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Author Topic: Just A Short Introduction  (Read 1237 times)

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Offline JDMiller

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Just A Short Introduction
« on: August 10, 2011, 04:31:38 PM »
Being my first post here.... thought I would introduce myself.
 
I'm a native west Kentuckian....lived here my whole life of 44 years.  Been hunting & shooting pretty much my whole life...cutting my teeth on squirrels & rabbits when I was 5 years old. Started handgun hunting for deer in the late 80's using a Ruger 44 Super Blackhawk....then on about 94 bought a new stainless steel Contender & 2 barrels (10" 30-30 & 45/410). I hunted quite a bit with my SS Contender...30-30 10" barrel for several years..took a few deer. Then my youngun came along.....and between work & everything else.... pretty much slowed my handgun hunting down. I still always hunted  ...primarily with a bow, muzzleoader & rifle.. but seemed the TC stayed put up....until just recently. Now my youngun is in college...and in the last few months...you would have thought I just bought the thing....and the urge to hunt with my Contendender ...lets just say I'm pretty stoked to start hunting with it again.
 
In nearly 20 years that have passed.... seems things have changed a little and I've got some catching up to do. I'm wanting to purchase another barrel in the near future to go along with another hobby that I love...predator hunting. Been wrestling with calibur decisions...like 22 Hornet ,204 or 223 and the like. Also need to make sure the barrel I choose still fits my frame...dont know much about the newer G2 stuff....just know my barrels(1994 vintage) that I have...are the split lug. After lurking here for the last few weeks...makes me want to scratch my head a little. Figured it would be best and get some info from those more knowledgeble than I.
 
So..... you may see me post a few questions to break the learning curve a little. Hopefully they wont seem too dumb and dont mean to pester ...just may need some advice.
 
JD
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Offline Flynmoose

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Re: Just A Short Introduction
« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2011, 05:36:08 PM »
Welcome aboard! I have the G2s but understand that the split lug barrels will fit early and late models both. If your split lug barrel fits, you should be good to go with the newer ones. If you get a barrel that doesn't lock up, there are many posts on how to stone the lugs for correct fit. Don't ever hesitate to ask for any information you may need, this is a friendly, helpful bunch with the same addictions. WARNING! I had trouble making caliber choices and (before I got married again) bought a bunch. I love the Hornets, 223s, 45-70s, 357s...well you get the picture. Enjoy the addiction!
FM
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Offline Ladobe

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Re: Just A Short Introduction
« Reply #2 on: August 10, 2011, 08:11:00 PM »
Welcome JD, pull up a log.   Nice to hear you rediscovered the Contender, they do become a disease that is hard to shake (took almost 43 years for poor health and handicaps to cure my Contenderitis).   There are lots of knowledgeable folks here that will gladly help you with any questions.   
 
There are lots of used Contender era barrels always for sale here, and almost everywhere.   A board sponsor, Ed's TC's is another good source and he's a great gent to deal with.    As already said, almost all the G2 Contender era barrels will work on your Contender frame as well.
 
Caliber choice for predator hunting is endless if you reload and/or wildcat, but there are plenty of very serviceable factory barrel choices as well.   What predators at what ranges, shooting handgun or carbine, and whether you save the pelts will be your guide.   They'll all kill them if you are close enough to place your shot, some even at surprising ranges from short barrels.   Some are pelt friendly, some are not.   If you don't reload, of the three you mentioned the 223 will be the least expensive to buy commercial ammo, the 22 Hornet the most.   If you do reload the 204 is an excellent choice, not hard on pelts and flatter shooting than the other two if at longer ranges.  If you reload and buying a custom barrel is an option, you have at least 240 cartridge choices to pick from for your frame, and many of the wildcats are very easy to do.    My favorite predator barrels, whether handgun, carbine or rifle were the fur friendly 17's, most of them wildcats (except the 17HMR and 17 Remington).   The 17M4 has been commercialized as the 17 Fireball now and it would be an excellent choice without reloading or wildcatting in handgun length barrels.
 
 
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Offline JDMiller

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Re: Just A Short Introduction
« Reply #3 on: August 11, 2011, 04:33:52 PM »
Thanks guys.... appreciate the welcome.
 
I coyote & bobcat hunt now with a rifle....a 22-250 to be a little more specific. However my area..at least on my farm... is typical eastern coyote hunting... long distance shots are few & far between ...hunt in timber more often than open field settings. Even with field settings ....most shots are under 100yds using a decoy to draw them in as close as I can. I'm about 20 minutes from LBL (Land Between the Lakes Recreation Area)... which is roughly 170,000 acres of public hunting ground but yote hunting there...your usually restricted to rimfires or shotgun with their regs...except they allow centerfires for the month of February. I do some amount of hunting there...which ...all the above sorta factor in making a decision on another barrel purchase.
 
I admit..... at first I thought I had my mind made up...223...still may.  I dont reload....just knew it would be easy to find factory ammo. Then.... kinda got  22 Hornet bug.... never owned one... shots at yotes are relatively up-close and probably be good medicine for bobcats ...better than the 22-250 which can leave a fist sized exit. The 204.... considered primarily because of popularity right now.... but just dont see much advantange considering my situation on my normal hunting range over the 22 Hornet. Other considerations...or to my thinking.... is recoil. More than likely will go with a 14" barrel with any of those calibers....but would give the 10" or 12" a long hard look in the Hornet. A more compact package...as I'm use to with my 10" barrels now.... are fairly appealing. Overall...like to find something that was without a doubt comfortable to shoot in the recoil deartment.
 
