Hello all! Its been a LOOONG time since I was here last. I picked up a new hunting rig today -- a stainless TC G2 in .44 mag!!! Haven't even sent the first round down range yet! Sure am glad to finally get ahold of one of these. I do have a couple questions though...

What would be the largest caliber recommended to put through the G2 without over stressing the frame? I know the Encore is a bigger frame designed to handle the larger calibers, but what would this G2 be "designed" for?

Also, where can I get a top notch .22LR or .22 Mag barrel designed specifically for accuracy? I want to be able to punch squirrels in the head in order to use them as food for my hawks, and have no fear of lead poisoning. I'd like a fluted barrel, or twisted barrel, but can't seem to find them anywhere.

Thanks!!!

If you want to go BIG - 416 JDJ or 475 JDJ!

I previously had a S&W .460 that I hunted elk with in Colorado. Just to much gun for what I have to hunt here in Texas now. But I certainly will be getting that .460 again at some point when I leave this hotter than hades state. It was my first big bore, and I wish I had never sold it. Had pure confidence in hitting anything out to 200 yards with it.

Anyway...

My main question / concern is how big a caliber this G2 frame will handle comfortably. I don't want to over do it. Is the .44 that came with it as large as I should go on this frame?

I'd look at the JDJ cartridges, you should still be able to find a factory 375JDJ and that will take down anything anywhere. I know alot of guys like the 338JDJ and I had a 309, all are excellent performers with alot of thump.

What is JDJ?

If your not familiar with J.D. Jones' rounds look at http://www.sskindustries.com

If the 45/70 Gov't isn't enough bang, I don't know what is. Millions of buffalo found out the hard way. Congrats on the new pistola.

I agree that's a lot of bang... but my question is concerning how much is to much on a G2 frame? Or are you guys telling me the G2 can handle them all??

Raptor,

I just picked up my first contender, and it came with a factory T/C 14", 22lr (match) barrel. This barrel is scary accurate, consistantly shooting 5/8", 5 shot groups @ 50 yrds, using cheap (by todays standards) Remington, 555 bulk pack 36gr HP. That should be suitable for squirrel head shots.

Adam

NO NOT ALL!

Are you wanting to over-stretch the safe limit? If not, then go by the SSK website's offerings, as stated previously. JD Jones ie. SSK (for those un-initiated) has done the research and knows the safe limits for the Contender and builds high quality, accurate and safe barrels (that are also available with the SSK Arrestor Brake) when used with his load recomendations.

The G2 is much stronger than the old frames and unless you overload your handloads you'll be fine on any factory available or custom cartridge. The JDJ line is based on 444 marlin brass and I had two factory TC 375 JDJ barrels and both would shoot MOA with a 260gr Nosler Accubond at 2100fps and that load would work on anything in North America. I guess a good question would be what are you going to be hunting primarily and then we could advise you better on the best performing cartridge and load for your gun. To me the 375 JDJ is the most versatile, you can if you want load it with 220gr Hornady's and have a great deer and black bear load or load up 300gr solids and go take the big 5 (7) if you include hippo and crocs. I personally liked the 260 Accubond though as it has excellent ballistic performance and weight retention close to the partition because of the bonded core. However if you don't reload then something like the 45-70 for shorter range big stuff or the 30-30 for a little bit longer shots at deer sized animals. Your definitely limited in performance by most factory calibers so if you don't load you need to start and then you can get into stuff like the 30-30AI and 7-30 Waters which is my personal favorite for deer sized critters out to a couple hundred yards, but you'll still be happier with the JDJ cartridges. Gary Reeder also has a line of cartridges for the contender based on the 405 Winchester case but JD has been doing it longer and knows the T/C stuff better than T/C themselves. Sorry for the long winded reply but I wanted to cover as much for you as possible.

Thanks guys for all the info. And no, I DO NOT want to stretch the safe limits by any means. That is why I am wanting to find out, what, exactly, is the safe limit for the G2 frame. Wapitirod may have given me the answer I needed here. Does this mean it can handle the .460 and be SAFE?

Although most of the info you guys are giving me is great as far as reloading and caliber/game comparisons, I am still needing to know the answer to my original question, so let me rephrase it and put it this way...

If using factory ammo, what calliber is the largest one that the G2 will handle safely? Thank you Wapiti for your answer, are there others who would agree with his statement?

I am going to be hunting deer with this new toy, but I already known I will be using the .44 mag barrel that came with it for that. So I'm just curious as to what the G2 frame can safely handle. I love the big bores, and would love to get some for this frame, but NOT if it wasn't built for it.

Thanks for all the great info though, but I think I may have wrongly conveyed what my question is?!

Thanks again!

460? NO!

With factory ammo, the 45/70 is about as large as you can go. There is also factory ammo available for the 375 JDJ. The 375 Winchester is no slouch either.

the 460 is strictly a encore cartridge, in general you will see most contender cartridges operate under 40000 psi whereas the encore will go in excess of 60000psi. JD has done alot of pressure testing on his cartridges and they were designed to be safe in the original contender frames. I may be wrong but I believe they discontinued 375jdj factory ammo and possibly the barrels too but even if they did I am sure you can still find one either at Natchez or Midway. Unfortunately alot of places are discontinuing carrying tc barrels. If the rumours are true it may get to the point that your only option will be custom barrels.

Bullberry barrels!! If you want a top notch accurate anything
(except the JDJ line of rounds) for your new Contender go with Bullberry. The factory offering in a match barrel is a very good barrel also if you can find someone that has one in stock. Congratz on your new Contender and have fun with it!

Actually if i remember correctly bullberry can chamber some of the jdj rounds. The are called by a different name though such as the 375x444, 358x444, etc. RCBS has the 375x444 dies as a regular production item.

The 375 JDJ is all the gun you want in a G-2 frame.

"No the G-2 can't handle them all" The G-2 is no where near the strength of a Encore frame. Bottle neck cartridges that exceed 45,000 psi can't be shot in a G-2 frame. Some staight walls like the 357 Maximum or 375 Winchester can.

I agree with the boys here. If you want a can of woop ass then get in touch with JD Jones at SSK industries.

I just purchased a 12" Bullberry barrel in 22 LR Match & attached a Burris 1.5x-4x w/posi-lock feature . My intent was to shoot only sub-sonic ammo.

After trying all the different brands of sub-sonic ammo, the barrel prefers CCI subsonics and will do under 3/8 inch at 50 yards. I like the CCI because the bullet has a forward band than engraves in the rifling.

Squirrels won't stand a chance this fall.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!! NOW I have the info I was looking for!!! I knew you guys on here had what I needed. I will stay away from the .460 on the G2, and besides, that means I get to go buy another gun in order to shoot my remaining .460 ammo that I still have from when I sold my first .460!!! :-)

Also, thanks for the "limit of 40000 PSI" info for the G2. I will certainly be keeping that in mind when looking at different barrels. But, at least for now, the 45/70 is the only other barrel I will look at getting after I find me a nice .22LR for some squirrel thumpin!

Thanks again everyone!!! GREAT info!

As long as you buy factory barrels or aftermarket barrels chambered by reputable companies, you shouldn't have any problems. TC only builds factory barrels in safe calibers, & reputable aftermarket companies do the same. They wouldn't chamber a standard Contender or G2 (barrels enterchange) for 460 S&W except in an Encore barrel, & the Encore barrel won't fit the original Contender or G2 frames.
There are some "gunsmith" rechambers out there of questionable safety.

This link will show some of the available cartridges that are safe in the G2. There is also a list to find Encore cartridges. There are others like JD's. Education in these help.
http://www.bullberry.com/TCbarrels.html