my dealer wants one of my 10/22s and is offering a 99% Blue T/C Contender with 223 14" Hunter barrel or a New Savage Striker in 243 for it. I already have a 223 Striker that shoots like a house on fire. which one would you go for and why?
------------------ born on a mountain, raised in a cave, hunting and fishing is all i crave!
Contenders are a disease, so unless you are willing to be infected with barrelitis, I'd steer clear.
I love the contender, such a versitile platform. The only downside is the strength limitation of the frame, but that is an upside as the gun is lighter and slimmer then the encore.
Check out Ed's t/c's for reasonably priced used barrels. The coolest thing about the contender is, if you find deals on a used barrel, or better yet barrel/die combo, you can try it out, and if you don't like it, or tire of it, can sell or trade off the barrel for what you paid, or slightly better. I've broken even or made out ahead on all the contender barrels I've moved over the last couple years.
There are even the occasionally stub barrel specials offered by bullberry and virgin valley. I got a ss match grade 10" 218 mashburn bee from bullberry for $175 last year.
Posts: 7213 | Location: Alaska | Registered: 27 February 2001
Listen to PAUL H.!!!! Contenders are a BADDD!!!! Before you know it you've spent lotz of $$$$CASH$$$$ and every barrel has't ta have a Burris scope on top and then there's all of the $$$CUSTOM$$$ stuff!! Don't even start!!!
I would agree the Contenders start a bad habit and next thing you know your 1 will go to 10 barrels. I have 8 barrels for my Contender and the Competitor is the same way I have 4 barrels for it. But they shot great
I have tried Contenders and didn't care for them . I now have a Striker and I much prefer hunting with it over a Contender . It's a personal thing I 'spose , but the Striker does use cartridges that leave most of the Contender chamberings far back in the dust ....
[This message has been edited by sdgunslinger (edited 01-05-2002).]
Posts: 1660 | Location: Gary , SD | Registered: 05 March 2001
got the Contender! 14" Hunter 223 barrel, looks low milage. also got a 14" Hunter 35rem barrel for $100 with it. i see what you mean about the barrel bug! now i want the 10" BullBerry match 22lr barrel and 10" 357max barrel with RPM sights he has. he's also got a used 2-6x32 Burris scope for $145 i'm gona pick up tomarrow for the 35rem barrel. i've got a 3-9x32 Burris for the 223 barrel.
------------------ born on a mountain, raised in a cave, hunting and fishing is all i crave!
I have some contenders but I like my 308 striker. Granted the out of the box config. needs some tweaking, but to me the contender's rear grip doesn't handle the way I like. The center grip feels more balanced . But that's why they make cars in so many different colors.
I think that You will regret not havinf the versatility od the contender if You were to go with the striker , and as for better cartrages for the strikker ,, the 309 JDJ is the equivalent of the 308.
quote:Originally posted by pshooter: I have some contenders but I like my 308 striker. Granted the out of the box config. needs some tweaking, but to me the contender's rear grip doesn't handle the way I like. The center grip feels more balanced . But that's why they make cars in so many different colors.
