Contenders Get No Respect

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R. Dupraz posted this 13 March 2018

Checking loads for a 218 B in a new G-2 frame at 50 yds.

1" black pasters were aim points, 30 cal. hole in right one. These two, I think made the cut.  Incidentally, these bullets were weight sorted

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OU812 posted this 13 March 2018

I have one chambered in 300 Whisper (.309 diameter,.200 long freebore, 10 groove). Should be a good cast bullet shooter, but very difficult to hold and shoot. Eye relief on scope is not long enough to really stretch out and shoot in comfort.

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BigMan54 posted this 13 March 2018

I have Leupold or Burris pistol scopes on all my Contender bbl's. The 14" 7MM/TCU & .35REM  wear Leupold 2.5X8. The 10" .357MAX & .44mag wear 2X Leupold & Burris, respectfully. The .22Hornet  had a 4X Leupold on it, but the scope went bad. i sent it back to Leupold for replacement. They sent me a cheap "***" replacement that isn't half as good as the one that went bust. I put it up against all the other pistol scopes and it isn't half as clear as the old ones.  That's the third time they've ripped me off. I'll never buy another Leupold as long as I live. And most of the optic's I own are Leupold, Because of their vaunted lifetime guarantee.  

Blast it. I turned this into another rant.

But the old Scopes, now they are FINE. I once put 3rds into a 1" group with the 7MM/TCU. from the Creedmoor position. I think it was more luck than skill. My .22Hornet never shot that well, even from the bench.  

Long time Caster/Reloader, Getting back into it after almost 10yrs. Life Member NRA 40+yrs, Life S.A.S.S. #375. Does this mean a description of me as a fumble-fingered knuckle-draggin' baboon. I also drool in my sleep. I firmly believe that true happiness is a warm gun. Did I mention how much I HATE auto-correct on this blasted tablet.

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tlkeizer posted this 13 March 2018

Greetings,

A couple clicks up depending on which group you use and a couple clicks right and that is ready for prairie dogs out by Okaton.

TK

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R. Dupraz posted this 14 March 2018

Yep TK, Would be a "hoot" again, wouldn't it. Been over 20 yrs. since the last time. Don't know if there are any places left anymore. 

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RicinYakima posted this 14 March 2018

Sorry, it is all trailer houses and rural slums now.

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shootcast posted this 15 March 2018

Very nice shooting Richard. 

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R. Dupraz posted this 15 March 2018

Thanks for the compliment shootcast. It was one of those days when everything seemed easy. "In the zone", some label it. Have been dinging around with the Bee for some time and it seems that it might shoot OK. Finally, learned that most of the problems, not all, but most have been me with these bloody Contenders and those miniscule .22 castings. Either love em or hate em. But too hard headed to give up.

Yesterday I fired two more five shot groups of the Lee 225-55  and 2400 to verify. Both went 1" center to center. So I am going to quit and just shoot the Pistol with some degree of confidence that it has the capability. From now on it's all on me I think. No shortcuts with those dang little .22 pills.

The header for this topic explains my real reason for posting.

Small groups do wonders for the attitude!  

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Ross Smith posted this 17 March 2018

I see your pistol is an encore, mine is a contender. Is your hinge pin a little sloppy or is that a contender trait?

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OU812 posted this 17 March 2018

My Contender feels very tight with no loose fit 

One thing I really disliked about my contender is the huge factory grip. I changed it out for the smaller rubber Pachmayr grip. The new grip fits and feels more comfortable now.

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BigMan54 posted this 17 March 2018

I've owned three different Contender frames. Not a one had a loose hinge pin. Not even the 2nd one that had 3000+ rds of .35REM & 7mm TC/U.

I like the "new" Contender grip with the rubber backstrap. The old Pachmayr grip is too narrow at the web.

Long time Caster/Reloader, Getting back into it after almost 10yrs. Life Member NRA 40+yrs, Life S.A.S.S. #375. Does this mean a description of me as a fumble-fingered knuckle-draggin' baboon. I also drool in my sleep. I firmly believe that true happiness is a warm gun. Did I mention how much I HATE auto-correct on this blasted tablet.

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R. Dupraz posted this 17 March 2018

 

 

Ross Smith posted this 7 hours ago

 

"I see your pistol is an encore, mine is a contender. Is your hinge pin a little sloppy or is that a contender trait"

 

It's a Contender G-2 not an Encore

The hinge pin is a snug friction fit.

 

R.

 

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Ross Smith posted this 17 March 2018

Thanks all, maybe I do need to install one of those Bellm pins.

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OU812 posted this 17 March 2018

Mounting the scope closer to the eye helps also. Every little bit helps.

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R. Dupraz posted this 17 March 2018

Nice photo 0U812

I have made oversized hinge pins and used some of Bellm's as well and can't really say whether they help the accuracy or not. That has been a long time heated conversation over on the specialty pistols forum. So much so that the thread was finally locked. 

I do think though from what experience that I have had with these beasts that consistent and solid lock up is critical. And, any play between the barrel and frame when locked is not good. Pretty much a no brainer I guess. If an oversized pin can eliminate this, they are probably a good thing. 

The frame in my photo is a re-introduced new G-2 mated to the B barrel that was  from a late seventies Contender frame. while that older 10" octagon barrel and frame shot some nice groups in the past at 50 yds., the lockup with this new frame seems more solid and consistent. Also, I am using the new hinge pin that came with the G-2 as well, which is a perfect snug fit in frame and barrel lug. I believe that the recent groups that I have shot with the "new" combination demonstrate this.

One thing that I can say without reservation is that these guns are not easy to shoot and that consistent hold, rest and bench technique is critical. It has taken me quite a while to begin to master and understand that. But once that happens, these guns will shoot very well for what they are.

 

R. 

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OU812 posted this 18 March 2018

Pistol is very difficult to shoot as in picture, so maybe a longer,wider and flatter forearm would help rest better inside bags. I have also seen bipods attached to these pistols. Bipods are great for load development.

I know very very little about these guns.

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Ross Smith posted this 18 March 2018

oughta get one, they're a hoot. Mine with the 22 match barrel is the most accurate 22 I have.

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R. Dupraz posted this 19 March 2018

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JeffinNZ posted this 19 March 2018

I have often thought that given my time again I would have fewer long arms and a Contender based rifle with multiple barrels. 

Cheers from New Zealand

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OU812 posted this 19 March 2018

My lower powered 2-7 Burris scope is the biggest problem. I find it too difficult to pin point target @ 100 yards.

The latest Fouling Shot shows a BR pistol on front cover using a short eye relief high powered scope. Pistol looks like it would weigh 10 lbs.... ridiculous . Is this a pistol or rifle? 

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RicinYakima posted this 19 March 2018

It is a competition firearm; built, modified and fired in sporting events. That is its only function, to have fun with.

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