Scheming on a rimfire silhouette contender rifle

[rickt300]

I would like to know if the 22 rimfire contender rifle barrels are still available? Are they of a good enough quality to compete in rimfire silhouette competition. The trigger on my first generation contender is up to the task and I am building an offhand stock for it. Anyone have a rifle rimfire barrel for sale?

[Graybeard]

I used one from the factory quite successfully in competition many many years ago. Don't see why you couldn't still do so.

[rickt300]

I was sure they made them. I have never seen one though.

[30-06man]

i would call t/c and see if they have one laying around. i know the used to do that a lot

[offhand35]

I have a TC  23" 22LR Match bbl on my original Contender. I use it for hunting, however,  not competition. I can tell you though, that it is the BEST 22Lr I have ever owned. With a Leupold 2-7x rimfire scope   I can routinely  make 40-50 yd head shots on squirrels.

[30-06man]

i don't have this barrel, but on a side note i got a new scope on my marlin .22 auto. and its out there at 40 yards the size of a quarter free handed. i was impressed with it. i am using American eagle ammo

[Heavy C]

I would like to know if the 22 rimfire contender rifle barrels are still available? Are they of a good enough quality to compete in rimfire silhouette competition. The trigger on my first generation contender is up to the task and I am building an offhand stock for it. Anyone have a rifle rimfire barrel for sale?

With the right stock it should make a great silhouette rifle.

Midsouth Shooters Supply has them.

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/department.asp?dept=%46%49%52%45%41%52%4D%53&dept2=%43%4F%4E%54%45%4E%44%45%52&dept3=%2E%32%32%20%4C%4F%4E%47%20%52%49%46%4C%45

[Slowpoke Slim]

It's a current production item. I bought one a few months back for my original pre-easy open frame Contender. I've been very happy with it's accuracy, even with "junk" cheap brick ammo it is a real tack driver. I bought it for a training bbl for my daughter to practice with for deer hunting. After she "out grows" it, I may just keep it for "Dad's squirrel rifle".

I shopped around on the net and I think mine was around $220. Shoots fine off my old frame, with no misfires or problems, and that's WITH a hammer extension (GASP!). You'll need the modern new fore end to go with the bbl, I ordered both at the same time.

[rickt300]

I think I am going to order one from Midsouth shooter supply. Price is fine. HMMM forearm.

[rickt300]

I looked around and found a new G2 contender complete with walnut stocks and a 22 rimfire barrel for $436.00 plus shipping. Of course my dealer got his 10 percent for ordering it which will happen this monday. So I get to keep my older Contender and may turn it back into a pistol for that kind of playing. Need to get some trigger time in and set up a range out on the property somewhere.

[rickt300]

I got the rifle today, a new G2 Contender carbine, they delayed me this morning (the ATF) but my gunsmith called before closing to say come and get it, it went thru.  I have to say it looks nice inside and out. Functions more smoothly than my older model ever did and the trigger is very good. The barrel was immaculate but i pushed a patch thru it anyway before going outside to shoot it for function and headspace check. Cases look perfect. I mounted a Banner 3x9 on it and friday I will give a range session. I am starting it out with Remington bulk target rounds and some Aguila rifle and pistol match. Might even stop by Walmart and pick up some of the Federal target velocity stuff they sell in 325 round bulk boxes. I am hoping to get away with shooting it on the 100 yard range which for some reason is a no-no there.

[oldandslow]

I am looking forward to a range report. I just picked up a used G2 with a .223 bbl. and am thinking seriously about a .22 rimfire bbl. The .223 is the most accurate rifle I have ever owned.

[rickt300]

Range report. The range was busy! I waited and got a spot on the 50 yard line. Had to put up with numerous short barreled semi auto's, Saiga 308, Rem. 742 30-06 nad an AK copy at first. It was cold early on too. Got settled in and got the G2 on the paper then sighted in using Winchester Expert HP's. These shot pretty good too. I was shooting 25 shot groups to break in the barrel and get used to the trigger. Trigger had very little travel but it did have some kick back. Anyway I was shooting groups that turned into mostly a 3/4 inch ragged hole for the first 100 shots. I then went to Remington Target standard velocity rounds. Immediate improvement. Groups more rounded and somewhat smaller. Tried Aguila Pistol match and find the rifle does not care for it much. I then try Aguila Rifle match and this 20 shot group really looks tight. I want to try this on the 100 yard range so I save the last 30 rounds. I go back to the Remington Target ammo and shoot 10 or so rounds and suddenly POI changes 1/4 inch and most of the bullets start going into a really tight group. I change targets and get 10 shots into 7/16th of an inch. I ask the range officer if I can go to the 100 yard range and he says it's too busy. So I go back to my shooting and start shooting the staples off my targets. Mission accomplished so I go home. I don't know if the rifle started shooting better because I was getting used to it or the barrel broke in after around 250 shots but it really started putting them in small groups and the bullets were really going where I steered them. I am going back after I get a better selection of ammo and the range is not so busy. I threw a flyer every time that short barreled Saiga 308 went off next to me and i got tired of being interupted by the no shooting weeds wanting to see if they were on the paper every 10 minutes. I would like to have 3 hours of steady trigger squeezing with few interuptions.

[30-06man]

Yup I got so mad with public ranges I took the bulldozer and made me a back stop and now have a 125 yard range in the back yard. Sure beats the range.

[rickt300]

Well since I bought the rifle I decided to put the barrel on my old model frame and butstock. The trigger is better and the rifle has more of a muzzle heavy feel to it due to the stock and frame being lighter. This rifle really likes Federal 510 ammo, This is standard price high velocity ammo with a 40 grain solid bullet. I mean likes it to the tune of it shoots so well I can eat the spot out of a 50 foot smallbore rifle target set up at 25 yards. I can consistently hit bullet holes. I sighted it in 3/4ths of an inch high at 25 yards and plan on getting some squirell and rabbit hunting in soon. It also shoots very finely with Federal 714 and 711B.  I shot one silhouette match before switching frames and stocks, considering I was hung over and had little sleep I thought things went well. Since I have changed my offhand style and gotten in 200 rounds of offhand shooting in. There is a "fun" match this weekend I am entering, haven't ever played one but am looking forward to it.

[tigmaned]

rick
so you still happy with your 23" 22lr barrel. i am thinking thats my next barrel. or a 17???

[rickt300]

Yes, I think it is the perfect small game rifle. It shoots some ammo better than others but I think ammo quality has a lot to do with this. I might play with a 17HMR someday but can't use it in matches and the round is too rough on small game.  Hard to beat the variety of 22 rimfire ammo out there. I shot a 33 and a 28 on two 40 round sihlouette matches this morning. The second round it got pretty windy on me. Still I am really getting back into shooting and the enjoyment of it.