I just love contenders! ❤️ i saw that beautiful peace for the thumb nail for this video and just had to watch it. Thank you for that. That contender just about looks like mine did. Had it for 23 years till my cousin got a hold of it. Then ran a bunch of Garrett Cartridges through it. A big boomer with a 500 grain copper clad steel jacketed solid bullet with a velocity of 1,550 fps. And 2 576 grain rounds, and that was the end of her. She never shot right again. I miss that old gun. Anyways, great peace! Good memories, And thanks for the show.
I enjoy them as well! Most of my 45-70 shooting is pretty light - cast loads that are 45 Colt level. I ran that setup quite a bit in Big Bore silhouette last year. Thanks for the note. 🙂
Congratulations! You have one of the finest handguns ever made. I have had mine for 30 years. I have several barrels & I do not intend to part with it. Guns may come & guns may go, but the Contender stays.
@@brucemitchell4581 Thanks! I run it pretty light - I’m sure it would get my attention if I loaded to its potential. I get a fair amount of critical comments regarding my respect for the recoil - I doubt that those commenters have completed an IHMSA Big Bore Silhouette 40 shot course of fire with a 45-70! 🤭
You did a great job managing the recoil. Very beautiful looking gun. That will be around for generations with the materials used in its assembly. Here is an interesting side note regarding New York gun laws as of Sept. They state that any ammunition that is fired through a gun requiring a pistol permit needs to have a background check now. In that with the Contender being chambered in every caliber known to man they basically now require all ammo to be background checked. I don't think they realized that but did it anyway. Ready, shoot, aim. Contrary to said legislation, you have great form. My offhand shooting seems to be getting where I have more less accurate days but still have fun on the steel. Nice shooting range ! Toad out.
Thanks for the kind words, Toad! There has been talk in Michigan about eliminating pistol registration at the state level. Since everything gets the NICS check, and it appears that the trend is toward that data and 4473 forms being used to create a registry, it’s a waste of money for the state to invest in a duplicate registry.
When I first saw the gun, I was expecting to see some "Creedmore Shooting Position" action, for some odd reason. Do people still shoot like that these days? It was really popular in the 80's with Thompson Contender pistols.
When you do crank it up ??? Pachmyer use to make a soft rubber grips and a forearm for the contender... Ok then you know exactly what I'm talking about... That round has some pretty crazy potential !!! Just throw out the loading manual an watch cases for the pressure signs !!!
@WilliamCollins-sh6lm The Condender frame shown in the video now has a Pachmayr forend and grip installed. Currently, it has a 10” 300 Whisper barrel. 🙂
I believe you my friend I shot a Rugar falling block with 405 grain flat nose once many years ago, and couldn’t hand it over to the owner fast enough. Had a headache for the rest of the day. Might as well let a horse kick me straight in the face!
I’ve had a lot of fun with it, Kevin! It’s been to a couple silhouette shoots since I purchased it. It’s a riot in the big bore production class! I use a reduced load with a 300 grain cast bullet and a light charge of Bullseye. The velocity is around 1,000 FPS. The 200 yard rams make a satisfying clank! 🙂
Thanks, Gunsnwater! Since that video, the .45-70 has appeared at several monthly Silhouette shoots in Michigan. I ran it downloaded with cast bullets - it was really a hoot on the 200 yard rams! Our first shoot is in just a few weeks...I'm getting things ready.
Nicely done! Great recoil control. Like you, all my t/c's are blued, but I shoot all my calibers through 14" barrels except my .22 lr which is a super 16. Lately my arthritis is getting the better of me so I have been shooting off the bench with the bigger loads....:-)
Super cool, Paul! I ran 10” 300 Whisper on that stainless frame in Big Bore Unlimited Freestlyle the first silhouette shoot of the year a couple weeks ago. I skipped last weekend’s lousy weather and worked on rifles! 🤭
That thing is capable of of far more accuracy than most people are capable of getting !!! The smaller rubber grips make accurate single handed shots possible... If it's only a 44 mag and not a magnum 12 gauge sized Recoil... There's plenty of room for better igniting/burning powder ... It's a shame no one makes high ballistic coefficient 45 caliber bullets !!! With the accuracy of that gun , good bullets and hot clean burning powder also perhaps hot primers ... It would be a System !!!
