Author Topic: What would you buy for target shooting,Contender only. (Read 2666 times)

Lager · « **on:** December 26, 2009, 03:42:55 PM »

Prerequisites,
Light to medium recoil.
Readily available and somewhat inexpensive brass and heads.
Hunting ballistics or results really dosnt matter, Im just punching holes in paper.

Reason for me asking,
Right now, all I have is a 357 mag barrel and Ive done all I can,reloading wise to get the best accuracy out of this caliber.Im still searching for that "one ragged hole @100"

Felt recoil is important to me, too much just makes me flinch,so whats the point.
Comfortable with full power 357, military 223 is OK, factory mag 44 is more then Im looking for.

Can reload my own but readily available brass is real important, not interested in wildcats.
Suggestions from maybe MGM barrels,14-16 inch? Rate of twist and your boolit head weights?
Looking for something to be gentle to the Contender frame, not like the 50,000 CUP pressures the factory223 puts it thru.
Remember, be kind to my shooting hand.

southernutah · « **Reply #1 on:** December 26, 2009, 04:11:26 PM »

223 would be my choice, you could down load them to comfort level. watch or deals on FMJs or some match bullets. longer and heavier the barrel the less felt recoil

KYODE · « **Reply #2 on:** December 26, 2009, 04:15:24 PM »

Quote

not interested in wildcats.

no reason not to....you reload

especially a simple one that only requires a simple neck up etc.

Quote

be gentle to the Contender frame, not like the 50,000 CUP pressures the factory223 puts it thru

high presures from that size case head does NOT hurt the frame whatsoever. case head size(diameter) determines what pressures the contender frame can handle.

what would I buy for a target shooting contender?.....a 6x47 would be my #1 choice. this is a 222magnum( or now 204 ruger also, and easily obtained) necked up to 6mm. just a simple run of those 2 cases into the 6x47 die makes one.
also.....the 6x45 aka 6mm/.223. simply run a .223 case into the size die opens the neck for 6mm bullets. lottsa nice bullets, and even custom made bench rest bullets for accurate target shooting. these 2 also make great long range varmint rounds or for predators such as coyote etc.

then....the 6tcu. a .223 case necked to 6mm, and then fireformed to an improved shape, with straighter case walls and 40 degree shoulder angle. fireform loads are accurate and the case is pretty cool lookin when done. it is a fun round.

i have all 3 of these and 2 in 6tcu.

want simple?....be hard to beat the .223 for a target round. 221 fireball, 222, and 218bee would be some more nice .22 cal rounds. again, several nice bullets available, and some match grade also.

kynardsj · « **Reply #3 on:** December 26, 2009, 04:20:08 PM »

Another vote for .223

David D. · « **Reply #4 on:** December 26, 2009, 04:35:12 PM »

Target @ 100yds., easy to load, light recoil, accurate, fun to shoot, 22Hornet and never look back.

securitysix · « **Reply #5 on:** December 26, 2009, 04:46:02 PM »

Just a few off the top of my head

.22 Hornet
.22 K-Hornet (shoot factory .22 Hornet ammo to fireform brass, 35 grain Hornady V-Max bullets or similar will probably be your favorite here)
.222 Remington
.223 Remington
7-30 Waters (recoil isn't bad out of a 14" barrel, 7mm bullets are easy to come by, and you can use .30-30 brass to form cases)
.30-30 Winchester (again, recoil out of a 14" barrel won't be too bad, and since it's a single-shot, you're not limited to flat nosed bullets)

Tommyt · « **Reply #6 on:** December 26, 2009, 06:21:30 PM »

I don't think its to Wild of a Cat

and Love it
7 TCU
223 brass
#7 mm bullets

I feel its very nice to shoot

Tommyt

skarke · « **Reply #7 on:** December 26, 2009, 08:06:17 PM »

I shoot a stock barrel 223 really well with a Bower rest. I can generally shoot .6 or better (usually a little better) on a no wind day and a 20 power rifle scope. I have a 3.25 inch flat base forend with a hanger bar, and a flat bottom finger grip. Grip consistency is the most important factor in pistol shooting, including with the Contender.

Notice that I said rifle scope, this rig is very easy to handle.

doc-and · « **Reply #8 on:** December 26, 2009, 11:35:50 PM »

Try a 5.7x28, recoil wise it's easy on the hand, accuracy wise it's excellent with factory loads. Or you might try a 22Hornet or 22K-Hornet. Dies are readly available and the K-Hornet is just a fireformed Hornet case no case forming is required just shoot factory loads and presto instant case forming.
I shoot both but in a Encore since I like the extra weight for bench work

Here's the 5.7x28 by MGM 14inch SST, Burris 10xIER scope, and Georgia Jim wood

Here's my 22K-Hornet by T/C Custom Shop, 15inch BBL, Nikon 6-16 Bushmaster scope and again with Georgia Jim wood

docand

securitysix · « **Reply #9 on:** December 27, 2009, 04:55:25 AM »

I told my dad about this thread last night and the first words out of his mouth were ".221 Fireball".

