22 Mag in Contenders

[handirifle]

I'm in the process of acquiring a 22 Magnum, but am not sure what to get it in.  Started off going to the gunshop a couple months ago to buy a Savage 93, but got sidetracked by a nice looking Marlin semi-auto in 22 mag.  It had serious ejection issues and now sits back on the shop shelves.

I have a Savage on backorder, but am now wondering about the Contender handgun again.

The primary use will be Bobcat hunting and plinking.  Would a Contender with a 10" barrel in 22 Mag be enough for bobcats out to 50yds?

I could get the rifle barrel and use it as a pistol for other calibers I suppose.  Are 22 Mag barrels common for the Contender?

[Grumulkin]

T/C Contenders in 22 WMR are common.  My barrel is VERY accurate at 25 yards.  For something the size of bobcat, I think the accuracy at 50 yards is a bit marginal.  It's not a problem of enough power, just of accuracy.  I suspect the low ballistic coefficient of the bullets causes velocity and accuracy to decrease fairly rapidly.

[Bullseye]

Not sure about the power factor but accuracy would be more than enough if it was like the 10" barrel I had.  It would average 1-1 1/4" groups at 100 yards and I actually shot a 5 shot group under an inch at 100 one day with CCI Maxi-Mags.

[Hopalong7]

I've got a 10" and a 16". Either one will hit a turkey in the head at 50yds.  The 22mag has always been rumored to be inaccurate...not so in a Contender.  Come to think of it, my Win 9422M shoots pretty darn good too.  Just like the 22lr, you may find it a little sensitive to the particular ammo you use.  It's not for the lack of trying, but I can't attest to the Bobcat at 50yds. But mine has dropped a coyote in his tracks at that distance.  GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt

[handirifle]

I had a Marlin 922M that made large holes with 5 shot groups at 50yds, so I figured most stories of poor accuracy, are just that, stories.  If that rifle had cycled reliably this post wouldn't be here, but.....

I just have to make sure I want a single shot instead of repeater.

What is the report from a 10" barrel like?  I'd imagine fairly loud, even in a hunting situation, yes?

[Gregory]

I bought some old WW Silver Box 40 gr JHP ammo at a local gun show and shot a 5/8" 5 shot group at 50 yds out of my 10" TC Contender 22 Mag.  This is not typical, but 1 1/4" groups are.  And this is with a 2X Nikon on top.

[Hopalong7]

Both my barrels shoot WW Silver Box very well too.  The report from my 10" barrel is not bad at all.  It is of course more than same length 22lr, but it is well below 10" 22 Hornet.

I set up my 16" barrel with a 4X rifle scope mounted in see thru mounts so I can still use the open sights as well.  If you're not familiar with the 16" barrels, the rear open sight mounts about mid-ships(just like the carbine barrel) instead of using the same mounting holes as the scope mount like the 10" and 14" do.  This works very well for me on a Turkey hunting set up, sitting on the ground at the base of an oak tree with my knees up in front of me.  I hold the pistol grip against the middle of my chest and my off hand on the forend with my elbow tight in against my ribs, actually both elbows are tight to my ribs. Bending my head over just slightly puts my eye right on the rifle scope....steady.  If I'm looking downhill I can ease my hand and foreend down on my knee, but most of the time I'm above it.  I guess this is sort of a modified Taco hold, but it works for me.  The lack of recoil in the 22mag make it possible.
GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt   

[Jim Stacy]

HR the 10" 22 mag barrel is generally very accurate but you have to find which brand it likes.The last one I had would not CCI's in their regular or TNT load. It shot the Winchester and Fionchi good and the Federal poorly. Well new barrel , trade the octagon for a bull to soak up that punishing recoil, shoots CCI's very good and WW's very good and doesn't like federals ? I have shot prairie dogs out to 125 yards with my old one and a center body hit dropped them on the spot. I am sure a 22 mag will kill a bobcat because several people I know use them on called in coyotes . Just find out what it likes and it is a good fun little round and good small game round with the solid. Velocity out of a 10" barrel was about 1850 for the  CCI last time I chronoed them.

[Special Ed]

Many years ago I had a 10" 22 mag barrel. The accuracy was never that great, no matter what ammo I used. The barrel eventually found a new home.
Last year I bought some of the Remington 22 mag 33gr "Accu-tip" to try in my Marlin autoloader. The Marlin had never been the most accurate rifle, but it served a purpose, so I kept it. The Remington ammo performed excellent, with 50 yard groups at 1" or slightly less.
The next day I called TC custom shop and ordered a 14" 22 mag barrel. This barrel also shoots the Remington ammo very well, with 1" groups at 50 yards.
IMHO the 10" barrel length is not really enough for the 22 mag. If you can live with the extra 4" of barrel length it would be something to consider.

You might also check with Reed's (site sponser) and ask about their 22 Reed express. It's a reloadable centerfire cartridge with very good ballistics that is designed for short barrels.


Ed

[HAMMERHEAD]

I just got a 10" .22 mag Contender barrel from ED's.

Accuracy so far is very good. 4" group at 100 yards benchrested with open sights and Fed. 50 grain JHP. I imagine they're only going about 1,300 fps out of the 10" barrel though.

The Win. Super X 40 grain JHP would probably be a better choice for hunting.

[Lloyd Smale]

watched my brother in law DECK a coyote at 135 paced yards out the window at camp last year. It didnt even flinch and dropped in its tracks. Ive seen even larger animals killed with one but wont comment on them here. Weve got an old marlin that is the designated camp gun and ive seen it kill alot of stuff. To me ive allways considered it like a 35 rem in that it kills all out of porportion to the size of the round. You 17 fans may roast me but keep in mind i own and shoot one of each of the 17s but if i want to actually kill something id take a 22 mag anyday over a 17.