.375 Winchester Contender...Im so confused....

[contenderfan]

 Last weekend I bought a used old style frame Contender with a 14" .375 Winchester barrel. Since then, I have read so many posts on different forums regarding the fact that the .375 Win is too much for the Contender frame to handle, and that frame stretch is very likely to occur with factory loads. On the flip side, I have also read that the opposite is true, that the frame stretch with this chambering is a myth.
 Common sense tells me that T/C wouldnt produce a combo like this that was destined to fail. Please keep in mind I am not talking about hotrodding handloads...I realize alot more than a stretched frame can result from this, Im talking about everyday factory loads. Has anyone ever seen a documented case of frame stretch due to .375 Win factory loads? I measured the hinge pin holes on both sides with my calipers and found the measurements to be the same at several different points around the holes. This gun was manufatured in the last half of 93, and has only had 60 rounds of the .375 Win run through the barrel. Any opinions would be helpful. Thanks.

[Bullseye]

Don't think I would worry about it, I have never even heard that before.
 
I have had a 375 Win for 10 years or so, shot it a bunch.  It is a good deer round.  Never had a problem.
 
They quit making it as a factory option but still offered it as a Custom option up until the time Fox Ridge closed recently.

[butchen]

every thing I read on it said it was as safe as any (in factory loads) it has the same base as a 30-30 and the 30-30AI. I just don't see any prob. I had one and loved it (and I did hotrod it some, but don't do it). Factory loads are all you need. As I said great round.

[spinafish]

go shoot your Contender often and enjoy it!  With sane loads it's safe..just like all the other chambering that the factory put out...

[Dezynco]

NOOOOOOO!  That 375 Winchester barrel is WAAAY TOO MUCH barrel for the Contender, you need to sell that barrel to me!
 
I shoot a 24" 375 Winchester on my G2 Contender carbine.  It's absolutely my favorite!  It's 1-hole accurate at 100 yards, and I've never had to look for a deer that was shot with it, even at approx 275 yards!  Wouldn't try that far of a shot with a handgun, but it works great in a rifle.  I hot rod it a bit, pushing nearly 2500fps with a 200 gr jacketed bullet, but I only do that with a handful of hunting loads (I've only loaded and shot about 15 of these rounds through it).  Most of the time I shoot 245gr cast lead bullets at about 1800fps.
 
The 375 Wichester is one of my favorite cartridges.  I just ordered a 12" 375 Winchester barrel for my Old Merril Sportsman.  Can't wait to try it in a handgun!

[Slowpoke Slim]

My opinion would be to stop listening to who ever it was on "those other forums" that said it was too much for a Contender. The 375 Win was one of my first barrels back in the 80's. Great barrel, great cartridge, great package in a Contender. I foolishly traded mine off some years ago, but my shooting buddy has one and shoots it frequently.

Shoot it and enjoy.

[contenderfan]

 Thanks guys, you have put my mind at ease now. Now I can go buy a couple boxes of ammo for it, theyre ONLY $50.94 per box of 20 at the only shop I can find them at in my area. A measly $2.50 everytime ya pull the trigger. I can get them cheaper online, but add shipping and your right back to $50 per box.
 Will definately be reloading for it, I got a set of Redding dies with it when I bought it. Just need to get a press and all the other goodies to go with them. Thanks again guys, I appreciate the info!

[Austin from NC]

You will find that it's almost as much fun to load for it as it is to shoot.

       Austin

[contenderfan]

 Yeah Im no stranger to reloading...its just been a while. Always enjoyed it as a tinkering hobby, but with the .375 Win its gonna be a necessary situation. Cant afford the ammo the way I like to shoot.

[contenderfan]

 Couldnt post a pic of it for some reason, heres a link. I know, looks like any other stock Contender but I just hadda do it. 


http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/mhill69/Guns003.jpg

[spinafish]

she's pretty enough..just like the girl next door!

[22popnsplat]

That is nice , I have one with a muzzle tamer and its a hoot to take out to the range.

[contenderfan]

Thanks! I thought about dressin her up a little with some better wood, but I'm thinkin I might just keep her the way she is.  Sure would look good in a Herret grip and forend though....

[luckydawg13]

if you need nice look for post by Dave D  he makes his own

[contenderfan]

 Yeah I have seen some of his sets...very nice.

[HHI-7420]

don't buy that factory ammo. Get your reloding gear and components first. Then go shooting. Try 35.0 to 37.0 grs Re-7 w/sierra 200gr sp. Very accurate in mine @ 50yds, and mild enough if you don't like recoil much. I've shot 5 deer with it and all but one dropped on the spot. Good shooting.  Pat

[contenderfan]

Thanks Pat, will do.