September 15, 2020, 04:13 PM | #1 |
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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 |
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Whichever one is easier to find components and tools for reloading.
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September 18, 2020, 12:05 PM | #3 |
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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....
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September 18, 2020, 01:40 PM | #4 | |
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Quote:
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September 20, 2020, 02:40 PM | #5 |
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Might as well throw in the 218 Bee while you’re at it lol.
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September 20, 2020, 04:05 PM | #6 |
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218 Bee is on my list, bu try a little slow!
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September 20, 2020, 06:36 PM | #7 | |
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September 20, 2020, 08:20 PM | #8 |
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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.
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September 20, 2020, 08:34 PM | #9 |
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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!
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September 21, 2020, 12:55 PM | #10 |
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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.
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September 22, 2020, 05:31 PM | #11 |
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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 |
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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.
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September 23, 2020, 02:04 PM | #13 |
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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.
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September 25, 2020, 04:26 AM | #14 |
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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.
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September 27, 2020, 11:18 AM | #15 | |
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Frame, maybe one. But Contender barrels are like potato chips. Ya can't stop at one! I'm up to ten now.
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October 2, 2020, 08:18 PM | #16 |
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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 |
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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.
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October 27, 2020, 11:54 AM | #18 |
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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 |
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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, 03:53 PM | #20 | |
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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.
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December 9, 2020, 04:56 PM | #21 |
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my barrel is 21" and shoots like a dream
The contender cannot otherwise utilize a 22-250 |
December 9, 2020, 05:25 PM | #22 |
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.204 Ruger.....
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Say when..... |
December 10, 2020, 01:24 PM | #23 |
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23" SS Bbl. in .204 Ruger
fast bullet ...when |
December 13, 2020, 10:31 AM | #24 |
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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.
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December 14, 2020, 07:39 AM | #25 |
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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
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