.375 Win in the Contender

[Dan Chamberlain]

Read an article that indicates the .375 may be a tad too hot for the Contender.  I owned one years ago and recently acquired another Super 14 barrel for my G2.  I'm wondering if there is any truth to this?  I know I'm not into hotrodding and will be more than happy with factory or a shade lower hand loads for it.  I recall the factory loading in a 200 grain bullet seemed to be reasonably tame compared to my 300 grain loading for the .45-70!  This article talked about frame stretching and was touting the .375 JDJ as a better way to go.

Dan

[Lone Star]

I would not put too much faith in "articles" that discuss the engineering limits of firearms.  T/C did not consider the factory .375WCF as being "too hot" for the Contender when they introduced the chambering, and the fact that they currently chamber for it confirms this fact.  Frame stretching happens when the breech thrust exceeds the frame's ability to resist plastic deformation, and this is due to chamber pressure and inside case diameter, not recoil.  Both cartridges have similar theoretical breech thrust at factory pressures, and both can be loaded hot enough to damage frames.  The JDJ is a better choice for more power, not because it is any less likely to cause frame stretching.


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[Questor]

There is a lot of lore about frame stretch in contenders. Most of that lore appears to be speculative only. It's hard to find people with a lot of experience shooting the 375 Win in a Contender but I'm sure you'll be able to connect with somebody on the T/C forum here at Graybeards. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it. I wouldn't expect to shoot a 375 Win a lot, and if I did it would be with a reduced load. You may also want to call T/C to get their opinion on service life of a Contender shot with that cartridge.

Some extreme examples of T/C frame stretch lore include wearing out a new Contender in less than 100 rounds of 45-70. Well, maybe if they were really hot 45-70s.

[Bullseye]

I have been shooting a 375 Win Contender for a lot of years.  It is one of my favorite rounds for hunting.  I shoot Hornady 220 gr. bullets in mine with a load of IMR 4198 about 3/4 up from the bottom of the range in the load charts.  I do not think T/C would have made it a factory offering and the custom shop would still make it if there was a problem with frame stretching.  It has never hurt mine.

[Dan Chamberlain]

Thanks everyone.  I too shoot the .45-70 and frankly, any load above the factory 300 range is too warm for me!  I'm happy with 300 at 1600!

I do recall the factory 200 grain .375 load was a sweetheart when I had my first Contender some 15 years ago.  I was killing bowling pins at the 100 yard mark all afternoon.  It was far easier to shoot than my .45-70 load. 

Is it permissible to ask for some load recommendations approaching factory specs?  I've read Reloader 7 and 4198 are favorites?

Dan

[Mikey]

Dan - I seriously doubt Thompson would chamber a barrel for a cartridge that would bust up one of their guns.  In fact, I'm almost willing to bet that ol JD wrote that article his own self.

Questor had it right - it's lore, which means it is 50% speculation, 75% bullschmidt, 37.5% hyping the other guy's product and 53.4% statistics that are made up on the spot. 

The 375 JDJ may be a better choice for more power but that doesn't lend to frame stretch in a lesser powered cartridge. 

I would say - shoot dem bowlin' pins and knock'em down.  Mikey.

[Bigbuck]

I've had the .375 Carbine barrel for nine years or so with no problems what-so-ever.  Great hog and deer medicine in a very light weight carbine.

[Lone Star]

The best powder for velocity  is AA1680.  Most data shows it producing 100-200 fps more than RL-7 or 4198 with 200 and 220-grain bullets.  It gave me great accuracy in my rifles, but others have had better accuracy with other powders.  I'd suggest that you give 1680 a try.


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[Dan Chamberlain]

Thanks Lone Star and everyone else. 

Dan