That’s why I shoot a 14” muzzle-tamer barrel in .44 magnum. It’s loud, but hardly any unspent powder. I love my Contender 1, it’s stainless too with black grips and a 4x scope.
I've been shooting this one with 275 and 300 grain cast bullets with light charges of Bullseye at about 960 fps - it has been doing incredibly well on the silhouettes out to 200 yards. It's a total hoot! Thanks for the note.
Try using the forend for your support hand. Pull the gun back into the firing hand, which should be pushing into the support hand. That's a lot of weight to be holding by the grip alone. Barrel length is measured from breach face to the end of the permanent end of the barrel. This includes any permanently attached muzzle brake. T/C listed them as 12". Be careful trying to load them up. There is a lot of bolt thrust on that big headed cartridge. You can stretch the frame.
@WilliamCChapin , I was thinking, your low shots could be due to the hammer's momentum. With a rear hold and the weight biased forward even a perfect sight picture would be forced lower as the hammer fell. Just a thought if everything zeros off of the bench.
You can use an old fashioned trick if you want to use a cleaner/faster burning powder that takes up less volume, or to help ensure you get a more even burn when you loads leave a bit of empty space causing an uneven ignition. Use an old worn-out case and sharpen the rim. Use this to cut tissue circles with. Pour the powder into your cases and tap them to settle the powder. Use a wood dowel to carefully place the tissue circle over the powder. Then fill the remaining volume with cream of wheat. The tissue/wheat keeps the powder up against the primer face and ensures an even burn. CAUTION: You really have to start using the minimum listed load and slowly work your way up using this method because the cream of wheat does take up the air void and thus the combustion pressure is higher since there is no air to compress.
I haven’t tried wads or fiber fillers in 45-70. I mostly shoot reduced cast bullet loads in both the Contender and 1885 High Wall. Both Bullseye and Red Dot have been working well. Thanks for the note. 🙂
Oh wow! I ended up with almost the exact load for my 12" encore! Only real difference is I use paper patched bullets! I made my own cross-draw holster for it.
@WilliamCChapin i don't own a chrono so it's good to know the ballpark of my rounds. I've made a custom grip for mine as well. It knocks deer over consistently.
I mostly run quite downloaded cast bullets for silhouette - around 300 grains subsonic - like a warm 45 Colt load. It’s a riot on the 200 yard rams. Thanks for the note!
Thanks. The holes on mine are angled slightly rearwards. The gasses are definitely exiting the holes, as the orange flash is visible in bright sunlight.
Awsome 45-70 pistole that thing got power be awsome gun to take out hunting for deer or pig. Talk to cw or @BigE for 45-70 info. Wonder how do with some ftx 325 or 300 gr loads
Groo here Put the first two fingers of the support hand OVER the trigger guard not under.[only did that once] also ALWAYS when shooting "Hand canyons" use Pach's. Factory 300 gr's will make you a believer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Since that video, I've fired several Big Bore Silhouette matches with that barrel and frame. It's a ton of fun with 300 grain cast at 45 Colt velocity. Thanks for the note! 🙂
Yes, quite similar. I often shoot it at 45 Colt performance levels in Big Bore Production Silhouette. It’s quite effective on the 200 yard rams when I hold the correct windage. 🙂
I’ve put a couple hundred rounds through that barrel shooting Big Bore Production Silhouette since the time of that video. It’s a total riot on the 200 meter rams with reduced cast bullet loads. Thanks for the note. 🙂
@@randyjohnson6845 It’s a riot in Production class with reduced cast bullet loads. Even at around 900 FPS, a 300 grain bullet takes the 200 meter rams with a satisfying clang on the steel.
Total waist of time
I think *waste* is the word. Thanks for watching. 🙂
@@WilliamCChapin Thanks for sharing your passion and joy of shooting. I really appreciate your vids and just subbed.
You’re welcome! Thanks for the note, it’s very thoughtful. 👍
I just love contenders! ❤️ i saw that beautiful peace for the thumb nail for this video and just had to watch it. Thank you for that. That contender just about looks like mine did. Had it for 23 years till my cousin got a hold of it. Then ran a bunch of Garrett Cartridges through it. A big boomer with a 500 grain copper clad steel jacketed solid bullet with a velocity of 1,550 fps. And 2 576 grain rounds, and that was the end of her. She never shot right again. I miss that old gun. Anyways, great peace! Good memories, And thanks for the show.
