Looking for some help in regards to next barrel purchase. Wanting a varmint caliber in 10" barreled Contender. What gives best performance for varmints up to groundhog? What about up to coyote? I've been told anything from .17HMR to .223. Any suggestions given the smaller barrel length? (I don't really want to get into the bigger barrel lengths, might as well use my rifles - want to keep it on pistol side)

Thanks,

In the 10" tubes, it is best to stay away from the larger cases, as the velocity benefits are negligible, and the muzzle blast is atrocious. In 17 cal, I'd stick with one based off of the honret or bee case, though I would consider it light for coyotes. I would also consider the 17 HMR to be very handicapped in a 10" tube, velocity will be down to about 2000 fps w/ a 17 gr bullet.

In 22 caliber, there is one outstanding choice, the 221 fireball. It will match the performance of a 22 hornet rifle. I had a 218 mashburn, but was somewhat dissapointed in the velocity and especially the accuracy. A good contender will easily shoot 1/2 moa, that 218 struggled to break 1 moa.

For coyotes, I'd consider a 6.5 TCU, I don't have any data handy, but would guess it should be capable of pushing an 85 around 2400 fps.

Now, if you want a dual purpose varmint big game gun, then the 357 maximum would be the berries. You can push 158 gr hp's to 2000 fps or better, and those light pistol bullets will go off like a grenade.

In the right calibers, a 10" contender is an honest 200 yd gun. I also like the way they handle and only get 10" pistol tubes, well, until I come across a 14" I can't pass up

While you will the the most optimum performance from a .221 fireball, I personally like the .22 Hornet a great deal. It's much easier to find barrels for this caliber as T/C are currently manufacturing them in 10". I suspect that you could push a 40gr bullet to about 2500-2600fps which should take care of any varmint (including coyotes) out to 200 yards.

I would be inclined to agree with Paul H regarding the TCU series. You could/should consider the 7 TCU in addition to the 6.5 TCU for a 10" barrel. 85-95gr bullets would be the ticket for the 6.5mm and 100-120gr would fit the bill for the 7mm.

I think that Paul's numbers are a bit optimistic in terms of velocity when fired from a 10" barrel however. I would think a 85gr 6.5 TCU would top out around 2200fps and a 10" .357 Max with 158gr bullets seems to poop out around 1900fps. That doesn't mean that it can't be done, just not from my gun.

My pick HAS been the 221. I have yet to chrono any loads but accuracy has been great and it kills chucks! My second pick in a 10" Contender barrel would be the 6tcu. Plenty of excellent varmint bullets in weights as light as 55 grains. The area i varmint hunt in i prefer the lighter bullets for less chance of a ricochet. The slightly heavier bullets should work well on yotes and such....

I was taking a wag on the 6.5 TCU, hoping I wasn't too optomistic.

On the 357 max however, there should be no problem hitting 2000 fps or more from a 10" tube. I've been getting 1800 fps and change with a 200 gr bullet.

Paul
What powder are you using to get 1800 fps with the 200 grain bullet in the Max?
My best so far is 1750 with 180s, so I am curious what I could use to get that boost!
LouisB

I'm using WC 680 and WC 820 with best velocity so far with load of WC 820 and Hornady or Remington 180s to compare about what B_Koes is using

[ 10-25-2002, 16:06: Message edited by: TCLouis ]

H 110 and a 200 gr WFN gc. Yes, it is over book max loads, and the loads were not accurate, so I've stopped using it. The 357 max is listed for 42 kpsi, but the contender is good for full patch .223 loads, which is the same dia case as the .357 max.

I've also used AA 1680, and have chronoed 1750. Last time with some stiffer loads, the chrono wasn't picking them up, but I'd expect they are in the 1800 fps range. There simply isn't enough room in the case to fit enough 1680 to hurt the gun, and those loads are heavily compressed. Fortunately they are accurate, but I haven't had time to go to the range and get them dialed in.

Guys, I have a .256 Super Mag (necked down 357 Max) in a 10" Van Horn barrel(also have a 16.5" VV) that I just love. Very pleasant to shoot with iron sights with 60 and 75 grain bullets. I'm getting 1" groups at 50 yards. It is just wonderful. You can use 256 Mag dies. You would have to get a custom barrel of course.

I also have a soft spot for 10" Contender Barrels, they are just so handy. I have tried a couple different 10" .223 Remington Contender Barrels, and truly hated them. That is until I hit upon the right load. That load for me happened to be a 40gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip loaded with IMR-4198. This was about the most shooter friendly load I have ever fired in a 10" .223. Accuracy was outstanding, and the average velocity was 2950 FPS. Another favorite uses the same bullet over a max charge of Alliant Blue Dot. This load too was amazingly accurate, very mild shooting (both in terms of recoil and muzzle blast & flash) and chronographed 2800 FPS.

I have taken quite a few small varmints with these loads in a 10" .223 Contender out to 200 yards. However I have never taken a Coyote with either of these loads.

Larry