Thompson Center Contender 16 1/2" 30-30 barrel

[Rol Page]

Does anyone have a TC 16 1/2" Contender barrel in 30-30 Win. and if so how does it group?  I am looking for a companion for my open  sighted Win. 94 in 30-30 and thought that a Contender rifle barrel with a scope, maybe a 2 - 4x would be nice to have.  The only dealer that I have contacted has one in 16 1/2" not the 23".  Most of my deer hunting is less than 100 yds, mostly 50 - 70 yds.
Any info is most appreciated.  Thanks in advance.   Rol

[Ladobe]

A shorty 30-30 carbine would be more than enough for 100 yard deer.   Not much different than the thrusty 30 Guns other than a little shorter/lighter, more accurate, and you will make the first shot count.   

[sgte5]

My 16 1/2 Contender 30-30 shoots as accurate as any 30-30 I have ever used. I like it because of so many different bullets that I can use through it. I use a 125 gr nosler balistic tip for deer. It really does the trick. Sub moa with this bullet at 100 yards on paper. A little pricey for target shooting, so I shoot 125 gr Sierra spirepoint for practice. They shoot very close to what the Noslers do. I've shot heavier bullets with good accuracy, but I'm not convinced that they are expanding well at the velocities of the shorter barrel. I've had to trail a couple that were hit very well and should have went down before they did. I still load 150 gr sp that I have bought in bulk for plinking when a group of us get together for a Contender day at the range.   

[mcwoodduck]

While a Contender Carbine in 30-30 may be a dream to carry in the field and may be great little carbine for your wife.
I am afraid that the light weight will beat her up during sight in sessions.
If you already have a 94.  I say get some of the light 125 grain loads and let her shoot those.  Stick 150 grain soft points in for the day she hunts.

[Iowa Fox]

I don't have a 16" but I do have a 21" 30-30 barrel that I shoot occasionally which does a pretty nice job for me.

[Hopalong7]

      I've got a 16" 30-30Win and it is one of those that is just "wicked accurate".  It easily does moa with several different loads including the 'for mentioned 125BT.  I bought mine with a group of shorter pistol barrels.  It was a 21" carbine barrel and I just set it aside thinking I would sell it and make the deal on my pistol barrels even better.  Later on I started using a 16" 22lr as a pistol barrel and really liked it.  One day I saw the 21" 30-30 barrel sitting in the corner of my safe and the light bulb came on ....so I got out the chop saw and whacked it off at 16.25".  Then dismay hit me like a load of bricks ....the bore at the new muzzle was way off center.  By "way off center" I mean at 8-10 feet away you could glance at the muzzle and notice it being off.  Again I just set the barrel aside knowing it wouldn't hit the barn...from inside.  Much later I was pondering what to do with this piece of junk....finally I decided to shoot it and see just how bad it was.  So I bolted on a pistol scope and set up a big piece of cardboard at 25yd and fired 3 rounds..........one hole .....other two must have missed the whole board...but looking closer it became apparent that more than one bullet went through the hole...wow.  It's been one of my most accurate factory barrels ever since.  Don't see how really...but love it!!!    But...I use my as a pistol not as a carbine.  Good luck with yours.
Walt
 
 
 
 

[darkgael]

.... Sub moa with this bullet at 100 yards on paper

Yep. +1 about that.
Pete

[shawlerbrook]

Hey Rol. If you don't buy the 16" 30 30 barrel, Id like to know what dealer has it. I've been looking for one.

[hunt4570]

I just picked up a 16 1/4 30/30AI barrel, just messin with it at 50 yds and some 30/30 reloads I had laying around...did 4 -2 shot groups..could cover them each with a nickle..can't wait till I get into this thing...Had a 223 in super 16 years ago, it was a tack driver..I say buy it!!