I have a TC Contender frame that needs a barrel. I was thinking of a hot 22 or maybe a 25 caliber round.
What can be expected from the 22 and 25 classic cartridges.
Good Shooting
Jeff in ND

Hi Jeff,
You can expect performance and velocity in the PPC-BR cartridge range. I'm waiting for my 20 Classic to return from bluing . It should be a real barn burner with velocity in the 4400 fps range. By the way its an old Ruger #1-V model. I really like the looks of all of them , the 22 Classic should be a dandy in a strong action moving the Hornady 40 gr. V-Max at 4000 fps!!

Todd Kindler-Editor Small Caliber News www.smallcaliber.com

Jeff,

One word of caution, loading 30/30 sized cases hot in the contender will stretch the frame. If you want to load up a round to max pressure, something based on a .223 sized case is best, and there is a 52mm long rimmed case that has alot of potential when blown out for all its worth. You might want to contact Mike Bellm and see if he has a reamer for such a beast, he's done some 6.5 and 7mm's based on it.

How would the 219 Donaldson Wasp work in a Contender? How would it compare to the 22 Classic?
Any other suggestions for a rimmed 25 caliber rounds for a TC Carbine? I have no objections to wildcats.
I guess what I am looking for is a round that would make a handy all around varmint rifle (25 caliber or less) but could still be used for deer in a pinch (22 caliber or larger in ND, I have 4 kids comming up and hope to need it).

Almost forgot, how can I contact Mike B.?
Thanks
Jeff in ND

[This message has been edited by Jeff in ND (edited 06-15-2001).]

I'm out in the field, so don't have my web links handy. First go to graybeardoutdoors.com (hope I spelled it right) and head to the contender forumn. There will likely be a pop up ad/link to Bellm's sight. If not, there will be a link somewhere. You might also want to post there, it is one of, or the most active contender sights.

The best barrel I've had to date on the contender was a wildcat based on the 30-30, it was a 6.5mm w/ 38 deg shoulder. The problem was, I was getting short case life, and never new how hot I could safely load. Based on that, I've warmed up to the idea of a rimmed .223 long, which the 5.56X52 rimmed is. The downside is the cases are hard to come by, but I've heard Sellior and Belot will be offering them. The up side is the case duplicates 30/30 performance, it isn't quite as large, but can be loaded to higher pressures, so equals it. the other nice thing about the 3/8" dia cases is it is almost impossible to hurt the contender frame even with hot loads, as there isn't enough back thrust.

The nice thing about what Bellm has done with his wildcats, is on the 222X52, he just uses a 222 mag reamer, and sinks it deeper, so you don't need special dies, just seat the 222 mag die a bit further out in the press.

My buddy had a 6.5X52, that was matching the 6.5X30-30 wildcat I had, 120 gr @ 2400 fps from a 14" tube, if you go to a carbine, you'd pick up a couple hundred more fps. I know you said 25 cal or less, but you might want to consider a 6.5, the recoil is fairly mild, and you can use the 85 gr for varmints. I believe barnes makes a 100 gr 6.5 X, and would guess 2800-2900 would be possible in a carbine, yet have relatively mild recoil.

Anyhow, try and find Bellm's website, he has lots of great technical articles, and I really like his prudent approach to not loading so hot you strech frames, and developing wildcats that can use std dies to save $. He apprenticed under P.O. Ackley, and took over his shop when Ackley retired. He definately knows as much about contenders as anyone, and keeps doing tests to learn more. You don't here much about him because he's more concerned about making good guns and happy customers then making a name for himself.

Check out E.A. Brown. I believe they make wildcats based upon the .219 Wasp. You can find the link on Greybeard's site, if a search doesn't turn it up.

Paul H - I looked thorough all my references and found a 5.6X50 Rimmed Magnum that looks like a 22 Rem Mag - Long with a rim. Is this the parent case for the wildcats you mentioned?
The 5.6X52 rimmed didn't look right.
Good Shooting
Jeff in ND