Author Topic: .243 in Contender??  (Read 1906 times)

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Offline JCM

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.243 in Contender??
« on: December 05, 2003, 07:28:15 AM »
Can the Contender be chambered in .243?  I haven't seen any .243 barrels out there.  Any experiences with the Contender in .243?

Thanks,
JCM

Offline Jeff Vicars

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.243 in Contender??
« Reply #1 on: December 05, 2003, 07:38:28 AM »
It's not safe. Too much pressure with that large of a case head.

Offline mkee

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try something new
« Reply #2 on: December 05, 2003, 08:17:51 AM »
just get an encore that's what i'm doing.

Offline spinafish

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.243 in Contender??
« Reply #3 on: December 05, 2003, 10:14:17 AM »
If still want to stay with the Contender you might want to give the 6mm BRM from E.A. Brown a try.  Its new to them, sorta a 6-30.  www.EABCO.Com
the most heartwreching words any man will ever hear
"depart from me, I never knew you"  Jesus
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Offline donzov

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Had a .243 Contender
« Reply #4 on: December 06, 2003, 10:58:07 AM »
When I bought my contender the guy gave me four barrels with it . One of which was a super 14 6mm TCU rechambered to .243. It was the second most wicked thing I ever held in my hand. everyone warned me not to try it, but I couldn't resist. I bought a box of remingtons and went to the range. The first three shots went into a six inch group at 100 yards with open sights, and let me repeat that it was wicked. All my friends there had to try it and it kept up the good groups. And they couldn't shut up about how much power it had.
     I had no use for it, so I put it in the barrel tradeing forum and most people said it should be destroyed. But a fellow in Texas traded me a 14 inch .22LR with a red dot for it. I use the .22 for silhouette and love it.
     The fellows name was Razzle and wanted to use it for varmint shooting. Maybe he'll see this and reply or you could send him a PM to see what became of that barrel.
     The thing was just wicked, after every shot you couldn't help but say "HOLY S__T".
                                                           Donzov

Offline MF

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.243 in Contender
« Reply #5 on: December 06, 2003, 01:57:22 PM »
Donzov,
If that .243 was the second most wicked, what was the first!? The question had to be asked! :) Mike

Offline Robert

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Factory ammo was insane...
« Reply #6 on: December 06, 2003, 02:27:26 PM »
I personally have a 356 Winchester, which is also not supposed to be chambered for Contender, but with proper loads it is great, almost as good as a 358 JDJ.  If the 243 is handloaded, it would probably be fine, but with full power loads, I am surprised you didn't damage your frame.
....make it count

Offline HL

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.243 in Contender??
« Reply #7 on: December 08, 2003, 07:57:51 AM »
Try the 6mm-223. 2800fps with 80gr. speer bullets and H335 or AA2230 is easily done.

Tuning the loads, you will see, with a little practice, 1/4-1/2 inch groups most of the time.

Fun to shoot with little recoil and will take whitetail and mulies out to 200yds. I have taken several whitetails and turkey out to 250-275 yards. It's my favorite barrel of the bunch.

Offline Razzle

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243 barrel in contender
« Reply #8 on: December 15, 2003, 05:13:51 PM »
I have a 243 barrel for my contender. I traded with Donzov on the barrel trading forum.  I don't shot hot loads in this barrel as I am afraid that it may be to hot for the contender frame. I do load a lite load for this and it is absolutly awesome.  Donzov shot this barrel with open sights, I have a redfield scope on this and it's amazing how well it groups. It will shot  less than 1/2" groups at 100 yards with no problem.  Recoil is not bad either, primers are not flat and action does not bind when opening.  I do believe that with common sense a person can shot this cartridge in a contender but you can not shot hot loads.  I have a contender barrel in 300 savage and I believe it is harder on the contender frame than the lite loads of the 243.

Offline HL

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.243 in Contender??
« Reply #9 on: December 16, 2003, 01:56:04 AM »
I agree, that if the 243 is downloaded enough, it won't be a problem, but then again, when will a person know when they have exceeded that point.

I would chance to bet that even a down loaded 243 will have just about the same pressure effects on the frame as a 300 savage will. Just look at the top end pressures of both cartridges. 300 savage maxes out about 10000 cup lower than the 243 maxes out.

NOt arguing, because I also have a 300 savage, but felt recoil is due to the larger projectile being forced through the barrel, even when the 300 savage is operating at lower pressures.