TC Contender

Nathan · September 15, 2020, 04:13 PM

20 Vartarg vs 221 Fireball

For a target/varmint pistol, any reason to choose one over the other?

darkgael · September 18, 2020, 08:42 AM

Whichever one is easier to find components and tools for reloading.

**44 AMP** · September 18, 2020, 12:05 PM

how about a .22 rod won't go in a .204" bore??

wider range of bullet selection in .22 cal

.221 Fireball is a factory round. No case forming or necking required.

So, that's 3 there might be more.

just thought of another one, longevity...

.221 Fireball has been around for decades, and there's more data available. My old loading manuals have .221 Fireball.

.20 Vartarg I had to look up on Wiki, having never heard of it before....

Cheapshooter · September 18, 2020, 01:40 PM

Quote:

any reason to choose one over the other?

The Vartarg will get about 99.9% "What's that, never heard of it". While the 221 Fireball might only 50%-75%, mostly from shooters under 40-50 years old!

mxsailor803 · September 20, 2020, 02:40 PM

Might as well throw in the 218 Bee while you’re at it lol.

Nathan · September 20, 2020, 04:05 PM

218 Bee is on my list, bu try a little slow!

gbclarkson · September 20, 2020, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Might as well throw in the 218 Bee while you’re at it lol.

And 7-30 Waters.

**44 AMP** · September 20, 2020, 08:20 PM

I have a Contender barrel in .22LR. I have another in .22 Hornet, and another in .222Rem. I also have an XP-100 in .221 Fireball. (all 10" barrels)

I had a 14" Contender barrel in .223, but got rid of it, too long and too heavy for what it delivered. I think I've got "varmint pistol" pretty well covered. If I need more, I'll go to a rifle, .22 Hornet, .222 Rem, or .22-250.

I have a .223 rifle but its about useless for four legged varmints...I keep it for the 2 legged kind.

Personally, I have no interest in any bore smaller than .22. If you do, fine, enjoy! I just never found them worth the trouble.

Cheapshooter · September 20, 2020, 08:34 PM

My Contender varmint contenders are 22LR, 22 Hornet, and 223 Remington. Next step up is 7-30 Waters.
Add a couple classic "ya just gotta have" if you're a true Contender fan, 30, and 357 Harrett. In addition to the 22LR Match 14" tube that came with the original purchase of my G2 Stainless was a 35 Remington Super 14 barrel. Throw in the magnum pistol calibers of 357, and 44. Then the big thumper. 10" SSK 45-70 barrel.
I guess my "varmint" needs are covered from ground squirrels to moose!

**44 AMP** · September 21, 2020, 12:55 PM

I never interested in the Herrett wildcats, not that they aren't good and useful rounds, I was just never interested.

I have 10" barrels in the pistol calibers, .357Mag, .44 Mag, and .45 Colt, also a .45/.410. For the long toms, I've got a 14" .30-30, .45 Win Mag and .45-70 barrels.

My favorite fun ones are kind of rare. 6" barrels, one in 9mm Luger and the other in .357 Mag. They look "short" and give the Contender a "ARRRR Prepare to repel boaders!!! ARRR!" kind of look.

shurshot · September 22, 2020, 05:31 PM

I used to have a TC Contender, frame was done by SSK Industries, in "K Chrome", in .22 Hornet with a Simmons scope. Wicked hot round for woodchucks. Should have kept it.
XP-100 in .221 Fireball, always wanted one of those. That's a cool gun.

**44 AMP** · September 22, 2020, 09:07 PM

The XP-100 is a cool gun. I passed up several in bigger calibers, and with custom stocks until I found one of the original .221s with the original stock.

A sweet trigger, and as accurate as a bolt action rifle.

For many years I couldn't figure out why Rem made the .221, why not just chamber it in .222 or .223?

Then, it dawned on my, after comparing load data and velocities.

It was the 10" barrel of the XP-100 that was the real reason. The .221 Fireball case holds all the powder that will be useful in a 10" barrel. Both the .222 and .223 burn more powder but don't give any real increase in velocity, from a 10" barrel.

Steve in PA · September 23, 2020, 02:04 PM

Can’t help you with your choice between those calibers, but I do enjoy several calibers;

.22lr, .22lr Match, .22 Hornet, .223, .44 Magnum and 7-30 Waters.

mxsailor803 · September 25, 2020, 04:26 AM

All of y’all talking about the Contender/Encore frames have me wanting to get another one. I was a dummy and let mine go.

Cheapshooter · September 27, 2020, 11:18 AM

Quote:

All of y’all talking about the Contender/Encore frames have me wanting to get another one. I was a dummy and let mine go.

"another one" ?
Frame, maybe one. But Contender barrels are like potato chips. Ya can't stop at one!
I'm up to ten now.

tulsamal · October 2, 2020, 08:18 PM

I do have an Encore... but not much... a pistol barrel in 17 HMR. And a rifle barrel in .375 JDJ.

I’m more a Contender guy. I bet I forget one...

All are pistol barrels..

