Gotta choice of Contenders????

[Brother_Love]

My local gun dealer has 2 nice Contenders, a 30 Herrett & 7mm TCU, both 10", .30 has a 2x Leupold.

I have to decide which one I want. I'm leaning toward .30 because I have plenty of .30 cal molds. I think I can rustle up a sight if I need one. I do hate to form and trim brass.

What say you?

 

[Rick]

My choice would be the 7TCU. Better at longer ranges and super easy to load for, best brass life I've ever seen. Easiest case forming you could ask for if you use a tapered expander plug and inside neck lube. RCBS 145 grain G/C, H4895.

 

[AMTom]

The first thing to do when choosing between barrels made by TC is take a close look in the breach.
TC is famous for crooked chambers, and you'll probably find that at least one of them has a throat that's off center.
The rifling of my 7TCU began at the case mouth on one side, and a quarter inch forward on the other. I have seen many more TCs like that over the years.
The Herretts have a great deal of freebore, and so can be difficult to achieve a good fit for accuracy with cast.

 

[RicinYakima]

Having shot several examples of each over the years, I would buy the 7MM TCU. Less recoil, easy to load for from common brass, all I have shot have been good shooters, not something you can say for many Contender barrels. BUT that is just my experience, so buy both and try them side by side!

 

[Bill]

My friend has the 7mm in a 16ln carbine, it's very accurate and loud, I have the 30-30 in a 21 in carbine

Bill

 

[Brad]

It sounds like I need to actually use the 3 year ol 135 Thor mould I got from NOE and shoot my 7 TCU 'Tender. I have maybe 50 rounds thru it.

 

[Ian]

I have read that .30 Herrett specs are inconsistent and getting a sizing die to match could be a problem, no personal experience though.

 

[Ben]

I vote for the 7 TCU.

Ben

 

[Kevin Stenberg]

7 TCU also. Most any load is very accurate.
I have multiple 7mm molds for sale. I only use 1 and that is the GB from CB.

 

[KHornet]

Yep! 7MM!

Paul

 

[Rick]

BTW Brother, if you get the 7TCU fireform all your brass with the bullet seated against rifling. Actually seat the bullet a couple of thousands deeper by closing the action. This will assure the case head is against the breech and headspace will be consistent. If you don't do this the firing pin will drive the case forward and a different amount on each round giving a different headspace for each round.

 

[Dusty Bannister]

I see no mention of the contender receiver. I have one of the early versions and while it works and shoots well with the 357 mag barrel, it is not the easy open model. That receiver is very hard to break open with the subsequent barrels I have. I have purchased the Contender G2 and am very pleased with it. But I will have to break it in so the barrels will easily interchange. And the hammer is extremely stiff.

The TCU brass conversion is extremely easy. I do not have the 7MM but do enjoy the 6MM TCU.

 

[Rick]

If the frame isn't tweeked any issues with lock up or really hard opening is most likley with the bolts. easy to check and/or fix.

 

[Brother_Love]

I don't know which this frame is but I am looking at it again this morning.
How do you distinguish the original from the G2? Thanks

 

[Brother_Love]

Thanks Dusty, it is not a G2. I decided to get it regardless.

 

[Dusty Bannister]

The Original trigger guard pivots at the front, there may have been a mod to that where the guard pivots at the rear. The original also has a lazer type engraving of a couger on the side panels. The G2 has a pronounced reinforcement on the sides of the receiver. When you squeeze the trigger guard the front of the guard pivots down to unbolt the barrel. While the hard opening is most likely with the bolts, why buy something that you will then need to fix? There is nothing "wrong" with the earlier models, I just like the G-2 better for the reasons stated. Your money so your choice.

 

[Dusty Bannister]

I wondered why that text above was in a light gray tone. Must have thought it posted when it remained as draft. I have no doubt that you will enjoy either of the frames that Contender has offered over the years. I have enjoyed the one that I shoot since I bought it used in about 1987. Nothing really heavy, but it certainly has provided me with a lot of enjoyable shooting. When I came into several more barrels in heavier calibers, I decided to get a stronger frame while I could and that is why I have the G-2 also. The barrels I have do not interchange with the Encore, so if something happens to either frame, I still have something to shoot. I think you will really like the contender but they do have a tendency to encourage purchase of additional barrels and grips. Dusty

 

[Brother_Love]

Thanks again Dusty. I am going to acquire one more barrel to go with the 7 tcu, I want a 14" 30/30 and I will be set.

 

[Brother_Love]

I'm now on the hunt for a 7mm mold.

 

[Rick]

I can highly recommend RCBS 145 GC, next would be the RCBS 168 GC. I've shot perfect 80X80 scores in NRA 200 meter National Championship competition with the Contender 145 gr in the 7TCU and with an XP-100 7br.