..I am only 5'10" so not sure my ideas will help, but let me say this...they say the LOP is 14" I believe...I finally figgured out after 55 years, I have a short neck......hahaha...all my other bolt actions and Ruger #1's have from 13" to 13 1/4" LOP....sometimes depending on the scope I have to buy extention rings to drop it back far enough for eye relief with heavy clothes on...now I pick up my Contender and my Encore, and it is almost like I cant get the scope far enough forward to be right for me...so I am not sure it must be stock design....if I were you I would look arround and see if you can find anyone local who has a carbine you can try and see...if you lived in Wa. , I would let you try mine.....hahaha...you may have to buy a custom stock with a longer LOP...anyway I hope I have helped and not confused you...whatever you decide to do, I think you will be happy with the 7-30....Rob in Olympia

longwinters · « **Reply #4 on:** August 06, 2003, 04:14:43 PM »

Yep, the 7-30 is an excellent pistol caliber and for the Contender it would be at the top of my list for a rifle also. I have also heard a bit of negative about Thompson barrels, but my 14" 7-30 shot fantastic and the 7m-08 (24") that I just got for my Encore shoots (honest no exageration here) 3 shot inside of a nickel at 100 yards. And at 200 yards inside of a quarter. Now I cannot do it all of the time . . . but that is me because the rifle/barrel has done it so it must be capable and not just a fluke. Ed from Ed's contenders said that he has had as many or more custom barrels returned than regular factory barrels . . . hmmm. :eek:

Ranger413 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 06, 2003, 06:46:20 PM »

I don't have a contender, but I just wanted to comment on the "factory barrel" issue. I presently have an Encore with a .223 24" factory barrel. Using Winchester Varmint Pack Ammo (45gr. HP - 40 rounds per box - @ 12.00 at Walmart) I am able to print 3/8" groups at 100 yards for three rounds. Almost one ragged hole. I'd save some cash if I were you and try the factory barrel first. If it doesn't suit you, sell or trade it for a custom barrel. My 2 cents.

Ranger413

Blunderbus · « **Reply #6 on:** August 06, 2003, 07:19:28 PM »

I used to have a stainless Contender Carbine that came with three barrels, one of which was 7-30 Waters. It was a great little number, but factory ammunition was invariably a special order item and not cheap. Because I did not handload, I found myself hoarding whatever 7-30 ammo I could find -- which wasn't much. For this reason, I also picked up a .30-30 barrel. Consequently, I shot the .30-30 barrel a lot and hardly ever shot the 7-30 barrel.

If you have no immediate intention of handloading, I think you'd be better off with a .30-30 barrel. Once you get around to handloading, you've got all kinds of .30 caliber bullets and bullet weights to fool around with. Or you can just stick to . 30-30 factory ammo, which is cheap, accurate, effective and abundant.

Of course, the 7-30 Waters is a cool semi-wildcat developed by a cool guy. So I'm not going to knock it. I know guys who swear by it ... particularly in the Contender pistols.

Blunderbus

yukiginger · « **Reply #7 on:** August 07, 2003, 03:04:58 AM »

I thank all of you for your help. I must mull this over a bit more and it might be a while before I decide just what to do. Your opinions and advice do help.

Mark

les hemby · « **Reply #8 on:** August 09, 2003, 06:46:55 AM »

for a non-reloader would agree with blunderbuss 30-30 shell are about half price of 7-30 and you can still get 125gr. in 30-30. from factory they are all flatnose. i dont like just one brand of ammo. and want to be able to find ammo at any wal-mart

Biathlonman · « **Reply #9 on:** August 09, 2003, 08:15:49 AM »

I just put together a Contender carbine and my opinion is that you have to go Custom on the stock. I personally made mine myself but I think that a Bullberry or a VVCG stock would be great also. I went Custom on the barrel because I reload, 6.5 JDJ.

It seems to be that 20-22" should be just about perfect for rifle balance depending on caliber...for me. Since you are taller and your stock will likely be longer you might want to add an inch or so.

As for calibers 7-30 would be great, 30-30 is never a bad choice, and if you could possible find a custom barrel in .250 savage, that would be very cool.

All of course is my opinion, feel free to contact me if you have any thing I can help you with!