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Author Topic: Contender Rifle Questions  (Read 1976 times)

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Offline Biathlonman

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Contender Rifle Questions
« on: February 06, 2003, 09:17:02 AM »
I am new to Contenders having just bought my first one.  I am considering building a lightweight hunting rifle in a potent round.  Right now the leading round is the 338 jdj #2.

I am curious to see if anybody has information on this out of rifle length barrels, 18-22"

What barrel length should I go for to get the rifle with scope down around the 6 lbs. mark?

Which stock should I go with.  The choices out there are so broad, I have no idea where to start!

Thanks for getting me started off right!
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Offline contendernut

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Contender Rifle Questions
« Reply #1 on: February 06, 2003, 09:39:15 AM »
Contender frame: 1.2lbs
18" barrel .338: 2.36lbs
22" barrel .338: 2.85lbs

The weight of the barrels includes the lug but doesn't account for the chamber/dovetails.
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Gary

Offline Biathlonman

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Contender Rifle Questions
« Reply #2 on: February 07, 2003, 10:58:22 AM »
Interesting...How much would going to a .375 caliber barrel lighten things up?

I am trying to decide between the 8mm, 338#2, and the .375 JDJs.  I'm kind of leaning toward the 8mm right now, don't really know why bullet selection seems as if it would be more suitable.  

Here's my line of thinking I'm guessing .375 bullets are for H&H velocities, which would make the 8mm better suited to JDJ velocities.  Better SD and BC I think?  Any thoughts on recoil between the two?
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Offline TopGun

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JDJ's
« Reply #3 on: February 07, 2003, 04:09:21 PM »
They;re all hammers. Call SSK and get the scoop from Jones. The 375 bullets work in the JDJ! I have a 375JDJ in a 15" and used it to punch right a big 6x6 bull at 175yds. 3 times. My 285speer grand slam sneaks out at between 1975 and 2015fps. I choose it over my TC 30'06. It drops a little more, but out to-250yds, the animal is mine! I don't think anything can stop it. All of the Speer bullets work. The 235, 270 and 285's have all hammered PA deer, and of course the Elk. I think the Sierra 250 and 300 Boat-tails fly wonderful, but they need an H&H velocity for expansion to be dependable. IMHO, I think the 375 is the most versatile round there is. Is this a Contender or an Encore? I'm guessing the former. If it's Encore, Have you considered the 375-06JDJ? The write-ups seem fantastic! I don't use big-kickers in rifles anymore, I've had eye surgery and although my Dr told me to go ahead, I don't take the chance. I have relegated my recoil to being absorbed by my hand and arm.  I love the big guns. I am really interested in the 338's and I am looking at the JDJ and a 338-08.
Good luck! Topgun.
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Offline contendernut

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Contender Rifle Questions
« Reply #4 on: February 07, 2003, 04:36:46 PM »
.375" 22" 2.72lbs
.375 18" 2.26lbs

I would also look at the 358JDJ.

.358 22" 2.78lbs
.358 18"2.30lbs
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Gary

Offline Biathlonman

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Contender Rifle Questions
« Reply #5 on: February 08, 2003, 05:13:13 AM »
I keep mulling over the cartridge selection.  The .375 is probably the best choice, but I am worried about the recoil issue a little.    Anybody experienced this cartridge out of a rifle?

I'm not a fan of the extremly hard kicking guns.  I really need to run some numbers and see what the recoil difference would be like between the 8mm, .338, and the .375.

That .375 would make some big old holes wouldn't it... :lol:
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Offline Biathlonman

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Contender Rifle Questions
« Reply #6 on: February 11, 2003, 03:26:00 AM »
So the race for cartridge looks as if it is down between the 9.3 JDJ and the .375 JDJ.  I'm sure both would be great, just the BC and the SD of those 9.3 bullets looks awful good.  I have found a ton or reloading info on the .375 but not so much on the 9.3 so I ordered some reloading data from SSK yesterday.  We'll see.  I really want a thumping rifle!

This is primarily going to be used as an elk rifle.  Last year I took my 6.5x55 which I feel is more then adequate for elk, but I just have this desire for a big gun.  The saga continues...won't be doing much until I get the income tax return! :)
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Offline Biathlonman

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Contender Rifle Questions
« Reply #7 on: February 24, 2003, 08:00:53 AM »
Working on a deal for a .375 jdj barrel, now I need a stock.  Any suggestions?
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Offline Underclocked

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Contender Rifle Questions
« Reply #8 on: February 25, 2003, 02:06:58 AM »
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Offline Biathlonman

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Contender Rifle Questions
« Reply #9 on: February 25, 2003, 07:06:20 AM »
I like Boyd's stock but hey have discontinued the forearms and I missed out on them.  I really don't want a stock and fore end that don't match.

Still looking for now, hopefully I will find something soon, but I have a little time, this doesn't have to be completed tomorrow or anything.
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Offline KENTDEP

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Contender Rifle Questions
« Reply #10 on: March 01, 2003, 10:48:30 AM »
I just ordered one of their laminated stocks about 3 weeks ago. They had 4 or 5 left in the pepper color and 3 or 4 in nutmeg. You might want to call Boyds on Monday if you havn't done that already.

Jay
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