Off and on I have thought about purchasing a T/C Contender hand gun. I have yet to scratch that itch but I'm thinking about it again. What is the current price range for complete guns, frames and barrels? What can and can not be accomplished with respect to trigger tuning? Thanks. Tony
T/C Contender
- Thread starter Tony
- Start date
Tony,
Complete guns run from $450 - $550.
Barrels from $150 - $300 ( average is about $225 ) depending on condition and common or rare chamberings.
My trigger on mine is fantastic, it is about 1 lb.
My receiver was made around 1978.
Many say the most versatile chambering ever in the T/C is the 30-30 Win.
A cast bullet shooter's dream cartridge.
http://www.artfulbullet.com/index.php?threads/t-c-contender-at-40-yards.318/
They are addictive ! !
Ben
Complete guns run from $450 - $550.
Barrels from $150 - $300 ( average is about $225 ) depending on condition and common or rare chamberings.
My trigger on mine is fantastic, it is about 1 lb.
My receiver was made around 1978.
Many say the most versatile chambering ever in the T/C is the 30-30 Win.
A cast bullet shooter's dream cartridge.
http://www.artfulbullet.com/index.php?threads/t-c-contender-at-40-yards.318/
They are addictive ! !
Ben
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Tony,
I turned the adjustment screw ( pull weight ) on mine just a bit.
After the very minor tuning that I did, I put a trigger pull gauge on it, the trigger was right at 1 lb. Clean and crisp.
The pistol worked well after the trigger adjustment , I left well enough alone and have been enjoying it ever since.
Ben
I turned the adjustment screw ( pull weight ) on mine just a bit.
After the very minor tuning that I did, I put a trigger pull gauge on it, the trigger was right at 1 lb. Clean and crisp.
The pistol worked well after the trigger adjustment , I left well enough alone and have been enjoying it ever since.
Ben
9
9.3X62AL
Guest
Tony--
That 32-20 is a weird one, from the standpoint of case stretch. I have loaded it at revolver-mildness for close to 25 years, and using W-W or R-P brass the things stretch unevenly anyway. I find myself trimming every other firing just to 'even up' the case mouths square. Starline brass is better stuff--not nearly as prone to stretching, and though well within SAAMI specs for thickness the brass is stronger than the WW/RP. A couple more firings, and my WW and RP 32-20 brass is getting cashiered in favor of Starline.
That 32-20 is a weird one, from the standpoint of case stretch. I have loaded it at revolver-mildness for close to 25 years, and using W-W or R-P brass the things stretch unevenly anyway. I find myself trimming every other firing just to 'even up' the case mouths square. Starline brass is better stuff--not nearly as prone to stretching, and though well within SAAMI specs for thickness the brass is stronger than the WW/RP. A couple more firings, and my WW and RP 32-20 brass is getting cashiered in favor of Starline.
RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Tony, Try to shoot one first, as the trigger reach is really very long if you have short fingers! Ric
Keep in mind that I didn't buy my T/C new.
It was in excellent condition however.
Could someone else have also worked on the trigger before me , very possible ? ?
9.3, was this in a TC or a revolver of some type?
I have been shooting the 32-20aka30-20 in a TC for at least 20 years with no case issues, RP, WW and starline.
Bullet weights have ranged from 110-200 grain, cast and jacketed.
Speeds and pressures in a TC are over and way above what the older guns can handle. In a nut shell it will do everything the darling 300acc, 30x221, 300 whisper or what ever you want to call it today. TC and BF falling block, no brass issues.
However I don't full length size until the 3-4th reloading. Some of my brass has been reloaded at least 30 times.
Fast forward a few years. I finally got a Ruger buckeye, Blackhawk frame 32 mag and a 32-20 cylinder. It is a tank to say the least. I run a custom 140 plain base right around1400 and change. Groups at 100 average 3" per 12.
Yes you have to be careful with brass. Treat it like a large 22 hornet and you will be fine.
The triggers on the contenders came be tuned safely to run under a pound, target work only IMHO.
The G2 and the Encore can both easily get to a pound. Mine are both under that and have passed every safety inspection at matches I have used them at.
The good thing about the contender is with a .050 hex wrench a half turn you can go from 12 ounces to a very nice 2lb hunting trigger.
As mentioned above the 30-30 is a dandy, though I prefer a 14" barrel for target work. 165 rcbs sil mold and a dose of SR 4759 has accounted for my fair share of awards over the years.
Jeff
I have been shooting the 32-20aka30-20 in a TC for at least 20 years with no case issues, RP, WW and starline.
Bullet weights have ranged from 110-200 grain, cast and jacketed.
Speeds and pressures in a TC are over and way above what the older guns can handle. In a nut shell it will do everything the darling 300acc, 30x221, 300 whisper or what ever you want to call it today. TC and BF falling block, no brass issues.
However I don't full length size until the 3-4th reloading. Some of my brass has been reloaded at least 30 times.
Fast forward a few years. I finally got a Ruger buckeye, Blackhawk frame 32 mag and a 32-20 cylinder. It is a tank to say the least. I run a custom 140 plain base right around1400 and change. Groups at 100 average 3" per 12.
Yes you have to be careful with brass. Treat it like a large 22 hornet and you will be fine.