I enjoy them as well! Most of my 45-70 shooting is pretty light - cast loads that are 45 Colt level. I ran that setup quite a bit in Big Bore silhouette last year. Thanks for the note. 🙂
TC is back!!🎉🎉
@@bigracer3867 I’ve been watching the hype videos and such from T/C…we’ll see what direction they actually take. 🙂
Congratulations!
You have one of the finest handguns ever made.
I have had mine for 30 years.
I have several barrels & I do not intend to part with it.
Guns may come & guns may go, but the Contender stays.
I like Contenders too… 🙂 Thanks for watching!
Really fine vid Sir. GBU
Thanks!
Well my friend it’s a beast!
lol
Great video that’s a lot of iron no matter how you hold it !
Thanks for sharing! 👍
@@brucemitchell4581 Thanks! I run it pretty light - I’m sure it would get my attention if I loaded to its potential. I get a fair amount of critical comments regarding my respect for the recoil - I doubt that those commenters have completed an IHMSA Big Bore Silhouette 40 shot course of fire with a 45-70! 🤭
You did a great job managing the recoil. Very beautiful looking gun. That will be around for generations with the materials used in its assembly. Here is an interesting side note regarding New York gun laws as of Sept. They state that any ammunition that is fired through a gun requiring a pistol permit needs to have a background check now. In that with the Contender being chambered in every caliber known to man they basically now require all ammo to be background checked. I don't think they realized that but did it anyway. Ready, shoot, aim. Contrary to said legislation, you have great form. My offhand shooting seems to be getting where I have more less accurate days but still have fun on the steel. Nice shooting range ! Toad out.
Thanks for the kind words, Toad! There has been talk in Michigan about eliminating pistol registration at the state level. Since everything gets the NICS check, and it appears that the trend is toward that data and 4473 forms being used to create a registry, it’s a waste of money for the state to invest in a duplicate registry.
Very Nice! A beautiful example of the TC pistol. Thats one big ole Boolit! Congrats on such a fine firearm.
@@PatriotPaulUSA Thanks! I enjoy Contenders a lot. 🙂
When I first saw the gun, I was expecting to see some "Creedmore Shooting Position" action, for some odd reason. Do people still shoot like that these days? It was really popular in the 80's with Thompson Contender pistols.
Yes, Creedmoor, dead frog, etc…I’ve participated at 8 silhouette shoots this year, and there are more freestyle shooters than standing shooters.
Nice my dad had a 22"and a 10" Butler Creek barrels. It was fun to shoot. He also had 4 frames
I enjoy shooting them! Thanks for watching.
When you do crank it up ???
Pachmyer use to make a soft rubber grips and a forearm for the contender...
Ok then you know exactly what I'm talking about...
That round has some pretty crazy potential !!!
Just throw out the loading manual an watch cases for the pressure signs !!!
@WilliamCollins-sh6lm The Condender frame shown in the video now has a Pachmayr forend and grip installed. Currently, it has a 10” 300 Whisper barrel. 🙂
I believe you my friend I shot a Rugar falling block with 405 grain flat nose once many years ago, and couldn’t hand it over to the owner fast enough. Had a headache for the rest of the day. Might as well let a horse kick me straight in the face!
If I ever come across a pistol identical to this one it will be mine. Very nice.
I’ve had a lot of fun with it, Kevin! It’s been to a couple silhouette shoots since I purchased it. It’s a riot in the big bore production class! I use a reduced load with a 300 grain cast bullet and a light charge of Bullseye. The velocity is around 1,000 FPS. The 200 yard rams make a satisfying clank! 🙂
6months later I see this video. Contender and encore rock. Nice shooting off your feet.
Thanks, Gunsnwater! Since that video, the .45-70 has appeared at several monthly Silhouette shoots in Michigan. I ran it downloaded with cast bullets - it was really a hoot on the 200 yard rams! Our first shoot is in just a few weeks...I'm getting things ready.
@@WilliamCChapin You are a hoot! Good job.
Mornin Curtis. That cat bird aint hearin it!
Nice lite load! (I shot a ton @ 28g)
Good morning Brian! I’m looking forward to trying different kinds of bullets.
@@WilliamCChapin CONGRATULATIONS BTW!!
@@cw2a Thanks, CW! I was surprised to have my number drawn! I had a lot of fun bantering with everyone during the live chat and drawing.
