Contender Woes

[Daniel61]

About a year ago I put my 22 hornet rifle barrel back on my contender frame, (which is one sweet rifle) sold my pistol barrels in discust, and went back to shooting regular handguns. Last week I bought another 44 mag super 14 with a leupold 2x scope determined to give it another try. If I try to shoot it like a regular handgun the trigger guard is in the way, and if I put my weak hand on the forearm it feels all wrong. In any event, my groups are very large and I could shrink them in half by shooting hundred yard targets with my two inch kit gun.  It would seem that to have a pistol capable of rifle accuracy isn't much good if it can't be utilized. I'm not into bench shooting and want to be able to use it for hunting. How does one hold it properly, and what proceedures can help in practice to learn  to capitalize on it's accuracy?

[bobg]

Can't  wait to hear the answers to this one. I bought a 22 match barrel for my Contender to practice with. I think this will realy help a person learn how to shoot the Contender. I know it has helped me.

[Thomas Krupinski]

Are you trying to support the forearm with your weak hand while standing and is that what feels wrong?

When I shoot my 14's I try to rest the forearm in my hand which is in turn resting on something.  That may be in a crouched or semi squatting/kneeling position (ground cover here has lots of gotya's) with the weak side elbow just forward of the knee cap.  Then with a cheek weld on the strong side bicep looking through the extended relief scope.  

Better than that is just supporting the weak hand on some rocks.  Kind of shooting it like a hand held rifle.

[Bullseye]

I shoot mine just like any other handgun.  I put my non trigger hand under the butt and lock my thumb over my wrist.  The only difference is I move my off hand down just a little so my finger is not behind the trigger guard spur.

[Javelina]

Hello Daniel61,

Over time, I finally came to the conclusion that the front of my T/C's had to be supported with more than my free hand.  I normally shoot off the bench with a bipod and wondered how I could translate that technique into field shooting.  It generally isn't too hard to use a Harris bipod in the field most of the time.  If I don't have a spot to set a bipod to shoot from when I'm afield, I get on the ground - it works great, although the older I get, the slower I am at that technique.  The Harris bipods I use have been a big help in improving my shooting at things with fur on them.  You might try the bipod technique with an extended forearm.  I've had mine made by BB and VV in laminate for extra strength and I've glassed in the hangar bars with Marine Tex to really make the forearm a strong place to mount the bipod.  Here's a sample picture of how all my T/C pistols (Contenders and Encores both) are set up.  It may not be for everyone, but I almost always hit what I aim at now, whether on a bench or out in the countryside.



I hope this will be of some help to you - T/C's are a lot of fun to shoot, but like everything else in life, sometimes a little different approach can be helpful.

Safe and good shooting to you!  

Javelina

[KYODE]

where i live, a bipod really wouldn't work well.  too many hills, eneven surfaces, trees, tall grass, or brush, etc.
if possible, i'd rest the gun on a nearby object, such as a tree, tree limb, rock, or anything available.
while in the woods deer hunting, sometimes there is not enough time, or a opportunity for a rest. i use a nylon sling attached at the grip and forearm for packing the 14" gun, and use it as a shooting aid for offhand shots.
i place my left hand on the forearm, and right hand on the grip. the sling is adjusted short to wrap under my left elbow. applying outward pressure with my left arm tightens the sling and provides a fairly steady offhand hold for me.
if sitting on the ground, you may rest your elbow on your knee. practicing all positions will help.
using these methods, i'm convinced i can shoot nearly as well as i could with a offhand rifle shot. confidence in yourself is a big plus, IMO. lot's of practice will help your ability, and confidence.

[grodon of the north]

I'm w/ Kyode on the sling. I use a home made sling similar to the Just-Sling-It Slings. They really help when adjusted right your kinda pushing against the sling which is running over your shoulder and around you back. Shooting sticks work very well from the sitting position also.
On the other hand (no pun intended) since I put the .223 carbine barrel & stock on my frame the handgun barrels have been pretty lonely :roll:
Guess I need another frame :lol:

[crazyhillbilly]

About a year ago I put my 22 hornet rifle barrel back on my contender frame, (which is one sweet rifle) sold my pistol barrels in discust, and went back to shooting regular handguns. Last week I bought another 44 mag super 14 with a leupold 2x scope determined to give it another try. If I try to shoot it like a regular handgun the trigger guard is in the way, and if I put my weak hand on the forearm it feels all wrong. In any event, my groups are very large and I could shrink them in half by shooting hundred yard targets with my two inch kit gun.  It would seem that to have a pistol capable of rifle accuracy isn't much good if it can't be utilized. I'm not into bench shooting and want to be able to use it for hunting. How does one hold it properly, and what proceedures can help in practice to learn  to capitalize on it's accuracy?

Daniel, the T/C one problem, the 22 hornet is one fine barrel in the pistol and rifle but I have found that reloading is the trick. the hornet likes lite bullets and don't over power them.Pistols are capable of 1" groups at 100 yds and the 44 mag.will shoot great . especially the 14" barrels.
                                                            Crazyhillbilly

[flyfisher]

Daniel61,

For those "truly off-hand" shots, I hold the Super 14's like you would a regular pistol, and have had little problem in doing so.  Sure, you won't hold a 1" group at 100 that way, but who would expect such a thing.  Out of my tree stand, I always try to support the forearm on something, whether it is my knee, the tree itself, or part of my stand.  When in the field, I have a pair of "pole-cats" which is a telescoping pair of shooting sticks.  They work extremely well for mid- to long-range shots and I have recommended them on several occassions.

[jhalcott]

the 14" t/c is front heavy and difficult to shoot offhand for most people. Since you are using the 44 mag consider cutting the barrel to 10".I use the sling trick mentioned by others and also use bipods and polecat sticks .
I rarely use a 2x scope preferring a 4x. I have tried the isocoles method  ,where you push forward with the strong hand while pulling back on the weak one,with some success . I have to admit that I rarely shoot off hand anymore since I gave up sillywets.  jh

[Lawful Larry]

Hey Daniel,
I guess the only time I have a problem is shooting my .375 JDJ.  What I found that helps is to use a two handed grip, but I index my off hand index finger and rest it on the side of the trigger guard.  This gets the finger away from the back of the trigger guard and a nasty bite.  Remember I said rest and not grip.  This seems to work with the heavier rounds.  

I must admit I have not taken my G2 in to the woods yet, but do like the sound of the sling on the grip butt.  It sounds very practical to me.  I will look into it further.    :wink:

LL

[helobill]

Well, guess I'm cheap, but I use a walking stick. Which is usually either a straight branch I cut, or a surveying marker stick. They're usually about 4 feet long, hold it in your off hand, rest the forend on your thumb and first finger where it hits the stick or go to the other side and rest it on your wrist. I even carry it up into my treestand.
Bill