Okay try this again......Anybody got a Rimfire Contender?

[Kirby]

If so how does it shoot?  How does it balance, groups sizes etc.  Looking at a G-2 for squirrel gun this year.  It or the R-55 classic.  Thanks Kirby

[teamnelson]

Go for the G2 with a 16" or 21" barrel if you can find them; try Eds.

[Keith L]

I answered this on Rimfire Rifles, but here it goes again.  I actually have four: a 17 HMR, a 17 M2, a 14" 17 HMR pistol, and a 14 inch .22 mag .  

All  group well, the pistols just as well as the rifles.  Wind and coffee taken into account I get tiny little groups at 50 yards with all four, at 100 yards with the HMRs and the mag, and 125 with the HMR rifle.  I am out of range at 125 yards.

Factory stocks are a little short for me.  I have a thumbhole stock made by Gunstocks, Inc. that fits me just fine, and the ballance is great.  I like mine so much that one day I plan on getting a .22 LR barrel for my carbine as well.

I just remembered I have two more pistol barrels in .22.  One is a stainless 14 inch and the other is a short one, I think around 6 inches that was made for the TCA.  The long pistol barrel is as good as a rifle if I do my part.  the short one has iron sights and is a fair plinker.  It makes the Contender feel more like a pistol. It is fun to shoot.

[Slowpoke Slim]

I have both a 23" 22 lr match carbine bbl, and a 23" 17 hmr carbine bbl. Both are factory TC bbls and are fantastic. The match 22 lr bbl will shoot bug holes all day at 50 yds with the cheap Fed American Eagle ammo. My 17 hmr bbl loves the Hornady vmax ammo and will produce the same group at 100 yds, if there's no wind.

I like the way they balance with the full length wood stock, but they balanced nose heavy with my daughter's cut down synthetic stock. I've since bought her a lefty Savage bolt gun, so the 22 carbine bbl will be my squirrel medicine this fall. Those squirrels don't stand a chance.

[Buck-Ridge]

I ordered a 21" bull 22 lr barrell from Fox Ridge Outfitters years ago and it is a dud. with some ammo it shoots 6" groups at 50 yards. I do have a 10" pistol barrel that shoots good.

[David D.]

Hey Kirby

14" SS factory barrel 22L.R. Accuracy at 50yds. dime size with the cheap Win X-pert ammo. This ones not real picky as it shoots most others  almost as well.


14" factory 17Mach2. Accuracy about the same as the 22L.R. at 50yds., but really stands out over it at 100yds, 3/4" to 1" groups if there is no wind. This being my favorite for squirrels.


Then there is my granddaughters (Bug)  F.R.O.s 17" tapered 17Mach2. I take off the youth stock I made for her put on a full length stock check the Red Dot, and talk about fun. This is the bomb, light, natural pointer and shoots great.


Given a choice between only having one I would take the 17Mach2 any day!!!

[kynardsj]

One of my Contender frames has a 10 inch 22LR barrel with a 2 MOA red dot on it. If you can hold the dot on a target out to about 50 yards it's hit. It's one of the older octagon barrels too.

[Kirby]

T/C Dave that is some beautiful furniture on those guns.  Love the stainless.  Kirby

[Keith L]

I really like the look of nice wood and stainless together, and you don't see it much.  Stainless and synthetic are utilitarian, but the wood realy sets the tone in my opinion.

[David D.]

I really like the look of nice wood and stainless together, and you don't see it much. 

A little story behind that wood. A vendor I buy from sent the pc. the forearms made from as a free extra with an order. About six weeks later the pc. the grips made from as a free extra. Wow I have a match here. This set is much prettier than the pics show. With ever twist and turn the grain takes a different shade. Almost a shame to take to the woods hunting, but I do.

[Keith L]

I do a little wood turning, and I know how exciting turning wood with grain like that is.  To carve it must take lots of patience and careful work.  It shows Dave.  What a fantastic set!

[kynardsj]

It would break my heart to scratch up something that pretty in the woods. Absolutely beautiful.

[Kirby]

Well if you decide to sell it I want first dibs!!!  Thanks Kirby

[David D.]

It would break my heart to scratch up something that pretty in the woods. Absolutely beautiful.

If you scratch it, hopefully not to deep, you break out 0000 steel wool, rub it down and give it a little finish. It will look as good as new.