Nicely done! Great recoil control. Like you, all my t/c's are blued, but I shoot all my calibers through 14" barrels except my .22 lr which is a super 16. Lately my arthritis is getting the better of me so I have been shooting off the bench with the bigger loads....:-)
Super cool, Paul! I ran 10” 300 Whisper on that stainless frame in Big Bore Unlimited Freestlyle the first silhouette shoot of the year a couple weeks ago. I skipped last weekend’s lousy weather and worked on rifles! 🤭
That thing is capable of of far more accuracy than most people are capable of getting !!!
The smaller rubber grips make accurate single handed shots possible...
If it's only a 44 mag and not a magnum 12 gauge sized Recoil...
There's plenty of room for better igniting/burning powder ...
It's a shame no one makes high ballistic coefficient 45 caliber bullets !!!
With the accuracy of that gun , good bullets and hot clean burning powder also perhaps hot primers ...
It would be a System !!!
@@WilliamCollins-sh6lm I’ve run it out to 200 Meters on the Rams - it gives a gratifying “clank” on the target.
That’s why I shoot a 14” muzzle-tamer barrel in .44 magnum. It’s loud, but hardly any unspent powder. I love my Contender 1, it’s stainless too with black grips and a 4x scope.
I've been shooting this one with 275 and 300 grain cast bullets with light charges of Bullseye at about 960 fps - it has been doing incredibly well on the silhouettes out to 200 yards. It's a total hoot! Thanks for the note.
I shot a 12” gong at 300 yards at the TVA club range when they honored our lease. About 2 1/2’- 3’ of holdover
Acts like he scared to death to pull the trigger
Try using the forend for your support hand. Pull the gun back into the firing hand, which should be pushing into the support hand. That's a lot of weight to be holding by the grip alone. Barrel length is measured from breach face to the end of the permanent end of the barrel. This includes any permanently attached muzzle brake. T/C listed them as 12". Be careful trying to load them up. There is a lot of bolt thrust on that big headed cartridge. You can stretch the frame.
I typically run this 45/70 barrel quite downloaded in a dead frog freestyle position. It’s a riot on the 200 yard IHMSA rams! Thanks for the note.
@@WilliamCChapin, I wish we still had some IHMSA matches in this area. It was a lot of fun! Enjoy that Contender! It's a beauty! Good shooting!
@WilliamCChapin , I was thinking, your low shots could be due to the hammer's momentum. With a rear hold and the weight biased forward even a perfect sight picture would be forced lower as the hammer fell. Just a thought if everything zeros off of the bench.
@@tkalus5736 That particular frame has a very light trigger, and I’m sure my trigger discipline wasn’t up to par! 🙂
You can use an old fashioned trick if you want to use a cleaner/faster burning powder that takes up less volume, or to help ensure you get a more even burn when you loads leave a bit of empty space causing an uneven ignition. Use an old worn-out case and sharpen the rim. Use this to cut tissue circles with. Pour the powder into your cases and tap them to settle the powder. Use a wood dowel to carefully place the tissue circle over the powder. Then fill the remaining volume with cream of wheat. The tissue/wheat keeps the powder up against the primer face and ensures an even burn.
CAUTION: You really have to start using the minimum listed load and slowly work your way up using this method because the cream of wheat does take up the air void and thus the combustion pressure is higher since there is no air to compress.
I haven’t tried wads or fiber fillers in 45-70. I mostly shoot reduced cast bullet loads in both the Contender and 1885 High Wall. Both Bullseye and Red Dot have been working well. Thanks for the note. 🙂
Oh wow! I ended up with almost the exact load for my 12" encore! Only real difference is I use paper patched bullets! I made my own cross-draw holster for it.
Very cool! I have also used reduced cast bullet loads for Big Bore Silhouette.
@WilliamCChapin i don't own a chrono so it's good to know the ballpark of my rounds. I've made a custom grip for mine as well. It knocks deer over consistently.
Very nice looking unloader
Thanks, Andy!
I can see that would be a knuckle buster for my paws .
There's really only room for one hand if a person is normal size!
I have a 15" 45-70 encore barrel w/o muzzle brake,if you want some fun try underwood 305gr+p ammo. That will make question your life choices.
I mostly run quite downloaded cast bullets for silhouette - around 300 grains subsonic - like a warm 45 Colt load. It’s a riot on the 200 yard rams. Thanks for the note!
