Question: Which bullet in the .22 Jet - Contender

[vonfatman]

I have a .22 Jet barrel (10") and will be buying bullets.  I have read in the "The Complete Reloading Manual for the Thompson/Center Contender" that Contender barrels are .224 Diameter and that is the diameter bullet to buy...specifically the 40 or 45 grain .22 Hornet bullets.   Last week, I read the ".22 Remington Jet" article by Stan Trzoniee in the most recent "Handloader" magazine.  He asserts that "a call to the T/C Custom Shop confirmed they are using the same traditional diameter of .223 inch (not .224 inch)"

My question:  Perhaps TODAY T/C is using .223 diameter...but what about in years past?  The older data says .224.  My barrel is older (even octagonal).  What diameter bullet should I buy for my older .22 Jet barrel?

Also,

If anyone would care to suggest a brand of bullet they have had good luck with...PLEASE do!!  I'd also be very pleased if some suggested "recipes" were thrown in!!

Thanks.

Bob

[Bob96]

  I have wondered the same thing. I read once that all rimfire TC barrels are .222 and All centerfire barrels are .224. It would seem strange to me for T/C to use .223 in only the Jet and .224 in all the others. Who even makes a .223 barrel these days as they were used in the 22 Hornet some 50 yrs. ago. I would think that their Jet is .224

[Hopalong7]

     I just read the same article last night and was dumb founded.  Sorry Stan, but I just think you talked to the wrong person somewhere...I mean TC never used .223" barrels for the Hornet .....why would they for the Jet.  The Jet is the one 22 I never had in a TC or anything else but, if I had one I think it would warrant a call to hopefully someone other than whoever Trozonic spoke with.  I don't recall other TC shooters saying anything about the Jet being .223.

[3leggedturtle]

Well think Stan was given wrong info, been reading Lyman, Hornady and Speer manuals from the 60's and they all say that 22 Jet TC barrels were 224 and use 40 to 45 gr  .224 barrels,  The REM or Win 45 and 46 gr SP's or HP's work great over a stiff load of H110 or H2400. But as always start low and work up. You can always slug and mic your bore to be sure.

[vonfatman]

Well, I called T/C and I have to say, I threw them for a curve.  I do not think they really understood the question.  The lady finally reported (after talking to two or so people, the last one a "gunsmith from the Custom Shop" that the bore is:  ".2190 - .2210 or the same as the .223"

I am skeptical.  It took too much time and energy to get the "answer".  I also do not understand how or why years of published data is now "wrong"?  This doesn't make sense.

So, I guess I'll buy some .224 Hornet bullets and give them a try.

Bob

[Ladobe]

Been a long time since I've had any 10" octagon Jet barrels that I shot regularly (sold the last one without ever shooting it).   But what I shot most often in mine was the Winchester 46 grain OPE's.    They shot very well in them and were deadly for jump shooting jacks (and bonus badger, fox or coyotes). 
FWIW
L.

[sr sawyer]

It is my understanding all center fire .22 cal barrels that TC offered are .224.  Besides .001 will not make any difference if you start with the minimum load .  Bullets in .224 are a lot easier to find than .223.

Ken   

[skb2706]

Just looked last night in my old Hornady loading manual......the brown hardbound one. It has a special section in the back for the Contender. The first round they deal with is the Jet. It clearly says that TC used .224" barrels.

[vonfatman]

It's a shame that the T/C Custom Shop can't provide accurate information on their own products.  I am shopping for some .224 Hornet bullets and will give them a go. 

Thanks again for all the replies.

Bob

[russ69]

I had good luck with the 45 grain Blitzking Sierra.

Thanx, Russ

[vonfatman]

Thanks Russ!!

Bob