Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Contender G1 screw in choke?

I just purchased a 1st Gen Contender pistol. It has a 10” 45lc / 410 barrel with a screw in choke. I’m assuming the choke is affecting the 45lc bullets. There is no consistency in shots and the bullets are tumbling into the target. I have mounted a 2x scope and tried to sight it in. First at 10 yds then 25 and 50 yds. I shot two different brands of ammo both with same results. Horribly inconsistent!

My question I have is “should there be a different choke for the 45lc or how do I correct this issue?” This is the first contender I’ve owned so I’m clueless on what to expect. I did have a encore years ago and had good results shooting a 308 pistol barrel.

Thanks for your help.

You should remove the choke when shooting 45 ammo.

If I remove the choke, will the 45lc bullet ruin the threads for the choke? I thought about removing it but did not want damage the threads.

Yes - take the choke out before shooting .45 Colt.

The choke had straight flutes in it - your bullets should be spinning with the twist- the choke flutes are trying to stop the spin as the bullet passes through.

If yours is chambered similar to mine - you’ve also got a good jump to get from the chamber to the rifling, which isn’t helping accuracy.

If you shoot several boxes with the choke out, you may need to clean the threads throughly before reinstalling the choke - but no - you shouldn’t “damage” the threads.

I’ve shot a number of .44 rounds through the early Gen 1 “Hotshot” barrels with the choke out - no issues.

I removed the choke. It did group much better but it is still inconsistent. I tried three different brands of ammo, jacketed and lead bullets. The lead actually grouped better but I’d hate to know I had to make a 50yd shot and be confident. My next question is “Should I clean the barrel and make certain there is no lead fouling before I shoot another group?”

Thanks

Bama,

That's an open ended question - was it clean when you bought it?

Are you shooting .45 lead bullets at Ruger/Contender pressure loads?

Are you shooting 150 lead bullets before switching?

IMHO - no, if the bore was reasonably clean when you started, and you're not shooting "hot" lead loads - it's probably fine, but if you're in doubt clean it.

I purchased a 10” 44mag barrel at a gunshow yesterday. I’m going to see if it shoots any better. If so, I use the 44mag for pigs and deer and the .410 for squirrels.

The Contender barrels with screw in chokes are best left shotguns. You will be better served with the .44 Mag barrel for deer hunting.

I have had a half dozen 45 Colt Contender barrels, both external and internal choked. You must remove the choke to shoot bullets.
I have not found one out of six that will shoot anything but factory equivalent 255 grain lead with any degree of accuracy. Jacketed, somewhat better but not good with Ruger/TC loads. Too much freebore.
I have an old octagon 45 Colt barrel (not 45/410) that shoots almost as well as my 357 barrel and it has always been my go-to to see if I'm on or not.
I shot a round ball through one of the first external choked 45s and recovered it. Wasp waisted as the first chokes had two deep lands.
The first models with the 2X4 grips plain hurt with 3" 410s.
I have one final (pre G2) pistol and two older carbines and barrels for 22, 222, 357, 30-30, 44 hotshot, 45 colt and 45/410 handgun and 223, 22, and 30-30 rifle and all, save the hotshot and 45/410 are very accurate.

I have been pattern testing a vent rib 10' T/C.
I was interested in shooting Colts or at least keeping the gun loaded with cartridges then switching to shot if small game is the goal.
Choke tube removal is something I do not want to do...really ever. So, 45 Colt ammo is not going to be tested.
The trend with .410 revolvers seems to be buck shot. Maybe that is an answer.

..................Has anyone shot buck thru a T/C choke tube? .....................

My testing with 3" 6s 71/2s and 9s shot indicates 10 yards is too close on football size birds...
25 yard is a stretch...except with #6 shot...in my barrel at least.

You could try dropping a bullet through your choke. If it won't fall through freely then the bullets will hit it when fired.
Do you reload? Ever heard of the 45 Mongo? It's supposed to be a 444 Marlin case necked up to 45 to get the bullets closer to the rifling to aid in accuracy.