Author Topic: Would you believe - a SHORT throated Contender barrel ?? (Read 512 times)

braud357 · « **on:** April 06, 2005, 01:36:32 PM »

I just bought one of the "special-run" Super 14 barrels from Midway, chambered in 30 Carbine. I was looking for a low recoil barrel, with the intention of using it in IHMSA Unlimited Standing. Since I had previous experience with 2 different barrels in this caliber (a factory 10" bull, and a 12" Custom Shop) - plus a large stash of 30 Carbine components, I decided to buy this one. The then sale price of $199.95 sealed the deal. I had some loads left over from my previous barrels, so I figured that these would be a good starting point. I had some loaded with Hornady 150 spire Points that had functioned well in both of the previous barrels. I tried one in the new barrel - and the action would not close ! Upon inspection I could see that the bullet was hitting the lands -- now, that was a surprise !! The bullet was seated to the cannelure - and was too long. since the load was a relatively light load, I seated the bullets deeper until the action closed. The accuracy was as good as my old barrels, so I looking to shooting it in a match soon. So, they may be a rarity, but there are some short-throated Contender barrels out there ! Another comment --- I sure miss the old finish that TC used to put on their barrels. The name engraving is stark - not smoothly done at all. And compared to the old high-gloss finish - this one looks rough. Not much surface prep at all ! At first glimpse I wondered if it was matte finished, but, it is not. It is a shooter, though - and that is the most important consideration !

Tad Houston · « **Reply #1 on:** April 06, 2005, 02:50:57 PM »

I've got a 16" 45-70 that does the same thing. Loaded some 350 gr. speer bullets high on the canalure, and the thing would'nt close. had to seat the bullets another 10th of an inch! They where all charged with H4895 starting loads, so i think they will be alright- have not shot them yet. :?

fyrepowrx · « **Reply #2 on:** April 06, 2005, 07:18:10 PM »

Braud;

i also have a similar situation in a 20" 32/20 carbine barrel from the custom shop. Barrel shoots great, but pretty much anything except the lightweight 110 grain RNSP's have to be seated deep.

If you have not tried them yet, Hornady makes a 90 grain lightweight .308 diameter XTP pistol bullet that really comes apart at high speed. I assume they are marketed for the .30 lugers & similar cartridges, poor choice for long range shooting, but up close they act like varmint bullets. They shoot well in my 9" .32 H&R barrel, and pretty fair in the 32/20 carbine, and since they are so short for the caliber they work OK in the tight chambers.

i was also eyeballin' those .30 carbine barrels...let me know how that barrel shoots. i have never tried the .30 carbine in anything over 10"...

braud357 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 07, 2005, 01:10:00 AM »

well, the light bullets are not an option - because I am using it for Big Bore silhouette. In my experience, these 30 Carbine barrels will shoot everything well. The lightest bullets that I have fired are 110 RN-SP, and the shoot really well. Another thing that I have noticed about the 30 Carbine. It will shoot different bullet weights to the same point of aim. FYI - I use either the 150 Hornady SP or the Sierra 150 Spitzer and 13-296 for silhouette - R-P case, CCI-400 primer

BeverlyHillbilly · « **Reply #4 on:** April 07, 2005, 01:56:27 AM »

Braud357

I just purchased the same sale 30 Carb barrel as you. I had to let the 256 Win Mag they were selling go on by crying and stomping

I was looking to shoot the 150 grain bullets and the 110 grain VMax, and perhaps the 125 Nosler Ballistic Tip. None of the bullet manufacturers would send me load data for anything bigger than the 110 from Sierra, so I was curious where you start our loads at with that W296, or is the 13 grains that point.

Thanks for any info you can give me, you can PM it too me if you like. I will use it at my own risk.

Thanks
Rich Campbell

dakotashooter2 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 07, 2005, 09:07:31 AM »

I am suspecting that is the case with my encore in 243. While it works fine with jacketed bullets I have been trying to get a cast lyman RN to work and it is just too long.

braud357 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 07, 2005, 01:27:06 PM »

Rich - will be glad to share with you. Loads listed below are safe in my barrels - I suggest that anyone trying them should reduce by 10 % and work up.

110 Remington 110 RN-SP
14- 296, R-P case, CCI-400 primer (mild load - very accurate)

125 Sierra spitzer
14.2 - 296, R-P case, CCI-400 primer (max load - VERY accurate !)

150 Sierra spitzer (may substitute with Hornady 150 SP)
13 - 296, R-P case, CCI-400 primer (MAX load - use caution !)

I used this load to shoot a bunch of perfect scores in IHMSA with a 12" Custom Shop barrel - including a 80x80 at the 2000 IHMSA Internationals. I am going to load with 13 - 296 in my new barrel. One more note - in my experience, EVERY bullet that I have tried in the 30 Carbine has shot well; some are just a little better. The main problem that I have found with this cartridge is that it has a strong tendency to stretch. Be sure to keep tabs on case length. I may also try some Accurate #9. It is faster than 296, and, if it shoots ok, may provide more "bang for the buck" by being a little more "fuel efficient" ------- Good luck !

BeverlyHillbilly · « **Reply #7 on:** April 07, 2005, 02:23:39 PM »

Braud357

Thanks so much for the data. I will compare up loads with you once I try mine out.

Thanks
RC