7.62x39 Contender Carbine

[Poppy]

I have an Encore handgun in 7.62x39 and was wondering if the G-2 Contender frame will handle a 7.62x39 barrel.  I have shot several deer with the Encore and had good results.  I think a G-2 carbine in this calber would be a good whitetail gun.  Any help would be much appreciated.  Thank you.

[blpenn66502]

I think it is a both a yes and no answer.  Bullberry currently chambers contender barrels in 7.62x39 (one currently on the T/C classifieds) but while a factory round, T/C doesn't offer them as a normal or custom offering which should be noted.  I've seen the SAAMI specs for the 7.62x39 listed at 45Kpsi which some consider the maximum safe pressure for a contender.  With a generally steep body taper and a case diameter larger than a 7-30 (same 45Kpsi spec) it is probably at the edge.  It is likely that any available barrels are 0.308 dia so if someone decided to use some yugo surplus 0.311 dia ammo it would push the pressure over the frame limit of a Contender and probably why T/C doesn't offer them.  It might be worth a call to Bullberry to ask them about it and their reasoning/loading recommendation.  Regards, Brian

[Poppy]

blpenn66502,
Thanks so very much for the info and advice.  I will make those contacts, but being on the careful side, maybe I will go a different route.  I have heard a lot of negative issues with my other choice, the 6.8 SPC, so maybe its time to look at the old 30-30 or 7-30.  Thanks again.
Poppy

[Hank08]

I have both the 30-30 and the 7-30 both excellent.  I also have 2 custom 7.62x39 barrels and the extractors will bend trying to extract factory cases,  when I load ammo for them I have to load it down a little so it extracts without bending.  I've heard that this was the reason TC decided not to make the 7.62 x39 barrels.  The extractor in the Encore must be stronger.
H08 

[Hopalong7]

I can't think of anything bad to say about a Contender carbine in 7-30 OR 30/30!!! GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt 

[Drugstore Cowboy]

Poppy,
I don't beleive that Encore barrels may be used on a g2 frame. This isn't a 7.62x39. But I am going to have a 30/40 krag barrel made for the g2. You may want to contact to see if you could order a 7.62x39

http://www.matchgrademachine.com/

[Gary paugh]

I've got a contender carbine in 6.8MM and love it nice lite shoots great, killed a deer at 70yrds with it this year.

[7-30 Waters]

I have an Encore handgun in 7.62x39 and was wondering if the G-2 Contender frame will handle a 7.62x39 barrel.  I have shot several deer with the Encore and had good results.  I think a G-2 carbine in this calber would be a good whitetail gun.  Any help would be much appreciated.  Thank you.

Back in 2000 I purchased a 14" Contender barrel chambered in 7.62x39 from Bullberry.  I wanted a .308 bore with a 1:10 twist.  Before Fred Smith would sell the barrel to me I had to agree only to shoot handloads in the gun.  Factory ammo was not an option.  Pressures in factory ammo are more then a Contender frame can handle.

The cartridge is what I call the poor man 30 Herrett.  No case forming or neck reaming involved.  The velocities are almost identical and the barrel was a tack driver.

[Keith L]

If factory ammo can wreck the gun it is an accident waiting to happen.  I am amazed he would make it for you if he thought factory ammo wasn't safe.

[Poppy]

Thanks to all.  I have decided to go with the 6.8 SPC.  I will however continue to use and love my Encore handgun.  All the info and help that I received is very much appreciated.  This is why this website is what it is.  To all of the members, viewers, moderators and guests, happy holidays and may 2009 find all of you healthy and still shooting.

[Hank08]

Keith L., it's not that the contender isn't strong enough, it's the extractor isn't strong enough.  Especially with steel cases but even with brass cases the extracor isn't strong enough to extract without bending so you have to punch out the case with a rod then take the gun apart and straighten out the extractor every shot.  Drop the load down a few grains and everything is fine but if your going to reload might as well just use the 30/30 to begin with.
H08