Author Topic: Help me build a Contender Rifle barrell (Read 1313 times)

btr568 · « **on:** December 26, 2009, 06:06:05 AM »

Hi guys...Okay here are the specs. about this thread..
I live in Missisippi,during our primative weapons season I can use any caliber, 35 cal. or greater.I DO NOT want anything to do with a 45-70.I know I can get a 35 Remington for a Contender but I want something with more zing than the Remmie can produce.
I will be using a Stainless G2.What calibers are suitable for a G2,wildcats included.

Drugstore Cowboy · « **Reply #1 on:** December 26, 2009, 10:43:28 AM »

You're a bit confined with a Contender as the pressure needs to be kept low. I purchased MGM in
30/40 Krag for a deer carry rifle. You may want to look at a 38x55 Win?. Also suggest you see what MGM, Bullberry and a few other produce.

Drugstore Cowboy · « **Reply #2 on:** December 26, 2009, 10:52:16 AM »

35 whelan in encore rifle

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,192442.0.html

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** December 26, 2009, 11:00:13 AM »

How about a .358 JDJ from SSK Industries a GBO Sponsor. It's a bit more powerful than the .358 Winchester and lags the .35 Whelen by only the slightest of margins. Yes it's G2 compatible.

kynardsj · « **Reply #4 on:** December 26, 2009, 11:32:10 AM »

Check out the 375 JDJ and the 375 Winchester. Both shootable in the Contender.

btr568 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 26, 2009, 04:35:43 PM »

Thanks guys...now comes the hardest part....making up my mind on which one to get! Have any of ya'll shot or owned one of these calibers?

securitysix · « **Reply #6 on:** December 26, 2009, 04:49:46 PM »

My first thought was .375 Winchester.

I would think a .357 Maximum would work, too, but that won't give you more zing than a .35 Remington.

.41 or .44 Magnum, but again, no more zing than the .35 Remington.

.357-.44 B&D (I've always wanted to try one of these).

If none of those catches your eye, one of the JDJs would be the way to go.

btr568 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 26, 2009, 05:30:12 PM »

Been doing some heavy reading,so far it's a tie between the 375 Winchester & the JDJ's.Also I like what I've read on the 358 Winchester,but I don't think the Contender would hold up to the stress(but I can see a build with my Stevens in the factory 358 coming down the road in a little bit)

Graybeard · « **Reply #8 on:** December 26, 2009, 05:49:42 PM »

I've owned the .358 JDJ in a 14" barrel. It pushed 225s to 2300 fps a wee bit under JD's max load for it using AA2520. In a longer rifle barrel it would do more. It has better sectional density in same bullet weights than the .375s and bullets in that diameter are actually made to perform at the velocity it can push them which is a wee bit more than the .358 Win. but at lower pressures due to the larger case capacity.

In a rifle barrel it will get within 75-100 fps of a Whelen in same barrel length and do it in a Contender.

Dezynco · « **Reply #9 on:** December 27, 2009, 02:21:52 AM »

I'm here in Mississippi too! I like my 375 Winchester, and bagged a nice doe with it. Does the job well, and is easy to hand load. Very accurate also. Send me a PM, if we are near each other, I can let you take a look at mine and if possible, squeeze off a round or two.

You might consider a 357 Herret. It's about the same as a 35 Remington, but it's an interesting cartridge to fiddle with. Think of it as a 35 Remington with a rimmed case. There is ready-made brass available every now and then, or if you like to piddle, you can make your own from 30-30 cases.

btr568 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 27, 2009, 03:15:50 AM »

Bill thank you,that sounds wicked

Dezynco..I'm down here on the Gulf(well close enuf').George county,da tiny hamlet of Lucedale

Doc T · « **Reply #11 on:** December 30, 2009, 10:55:25 AM »

How about a 445 Supermag? You would have to reload for it. You can get close to 444 Marlin ballistics. Buy some Hornady LeverRevolution bullets and load them up. You can use your standard 44 mag dies. You can even shoot 44 mag or 44 special ammo out of it. I am currently trying to decide the same thing. 445 in a Contender or a 444 Marlin in an Encore. I am in Louisiana and our laws are lagging behind yours a year or two. Our primitive season changed this year but T/Cs are not legal. Only guns made on a patent before 1900, with a hammer, and 38 caliber or better.

Doc T

Slowpoke Slim · « **Reply #12 on:** December 30, 2009, 02:50:28 PM »

Well if "zing" is what you're after...

375 JDJ.

Hands down, end of story.

Nothing to see here folks, move along...

EDIT--

Midway had one in stock yesterday...

Graybeard · « **Reply #13 on:** December 30, 2009, 05:41:01 PM »

Reckon that depends on yer definition of "zing" doesn't it?

Couger · « **Reply #14 on:** December 30, 2009, 08:44:07 PM »

Quote from: kynardsj

Check out the 375 JDJ and the 375 Winchester. Both shootable in the Contender.

Before shooting the wildcat I'd choose the .375Winnie of those two. Also there's the .356 and .358 Winchester's too.

Graybeard · « **Reply #15 on:** December 31, 2009, 02:25:19 AM »

Quote

Also there's the .356 and .358 Winchester's too.

NOT REALLY, he specified Contender NOT Encore.

Couger · « **Reply #16 on:** December 31, 2009, 02:36:59 AM »

Quote from: Graybeard on December 31, 2009, 02:25:19 AM

Quote
Also there's the .356 and .358 Winchester's too.

NOT REALLY, he specified Contender NOT Encore.

Pardon me! He did say Contender didn't he!?

Well the .375Win excels in the Contender, whether rifle length or even in the shorter 14". Also Winchester still makes seasonal or semi-seasonal runs of .375 brass too.

btr568 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 31, 2009, 03:04:00 AM »

Bill you wouldn't happen to have some load data tucked away for the JDJ's somewhere would you or point me in the right direction to get some.I'm just getting the reloading bug,a buddy of mine is gonna supervise me for a while till I get the hang of it.Right now I'm learning to do shotgun shells and having a blast!!

Doc T,yup yours are mirroring our laws,when the state changed the regs,it started as a 38 caliber also,then went to a 35 caliber(lots of H&R's sold here),next thing,I knew it was okay for the TC's.Hang in there pard,it'll all change soon or later.Now if I could just talk'em into letting me hunt yotes on WMA's during the off season life would be great.

Graybeard · « **Reply #18 on:** December 31, 2009, 04:02:54 AM »

If you purchase a barrel from SSK Industries you get load data supplied with it. They used to provide the load data sheets at $1 each for those not buying their barrels. At one time it was free but it got to be too expensive to continue like that. I think but am not certain that Handgun Hunters International (HHI) members still can get a single sheet or two for free.

EdK · « **Reply #19 on:** January 01, 2010, 03:04:03 AM »

Just be careful that when you build up a 358 or 375 JDJ on a featherweight Contender carbine platform you do not wind up one or more of the undesirable 45-70 characteristics you wanted nothing to do with.

Doc T · « **Reply #20 on:** January 05, 2010, 06:46:31 AM »

Rumor was that T/C threatened to sue the state of Mississippi over the deal so Miss. made them legal. Don't know if there is any truth to that or not but it makes sense. An illegal Contender/Encore function the same way as a legal Handi. It is only the patent thing. I have two Handis, 44mag and 444 Marlin, I just prefer the T/Cs.

Doc T