I just picked up a new (to me) barrel in .223 for my contender. It's a Super 14" with the factory comp on the end of the barrel. Anyone have any experience with the .223 in the Contender? What's the best weight bullet to load for this and should I follow the standard rifle load data? Any help would be appreciated.

If you want to do long range shooting it is best to use a plastic tipped bullet, such as a Ballistic Tip. There is data tailored to/tested in the pistol length barrel in most manuals and on-line load data sites. Take into account you are losing 1-1.5" barrel with the compensator, so don't be suprised if your chrono is telling you the velocity is a little slow. I like to shoot 40-55gr bullets in mine, but for vermin I go as light and fast as I can get to shoot well which means a good dose of Hodgdon Varget behind a 40gr Nosler BT. The data I use for the load is on www.hodgdon.com under the pistol data. Remember it's a rifle cartridge, so rifle primers are the rule here(non magnum) even though you are firing from a handgun. I've also had good luck with the Speer TNT 50gr also, but it doesn't shoot as flat.

One of the best rounds for the TC in my opinion. Have fun with it. The Burris 3-12 handgun scope with the Ballistic Plex is a great scope for this barrel if you want to shoot long range.

I can't think of a firearm that has surprised me more than my .223 Contender. The Sierra 52 gr. HPBT Match bullet (no. 1410) coupled with 24.1 gr. of H322 frequently gives me .5 MOA or better. The 24.1 is slightly above Hodgdon's recommended max. so please be careful to work you way up. The only "special" attention I give to the reloading is I use Norma brass, which is much more expensive than standard Winchester brass (approx. $54 vs. $14). My roll-out guage indicated the majority of the Winchester brass was above the recommended roll-out while the Norma is all within the recommendation. Plus the Norma has a drilled primer hole instead of a punched hole that frequently has burrs, which of course you can correct. My Redding Competition Dies don't bring the Winchester brass roll-out into spec. so I spend the extra money. I do spend the time to trim the necks to assure consistent thickness. But the results of these costs/efforts has paid real dividends versus the cheaper brass results.

Dan

Thanks Guys for the responses. I'm really looking forward to giving her a test run. I'm having alittle issue with the lock up of the new barrel. Everything looks perfect but...can't get the release to open the action on the new barrel. Taking it over to a gunsmith later today and have him look at it. Hoping it's me and not something worse. T/C told me that the Encore barrels will lock an action up, but they also said they'd have to be sent back to get them released. I just knock the pin out and remove the barrel, so I hope that's not my case.

I own the contender with many barrels. I have a 14" .223 with 2-6 bushnell scope and an 10" with factory sights. The shorter barrel is a lot of fun to shoot. It makes a nice little fireball at the muzzle end and no recoil. The 14 hunter barrel (with comp) is louder than the shorter barrel and I have sighted it in at 100 yards. Shooting handguns long range takes talent. It takes a very consistent grip and practice. The gun is accurate. 100 yards with a handgun is getting harder for me to shoot tight groups. Last time I tried with the .223 contender at 100 yards, my group looked like a hot dog hanging from the target. I blame that on my grip. I'll try again sometime.

any bullet from 45-62 gr. is what I have found to run really good in my 12" custom shop.

100-150 yard accuracy with my barrel is varmint capable...1-1.5 moa with some of my handloads and 2-2.5 moa with WWB 45gr hp's all at 100...no muzzle flip and no recoil, but Lord the blast and concussion! You definately let people know your shooting somthing there. :)

As far as good accuracy goes, you will need to get a good rest...sandbags are okay, but I invested in a Caldwell "The Rock" shooting rest and a few Caldwell bags..you can use it for your pistol and rifle shooting...very good piece of equipment.

As far as powder goes, I would stick with Varget, WW-748, H-335 and BL-C2...those I have found to have good accuracy...Nosler makes a Ballistic tip boat tail that I just LOVE to shoot, along with Sierra and Hornady...

As far as load data goes, you can either go with rifle data and deal with a rather large amount of unburnt powder fouling or get a Sierra, Hornady or Speer manual and use the pistol/SSP reloading data in the appropriate section.

This is, of course, if your a reloader. :) lol

Good luck with your addiction. :)

Thanks for all the help! With a friends help, got the barrel to function properly by swapping the spring on the 'latch pawl'. I've loaded some test loads using Varget and Sierra's 52 gr match bullet. Will try and get over this week to see how this new baby does.

i HAVE A 223 ACKLEY IMPROVED AND LOVE IT. MY BEST BARREL IS A 300/221 OR 300 WHISPER, REALLY A FUN GUN TO SHOOT. HAVE A 375 WINCHESTER THAT SHOOTS GREAT AND A 6MM BULLBERRY THAT IS A SO-SO ROUND.

I have a barrel just like it. I have yet to find anything it doesn't shoot well. I have some surplus 5.56 that doesn't shoot worth beans in my AR and splits cases in my CZ 527, but it shoots just fine in the contender.

I tried some Sierra 69gr HPBT Match bullets that grouped fine, but had too much drop, so I stick to 50 and 55gr bullets. I've used Sierra, Hornady, Midway (hogtown) and Remington bullets, all of which work quite well. I have been very impressed with the Midway bullets so far, and the danged things are CHEAP!

I use mostly H4895 since it just works (with every rifle cartridge I have...) but H4198 works just as well in the 14" contender barrel. I haven't tried anything else with .223, yet. I may try H4227 for the contender, just to see if can do better, but I have some more work to do with H4198 first.

Be sure to wear ear protection. I omitted that minor detail the first time I shot at live target with the one I (had) . My ears are still ringing.

If you are still having lock-up problems you might get on Mike Bellm's web page. It and the Specialty pistols forum have about as much useful practical info I have found on TC's.