17 Mach IV.
22 Jet
256 WM
MGM custom 12” .357 SIG. Worth it!
357 Herrett
357 Maximum
445 Super Mag
45/70

I think that’s it....

I only have the one vintage Contender frame. I would like to add a G2. Spend less time changing barrels!

The 22 Jet and 256 WM are great little varmint cartridges.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

ammo.crafter · October 2, 2020, 08:28 PM

The 204 Ruger out performs the Vtag.

I love the 7x30 Waters...one of the most accurate cartridges around and a great hunting round as well. Recoil is very modest.

I sweet hog round is the 357 Max.

For larger animals, look at the 358 Bellm.

Pumpkin · October 27, 2020, 11:54 AM

Love Contenders, I have 3
8" octagon 44 mag

It's a Hot Shot barrel with the muzzle break.
10" 357 Max, scoped and
10" octagon 25-35, also with a scope.
I would love to find a 10" 375 Win barrel for #4

gemihur · December 9, 2020, 03:17 PM

222 Rem Mag Improved nearly the 22-250 in performance
https://www.bellmtcs.com/blog/222-rem-mag-improved/
one of my all-time favorites
204 Ruger easily donors brass

**44 AMP** · December 9, 2020, 03:53 PM

Quote:

222 Rem Mag Improved nearly the 22-250 in performance

the author in the linked article said "essentially" and I believe he was referring to shooting from a 16 3/4" barrel.

Personally, I wouldn't bother with a 16" .22-250, and some other round being able to essentially match the performance of round that is essentially neutered by being fired in a barrel too short to come close to fully utilizing the round's potential doesn't impress me at all.

gemihur · December 9, 2020, 04:56 PM

my barrel is 21" and shoots like a dream
The contender cannot otherwise utilize a 22-250

mk70ss · December 9, 2020, 05:25 PM

.204 Ruger.....

gemihur · December 10, 2020, 01:24 PM

23" SS Bbl. in .204 Ruger

fast bullet ...when

wizrd · December 13, 2020, 10:31 AM

Contender with 10", .222 Rem. barrel always shot 'groups' that looked like I was patterning some buckshot loads. That round doesn't like short barrels, for me anyways.

darkgael · December 14, 2020, 07:39 AM

Barrel Aquisition Disease. The T/C Contender. i have two Contenders. Barrels: .22 LR (8” 10” 20”’), .223 (20”), 38 Special (4”), .357 (10”), .30-30 (10”. 16”) .30 Herrett (14”), 7.62 micro whisper (SSK 18”), .44 Mag. (10”), 45-70 (16”)
And then there is the Encore....
Pete

September 15, 2020, 04:13 PM	#1
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,323	TC Contender 20 Vartarg vs 221 Fireball For a target/varmint pistol, any reason to choose one over the other?

September 18, 2020, 08:42 AM	#2
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 5,473	Whichever one is easier to find components and tools for reloading. __________________ “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” Ernest Hemingway ... NRA Life Member

September 18, 2020, 12:05 PM	#3
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,803	how about a .22 rod won't go in a .204" bore?? wider range of bullet selection in .22 cal .221 Fireball is a factory round. No case forming or necking required. So, that's 3 there might be more. just thought of another one, longevity... .221 Fireball has been around for decades, and there's more data available. My old loading manuals have .221 Fireball. .20 Vartarg I had to look up on Wiki, having never heard of it before.... __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

September 20, 2020, 08:20 PM	#8
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,803	I have a Contender barrel in .22LR. I have another in .22 Hornet, and another in .222Rem. I also have an XP-100 in .221 Fireball. (all 10" barrels) I had a 14" Contender barrel in .223, but got rid of it, too long and too heavy for what it delivered. I think I've got "varmint pistol" pretty well covered. If I need more, I'll go to a rifle, .22 Hornet, .222 Rem, or .22-250. I have a .223 rifle but its about useless for four legged varmints...I keep it for the 2 legged kind. Personally, I have no interest in any bore smaller than .22. If you do, fine, enjoy! I just never found them worth the trouble. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

September 20, 2020, 08:34 PM	#9
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,306	My Contender varmint contenders are 22LR, 22 Hornet, and 223 Remington. Next step up is 7-30 Waters. Add a couple classic "ya just gotta have" if you're a true Contender fan, 30, and 357 Harrett. In addition to the 22LR Match 14" tube that came with the original purchase of my G2 Stainless was a 35 Remington Super 14 barrel. Throw in the magnum pistol calibers of 357, and 44. Then the big thumper. 10" SSK 45-70 barrel. I guess my "varmint" needs are covered from ground squirrels to moose! __________________ Cheapshooter's rules of gun ownership #1: NEVER SELL OR TRADE ANYTHING!

September 20, 2020, 02:40 PM	#5
mxsailor803 Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: SC Posts: 1,344	Might as well throw in the 218 Bee while you’re at it lol.

September 20, 2020, 04:05 PM	#6
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,323	218 Bee is on my list, bu try a little slow!