Never seen a guy act like this guy does,he is either afraid of the gun or he is just plain weird.
Maybe even both.
@@WilliamCChapin he’s not flinching that I can see he’s just totally afraid of it, which is no need to be after all it is ported and compensated
@@genelyda1102 I'll go with the observation that I'm "just plain weird." 🙂
I am thinking both!
You may be right. 🙂
That barrel appears to be considerably longer than 10".
12” from the breech to the longest part of the brake, the barrel portion is 10 1/2” from the breech to the muzzle.
I thought you had to run .45-70 on the Encore frame?
@@joeymurphy5617 It was a popular chambering in Contenders.
Of the 3 ranges of 45-70 if you stick to the low pressure rounds the Contender will handle it just fine…
I think for hotter cartridges that Trigger Guard is a poor design for the amount of Recoil that cartridge is capable of producing...
From time to time, I tend to relax and loosen my grip a bit. 🙂
OMG. Shoot the gun already.
Thanks for watching. 🙂
Do you or your friend, Charlie, know anything about the muzzle brake?
I have one on a 14" barrel and found no info online.
I believe that it shipped from Thompson/Center with the brake. I think it is a standard configuration.
Thanks.
The holes on mine are angled slightly rearwards. The gasses are definitely exiting the holes, as the orange flash is visible in bright sunlight.
Magna Port will port a barrel. Don't know the cost though.
@@kenore4003 I have a couple of my Father’s Contender barrels that were done there.
5744 is good powder to make light loads but it is too dirty and can affect accuracy try hercules 2400 much cleaner
There’s so many options in 45-70!
No offense but you seem somewhat jittery and hesitant handling that thing?
No offense taken. Thanks for sharing your observation. 🙂
@@WilliamCChapin Just concerned :) Stay safe
Awsome 45-70 pistole that thing got power be awsome gun to take out hunting for deer or pig. Talk to cw or @BigE for 45-70 info. Wonder how do with some ftx 325 or 300 gr loads
CW has chimed in a little bit. If he offers “high performance” data for big bullets, I’ll have him shoot the heavy stuff! Thanks for the note.
@@WilliamCChapin bigE is mr. Contender he has lot of diffrent option . And got new barrels on way
@@jamespugh He’s Mr. Encore…higher pressure than Contenders!
You should see all the unburnt powder in my 24” with black powder!
And yeah all mine are Encores!!!!!
@@ewetho Just Contenders here, and only one barrel over 14”.
Very strange guy, what is he so worried about.?
@@tonyreina432 Yep…I’m pretty strange - but no worries. Thanks for watching. 🥸
Groo here Put the first two fingers of the support hand OVER the trigger guard not under.[only did that once]
also ALWAYS when shooting "Hand canyons" use Pach's.
Factory 300 gr's will make you a believer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Since that video, I've fired several Big Bore Silhouette matches with that barrel and frame. It's a ton of fun with 300 grain cast at 45 Colt velocity. Thanks for the note! 🙂
Damn dude you should keep your finger off that bang switch until you're ready to shoot. Bad bad habit you got there.
@@Matthew-wn8oq Thanks for watching. 👍
Track of the wolf sells them but yeah make one
That’s the plan for now, I’m scrounging around to see what round stock I have kicking around!
That speed is comparable to a .44 Mag load.
Yes, quite similar. I often shoot it at 45 Colt performance levels in Big Bore Production Silhouette. It’s quite effective on the 200 yard rams when I hold the correct windage. 🙂
It took u forever
I’ve put a couple hundred rounds through that barrel shooting Big Bore Production Silhouette since the time of that video. It’s a total riot on the 200 meter rams with reduced cast bullet loads. Thanks for the note. 🙂
@@WilliamCChapin Np
this guy looks like he is absolutely terrified about recoil
@@terrykyte1845 I gave it plenty of respect. Thanks for watching.
ABSOLUTELY
@@michealfigueroa6325 In CAPS no less! Thanks. 🙂
Need a scope..at least a Leopold 2x
@@randyjohnson6845 It’s a riot in Production class with reduced cast bullet loads. Even at around 900 FPS, a 300 grain bullet takes the 200 meter rams with a satisfying clang on the steel.
Consequences!
@@youngmasterzhi It has the potential to be a hard hitter.
Your scared of that gun.
It’s worthy of respect.