10" 45-70 'tender barrel?

[cheapshooter]

Is a 10" barrel sufficient for the 45-70 round in a Contender? I saw an SSK stainless, ported 10" barrel at a gun show today. I've been thinking of a 45-70 hand cannon, but more in the 14" length the same as my other barrels. The guy had it marked $325 (old price tag), and said he wanted to move it so he'd take $225. I know the next show he will be at, and thought of waiving a couple fresh Benjamin in his face to see if he bites. I'm just not sure of the 10" length. It has open sights, which is fine. I don't plan to scope it anyway. I have a set of fiber optic sights that were on my 35 Remington that I would put on the 45-70.

[giddens1972]

Sounds like a great price, if it is an SSK industries barrel!!!  It be a kick in the pants to shoot...I used to have a 12".

[Mike Scott]

I shoot one with a 4" barrel (300 gr bullets at 1200fps).  The shorter barrels don't give the velocity of the longer ones but that is OK for what I am doing.   

[Ken ONeill]

The answer depends upon how you load for it. I've had a 12" Hunter barrel for close to 20 years that is quite accurate but a bit of a bear to shoot with the heavy 400 gr. loads I've chosen to use in it.
Several years ago, I was given an unported 6 1/2" barrel, and it was difficult to develop a load for it, that was both tolerable and accurate. I finally settled on WW 300 gr. JHP factory ammo for the rare occasions I hunt with it. Those loads run a bit over 1100 fps from that barrel.
I remember that JD Jones showed me his personal 10" Contender .45-70 about 20 years ago. It wore a 2X Leupold. He told me he really liked it. If I recall correctly, he was shooting cast bullets out of it at the time.
The price you're talking about should be a bargain for an SSK barrel in good condition.

[cheapshooter]

The next show the guy will be at is Thanksgiving weekend. There doesn't seem to be a large interest in Contenders in my area, so he will probably still have it. Might just be one of those "if it's meant to be" things.
I don't know if I will even hunt with it. Probably just cool to have, and blow up watermelons and stuff. I'm giving the scoped 35 Remington Super 14  barrel that I got with my 'Tender a try this deer season.

[mcwoodduck]

The answer depends upon how you load for it. I've had a 12" Hunter barrel for close to 20 years that is quite accurate but a bit of a bear to shoot with the heavy 400 gr. loads I've chosen to use in it.
Several years ago, I was given an unported 6 1/2" barrel, and it was difficult to develop a load for it, that was both tolerable and accurate. I finally settled on WW 300 gr. JHP factory ammo for the rare occasions I hunt with it. Those loads run a bit over 1100 fps from that barrel.
I remember that JD Jones showed me his personal 10" Contender .45-70 about 20 years ago. It wore a 2X Leupold. He told me he really liked it. If I recall correctly, he was shooting cast bullets out of it at the time.
The price you're talking about should be a bargain for an SSK barrel in good condition.

+1
When the BFR revolvers first came out  we were playing with them in 45-70.
The exact opposite as to the rifles was happening with the revolver and I am guessing will happen with a Contender.
The cowboy loads with black or equivelant loads for the trap door rifles that are mild out of my little No 3 ruger, kicked like a mule in the hand gun.  The 300 grain JHP stuff that is stout in the little carbine did not kick as bad in the revolver.  I think it is due to burn rate.  The Black and equal explode while the propellent of the modern ctg burn and burn in 20"  We did not chrono them.
But the cowboy loads did a lot more to the swinging gong.

[poncaguy]

I have a 15" 45-70 with a brake, I sure wouldn't want to shoot a 10" with no brake!!

[cheapshooter]

I have a 15" 45-70 with a brake, I sure wouldn't want to shoot a 10" with no brake!!

The barrel I am looking at is ported.

[Dezynco]

I have an 8" Bullberry in 45-70 that is unported!  It's a handful for sure!  It's very accurate if I don't flinch!  I'm sure that the 10" barrel your looking at will shoot great (especially if it's a SSK)

[3leggedturtle]

It would be cool     A 300-405 bullet at 850 to 1000 fps would do anything a 44 mag or 45 colt could do,  plus just putting those thumb size rounds in the chamber really  gets alot of attetion.  I shoot a 17" 45/70 T/C carbine with a 350gr FP at 1050fps and is fun with little kick.   It weighs 5.5 pounds loaded.  I'd buy just for the FUN of it       Todd
 

[Alaska Dave]

I had a 10" that I use to shoot concrete blocks with. That was fun but you didn't shoot many before your hand started feeling it 

[cheapshooter]

Well, the guy still had the barrel at the gun show this afternoon. I offered him $200, and he countered with $210. I still think that was a pretty good price for an SSK stainless barrel. Picked up some 300gr HP rounds to try it with. Maybe going to the range Monday. I'll let ya'll know what it was like.....If I can still type with my right hand!!! LOL

[Dezynco]

You might "cheat" a little and wear a glove on your shooting hand!  That's what I do for extended shooting sessions with my 8" barrel.  Once or twice is no big deal, but more than a couple of times and things start getting a little rough.

[qwikrick]

Well, the guy still had the barrel at the gun show this afternoon. I offered him $200, and he countered with $210. I still think that was a pretty good price for an SSK stainless barrel. Picked up some 300gr HP rounds to try it with. Maybe going to the range Monday. I'll let ya'll know what it was like.....If I can still type with my right hand!!! LOL

Any update from the range ? 

[I make oil]

If you don't have a pachmayer grip on it I would consider it.  They make a HUGE difference to me when shooting big caliber handguns. 

[cheapshooter]

Any update from the range ?

Not yet, pretty busy time right now. Might get out tomorrow, or early next week.