I have a Wilson Match barrel blank in .224 caliber I was trying to sell. Did not get any offers, so now I want to build a TC Contender. This barrel has a 1-9 twist, so heavy bullets will be the order of the day. I want something reasonably fast and accurate. Any suggestions???

.22-243 (either the "normal" version or the Middlestead, or the Ackley) or the 22-6mm (Improved or not). Any one of these will work well with the faster twist and heavier bullets. I have a 22-243 Middlestead, which I built with a 1-14 barrel, when I rebarrel it, it will be 1-9 or 1-8 to take advantage of the heavier 22 bullets. - Dan

It would be interesting to be around to see the muzzle blast Dan Belisle must be getting with that 22 wildcat. Dan you're a tougher and better man than I am. I can take recoil in a rifle, but don't care for it in a handgun.

If that was a rifle barrel, and you want the max, try a 22/284, with a 1 in 8 or 1 in 7 twist with an 80 grain bullet. That one really is a flat shooting long distance load. However barrel life is a little on the short side to say the least.

Really shoot the works and go with a 1 in 6 twist for the new 90 grain 22 caliber bullets I have heard about but have yet to see. A local gunsmith here was telling me he has made a few rebarrels with the 1 in 6 twist using PacNor barrels ( I believe).

We boys just got to have a little fun!

I put my vote in for a .223 Ackley Improved. It is about the max performance that you can get out of a Contender frame without the serious risk of frame stretching. Your 1-9" twist rate should be just right for 69gr VLD type bullets and should stabilize some customer 75gr flat base bullets that could be used for some serious varminting. You should also be able to get some serious explosiveness out of 50-55gr bullets as well. My guess is that you will need to stay away from SX type bullets as they may come apart with that extra rotational velocity.