Well see, it was a really good price so I had to have it ... now I see why the price was so low. What a pain. Four missfires out of a box of 20 Remington factory ammo. Reloads with only 1/4 inch of the neck resized, shoulder not touched, rarely fire. The firing pin strike is apparently pushing the case forward on the miniscule shoulder so that the strike is not sufficient to light it off. Rounds that did fire uniformly have a primer slightly protuding above the head of the case indicating the case was pushed into the chamber before the round fired. Sounds like excessive headspace but with the extractor removed and using the bare barrel as a case length gauge, the loads appear to headspace just fine.

Question. Other than rechamber to something like a .358 Bellm, has anyone determined how to make a .35 Rem Contender barrel reliable with reloads ... or factory for that matter?

Neck up your cases, then back down to produce a false or secondary shoulder. Just make the second neck size down until you can barely close the bareel with some force. After that (and firing of course) you should just have to neck size (for awhile at least). I use this technique for 357 Herrett, works well. - Dan

Some Contenders will provide a light pin hit when fitted with Pachmayr grip. Search AR, there was a post on the corrective action� mostly trimming rubber. Assuming of course, the Pachmayr grip.

Protruding primers on reloads indicate a "soft load" since std loads will backout of the chamber, flattening the primer in a manner that screams HIGH PRESSURES, but isn't.

As a last resort, do a chamber cast with CerroSafe (from Brownell's) and compare with SAAMI specs and factory ammo to identify deficiency(s). If any, return to TC for service. They will address the issue to your satisfaction. Promptly and at no charge.

[ 07-22-2002, 20:17: Message edited by: Sysephus ]

Thanks Dan for the expander, false shoulder idea. Why didn't I think of that? Am in the process of doing some loads to fireform the cases in the manner noted on Mike Bellm's web site. Will try your idea also and maybe put some lip-stick on this pig!

I had this same problem with my 35 rem. Mine was sent back to the factory and they fixed it, It has not misfired ever sinse. remember these barrels have a lifetime warrenty, if they can't fix it then they should replace it.

You could also have Mike cut a rim counter-bore for Krag brass.

I had the same problems with my 35 Rem. When it did fire I was not impressed with the performance. Finily sent it to JD Jones to be rechambered to 358 JDJ. All I can say is awsome! I am real happy with the results. I have not had a missfire since. With the custom dies it does get expensive. Lone Hunter

Dan is on target with his reply.I have been doing the same thing for a couple of years,no misfires and my barrel is a good shooter.I would keep playing with it before you go the expense of rechamber job.Just my $.02

I would agree with Lone Hunter I had my 35 Rem rechambered to 358 JDJ to and its shoot great. You will not go wrong with the 358 JDJ

Thanks for all your input. You all confirm that the .35 Rem is a little more difficult than a rimmed case or a case with a decent shoulder. After speaking to a very nice person at Thompson Center, the barrel and frame are making a trip for a factory inspect and repair as necessary. That and some care in setting the shoulder should make it ready for whitetail in November.

Sorry ... double post!!

[ 08-02-2002, 00:05: Message edited by: Charlie ]

A friend had the same problem in his .22Hornet.
A new hammer spring fixed it right up. But what a pain to install.