Graybeard · « **Reply #10 on:** December 27, 2009, 10:49:04 AM »

I've played around with several and knew folks around the area that had others. So far I've never seen a .223 that met my criteria for accuracy in a Contender and that included some Custom barrels. Nope I'd sure not chose that one.

What I would chose is the 6 TCU. Brass is as simple as it gets just run the .223 into your die and you're good to go. Sure it will fire form a wee tad but fire form loads are as accurate as those already formed. This one unlike the .223 has met my accuracy criteria in every barrel I've owned and those of others I know. Both mine shot half inch and better groups regularly and especially so with Hornady 65 V-Max and H335. BTW H335 is THE POWDER for this round.

Incitatus · « **Reply #11 on:** December 27, 2009, 01:00:17 PM »

Forgive the gross ignorance but 6 TCU?

?

Lager · « **Reply #12 on:** December 27, 2009, 01:28:47 PM »

Interesting ideas from everyone.
Please keep them coming,Im paying close attention.

stubshaft · « **Reply #13 on:** December 27, 2009, 03:45:38 PM »

Quote from: Tommyt on December 26, 2009, 06:21:30 PM

I don't think its to Wild of a Cat
and Love it
7 TCU
223 brass
#7 mm bullets

I feel its very nice to shoot

Tommyt

+1 on the TCU and/or Hornet.

Graybeard · « **Reply #14 on:** December 27, 2009, 05:43:38 PM »

Quote from: Incitatus on December 27, 2009, 01:00:17 PM

Forgive the gross ignorance but 6 TCU??

TCU= Thompson Center Uglade a series of cartridges made from the .223 Remington by necking parent case to new bullet diameter than fire forming the case to a very slightly different shoulder angle. They came in 6mm, .257", 6.5mm and 7mm.

Preacherman · « **Reply #15 on:** December 28, 2009, 11:06:58 AM »

7mmTCU very acruate easy to make light recoil.
Preacherman

KYODE · « **Reply #16 on:** December 28, 2009, 12:41:06 PM »

take a GOOD look at the 6x47 i mentioned earlier!

here is a lil 6mm readin i found...... http://www.chuckhawks.com/friendly_6mm.htm

sk330lc · « **Reply #17 on:** December 28, 2009, 12:53:50 PM »

221 Rem. Fireball with 50gr pills in a 14" barrel . Is very Nice. The 6mm TCU is nice also.

Lager · « **Reply #18 on:** December 28, 2009, 01:11:35 PM »

Just thinking or talking about ,either the 6 or 7 TCU. Any ideas about the shortened case life once the neck has been stretched that much? Like how many times can the case be reused and especially the 7 mm,how often does the neck collapse during neck sizing?
Another question, seems like 6-7 Tcu dies are not that common. Some offer full size, then some offer neck size and head installer only. Neither are cheap,$100 + for full size, $65 or so for the short kit. But, If you have to buy a 223 die anyways, add on the short kit ? Comes out to be the same dosent it?
Please feel free to correct me at any time.
I like the idea about using 223 brass, readily available. I just picked up about 100 rounds of once fired at my local range,out them into my case cleaner so I have a good start.
Previous poster mentioned .6 MOA using the 223 ,but from what Ive been reading. Thats more the exception then the rule concerning 223 barrels. Dont think I would get that lucky.

Thats got me leaning towards the 6 mm TCU, Unless some of the 223 gang can convince me other wise.

KYODE · « **Reply #19 on:** December 28, 2009, 01:31:22 PM »

i've never lost a case from necking up hundreds, n hundreds, and hundreds up to 6mm. a tapered expander in the die makes it super easy.

like mentioned earlier the 6tcu is fine n dandy. i have 2(one factory 14", one custom 15")and i love them. they are real shooters. but....i think i prefer the versions that require no fireforming to "improved" shape best. the 6x45 aka 6mm/.223 is simply made by running a .223 case into the die and opening the neck. of course that is only done once and loadings thereafter are the same as reloading any case.

6tcu OR 6mm/.223 dies should not cost all that much. maybe slightly more than the most common, but not significantly. as far as that goes....i believe hornady makes a 6x47 die(204 ruger or 222mag case), which should be reasonable $. then again....ALL prices have gone up on EVERYTHING lately.

i don't think the .223 has a bad rep, that i know of. i have a factory 14" .223 that is a real shooter. i'd be willing to bet it will shoot less than .6".

