I want to buy a varmint hunting pistol. I reload for the .22Hornet and .223 so I want to stay with either of these calibres. I know of the T/C Encore, Taurus Raging Bull etc. but what else is out there. What do you guy's recommend? Thanks

I believe Freedom Arms has (or had) a .22 hornet, that I would recommend over the Taurus... but I might not be remembering correctly.

I have been shooting a T/C Contender in .223 for a long time. For a bottleneck cartridge, I would recommend the Encore or another single shot over a revolver.

You might want to read the link from VarmintGuy https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5411043/m/580100232 before thinking about a revolver.

I have had 2 different revolvers that all of the cylinders did not line up with the barrel. For this reason I would recomend a single shot pistol such as the TC Contender or Encore.

If you can find a Contender not the G2 ,that is what I would get.
The older Contender's trigger is lots better and can be made even better ,easly ( by those that know how) can be cleaned up and lightened safly .

The new G2 is stronger but the trigger leaves you hoping for something.

Both work great with the 22 hornet ,204 ruger or 223 class cart.

Johnch

I shoot a Contender, Encore, Striker, Taurus, Ruger Black Hawk and Mark II in various calibers (not to mention a 260XPR Remington "Hand Rifle").
For varmins with either a Hornet or 223 I too would opt for the Contender (not G2). The Hornet in 14" Hunter configuration the 223 also in 14" or even 16". I had the latter, until I "needed" something more, topped with a Burris 3-9 and Harris bipod it was all I could ask for in a varmint rig.

You don't need the "firepower" of a rev. over a single shot. Get a Contender in .223 or Hornet.

I have ruined a few whistle pigs days with my 12" Contender 223 and 40 gr. Noslers...I can get 2900 fps with that 12" barrel and still show no issues on pressure...and if you don't reload, then those winchester white-box 45gr hp's are VERY accurate for the money.

Whats real fun though is shooting it on the rifle line on a busy day at the range...most average people just kinda...stare...at the goof with a pistol.

Then they see my paper...

Darrell

Forgot to add....this is a good MOA combo at 100 yards..and thats not with a real top of the line scope. I have a nice Weaver 4x on there now, so we shall see how it works.

the old model contenders are just great, but don't be so hard on the G2
the G2 contender and encore triggers really do suck as they come from the factory. BUT they can be manipulated nearly as easy as the old model contenders can........and thats a fact.

you can get instructions on a professional trigger job done by you, and purchase a new trigger spring from www.bellmtcs.com

OR read this article http://specialtypistols.ottllc.com/sp4.html
for a simple way to get you started with no $ spent and plus it's as simple as falling off a log.
MY G2 trigger pull is 15oz's and slick as a minner. all my encore frames triggers break right at 2lbs.
the old contender is no easier, or at least not much easier to lighten the trigger on. the old contender usually needs to have a lighter trigger spring also. once in a while it can be manipulated enough with the external adjustment screws though.

the G2 contender is a great pistol setup. i love mine just as well, if not more than those old thangs.

The Rem. XP-100 would be an excellent choice. It is usually a good shooter right out of the box with an adjustable trigger. It is also easy to have customized and can result in benchrest capabilities. I have had many T/Cs along with many XPs and the hands down winner for accuracy and ease of manipulation, cleaning, reloadability goes to the XP. I am surprised that I haven't seen it mentioned here. The Freedoms are wonderful but are not as of yet offered in Hornet. Revolver ballistics for the Hornet are little better than a .22MRF out of a T/C. Good luck.