Just bought this beautiful G2 in 204 and trying to decide which direction to go with regards to barrels. I'd pretty much decided to downsize my rifle caliber range to .223 (black rifles), .243, .308, and 44 mag. I have a 22-250 and 6.5 Creedmoor I'm thinking to sell and now suddenly I have a 204 as well. (All these, not to mention the 256 Winchester I inherited from my Dad (Marlin Model 62) which I'll keep). My downsizing thoughts were that I could cover every need with those calibers, avoid duplicity, and simplify my ammo supply.

In time, I know I could get a barrel in each of the calibers I've decided to keep and maintain the versatility of each round with different rifles.

In the meantime, if I was going to trade/sell the 204 and get another barrel I've been thinking 45-70 for whatever reason. Seems like that would be a hoss on this frame but they make them so why not? Yes, it's adding another caliber and yes, I can mostly cover what it would do with what I have but just a thought. Any input?

Anyhow, wondering how some of you have managed your gun calibers overall and how you've used your Contender/Encore for fun/versatility/diversity.


Here are the pics https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/galleries/16037007#Post16037007

Have had over half a dozen Contender frames and proly 18 or so barrels.

Now just a G2 w

.22 mag 14"
.223 14"
.35 rem 14"

Proly could just go w .22 mag and .35 rem to be truthful.

Don't overlook a 22K Hornet with a 20" barrel.

I've thought about doing a down size of the guns I own with the T C Encore system of interchangeable barrels. I currently own 2 Encore frames and 5 barrels but I can't bring myself to sell off my other guns. I own mostly level actions and single shots that have a sentimental value to me.

MickinColo, I get that! Pretty much all of the guns I want to keep are lever actions - Winchester 88 308 & 243, Savage 99 308 & 243, Henry 44 mag. Those I’m thinking about selling are bolt guns and are great but just don’t have that same feel!

There comes a time in your life that you're too crippled up the go Elk hunting anymore and realize you really don't need a 338 Win or 375 H&H. You are not going to take it to the range and shoot it for the fun of it so why not sell it and get something you can shoot and have fun with?

I tried to simplify one time. Didn't work. Enjoy yourself.

A Contender Carbine in 45-70 is serious medicine in front and behind the rifle. I sold my carbine barrel and now have a ported handgun barrel in 45-70. The handgun is much more pleasant to shoot. Just a thought, but a 444 Marlin barrel might be a nice addition for you. You would have a true punkin' roller and could even fire your 44 Mags though it.

I picked up a 20" 444. It weighs in at 5.5#'s . It's a beast with full power loads. I tried some cast, with red dot and it's a pussycat. It is a fun one to shoot.

This is a must have caliber on the Contender. I run mine with a can and its so much fun it should be illegal.

Ok! So to papat's point - I have a desire to simplify - but it's just not happening :-)

Really liking the 444 route - particularly if I can shoot 44 mag through it. Reading up now. Twopatch, where'd you get your barrel?

Have always been intrigued by the 22 Hornet and didn't even know about the 22 K. So many fun rounds to consider!

I got it at Haus of arms. They might still have one in stock.

I just checked,they have it on the website. SSK Hunter is what they call it. Marty is the owner there, very nice guy,very helpful. I would ask him what he thinks about shooting 44 mags in that barrel.It is about an inch shorter.

Awesome, thanks Twopatch - I'll give him a call. That would be ideal if I can use for 44 mag was well!

The 444 Marlin is not just a longer 44 Magnum. Compare the diameters just ahead of the rim.

Bruce

You can shoot 44 mags,in a .445 super mag.+ Starline has .445 super in stock.

!!!I stand corrrected!! Twopatch and bcp are correct. I must have been confusing the 445 Supermag and the 444 in my memory and I should have checked my facts before I commented. I apologize for the misinformation.

My main strategy has been to use the contender as a pistol as well as a carbine. I love all the super 16 barrels, but they tend to be hard to find and expensive these days.

My collection is currently at its lowest. I have kept the following barrels:
rifle--22 rimfire match, mgm 22 hornet, mgm 300 savage, mgm 357 max, 45-70, 410, 45 black powder
12" pistol--22 rimfire match, mgm 22 hornet, 30 herrett, 35 rem, mgm 44 mag
3 pre G-2 frames and 2 G-2

A 45-70 on any contender frame can't be loaded to full potential. It's simply a pain. I tried one on an Encore frame. One range session and it was gone. Unacceptable accuracy.

Contenders are remarkable tools and open the door to many smiles. Their versatility has limits however. I’m not inclined to self abuse, especially when not necessary. .22 Short Match, .22 LR Match, .30 Sneezer and .30-30 make up my inventory, ranging from 19”-22” length. The .30-30 provides all the smack my shoulder needs.

Nor am I inclined to load cartridges down to cat sneeze levels so they are comfortable to shoot. There be a variety of cartridges available for virtually all calibers and most function best with normal loads. Why put a .45-70 chamber in a Contender barrel when a .45 Colt will function quite well? I ask because a standard .45-70 load will knock the snot out of you on a Contender frame. In Carbine format you have a rifle that weighs about 5.5 pounds.