Been wearing Ed's Contender site out...looking at available barrels. Also...been reading a lot of old threads here to help with a little more insight with the 22 Hornet.
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Offline martineta

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Re: Just A Short Introduction
« Reply #4 on: August 11, 2011, 05:57:16 PM »
Love my Hornet.  So the bullets cost a little more.  Still a fraction of the cost of a hunting day.  I have the .223, 22 LR, and a 300 Whisper also and all 10 inch barrels.  I love the hornet the best for shooting foxes and big whopper hares at my lodge in Uruguay.  I put Leupold M8 2X scopes on all my Contenders.  Lots of fun.  Welcome back to the passion.
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Offline butchen

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Re: Just A Short Introduction
« Reply #5 on: August 12, 2011, 10:19:53 PM »
I ask just about the same question and in a 10" all the talking heard and did took me to the 221 fireball or the 17 fireball. the 221 was made for the xp-100 in 8 3/8" so in a 10" from what they tell me you get a good burn and don't wast powder. and looking at the reloading books you get about the same speed as the bigger rounds with less powder and no big flash. I am looking for a used barrel but I have come to the mind set that I'm going to save up my money and get me a MGM 10" full bull barrel made for that round.
I have been a bigger is better type and have all the cannons, so the small stuff was new to me and I ask a lot of questions (prob to many) but that is what came up most (.221 fireball). Please give it a look before you buy. I hope I have helped. because so many have helped me in looking for one.

and they are right about one thing for sure one-shooters are easy to get hooked on.
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Offline Dezynco

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Re: Just A Short Introduction
« Reply #6 on: August 13, 2011, 03:50:56 AM »
The 22 Hornet or 221 Fireball would be excellent choices, but because the factory ammo is a bit pricey, you'll soon end up with another addiction.......
 
RELOADING!
 
Which will bring you right back to this web sight for even more questions!
 
Then once you've got the hang of reloading, you'll just have to get a barrel in a wildcat caliber, which brings you back again......
 
It's a viscious cycle! ;D
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Offline Curtis

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Re: Just A Short Introduction
« Reply #7 on: August 13, 2011, 04:55:53 AM »
Dezynco that's pretty much my complete Contender story in a nutshell.  The only difference is that 256 win mag was the caliber that pushed me those many years ago to begin hand loading.  And GBO wasn't around as the valuable resource it is today.
Curtis
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Contender in 17 Rem, 22lr, 22k Hornet, 223 Rem, 256 WM, 6TCU, 7TCU, 7-30, 30 Herrett, 300 Whisper, 30-30 AI, 357 mag, 357 Herrett, 375 JDJ, 44 mag, 45/410..... so far.

Offline Ladobe

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Re: Just A Short Introduction
« Reply #8 on: August 13, 2011, 08:31:12 AM »
Quote from: butchen on August 12, 2011, 10:19:53 PM
... the 221 was made for the xp-100 in 8 3/8" so in a 10" ...

Actually, the 221 Fireball was developed for the 10 3/4" barrels on the first production Remy XP-100's.   The prototypes were all 222 Rem, but Remy felt they had too much muzzle blast, so the 222 was shortened to develop the new cartridge.   It's a natural on a 10" TC.   For the Contenders I had a couple of factory 10" octagons and a couple of custom 12" bulls.   Excellent describes all of them.   Still have a very early XP-100 221 Fireball, but sold all the 221FB rifles.  The 221 was a favorite cartridge for P&V until I got my first 17MachIV.   ;)
 

 
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Offline butchen

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Re: Just A Short Introduction
« Reply #9 on: August 13, 2011, 10:54:04 AM »
sorry about that the article I was reading had his cut down to that 8 3/8". I knew that they were 10 1/2" it said so in the lyman book when I was reading up on it. Well what ever the 221 is a great little round from what all the pros say. You sure can do a lot worse than that in a 10"
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When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty." - Thomas Jefferson

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Offline Hafast

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Re: Just A Short Introduction
« Reply #10 on: August 17, 2011, 03:25:06 AM »
The Hornet is a marvelous round. Low recoil and muzzle blast, and is very effective out to about 125 yards on coyotes. Remington 45 gr ammo can be bought for about $40/50 and there are other imports for a little less. The only time I use my 223 is when I know the range will be closer to 200 yards. Make sure to save your fired brass. You can use it when you start reloadng, or sell it to recoup some of your cost.
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Offline JDMiller

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Re: Just A Short Introduction
« Reply #11 on: August 17, 2011, 05:31:27 AM »
Well..... finally made up my mind and called Ed's Contenders this morning. Went with a 22 Hornet in a 10" inch SS factory barrel to keep it a fairly compact package...and I think I'll be happy with it.
 
Hopefully....I'll have it in a few days but going to have get a scope & mounts for it. May have to fire it up with open sights to see how it does when it gets here.
 
Again...appreciate the input from all.
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Offline Bill,SC

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Re: Just A Short Introduction
« Reply #12 on: August 17, 2011, 06:13:52 AM »
JD,
 
West Kentucky??  Where?  Where do you hunt? 
 
Bill
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Offline JDMiller

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Re: Just A Short Introduction
« Reply #13 on: August 17, 2011, 04:28:40 PM »
Quote from: Bill,SC on August 17, 2011, 06:13:52 AM
JD,
 
West Kentucky??  Where?  Where do you hunt? 
 
Bill

Bill..... I live & work on the far west end of the state....near Murray.....which is about 20 minutes from LBL....20 minutes from the Tennessee state line.
 
However...we own 287 acres in North Christian Co.... between Fruithill & Kirkmansville. We bought this soely for hunting...have a log cabin built on it....good place to get away.
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