TC Contender
- Thread starter Nathan
- Start date
how about a .22 rod won't go in a .204" bore?? 
wider range of bullet selection in .22 cal
.221 Fireball is a factory round. No case forming or necking required.
So, that's 3 there might be more.
just thought of another one, longevity...
.221 Fireball has been around for decades, and there's more data available. My old loading manuals have .221 Fireball.
.20 Vartarg I had to look up on Wiki, having never heard of it before....
wider range of bullet selection in .22 cal
.221 Fireball is a factory round. No case forming or necking required.
So, that's 3 there might be more.
just thought of another one, longevity...
.221 Fireball has been around for decades, and there's more data available. My old loading manuals have .221 Fireball.
.20 Vartarg I had to look up on Wiki, having never heard of it before....
Cheapshooter
New member
The Vartarg will get about 99.9% "What's that, never heard of it". While the 221 Fireball might only 50%-75%, mostly from shooters under 40-50 years old!
mxsailor803
New member
Might as well throw in the 218 Bee while you’re at it lol.
gbclarkson
New member
And 7-30 Waters.
I have a Contender barrel in .22LR. I have another in .22 Hornet, and another in .222Rem. I also have an XP-100 in .221 Fireball. (all 10" barrels)
I had a 14" Contender barrel in .223, but got rid of it, too long and too heavy for what it delivered. I think I've got "varmint pistol" pretty well covered. If I need more, I'll go to a rifle, .22 Hornet, .222 Rem, or .22-250.
I have a .223 rifle but its about useless for four legged varmints...I keep it for the 2 legged kind.
Personally, I have no interest in any bore smaller than .22. If you do, fine, enjoy! I just never found them worth the trouble.
I had a 14" Contender barrel in .223, but got rid of it, too long and too heavy for what it delivered. I think I've got "varmint pistol" pretty well covered. If I need more, I'll go to a rifle, .22 Hornet, .222 Rem, or .22-250.
I have a .223 rifle but its about useless for four legged varmints...I keep it for the 2 legged kind.
Personally, I have no interest in any bore smaller than .22. If you do, fine, enjoy! I just never found them worth the trouble.
Cheapshooter
New member
My Contender varmint contenders are 22LR, 22 Hornet, and 223 Remington. Next step up is 7-30 Waters.
Add a couple classic "ya just gotta have" if you're a true Contender fan, 30, and 357 Harrett. In addition to the 22LR Match 14" tube that came with the original purchase of my G2 Stainless was a 35 Remington Super 14 barrel. Throw in the magnum pistol calibers of 357, and 44. Then the big thumper. 10" SSK 45-70 barrel.
I guess my "varmint" needs are covered from ground squirrels to moose!
Add a couple classic "ya just gotta have" if you're a true Contender fan, 30, and 357 Harrett. In addition to the 22LR Match 14" tube that came with the original purchase of my G2 Stainless was a 35 Remington Super 14 barrel. Throw in the magnum pistol calibers of 357, and 44. Then the big thumper. 10" SSK 45-70 barrel.
I guess my "varmint" needs are covered from ground squirrels to moose!
I never interested in the Herrett wildcats, not that they aren't good and useful rounds, I was just never interested.
I have 10" barrels in the pistol calibers, .357Mag, .44 Mag, and .45 Colt, also a .45/.410. For the long toms, I've got a 14" .30-30, .45 Win Mag and .45-70 barrels.
My favorite fun ones are kind of rare. 6" barrels, one in 9mm Luger and the other in .357 Mag. They look "short" and give the Contender a "ARRRR Prepare to repel boaders!!! ARRR!" kind of look.
I have 10" barrels in the pistol calibers, .357Mag, .44 Mag, and .45 Colt, also a .45/.410. For the long toms, I've got a 14" .30-30, .45 Win Mag and .45-70 barrels.
My favorite fun ones are kind of rare. 6" barrels, one in 9mm Luger and the other in .357 Mag. They look "short" and give the Contender a "ARRRR Prepare to repel boaders!!! ARRR!" kind of look.
The XP-100 is a cool gun. I passed up several in bigger calibers, and with custom stocks until I found one of the original .221s with the original stock.
A sweet trigger, and as accurate as a bolt action rifle.
For many years I couldn't figure out why Rem made the .221, why not just chamber it in .222 or .223?
Then, it dawned on my, after comparing load data and velocities.
It was the 10" barrel of the XP-100 that was the real reason. The .221 Fireball case holds all the powder that will be useful in a 10" barrel. Both the .222 and .223 burn more powder but don't give any real increase in velocity, from a 10" barrel.
A sweet trigger, and as accurate as a bolt action rifle.
For many years I couldn't figure out why Rem made the .221, why not just chamber it in .222 or .223?
Then, it dawned on my, after comparing load data and velocities.
It was the 10" barrel of the XP-100 that was the real reason. The .221 Fireball case holds all the powder that will be useful in a 10" barrel. Both the .222 and .223 burn more powder but don't give any real increase in velocity, from a 10" barrel.
Steve in PA
New member
Can’t help you with your choice between those calibers, but I do enjoy several calibers;
.22lr, .22lr Match, .22 Hornet, .223, .44 Magnum and 7-30 Waters.
.22lr, .22lr Match, .22 Hornet, .223, .44 Magnum and 7-30 Waters.
mxsailor803
New member
All of y’all talking about the Contender/Encore frames have me wanting to get another one. I was a dummy and let mine go.
Cheapshooter
New member
"another one" ?
Frame, maybe one. But Contender barrels are like potato chips. Ya can't stop at one!
I'm up to ten now.
I do have an Encore... but not much... a pistol barrel in 17 HMR. And a rifle barrel in .375 JDJ.
I’m more a Contender guy. I bet I forget one...
All are pistol barrels..
17 Mach IV.
22 Jet
256 WM
MGM custom 12” .357 SIG. Worth it!
357 Herrett
357 Maximum
445 Super Mag
45/70
I think that’s it....
I only have the one vintage Contender frame. I would like to add a G2. Spend less time changing barrels!
The 22 Jet and 256 WM are great little varmint cartridges.
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I’m more a Contender guy. I bet I forget one...
All are pistol barrels..
17 Mach IV.
22 Jet
256 WM
MGM custom 12” .357 SIG. Worth it!
357 Herrett
357 Maximum
445 Super Mag
45/70
I think that’s it....
I only have the one vintage Contender frame. I would like to add a G2. Spend less time changing barrels!
The 22 Jet and 256 WM are great little varmint cartridges.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
ammo.crafter
New member
204
The 204 Ruger out performs the Vtag.
I love the 7x30 Waters...one of the most accurate cartridges around and a great hunting round as well. Recoil is very modest.
I sweet hog round is the 357 Max.
For larger animals, look at the 358 Bellm.
The 204 Ruger out performs the Vtag.
I love the 7x30 Waters...one of the most accurate cartridges around and a great hunting round as well. Recoil is very modest.
I sweet hog round is the 357 Max.
For larger animals, look at the 358 Bellm.
222 Rem Mag Improved nearly the 22-250 in performance
https://www.bellmtcs.com/blog/222-rem-mag-improved/
one of my all-time favorites
204 Ruger easily donors brass
https://www.bellmtcs.com/blog/222-rem-mag-improved/
one of my all-time favorites
204 Ruger easily donors brass
the author in the linked article said "essentially" and I believe he was referring to shooting from a 16 3/4" barrel.
Personally, I wouldn't bother with a 16" .22-250, and some other round being able to essentially match the performance of round that is essentially neutered by being fired in a barrel too short to come close to fully utilizing the round's potential doesn't impress me at all.