The triggers on the contenders came be tuned safely to run under a pound, target work only IMHO.
The G2 and the Encore can both easily get to a pound. Mine are both under that and have passed every safety inspection at matches I have used them at.
The good thing about the contender is with a .050 hex wrench a half turn you can go from 12 ounces to a very nice 2lb hunting trigger.
As mentioned above the 30-30 is a dandy, though I prefer a 14" barrel for target work. 165 rcbs sil mold and a dose of SR 4759 has accounted for my fair share of awards over the years.
Jeff
When I was shooting Hunter Pistol Silhouette, I settled on the .30 Carbine chambering in my TC. I used a 165 gr. home cast GC bullet. Powder of choice was RL-7, as I remember. I used a two powder scope. I would hold dead on chickens, pigs, and turkeys and would hold top of the back on rams. No sight changes necessary. The chickens were slammed off their setting perch clear back onto the backstop. It took Rams down decisively!
My best scores were 38's as I never quite made a clean 40x40. Had LOTS of fun, tho'.
My "heavy hitter" is a JD Jones barrel for .375 JDJ (.444 necked down to .375). Using a near case full of rifle powder this cartridge drives a 270 gr. jacketed bullet to near 2000 fps. It's a real handful to shoot but the ported barrel helps, a bunch. My best target with this one was shot at 25 yards on the timed fire target. I had a 100x100 with ten "X's". I could feel the recoil getting to me, so after the first five shots, I put the pistol down, and rested a bit before I shot the last five. Great fun, those TC's! Ohio doesn't allow bottle necked pistol calibers for deer, so I never got to try this one out for deer. Using the right bullet, I'll bet it's a dandy, tho'...
FWIW
Dale53
My best scores were 38's as I never quite made a clean 40x40. Had LOTS of fun, tho'.
My "heavy hitter" is a JD Jones barrel for .375 JDJ (.444 necked down to .375). Using a near case full of rifle powder this cartridge drives a 270 gr. jacketed bullet to near 2000 fps. It's a real handful to shoot but the ported barrel helps, a bunch. My best target with this one was shot at 25 yards on the timed fire target. I had a 100x100 with ten "X's". I could feel the recoil getting to me, so after the first five shots, I put the pistol down, and rested a bit before I shot the last five. Great fun, those TC's! Ohio doesn't allow bottle necked pistol calibers for deer, so I never got to try this one out for deer. Using the right bullet, I'll bet it's a dandy, tho'...
FWIW
Dale53
J.D. Jones makes some of the most accurate and finest barrels you can get for a contender. When 1/2 scale became an official category I was shooting a 14 inch contender barrel in 7 TCU, I bought a barrel from J.D. Jones in 270 JDJ and promptly moved into master class. Used the same barrel for Unlimited full size also and many thousands of rounds went down that barrel.
Mine sure is. Recoil is brisk. I had to modify the stock Pachmeyer forearm hanger bar. I used a swivel stud in the hanger bar to mount a bipod for shooting prone or off a bench. After the third shot the pistol recoiled up and the bipod stayed on the ground. Ripped the steel stud right out of the aluminum threads.
I can say that it was fun to shoot on a few range trips with Khornet. He was shooting an empty standard size soup can at 200 yards. One had turned towards me and I place a shot thru the can and out the bottom. At that point he was convinced of the potential of the barrel and cartridge.
I need to do more cast bullet work with the barrel.
I can say that it was fun to shoot on a few range trips with Khornet. He was shooting an empty standard size soup can at 200 yards. One had turned towards me and I place a shot thru the can and out the bottom. At that point he was convinced of the potential of the barrel and cartridge.
I need to do more cast bullet work with the barrel.
Tony, you should be able to get your questions answered at J.D. Jones web site - SSK Industries.
SSK Contenders
You also can't go wrong with Fred Smith's
Bullberry Barrel works
Bullberry is also home of "The Wood Smiths" and some incredible custom stocks.
SSK Contenders
You also can't go wrong with Fred Smith's
Bullberry Barrel works
Bullberry is also home of "The Wood Smiths" and some incredible custom stocks.
You can learn more than you probably wanted to know from Mike Bellm's articles especially on throating & chambering and the downside to TC's factory throats. I have several of Mikes articles in this index page at lasc.us.
Concise, well written information on accuracy requirements for break open action firearms. From throats, chambers, headspace and bores to special sizing and seating die requirements and much more.
Mike Bellm's TC Contender articles at lasc.us
Concise, well written information on accuracy requirements for break open action firearms. From throats, chambers, headspace and bores to special sizing and seating die requirements and much more.
Mike Bellm's TC Contender articles at lasc.us
Rick, Ben:
Thanks for the links. I have studied them a bit and will spend more time at each in the near future. It seems that Bellm has some excellent information for the amateur enthusiast concerning head space, frame/barrel alignment/lock up, trigger work, bedding, etc.
To me, the appeal of the Contender system has always been the ability to play with multiple cartridges for not too much money.
Tony
Thanks for the links. I have studied them a bit and will spend more time at each in the near future. It seems that Bellm has some excellent information for the amateur enthusiast concerning head space, frame/barrel alignment/lock up, trigger work, bedding, etc.
To me, the appeal of the Contender system has always been the ability to play with multiple cartridges for not too much money.
Tony