This. I have no interest in shooting something so light as a Contender carbine and having my retina's detach from recoil.

After hauling around my 9.5# bolt rifle for nine days last season, I decided it was time for a change. I ordered a mgm barrel in 30-30 ai. It weighs in 6.8# with a 3x9 scope. I have been getting 2800 fps with some 110gn Sierra's . As for my 444 I put a red dot on it. Super fast,handy brush gun.It comes in at 5.5#. For deer I load some 180-240 grainers. For elk,bear the 300 grain bullets will be loaded. I am waiting on some backordered brass to work up loads with.

Wasted money. With regular exercise and bodily conditioning, a few extra pounds to tote around are nothing. Every year you will get weaker and unable to pack the same weight if you don’t increase your stamina. That goes with any age person, unless one has a serious handicap

I guess it wouldn't matter much if I was only sitting on some stand. Waiting for some whitetail to walk by on some private ranch. Out here ,you need to get far away . It is usually 3 or 4 ridges over from any road. Most of time it involves 5--10 miles and 1000-2000 ft elevation change. 3 or 4# doesn't sound like much but it all adds up.

Adds up the stress on your body pound for extra pound as well. Be
well, RZ.

Some injuries can be helped w PT, somtimes its a losing battle no matter what

Glad you guys like yours, but my last one departed a couple of months ago. Bought a SS G2 rifle frame and a MGM .44 barrel. Added a TC .22 match barrel. The .22 was fine, a decent shooter, and a handy package, but the .44 would pop open on firing some of the time, and wouldn’t group for sh*t. Talked to Marty, who told me how to measure the headspace. It was really excessive, hence the problems. MGM wanted me to send in the whole shebang, so they could shim it no doubt, but that meant I’d have to un-shim it for the .22, which was tightly fitted. Sold the .44 with full disclosure and a shim kit, and sold the rifle with the .22 barrel, lest I be tempted down the rabbit hole again. Meanwhile, I bought a nifty CZ 457 MTR, which outshoots the G2 and will continue to use my Low Wall for .44 stuff.

According to Marty, these issues ain’t uncommon, and this is supposed to be fun, so I’m out.

How old are you?

Good question, pappy.

Really appreciate all the great input!! I'm really, really trying to simplify but I am very intrigued with the 357 Max. That kind of versatility would be pretty incredible and make this little Contender a very fun gun!

It helps that I ran across a sweet Super Blackhawk in 357 Mag that felt real good in my hand the other day!

I am too, but I’m trying to stifle it. My plan would be to get a Henry SS .357 and send it to Mike Bellm for a re-chamber.

The smart thing would be to get one in .350 Legend, but I’m kinda slow......

I called and discussed the 357 Max vs 350 Legend with Curt Bellm and he is very much in favor of turning a Henry 357 Mag into the Max and will open the throat to allow for heavier (.358) bullets. I have a pretty good stash of Hornady 180 gr. SSP's but its good to have options.
Anyway, I have one on order with him although I'm not sure when it'll come in and get worked for me.

I read his write up on how much he likes the Henry, that’s gonna be nice!

He’s getting a new one and re-chambering it, then sending to your FFL? How much?

Thanks.

I think you get the rifle sent to him, he does the work, and sends to your FFL. Think I saw it was around $100-110 something like that.

Here’s where I read it https://357maximum.net/

He placed the Henry on order for me. I will pay him for the rifle and work done, when completed. Pappy, its somewhere around $550 all in, if I recall. The rifle is $440 or so and the work adds to it. He may also put a pic rail on it.

That’s what I wanted to know! Thanks again.

My LGS said they would order one, but had no idea when or even if it would show up. I passed. Hopefully, Bellm has a better source. Good luck.

Looking back at my notes, I had him order a 350 Legend, rechamber to 357 Max, neck and re-throat, either a Talley or EGW mount. I did this in early March and expect it will take 4-5 months

But isn't the 350 Legend a larger head diameter than the 357 Max?

Bruce

smaller

Cartridge drawings.

Bruce

Just some thoughts....

I had several Contender pistols and a 35 Remington carbine at one time. Of the pistols, the 357 Maximum was my favorite... could use carbide dies to reload and its performance in a ten-inch barrel was close enough to the 357 Herret without having to make brass.

I was at a Prescott, AZ gunshow when a guy walked in with a T/C mannlicher stocked carbine in 6X47. I offered to buy it, but it wasn't for sale. The only other contender rifle barrel that I craved was when SSK made a T/C Contender barrel in 300 savage, which has to be the top end for the T/C. In a mannlicher stock of course.

To address the OP's post, if I were to get back into the Contenders again, the rifle barrels I would pick up after my previous experience would be simply a .22LR and a 357 Max.

Jerry

OSU_Sig,

Which rifle in 350 Legend are you having converted?