Is there a source for Contender(G2) barrels that are already ported? I know you can send a barrel to companies that will port them or add a muzzle brake, but is there one that sells them already ported?

Match Grade Machine for custom barrels.

E. Author Brown Co. (EABCO) for factory ported barrels.

Not all factory barrels are/we?re ported.

Custom is about the only way to get any chambering you want ported.

Thanks Zee. I think I should just pay you and Ernie to give me a class on SP's. So many questions.

We all had to learn somewhere.

Zee does need money for his nails, facials, and hair styling...

Just a word of advice: if you're thinking of buying a new T/C barrel, go with MGM and get one built to your exact specifications. It may end up costing you a bit more, especially if you get a muzzlebrake, but the end result is well worth it.

Bullberry, MGM, and SSK are excellent sources to get the barrel made to order

I REALLY LIKE THE MAG-NA-PORT QUAD PORT (GEORGE FAEBER STYLE), 4 BIG PORTS, IN LINE, RATHER THAN THE NORMAL 2 BIG/2 SMALL OFFSET PORTS, ON CONTENDER AND ENCORE BARRELS.

Thanks guys. That leads to my next question about caliber but it deals specifically with hunting so I guess I need to get over to the other forum.

T/C made a lot of barrels with their "muzzle tamer", muzzle brake. They called them "Hunter" barrels and were offered in quite a few chamberings. Used ones abound and are often posted for sale on Ebay or G-Bro, etc. There are couple of boards, Specialty Pistols and Greybeard Outdoors which have alot of T/C afficianados and pretty good classified ad sections. If you don't see what you want just post a WTB and see what pops up. What chambering were you looking for?

I had the 4570 hunter barrel from TC with the brake. It wasn't as effective a break as the one SKS put on my 308 barrel and it looks like it's one continuos barrel not two parts. Very effective break.

I want a barrel for antelope for a trip west next year. Since it is a contender and not an encore it seems I would need a JDJ wildcat cartridge and I am not through reading up on those but I am trying to find a cartridge that would not be too much work to form the brass. It looks like you can buy TCU 6.5 brass already formed (for a lot of $) but I don't know if that cartridge would do.

I know the big TCU's like the .375 can take big game but I don't know which, if any, are good for long range out of a contender.

The 6.5 JDJ is the best round for what you are looking for

7x30 Waters is going to be a simple fix to your problem in the Contender or G2 for antelope.
Good out to about 250 yards.

30-30 AI (or standard) with the 120gn barnes black tip TAX-TX bullet (BC=.358) in a 14" barrel. ~2400-2500 fps with RL-7. 2x bullet expansion down past 1500 fps or over 400 yards.

Love my 6.5 jdj. I've taken a ton of deer with it. Even out past 350 yards. Easy to fire form brass as well

Depending on your needs, and budget. You might want to also, look at the CVA V2 243. For the money, It's hard to beat. The biggest gripe, is the grip on it.

Well, actually I have a .243 CVA Scout V2 and I love it. I've been practicing with it out to 300 yards. I have not hunted with it but I will starting Thursday.

For some reason I didn't think of it for antelope though I would have if it had been a .243 rifle. I'm new to this and I need to spend time with ballistic charts and try to imagine what the difference will be out of a pistol. I assumed a 6.5 or 7 mm would be better but maybe the 243 would do, even out of a pistol.

I did find more drop at 300 than I expected, about 8" with a zero of 1.5" high at 100.

243 is plenty good for deer and antelope.
Rather use that 243 for antelope than the Contender cartridges

If you already have a pistol in 243 Win, use it...the 243 is perfect for Pronghorn

The biggest problem with this suggestion is: you don't get a new handgun!

Spinsail,
Save your pennies for a XP-100.
Skip the break-open action game

Skip the break-open action game
;\)

Go fly a kite ernest.....i wouldnt trade one of my TCs for two of your XPs.

🤦🏻‍♂️ 🤷🏼‍♂️ 😂

I'll trade, Barrel for barrel

OK guys, that brings up another question. I have never even seen an XP in the flesh. What is the difference besides bolt action v. break open. Are XP's more accurate?

Lots of others know way more then me, but here are a few of my observations after having recently purchased a Savage Striker from a guy on the forum here.

Break open guns are lighter and shorter in all dimensions because you don't need the bolt action/apparatus.

They can all be extremely accurate, but it probably takes more time and effort and some more specialized knowledge to tune and get proficient with a break open action as they are just different then bolt guns. You completely reset your grip, the rest and such with each shot when you reload. I picked up the striker and shot a couple ~1 inch groups at 100 yards. It takes more work and practice to do that consistently with a contender. I think a lot is that the forarm being attached to the barrel so it isn't floating. Forarm pressure on the bipod/sandbag/rest makes a big difference. I would give the bolt guns the edge on accuracy (also helps that they are heavier and tend not to move as much).

Bolt guns have a stronger action and can handle higher power loads. As strong as Encore is, there is still a limit to what can be chambered in them. You don't see a lot of folks shooting 1000 yards with contenders.

In the end, they all go bang when you pull the trigger and work well for different hunting styles. It will be interesting to read other's comments here. This isn't discussed as much here as the revolver/straight wall cartridge vs single shot/rifle cartridge discussion.

Break Opens are more flexible...pun intended

For general hunting, the accuracy with most handguns (Generally speaking) is beyond or as good as most hunters need.
Want is a whole different matter.
XP's are typically more accurate, or at least can be for a variety of reasons: Stronger action, you can free float the barrel, faster locktime, better balance (With center-grips), better triggers.
For varminting or sustained shooting you do not have to disturb the whole handgun off of your rest to relaod like you do with a break open.

Break-opens will be less expensive. Break-opens like the TC's have interchangeable barrels. You can do switch barrels on bolt rigs, but it is not as easy. TC's can be more compact and lighter weight than a XP.

Each has their strengths and weaknesses.
Nothing wrong whether you prefer one type over the other, like both or dislike both.
You will not see break-open actions (Rifle or handgun) in high accuracy games, whether short range BR (100, 200, and 300 yards), 600/1000 yard BR, F-Class, Tactical matches, etc...
It would not be fair to expect them to perform at that level...they were not designed for that.
A bolt rig will not be as finicky as a break open is, especially in terms of pressure and sticky extraction.

......and i like both. 😉

I have an xp im going to rebuild into a semi expensive target gun lol. Hunting....ill take a break action please.

Sorry if i derailed your thread. Its ernies fault. 😛😉

It's always my fault

I am sensing a need to sell off some long guns.

With an XP you can have it chambered in about anything.
Well, not a Chey-Tac or 50 BMG.....

I have owned Contenders for a very long time, and like them well.
I have started playing with the CVA Scout, and like it very well also.

I have been thinking over a Bolt Gun for a while now. One thing I would do is set it up to easily change barrels at home. Adding more barrels would then be very doable.

Bob