From: lentz@hobbit.gandalf.ca (Jim Lentz (Wheeling Tech Support))
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: T/C Contender
Date: 7 Apr 92 18:12:55 GMT
Organization: Gandalf Data Ltd., Nepean, Ontario

In article <52507@mimsy.umd.edu> jgd@dixie.com (John De Armond) writes:
#JJD118@psuvm.psu.edu (John Donovan) writes:
#
##I'm considering the purchase of a T/C Contender later this year. What I would
##like is any feedback from people that own/shoot this gun. My primary use will
##be hunting deer. I was wondering what calibers would be both powerful enough
##for a deer, and will not break my arm when I shoot it. That .45-70 sounds
##nice, but I think I might break something shooting it.  I live in PA, so
##most of my shooting will be within about 100 yards, up to 200 if I'm hunting
##fields.
#
#Though it won't break anything, the .45-70 is NOT a good long distance
#round.  It's more like lobbing a mortar that the deer.  One of our 
#local silhouette club has a "buffalo stomper" class.  Not for formal
#score but for fun.  Any "buffalo stomper" rifle is legal.  I shoot
#an original Sharps Trapdoor.  I have a ladder sight on the gun and 
#at 200 meters, have the sight elevated about 4 inches.  You fire,
#drop the gun, the smoke clears and a bit later, the bullet strikes :-)
#Admittedly I'm running puny loads in this antique but my opinion is
#that whatever you can regain with a modern gun will be lost on
#barrel length.

I can't entirely agree with this. Although I would never use the .45-70
for hunting at distances in excess of 200 yards the 300 grain JHP is
good to that range. According to my ballistics table for that round
(with a 24 in barrel) the muzzle velocity is in excess of 1800fps.
Also the drop is approximately 12 inches at that range. I don't remeber
the velocity at 200 yards but I could check it if you're interested.
How many people have reliably taken deer at greater than 200 yards?
No flames intended, just a little food for thought. 

<stuff deleted>

#
##  Ideas on barrel length? I've seen bbls from 10-16 inches. What is a good
##balance between velocity/accuracy and being cumbersome?
#
#The 14" barrel is pretty easy to carry.  The 16" might be a bit clumsy.
#I'd probably go 14".

I would think no worse than a rifle. There are shoulder holsters available
for 12,14 and 16 inches.

#
##  Also I have noticed some barrels come with a muzzle tamer. How effective are
##these things?  Do they affect accuracy/velocity?
#
#Don't need it unless you're hypersensitive to recoil.  Put some good 
#Pachmyer grips on the thing and shoot.  I can comfortably shoot two
#40 or 60 round classes in one day with my .30-30 so I don't think
#a shot or two a day will bother you.
#

Also the only barrels available with the muzzle tamer are the 12 inch 
barrels. If you are using a rifle caliber and want similar ballistics
go with a longer barrel.

<more stuff deleted>

Jim Lentz                         lentz@hobbit.gandalf.ca
#
#John
#-- 
#John De Armond, WD4OQC        | "Hey, don't blame me.  I voted Buchanan."
#Rapid Deployment System, Inc. | 2nd Amendment RADICAL 
#Marietta, Ga                  |              
#jgd@dixie.com                 | Need public access in Atl?  Write me.


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