September 21, 2020, 12:55 PM	#10
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,803	I never interested in the Herrett wildcats, not that they aren't good and useful rounds, I was just never interested. I have 10" barrels in the pistol calibers, .357Mag, .44 Mag, and .45 Colt, also a .45/.410. For the long toms, I've got a 14" .30-30, .45 Win Mag and .45-70 barrels. My favorite fun ones are kind of rare. 6" barrels, one in 9mm Luger and the other in .357 Mag. They look "short" and give the Contender a "ARRRR Prepare to repel boaders!!! ARRR!" kind of look. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

September 22, 2020, 05:31 PM	#11
shurshot Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2006 Posts: 1,819	I used to have a TC Contender, frame was done by SSK Industries, in "K Chrome", in .22 Hornet with a Simmons scope. Wicked hot round for woodchucks. Should have kept it. XP-100 in .221 Fireball, always wanted one of those. That's a cool gun.

September 22, 2020, 09:07 PM	#12
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,803	The XP-100 is a cool gun. I passed up several in bigger calibers, and with custom stocks until I found one of the original .221s with the original stock. A sweet trigger, and as accurate as a bolt action rifle. For many years I couldn't figure out why Rem made the .221, why not just chamber it in .222 or .223? Then, it dawned on my, after comparing load data and velocities. It was the 10" barrel of the XP-100 that was the real reason. The .221 Fireball case holds all the powder that will be useful in a 10" barrel. Both the .222 and .223 burn more powder but don't give any real increase in velocity, from a 10" barrel. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

September 23, 2020, 02:04 PM	#13
Steve in PA Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 1999 Location: Northeastern PA Posts: 756	Can’t help you with your choice between those calibers, but I do enjoy several calibers; .22lr, .22lr Match, .22 Hornet, .223, .44 Magnum and 7-30 Waters. __________________ Steve

September 25, 2020, 04:26 AM	#14
mxsailor803 Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: SC Posts: 1,344	All of y’all talking about the Contender/Encore frames have me wanting to get another one. I was a dummy and let mine go.

October 2, 2020, 08:18 PM	#16
tulsamal Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2004 Location: Vinita, OK Posts: 2,552	I do have an Encore... but not much... a pistol barrel in 17 HMR. And a rifle barrel in .375 JDJ. I’m more a Contender guy. I bet I forget one... All are pistol barrels.. 17 Mach IV. 22 Jet 256 WM MGM custom 12” .357 SIG. Worth it! 357 Herrett 357 Maximum 445 Super Mag 45/70 I think that’s it.... I only have the one vintage Contender frame. I would like to add a G2. Spend less time changing barrels! The 22 Jet and 256 WM are great little varmint cartridges. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

October 2, 2020, 08:28 PM	#17
ammo.crafter Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2006 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 1,970	204 The 204 Ruger out performs the Vtag. I love the 7x30 Waters...one of the most accurate cartridges around and a great hunting round as well. Recoil is very modest. I sweet hog round is the 357 Max. For larger animals, look at the 358 Bellm. __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading". --Thomas Jefferson

October 27, 2020, 11:54 AM	#18
Pumpkin Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2020 Location: Seguin Texas Posts: 412	Love Contenders, I have 3 8" octagon 44 mag It's a Hot Shot barrel with the muzzle break. 10" 357 Max, scoped and 10" octagon 25-35, also with a scope. I would love to find a 10" 375 Win barrel for #4

December 9, 2020, 03:17 PM	#19
gemihur Member Join Date: July 5, 2011 Location: VA ridgelines Posts: 52	222 Rem Mag Improved nearly the 22-250 in performance https://www.bellmtcs.com/blog/222-rem-mag-improved/ one of my all-time favorites 204 Ruger easily donors brass

December 9, 2020, 04:56 PM	#21
gemihur Member Join Date: July 5, 2011 Location: VA ridgelines Posts: 52	my barrel is 21" and shoots like a dream The contender cannot otherwise utilize a 22-250

December 9, 2020, 05:25 PM	#22
mk70ss Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,598	.204 Ruger..... __________________ Say when.....

December 10, 2020, 01:24 PM	#23
gemihur Member Join Date: July 5, 2011 Location: VA ridgelines Posts: 52	23" SS Bbl. in .204 Ruger fast bullet ...when

December 13, 2020, 10:31 AM	#24
wizrd Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2012 Posts: 232	Contender with 10", .222 Rem. barrel always shot 'groups' that looked like I was patterning some buckshot loads. That round doesn't like short barrels, for me anyways. __________________ Sumo magis ammo

December 14, 2020, 07:39 AM	#25
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 5,473	BAD Barrel Aquisition Disease. The T/C Contender. i have two Contenders. Barrels: .22 LR (8” 10” 20”’), .223 (20”), 38 Special (4”), .357 (10”), .30-30 (10”. 16”) .30 Herrett (14”), 7.62 micro whisper (SSK 18”), .44 Mag. (10”), 45-70 (16”) And then there is the Encore.... Pete __________________ “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” Ernest Hemingway ... NRA Life Member

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