I recently bought my first contender. I got the blued walnut pistol grip action and a 357 herrett barrel.
For kicks I also got a 23" 17MK2 and a composite rifle stock and forearm.
Yesterday I had it set up as a carbine with the 17 MK2 barrel with Weaver Classic 3-9 x 32 A/O. I took a box of Eley 17 MACH 2 to the range.
I sighted it in and had to settle down and see just what it would do. I never expected it but this thing shoots as good as my anshutz 22. I had cloverleaf groups at 50 yds. This was with all factory equipment and no accurizing or trigger work. I did not get the chance to try it at 100 because once I let my daughter and wife shoot it I never got it back.
I have always heard the contenders would shoot but I never expected them to shoot as good as a bolt action, especially out of the box. I'm sold!!
Now I am going to check into getting this trigger smoothed out a bit and lightened up some. One thing is for sure, I'll be hanging on to this one!
Ray