There are several chamberings that I’ve considered to be classics to the platform that just speak and make you think Thompson Center, primarily Contender. Cartridges that didn’t necessarily have success anywhere else but in TCs, or perhaps their most popularity was in a TC.
Some I think of are the 357 Max, the TC/U’s, 7/30 Waters, 30/30 AI, 375 JDJ, among others. Are there some you guys feel the same way about?
For me, it would be the 6.5mm JDJ. While the Contender was already popular, the introduction of the 6.5 JDJ -- and to a lesser degree the .375 JDJ -- helped put the Contender format into the limelight, so to speak. It may not be an original factory chambering, but the words "6.5 JDJ" and "Contender" go hand--in-hand like peanut butter and jelly ha ha. Even with the lack of new .225 brass, the 6.5 mm JDJ remains one of the most coveted Contender chamberings.
unfortunatly i seem to like about all of them, i think.
but, if i had to pick a few, it'd be:
short range plinking & general fun: .32mag, or maybe 32/20
deer, within a hundred yards or so: .41mag, or .357max
deer at a bit farther out: 7x30, 30-30, and some sort of 6.5, like the 6.5x30-30ackley, 6.5jdj, 6.5bullberry imp, etc
thumpers for either bigger critters, or hunting in thick cover, etc: 45/70, .338jdj, .375jdj
Then there’s the Herrets
Essential……every single one i own im thinkin.
a rimfire, whether 22lr match or one of the 17s
a good 223 or maybe another 22 centerfire,just to have if for no other reason.
a nice shooting small 6mm, such as 6x45, 6x47, or 6tcu. Excellent target rounds or for varmint/predator hunting.
30-30Ai for all purpose hunting. A 7-30 may be ok here if thats your pick.
357 maximum and 35 remington are great choices for hunting also. I think i could pull off an elk with the 35rem if i wanted/needed to.
i think thats a basic contender nut jobs essential list. I could easily add more that are or would be nice to have. 6.5tcu or jdj, 358jdj, tbe herretts, 300 whisper, 44mag, 45-70…….257 tcu would be really cool. Theres never enough!
Essential (for me):
First qualifier is that I gave up hunting long ago. Mostly I just shoot at paper and an occasional IHMSA target.
357 Mag. Nothing fancy here. It is just that I really like having a gun that will eat anything (such as loads that other guns do not like) I feed it and give me some good target practice.
10" 7 TCU. This one fits into the same performance category as my 30 Herrett, but has a edge in brass availability (large batches are real plus for IHMSA use). I also can load it to the point of damaging brass with no worry about frame stretch.
32 something. With my current use, I want a 22 LR equivalent I can feed with small cast bullets over a dinky charge of powder ignited by reloaded primers. I am currently using a 8" stub tube 30 ACP rimmed for this function.
Definately need a rimfire.
A .44 Mag - but I'd give a pass on the 10" octagonal - too muzzle light!
Be sure to pick up a carbine barrel and stock. A tiny .223 carbine is one of my favorite any-bang-sticks and is my "tractor gun" when I shag firewood.
My wife is a huge fan of the .45 Colt/.410 shotgun vent ribbed. Hey, if it gets her shooting I'm all for it.
"They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance." Last words of Gen. Sedgwik
My barrels kind of run the gamut i.e. 357 max, 7/30 Waters and 45-70.Originally Posted by BT
This discussion came up many times over the years on the SP forum and every time I found myself coming up with the same answer:
Most useful and essential are 223 and 44 Mag in Super 14 and 30-30 AI in a carbine.
Next tier would be a 6.5 or 257 Bullberry or JDJ chambering in a carbine, 357 Mag in a 10" and a 223 based wildcat in 14".
The 6.8 SPC has eased into the collection and has become a favorite but I wouldn't consider it a first choice over some of the others.
Since my hands won't handle much pistol recoil these days, I've gravitated to more carbine set-ups. That means that 223 is about the only handgun I shoot these days but 44 mag is still in the mix as a great carbine chambering. I've never seen rimfire rounds as particularly essential in Contender given the abundance of relatively cheap and accurate bolt and semi-auto rifles.
7/30 waters and 357 max Have probably Been chambered in the contender more than in any other gun. I believe the contender kept these 2 calibers Going long after what would have been their expiration date. Both must haves!
Herrett and JDJ, polar opposites! Herrett is super efficient, barely usable velocities, but still great rounds. JDJ MAX velocity, pressure and bullet size!
In the last year Im just getting back into the single shots after many years away. I think the list of "Essential" cartridges is going to vary on where you live & what you hunt.
I live & hunt in Alaska
Right now I have a 15" Encore in 308.
In Contenders I have 10" 22WMR, 14" 6.5 JDJ, 14" 375 JDJ, & 14" 45-70. That pile really covers all the animals I might hunt. 14" 22LR barrel might be a good choice just for cheap shooting and to duplicate the feel of the heavier hunting barrels.
At some point I may trade the 308 Encore for 30-30AI or 308JDJ Contender.
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