First Series Contender Accuracy Problems with 222 Rem

[leapin]

Hi,

I haven't posted for a while - I set my old style Contender because of my frustration
with accuracy.

My Contender is the first model made. Serial Number is in the 15,000s indicating it was
made in 1970. Has the full cougar etching, no safety, Centerfire/Rimfire select by turning screw
on hammer face. Hasn't been modified with "easy open" mod. Bolt on 222 Oct barrel is solid. The forend
snaps onto the barrel. Has adjustable trigger.

Problem is I can not get anywhere near 3" MOA accuracy at 50 yards. I have tried many powder and bullet combinations. I have neck sized my brass after initial firing. Doesn't seem to make a difference.

I have checked some other sites including Bellm's and think that the problem may be with the barrel fit.
I checked the gap between the breech face and the frame, its less than .0015 my smallest feeler gauge. There is a rub mark on the top of the breech face from touching the frame. The barrel locks up solidly.

I was told that different sized solid bolts are available to adjust the amount of lock up. That if the bolt is not set just right, the barrel will move and lock in a different position - enough to cause accuracy issues.

Any ideas?

Leapin

PS I am going out to the range tomorrow - I remounted my scope, torqued everything evenly - we will see

[Grumulkin]

When you first shot it, I assume years ago, was it accurate?  Did you buy it new?  What is the barrel length and are you using a scope?

3 MOA at 50 yards would be 1.5 inches.  If you're getting 3 inch groups at 50 yards that would be 6 MOA.

I doubt barrel lockup is your problem.  More likely candidates for inaccuracy would be a problem with the barrel crown or the bore.  In any case, if you send your Contender to T/C with an explanation of the problem, I suspect you'll get an easy open modification and a repair if needed probably at no cost to you other than shipping from your end.

If your Contender is a rifle, you can ship it yourself via U. S. Mail; if a handgun, you'll need to use UPS or FEDEX.  In either case, the gun can be returned directly to you without going through an FFL holder.

[leapin]

Thanks Grumulkin. I would send it to TC -  I guess that's my last resort. Unlike all the other
49 states, TC has to ship back to an FFL:

Notice to all California Customers:
As of April 9, 2009 Thompson/Center can no longer send repairs directly to the customer.
All repairs must go to an FFL holder per California law.

Isn't California wonderful?

Leapin

[sbhg]

Some of the early barrels did have oversized bores. I don't remember the cals., just thought slugging it might answer that if it persists.
I have been looking for a .222 barrel, so I am waiting for any results/things you come up with.
BTW you can have t/c upgrade that single lug to the newer 2 lugs. Although I don't know if it will help anything except maybe some possible FTF probs. in the future.

[russ69]

I'm thinking either a scope or scope mounting issue.

Thanx, Russ

[leapin]

Hi All,

I went to the range today after remounting my scope. I am using a Weaver 92A mount
on the 222 oct barrel. There are only 3 taps on the barrel. The forward tap was stripped.
I re tapped to 8-40 and re-drilled the mounting hole on the base.

I was able to set the torque on the mounting screws at 30 inch lbs. Mounted the rings @ 20 inch lbs and
Leupold 2 x 7 scope.

I only had about 15 rounds. At 50 yards I had several 1" MOA groups. This was much better than the
last time I shot. Looks like I'm getting there.

I had a problem with my scope.  I noticed that the center of the reticle was out of focus while holding on the bull. I wear progressive lenses. I had focused the reticle on the lower part of my lenses, I shoot while looking through the upper section of my lenses. I didn't consider this until I ran out of ammo! Hopefully the next groups will be better with the reticle and center of the bull in focus!

Leapin