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Author Topic: Contender Varmint Barrel??  (Read 1163 times)

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Offline waterdog

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Contender Varmint Barrel??
« on: January 01, 2005, 04:23:50 PM »
:D    
Happy New Year.  
Hope everyone had a good safe one.  
   
I am looking at a new barrel of some late winter and early spring varminting.  
Shots will be in the 300 yrd range on up to Coyote sized targets.  I need accuracy and much as punch at that range.  Any suggestion would be welcomed.  
   
Waterdog
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Offline Lone Star

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Contender Varmint Barrel??
« Reply #1 on: January 01, 2005, 04:38:19 PM »
The .223 is on the light side for coyotes at 300 yards but it is a good, inexpensive varmint cartridge.  Plenty of accuracy, low recoil, lots of bullet choices, great for smaller varmints out of the Contender.  A better choice for larger varmints would be the .257 or 6.5 JDJ; both are great long range cartridges and can do double-duty for deer.  In SSK barrels, accuracy will never be an issue with these two.
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Offline waterdog

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Contender Varmint Barrel??
« Reply #2 on: January 02, 2005, 01:33:54 PM »
I did the .223 in the Contender.  Was loking at the .222 or the new .204.  
The SSK Chamberings are nice but unless I get a steal on one or T/C does a run of them ( like the .375JDJ) I guess an Encore is in the Future.
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Offline JOE MACK

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Varmint calibers
« Reply #3 on: January 02, 2005, 02:04:38 PM »
In the T/C I like the .218 Bee for close shots where I'm around dwellings within the law. I've used the .223 Remington out to 250+ for coyotes and not had a problem even with the large, well-furred coyotes of Montana (at one time I made my motorcycle payments selling coyote pelts). For the Encore, I've got a .225Winchester as I like to be a little different. I'd like to try one of the .25 caliber and under WSSMs when I get a chance, too.
I think they'd be efficient and hit hard at longer ranges. When one gets into customs, there's just too many choices.
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JOE MACK aka Brian aka .41FAN

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Offline flyfisher

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Contender Varmint Barrel??
« Reply #4 on: January 04, 2005, 06:07:56 AM »
My .222 barrel is the most accurate barrel that I have (in a Contender).  Does a great job at the range with the proper load, and will perform equally as well in the field.  Sure there are other calibers that are faster and probably more accurate, but in my opinion, it's hard to beat the old .222 Rem.
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How'd you like a peek at my 14-incher? (Contender, that is)

Offline poule d'eau

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Contender Varmint Barrel??
« Reply #5 on: January 04, 2005, 01:43:18 PM »
My vote has to go to the 6TCU. I have shot some of the 55's out of it and they are just a smidge under 3K. I didn't like the accuracy and I will point my finger at the long throat in this barrel. Brass is cheap and it is an easy one to make. A fairly nice selection of bullets for this one too.
I am pretty much set on having a custom 6TCU built as my next project gun, like I need another project. But I want one throated for nothing heavier than a 60 grain, 70 grain max bullet.
Jeff
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Offline Lone Star

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Contender Varmint Barrel??
« Reply #6 on: January 07, 2005, 02:49:29 AM »
Quote
The SSK Chamberings are nice but unless I get a steal on one or T/C does a run of them ( like the .375JDJ) I guess an Encore is in the Future.
You mean to tell me that an SSK barrel costs more than a new Encore frame and barrel does?   :wink:
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Offline xphunter

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Contender Varmint Barrel??
« Reply #7 on: January 07, 2005, 02:54:41 AM »
17 Remington is a possibility for a good fur cartridge.
The 222 Rem mag Improved or the 223 Improved would also be good for 300 yard yotes.
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Offline DropTheHammer

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Contender Varmint Barrel??
« Reply #8 on: January 07, 2005, 03:15:03 AM »
Flyfisher,

I've been strongly considering adding a .222 Rem barrel to my collection as I already have dies for it.  What length bbl do you have and what are some accuracy loads for it?

I was looking at a 10" .222 Rem the other day for a reasonable price.
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Offline kirkwhitaker

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to be different...219...
« Reply #9 on: January 07, 2005, 03:59:05 AM »
i have a 219 zipper...it does well with 50gr..about the same as a 222/223..but am starting to work with it and 55 to 60 gr bullets...it has a bigger case and will hole more slower powder..so...it will probably have a little advantage on the 222 or 223 in that respect...due to case volume...but a 219 donalson wasp or 219 zipper ai would be really neat too...and the ai would be even better...i agree the 6mm tcu would have the advantage..due to bullet weight and size...a 6mm bulllberry or 25 bullberry would be a good choice too...as would the 226 through 257 caliber cartridges from jdj would be good too....since their 226 is primarly for heavy bullets...and is a 225 win blown out...loaded down...too many choices...
i am dialing in my zipper and plan to host an egg shoot at my local range sometime...something about me and a 14" barreled handgun out shooting or hanging with the guys and their rifle that is too much fun...been checking loads and plinking...fav target....golf balls hanging from a string...especially the old wound liquid core titelist ballatta balls...you hit one dead center and it explodes....core is filled with water and corn syrip....don't as...i don't really know why..but they would freeze them...wind them and they are under pressure of the windings...so when they let go..they really let go....try it if you find one in your golf bag...neat..
kw
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Offline flyfisher

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Contender Varmint Barrel??
« Reply #10 on: January 07, 2005, 06:56:28 AM »
DropTheHammer,

My .222 is a 14" barrel, and as I stated before, it is the best shooter that I own.  In fact, when group size is concerned, it will normally hold tighter than most of my rifles (need a solid rest off of the bench, though).

My favorite load for it is the 50gr. V-Max with, I believe, 23.5 gr. of IMR 4198.  Don't quote me on that though (not at home in front of the load book at this moment).  The barrel wasn't real finiky when it came to finding a good load.  Both 4198 and 4895 powders worked fine for me...found the 4198 to be just a bit faster and more accurate out of my barrel.  Quite a fun caliber to shoot, low recoil, reloading supplies are easy to find, does a fine job on varmints.  I have wanted to try the 45gr. V-Maxes, but haven't yet...guess that could be a project for this spring.  

I wouldn't part with the .222 barrel for any amount of money (all right, an incredibly large amount that would be totally ridiculous for a 14" barrel would do it).  

Best of Luck,
Flyfisher
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How'd you like a peek at my 14-incher? (Contender, that is)
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