There are quite a few titanium shoulders in our family, and quite a few toddler aged girls.

Was thinking it would be cool to have a little contender rifle in some kind of little pistol cartridge that would work on things like javelina, bobcats, and such that the girls would also enjoy shooting.

Thinking about buying a G2 Contender and a youth stock to get set up.

Anyone else do this?

never done that, but it's a hellova good idea. i have a 256 in a martini cadet. it is quite a good combo. only problem is ammo or if you load it brass. you can make it out of 357, but it's a pita.

I think the 256 is really cool, what bullets do you shoot out of it?

I saw that Bullberry or Match Grade Machine is making 256 Maximum barrels.

Hell a 357 Max or Mag in a 21 inch barreled Conteder would be neat.

I think Hornady makes a polimer tipped bullet for it.

Start with a barn door hinge, fashion it into a pistol, then put a longer barrel and an awkward clubby stock on it and call it a rifle. That's what the T/C has always seemed to me to be.

Instead, find a neat old Winchester Model 43 or Savage Sporter (later called model 23) in .25-20 or .32-20. Both are repeaters and have a lot more class than the T/C.

I use a TC in 357 max with a 16.5 inch barrel carbine as a starter deer rifle for several young person all have love it

the 32-20 has a strong TC following.. used to be published tc only loads, with .308 bullets

I think I would buy an NEF in either 22 Hornet or maybe in a .223, then have someone do a trigger job on it and cut the stock for the girls. Replacement stocks are cheap, and the little NEF I have in K-Hornet (I had it reamed..,) is almost a one-hole rifle at 100 yard with my own handloads. They are heavy rifles and recoil is virtually non-existent.

You would be out somewhere around $375-$400, less if you can cut the stock yourself and grind the butt plate down...

Years ago, I had wanted a lever action to go along with my Single Six .32 H&R. Problem was, Marlin hadn't made one yet and converting one was hit or miss as to feeding.

I had EA Brown make me a .32 H&R on their 97D rifle. It was been a real joy. I loaded up some rifle only loads that will send a 115 gr LCG out the barrel at 2000 fps. But it is just as much fun to shoot 100 grainers at 1200 fps.

Now that I have a Single Seven I may need to rechamber.

I have Contenders. The work great for what you are asking. The modular design allows stocks to be changed to suit size of shooter, adults may want to use it and a turn of a screw and it has a longer stock
Any of the cartridges you suggest would be good. A 22LR barrel is very good for first shooter and a larger cartridge barrel can be swapped for bigger game.

Mark

Thanks gents!

Husqvarna single shot 32-20:

If you were to only pick one or two of the little pistol calibers which ones would you pick?

32-20 with a 0.308 barrel. This is a standard configuration for the silhouette shooters.
Brass is available, it can be seasonal so by a bunch when it is around. .308 gives a wider selection of bullets than the 312.

Mark

stick a 100gr cast, or the Laser-Cast offerings in a 32-20 case at about 1000fps, and be sure to load about 200 rounds per girlchild.

quote:

Originally posted by Stonecreek:Instead, find a neat old Winchester Model 43 or Savage Sporter (later called model 23) in .25-20 or .32-20. Both are repeaters and have a lot more class than the T/C.

I happen to own a Winchester Model 43 (Deluxe) in .25-20 Winchester. What I did is re-chamber it to the .25-20 Improved to where it looks like a .218 Bee necked-up to .25 Caliber. Results of re-chamber my .25-20 to .25-20 Imp. has been a great improvement in accuracy, bring it close to .256 Win. Magnum ballistics.

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
stick a 100gr cast, or the Laser-Cast offerings in a 32-20 case at about 1000fps, and be sure to load about 200 rounds per girlchild.

I chose the 32 H&R because it is much easier to reload for. Carbide dies instead of lubed steel.

I load 100 grainers to the same velocities. These days, it is almost as inexpensive to load these as it is to purchase .22 LR's. Certainly easier to find.

32-20 and I'd just stay at .312-.313, but that's me. Back when I could shoot the 32-20 for nearly the same as 22 LR. These days I can shoot the 32-20 cheaper...but you have to cast your own and have bought lead in quantity when it was 15 cents a pound.

FYI !! Many years ago and for much the same reasons I had a 38 special rifle made for my wife.
It was made on a Ruger #3 action and wore a Dougles 16.5" bull barrel.It was deadly accurate as my wife could hit a 1/4" red dot at 50 yds. every time. My wife and a # of other women since have attested to it,s mild kick.
Perhaps not prudent but found it could safely handle .357 loads with no problem .
Simpler for ammo and a little more energy. Just a thought. roger

I had a 256 in a Marlin lever action years ago. It was a sweetheart.

I always wanted a 256...I have a 32-20 and it is a sweetheart. My kids use a encore in a 223 though...I have a 1-8 twist and shoot heavy for caliber, and it does well for the kids...also a suppressed 300 blk out does some work too...for a stand gun...

You could also look for a Model 23 Savage in 25 or 32-20. There are some vey nice ones still available and they shoot very accurately. In the 32 I shoot a 100 grain Hornady with 13 grains of IMR4227 nice mild accurate load. In the 25 I shoot 10 grains of 2400 with a 75 grain bullet, very accurate, and good enough for jackrabbits out to 125 yards or so.