Author Topic: Best 25 caliber Contender barrel?  (Read 1308 times)

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Offline Duckhunter39480

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Best 25 caliber Contender barrel?
« on: October 06, 2008, 11:57:30 AM »
I am considering getting a 25 caliber barrel for my Contender.  I have a G2 frame and I need some suggestions on the best 25 caliber cartridge for this barrel/frame combo.  I would like to be able to take deer with this rifle also.
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Offline sparkyc2

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Re: Best 25 caliber Contender barrel?
« Reply #1 on: October 06, 2008, 12:15:18 PM »
250 Savage

Offline RicMic

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Re: Best 25 caliber Contender barrel?
« Reply #2 on: October 06, 2008, 01:35:11 PM »
I agree with the 250 Savage, but I don't know of any one making barrels for the Contender in it.  I want one for my G2 but think the 7X30 Waters will have to suffice.  The 25-35 is pretty weak past 100 yards, and we're not even gonna talk about the 25-20.
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Offline tlyne

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Re: Best 25 caliber Contender barrel?
« Reply #3 on: October 06, 2008, 01:36:11 PM »
Your best 25 cal would be 25-35.  A 250 savage is too much pressure for the contender. I know in the past some custom 250 savage barrels were made for the contender. I had a 250 savage for the contender some time back. They were made for people that would down load them. Most custom barrel Makers have change their minds on the savage for contenders. You can overload them. Just my two cents.
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Offline Lone Star

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Re: Best 25 caliber Contender barrel?
« Reply #4 on: October 06, 2008, 02:14:55 PM »
IMO the "best" is the .25 Bullberry.  I've had mine for twenty years and it has never failed me on the silhouette range or in the hunting field.  It is simply the .30-30 necked down, no other changes so it is simplicity itself to make cases.   It has much more capacity than my .25-35 does, and a lot less taper.  The .25-35 is plain wimpy in comparison.   I usually shoot deer with the Nosler 100 BTip at 2537 fps - with sub-moa accuracy.  No deer needed more than one shot either.

The .250 Savage factory ammo does not have "too much pressure" for the Contender, but too many folks were using hotter than factory loads, and with its tapered case design and large internal diameter it was trying up a lot of actions.  The Bullberry equals what you can get out of a .250 Savage anyway.


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Offline Duckhunter39480

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Re: Best 25 caliber Contender barrel?
« Reply #5 on: October 06, 2008, 04:25:46 PM »
Thanks all.  I had not thought about the 25 Bullberry (25X30-30 Win.)  It seems that the 30-30 Win or 375 Win. case is a pretty friendly match for the Contender actions.  Now to get my hands on a proper barrel.

Lone Star, if I am sucessful I will ask for some more guidance on developing loads for this "cute little cartridge".  This is gonna be fun.
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Offline Ladobe

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Re: Best 25 caliber Contender barrel?
« Reply #6 on: October 06, 2008, 10:21:19 PM »
My choices would be the 257JDJ for up to deer, or the 25 Super Bower as a better deer round but still useable down to varmints.
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