[DOK]

xphunter,

I use the Contender .223  (14") and .44mag (10") along with the Striker in .243.  I enjoy the accuracy of each combination, each on having a Leupold 2.5X8 EER scope. I know a lot of the Contender and Encore users get their barrels from speciality house, and I've purchased my from SSK, and have the SSK TSO'B mount attached when they're purchased.

I've always had the bad habit of trying to make my handguns perform like rifles -- 50/75 yards just doesn't seem very far when you're in the open spaces. So the sawed off rifles help when the distance is longer and I still want a handgun. I continue to be amazed with the accuracy capability, many times its as good or better than the sporting level rifles.

h2oman55's post reminds me of an article/review by Taffin on his experience with the 30-30 Contender. As expected, he approached it with a little prejudice, but ended up commenting that he'd consider it to be one of his top choices if he only had one handgun to hunt with.

What type of mechanism, if any, do you use to carry your XP when you're in the field?

 

[DOK]

Contender,

Sounds like you've got it pretty well covered.

"35 Rem in a 12" Hunter" ... what's the distinction of the "Hunter" configuration?

Are all the referenced pieces used with iron sights, or if scopes, which scopes do you prefer?

I'd sure be interested in any recommendations for holsters (or whatever) for carrying these handguns.

Dan



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[DOK]

Contender,

I really like the Striker in .243, very accurate and with a upgraded trigger, is easy to shoot well. I'm left handed, but shoot a handgun right handed. Thus having the bolt on the left side works very well for me.

My scoping is likewise rather eclectic. I really like my Bushnell Holoscope on the 8 3/8" Model 29, so looked at the Bushnell web display for the Trophy specs. First of all, they don't reference pistol scopes as an separate option, but include them under rifle scopes so I assumed they discontinued the EER scopes.... later found them by accident. The spec's "Magnum Recoil Resistant" scared me, so I never pursued the Bushnell any further. I'm short one scope so will have to revisit that decision.

The 2.5X7 Burris has been good news and bad news. I had it on a .454Casull Taurus and after the initial firing, I noticed a very distinct "groove" on the front bottom. That groove was made by the front sight on the Taurus. Any scope that can handle that, is got to be one tough scope. However, when held at arms length at the higher power, I don't get a full picture like I do on the Leupold.  So I've resigned myself to paying a little more to assure I've got a complete sight picture.

When I purchased the .223 Contender, it had a 2.5X7" Thompson Contender scope on it. I don't know who makes it for them, but it appeared to be a rather light weight affair. But the picture sure was sharp, quite frankly, at the 7X setting, it was clearer at 200yd targets than the 2.5X9 Burris I had at the time.

I initially had planned on having a leather holster made for the scoped Contenders, but wasn't comfortable that the leather would be flexible enough, so wondered what else was being used. I'll get a Uncle Mikes Bandolier Flapped holster which I'm sure will fit very nicely on top of my little tummy, making it readily accessible!

Thanks for the help and pleased to see the WC820 reference....pretty darn good stuff.

Dan



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