Author Topic: Need Help Getting Started. (Read 589 times)

Ivey · « **on:** June 19, 2003, 06:22:50 AM »

I have finaly got the "go ahead" from the wife to buy a gun and want a Contender pistol. So I've been checking out as much info as possible finding much good info here. But the more I read, the more questions I have and the more I fear this could get expensive. Oh well I've got it saved. I was hoping to get some specific input to make a more informed decision and pick something I will be happy with the first time. Want to buy 2 scoped barrels off the bat. I do not reload yet nor plan to before retiring in 20 years so factory loads will be my staple unless I have a friend load some for me. I hunt mostly Whitetails, some varmits, and possibly Bear and Elk in the future(might mean a 3rd barrel). Presently, target shooting is for fun and practice. Blued and Wood are a definite! Been leaning toward a 15 inch .243(lots of factory choices) or .308(have a rifle this cal.)as a primary barrel. Want to be able to reach out to 200yards plus but do not want a cannon that requires a muzzlebrake that is deafening in the woods were most of my shots would be. Any input on these? Would like a .17hrm or .22lr for cheeper plinking. Are these avalible for the Contender and are there benifits to sticking with the longer barrel in these cals.?
Was originaly planing to buy factory everything, scopes and mounts too. But after looking at Bullberys site, am torn. Will I need a different fore stock if I chose a bull barrel for one and standard for an other? Are there other places I should look to possibly buy a costom gun from the start? Don't want to have to sent it off for trigger work or trouble opening right away.
Last but not least, the scopes. Are T/C scopes and mounts decent or should I consider another brand? Midrange price is my goal, somthing like a 2-7x32 maybe. Any input would be apreciated.
Please, someone help set the hook! Thank you, Bruce Ivey

Warhoop · « **Reply #1 on:** June 19, 2003, 07:06:12 AM »

First off WELCOME Second are you sure you want to do this the buying of a contender or encore is sickness for this there is know cure :lol:
If you are looking for a contender I think the 7-30 waters and 45/70 are the biggest for this pistol frame I maybe wrong I have the Encore frame from 22 hornet too the 450 marlin have 10 barrels and 3 frames if you are looking for a 15 inch tubes and in 243 or bigger encore is the way to go factory or custom thats up to you I have both my bull barrel 7mm08 from bullberries shoots great in the rifle length but my 15 in factory tube will shoot as well if I hold it right. You say you do not reload this being the case I would go with the 7mm08 or 308 for deer both have a loud barkand get the job done
for varmits 223 or 22 hornet 223 will cost less to shoot as for bear and elk can not say have not hunted them yet but the guys in the forum are of great help as far as scopes I use 1 burris and 4 weaver 1 simmon these are are the pistol barrels Bruce I hope I was able to help a little oh by the way the hook is in real deep for me will never get it out what makes so nice is when you go the range and out shoot the other guys that are using rifles and telling you a pistol cannot shoot that far and hit the target

again good luck on your venture

Ivey · « **Reply #2 on:** June 19, 2003, 10:18:50 AM »

Thanks Warhoop, I ment Encore not Contender, I keep interchanging them. Sorry. I was also wondering about the rimfire convertion for the encore, any experiences?

opossum · « **Reply #3 on:** June 19, 2003, 02:43:42 PM »

Welcome to the T C madness. I own a encore in 270 with 15" barrel it has a T C 2x7x32 scope on it. I have had no problems with this scope or the Simmons brand pistol scopes.If you want a trigger job do it yourself they are not that hard. Order you a trigger spring from Mike Bellm and download the cd he has to show you how to do it. good luck

KYODE · « **Reply #4 on:** June 19, 2003, 06:17:05 PM »

hmmm? deciding is half the fun. enjoy it! i have a 15" 7-08 encore that i like really well. not that it's any better than a .308 or .243, but it is another option. you could shoot 120gr bullets for deer, and then go to a premium brand ammo for elk or bear. partitions, fail safe, or whatever. if you decide to handload it, h4895 works great with 120gr nosler balistic tips in mine.
:idea: get a contender also and add a .223 for varmints and 22lr match barrel for super accurate target shooting or small game hunting.
an option on the encore would be to order it complete from virgin valley custom guns. i got a 13" 6br with frame and 2lb trigger job(sweet) pretty reasonable. also, i'm getting ready to install a trigger spring in my second frame myself.
lot's of options out there. just study up and ask around. but in the end, make yourself happy with exactly what YOU want. :wink:
if you can go the extra dough, burris scopes(3x12 or 2x7) are super. i have 3-3x12's, 1-2x7, 1-2x. i love em, and no problems so far with them. but any you buy can have problems from time to time.
if you're a gambling man, you can get a 2x7x32 Ncstar scope for $38 plus shipping. www.ncstar.com they are clear and look good. i had one that messed up in vertical adjustment. oh well, it's a gamble. i have another in 2.5x that is great. 50% chance it'll screw up(in my case). but they look great if it'll hold up.

Bug · « **Reply #5 on:** June 20, 2003, 02:01:24 AM »

Ivey

Hate to rain on your parade, but ya can't do it! :-D Once you get a Contender or Encore, the driving force will be to aquire another barrel, then another. I certainly can't tell you what you want, but sticking to factory ammo doesn't eliminate too many options. Though it might eliminate quite a bit if the fun(?)

If you go with the Encore platform, you have a few more choices in rifle calibers, but have to have an adapt-a-kit to be able to shoot rimfire. Can't comment on that, but haven't seen many rimfire Encore barrels for sale, either. Although 9mm, and .223 ammo is getting pretty darn cheap! I stick with Contenders, and the .22lr barrel was my first priority. Unless you reload, and cast your own bullets, nothing else is as cheap to shoot, and as much fun to plink with. Practice makes you better! Whatever you decide on, welcome to the T/C world. It is a hoot!>>>>>>>>>>Bug.

KYODE · « **Reply #6 on:** June 20, 2003, 02:24:28 AM »

yep, i think a 14" 22lr match barrel will be my next purchase. i don't know why i've waited so long. :roll:

Graycg · « **Reply #7 on:** June 20, 2003, 05:36:37 AM »

Good advice above, glad to see you are smarter than many of us and buying your 22 barrel first, don't wait 18 years like I did. I got my first 22 barrel last year and with practise with it, have improved my shooting signifcantly and rid myself of some bad habits that wouldn't have been discovered without a 22 barrel.

regards,
Graycg