TC Contender offered a ported barrel that was called the hunter .
Did they make them in 45LC and maybe different lengths ?
What calibers did they offfer?
Would 3030 and 35rem be about the same recoil?
The 45 LC/.410 contender barrels that were offered with chokes/ribs,how was accuracy shooting the 45LC?
Can the choke be removed without a choke wrench in a pinch with a wide flathead?
Can buckshot be used with the choke?

Where is a good place to find old barrels?

Contender 45/410 barrels are not very accurate when shooting 45 Colt ammunition. This is because of the long jump to the rifling because of the 410 shotgun chamber. They shoot better if you fire form 9.3 x 74 rimmed brass in the barrel and then load the 45 caliber bullets. Always make sure the shotgun choke is removed before firing centerfire cartridge.

Hunter barrels were offered in both 12" and 14" lengths, in blue and stainless.

Caliber options included .44mag, .357max, 30/30, .35rem, 7x30, and maybe 1 or 2 more i am forgetting. They didnt offer the hunter barrels in 45colt as a regular production item, though at some point the custom shop may have built a few, some years ago i had them build .41mag & .445supermag hunter barrels.

i've had a few of the 45/410 barrels and accuracy was not great with 45colt; whole lot of freebore there. As for recoil, my .35's had a bit more recoil than the 30/30 barrels, but not objectionably so.

never tried buckshot loads. I did load up some .410's with #2's, and have rolled quite a few armadilllos, skunks, & other vermin with them from a 10" armour alloy 45/410.

for used barrels, they pop up on gunbroker, Specialty Pistols forums, Graybeard forums, and Ed's contenders (ph 405-879-0879).

I'd think a wide flat blade would remove choke tubes fine. I've noticed a fair bit of crud/carbon build up around my choke tubes, so just clean/lube that now & then.

Thanks for the great info!
I did learn something new on my search,i never knew about this little guy.
.500 Jurras contender

.500 made from 45-70 brass?
https://americanhandgunner.com/discover/lee-jurras/

Ssk also made the 50/70 barrels which was a 45-70 necked up to 50. I've only seen one ever

For barrels I would suggest Ed's Contenders in Oklahoma!

Last I spoke with Ed his list is not current!!

Check out MeWe for some T/C Contender or Encore groups. I am in 5 groups. Lots of info there and TONS of barrels for sale.

Is this the order for recoil and the 14inch longer ported barrels help tame it a little?
1-45-70
2-444
3-35rem
4-375win.
5-30-30win.
6-7-30waters
7- 44magnum

How hard is it to find brass for the 444,35rem,375win.?
I feel like flinching just thinking about 45-70...Thats got to be stout recoil!

I rather dislike the look of the TC muzzlebrake stuff.
Rather just run a reg 12 or 14".
With Pachmayr grippers a non brake 35 rem is no big deal.

My last 35 rem TC liked the Hornady Leverevolution factory 200s fine.
The one before that the old Remington 150gr.

Currently dont have a .35 rem bbl. The stainless Contender I bought last yr had a Hunter bbl and I sold it without ever trying it. Kept the frame.

Hornady dropped the 220gr. 375 Bullets so whats left to load .375 win.=235gr.speer?
What would be the best lead bullet?Beartooth?
Or skip 375win. and go with the 35Rem?

Whats the largest caliber barrels for the gen2 frames same as contenders 45-70?
Found lots info at ssk .
Never knew there was a 45-70 whisper!
What a rabbit hole!

That list isn’t in order of recoil. Years ago, I had a tc 44 mag hunter barrel. Worst recoiling handgun I ever owned. And I’ve had 2 contender barrels in 45-70, one without a brake. I’d rather shoot that. I have an encore 50 cal muzzle loader barrel, it’s stout with two 50 gr pellets. Still, Its better than that 44 mag barrel, I didn’t keep it long.

FYI.....I have a new 24" s/s 45-70 barrel for my Encore. I handloaded three rounds with the lightest loads for the Hornady 325 grain FTX bullet. First shot knocked my shooting glasses off, then my hat, followed by a bloody nose. Came home, removed the barrel, and put it back in the factory box it came in. Good luck with the pistol barrel on your Contender should you decide to go that route!

I had 2 of the Hunter barrels when they were out.
One in 30-30 Win and one in .45-70 Govt.
A friend still has my original pistol with the .30-30 barrel.
They were fun to shoot, wish I still had them. Can't keep them all!
I am using the Encore platform now.

I have found a little tc foreend stock piece but it did not come with a screw ,any reason I shouldn't shoot the frame/barrel without a foreend stock until I find the right screw?
When hunting with the contenders do you guys like to still hunt on the ground or setup in treestands/blinds?

I guess you can shoot it without the forend, it’ll look a little funky.
I hunt from a blind with the contender, generally need somewhere to rest the gun, unless the critter is close.

I used 2 1/2” all brass .410 shells in my 45/410 to seat the bullet near the rifling. Helped a little. My 46 Colt only barrel is lights out more accurate than the combo.