G2 Contender questions.

[buckslayer]

looking for a compact lightweight versatile rifle, and I love the looks of the Contender.  Just had a couple questions for you all.
1)  Can the 45/70 handle as powerful loads as the Encore?
2)  Can the .50 muzzleloader handle as powerful loads as the Encore?
3)  In the same calibers, can the Contender be as accurate as the Encore?
Thanks for any info, I appreciate it.

[Keith L]

1. No, but how much do you need?  G2 frames can handle trap door loads that are quite effective.
2. I don't know.
3. I only have Contenders so this is second hand.  I see far fewer people having accuracy trouble with Contenders than with Encores on this board.  My Contender carbines are either rimfire or small bore centerfire and are quite accurate.  I don't know about the bigger Contender rounds in rifle format.  I have a 7-30 Waters and a 30-30 in pistol and they are tack drivers.  Lots of Encores are also, listening to Encore owners.  With either you may have to do some tinkering to get the maximum potential out of them.

[Dezynco]

1)  The Contender G2 can handle anything that you would call a "common" 45-70 load.  Any factory ammo will do (TC wouldn't offer the barrels in 45-70 if they wouldn't handle factory ammo).  The only time you would get into trouble with the 45-70 is if you are a handloader and tried to load some very hot ammo like you can for the Ruger No.1....

2)  I don't know about the 50cal muzzleloader, but my experience with muzzleloaders is that they all operate at relatively low pressure.  Probably, but someone else will have to answer that question for you.

3)  Both the Encore and Contender are very accurate, so I think that you'll have no issues here, with the same caliber.  I have no real experience comparing the Encore and the Contender head-to-head in the same caliber other than 22LR, and in that I can say there is no significant difference.  I still prefer the Contender over the Encore because of the smaller size and lighter weight.

[Lone Star]

The Contender G2 can handle anything that you would call a "common" 45-70 load.

The above is highly misleading and potentially dangerous.  The word "common" has no real meaning, and since we are talking about safety here, it should not be used.  A "common" .45-70 load for a Marlin M1895 could cause serious damage to a Contender.  Limit all loads for a Contender frame to Trapdoor-level pressures.  But whose "Trapdoor-level" do we use?

Lyman…………18,000 CUP
Speer………….21,000 CUP
Hornady……….25,000 CUP
Hodgdon………28,000 CUP
Factory……..…18,000 CUP (reported)

Frankly, my 16" .45-70 carbine is limited by the recoil I can tolerate, not by pressure.  I have shot a lot of game over the years with various .45-70s and unless you need long range performance, velocities with 300/350-grain bullets do not need to be very high to be very effective.

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[Dezynco]

Sorry, I thought I explained the term "common" very clearly....

G2 frames are supposed to be able to withstand much more pressure than you listed below.  Without getting into a bunch of numbers, it is safe to say that buckslayer can load his G2 Contender with any factory ammo and not worry about it.  It's only if he starts handloading will he potentially come across any pressure issues.

The 45-70 can be stoked up to nearly 458 Winchester Magnum velocities, but ONLY in a very strong action like the Ruger No. 1, and then only by loading the cartridges oneself.

[Lone Star]

G2 frames are supposed to be able to withstand much more pressure than you listed below.  Without getting into a bunch of numbers, it is safe to say that buckslayer can load his G2 Contender with any factory ammo and not worry about it.  It's only if he starts handloading will he potentially come across any pressure issues.

I wonder where you heard that G2 frames are supposed to handle more pressure than I listed above.  I've loaded the .45-70 for over 35 years and am well aware what T/C recommends - having personally asked them.  That would be Trapdoor-only loads, which encompass NORMAL pressured factory loads from Remington, Federal, and W-W.  Not "non-Ruger No.1" loads,  not "Marlin-level" loads, but Trapdoor-level loads.

Apparently you are unaware of what loaded ammunition is available on the open market.  You and I can buy "factory-loaded" ammo which substantially exceeds Trapdoor levels of pressure (Garrett, BuffaloBore, etc.) and which would not be safe in a Contender.   You don't have to start handloading to get into trouble.

Since the OP asked if the G2 could handle loads as powerful as an Encore can - the correct answer is a simple and unqualified NO.



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