.223, 6x45, 6tcu.....it's all good. like i said before though....my #1 choice in a contender target barrel would be a custom made 6x47, and nowadays even more so, since i can run a fairly cheap, readily available 204 ruger case into the 6x47 die to make one.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #20 on:** December 28, 2009, 01:46:42 PM »

What kind of targets?
Clay birds at 100 yards? Steel gongs? Silohuettes? Potatoes? (may favorite)
OK cheap no recoil and can shoot out to 100 yards.
How about 17 HMR? By the time you buy the dies and all, it may be cheaper to buy the 17HMR in bulk. Or the 17M2

Jay HHI6818 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 28, 2009, 02:26:41 PM »

6TCU! Mild recoil very accurate round.

Lager · « **Reply #22 on:** December 29, 2009, 03:01:15 PM »

MC woodduck, I dont mind recoil at all. In fact, I enjoy it. Thats why I really didnt like my tc 22 barrel and sold it. I just dont like the crushing,bone jaring recoil like the 44mag produces and I will never shoot a 45-70 again. Took two shots from that hand cannon and I was done.
Guess Im just recoil sensitive and I know a high power round will just make me flinch just a bit throwing my round off the paper targets that I shoot now,so why use them?
Ive been shooting pistol for a long time in many different competition classes and I know what I can handle recoil wise accurately.
When I was an "up and comer" in the IPSC semi professional sport long ago, My shooting coach( retired FBI instructor) told me that shooting a pistol was 90% mental,10% physical and I learned how true that is.
Flinch is nothing but the bodys self preservation reaction against something it dosent want to do. Its caused by excessive noise and force against the human body. Everyone's limits are different, but that a whole other topic.
Getting back to the subject,, seems like the 223 or the 6MM Tcu is popular?
While the 6mm seems to leading the race, the 223 guys have posted up some really nice group sizes.
Useing the 223, this will reduce my cost in dies, its got me leaning that way.
Kyode has been pushing the 6x47, then admits that his 223 is a darn good shooter also.
I think I would be happy with the 223 in the 14 inch length. Lots of different powders and bullet weights to play with.
OK, I know me, once I get the 223 going well, then look at the next project.

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 30, 2009, 02:04:33 AM »

It's funny how different shooters react to different guns. I fully enjoy my 45-70(given "reasonable" loads)but, don't care much for the blast and flash provided by a 223.

Yeah, I know...there's always one.

It would be hard to argue with the 223 given your prerequisits, but, I think I would go for the Hornet.

Good Luck with your choice. Walt

tc scout · « **Reply #24 on:** December 30, 2009, 02:21:17 AM »

22 Hornet, brass is easy to get, tons of bullet variations, doesn't use large amounts of powder. Lots of load data and fun to reload.
Call me a wuss, but my favorite, LOW Recoil.
Everyone has their reasons for what they consider the "best" caliber.
I guess only you can determine what's best for you. Just MHO. TC

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #25 on:** December 30, 2009, 02:34:46 AM »

218 bee .

spinafish · « **Reply #26 on:** December 30, 2009, 05:49:15 AM »

the middle child..the 6.5 TCU

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #27 on:** December 30, 2009, 06:47:38 AM »

I would stick with a rim , like a 30-30

Lager · « **Reply #28 on:** December 30, 2009, 01:59:13 PM »

ya know, Ive had a lotta folks talk real good about the 22 hornet and while it gave me some interest?
I would have to buy hornet brass when 223 is free for the taking at my local range.
Funds for a new barrel are a bit short here in this household.
Im going to have to hide, the purchase of a new barrel, scope mount,good scope,plus dies,different powder and primers from the wifey. She wants new hardwood floors, microwave and the latest gaget that was just shown on the Food network channel.
So, Im gonna have to ease my self into this caliber change and it NOT going to be easy.
Free brass in 223 might be a deal breaker here. I can load straight 223,6 or 7 TCU useing the 223.
The Hornet might be a nice round, but I havent seen a hornet owner post up or talk about a decent shot group that could compare to the 223 and its alterations so far.
Show me the money and I might consider the Hornet.

Bullseye · « **Reply #29 on:** December 30, 2009, 03:56:21 PM »

From my data book - best groups

My 10" Hornet barrel with a 2-7x scope and my reloads
50 yards - 5/8" 10 shot group
100 yards - 5/8" 5 shot group and a 1 1/4" 10 shot group

My 14" 223 barrel with a 2-7x scope and my reloads
50 yards - 3/8" 5 shot group
100 yards - 3/4" 5 shot group

My 23" 223 barrel with a 3-9x scope and my reloads
100 yards - 5/8" 5 shot group

So there is my proof that TC 223 barrels are accurate and that the Hornet can be as accurate as the 223 at least out to 100 yards. I just bought a Hornet rifle barrel, I hope it shoots as good.