Thompson Center

R

rustynut1

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
64   0   0
Location
Atlantic canada
I have an older Thompson Center Contender in .44 Rem Mag. I finally took this beast out to the range and it kicked like crazy, brutal in my estimation. I have a few big guns, like a .454 Freedom Arms, was shooting a Ruger SBH .44 Mag side by side this gun. The T/C has a new to me used older bbl that is a combo .44 RMag and .44 shot gun bbl. no choke installed. I know next to nothing about this bbl. I was shooting hand loaded lead rounds with a little piece between the gun powder and projectile (I can't remember the name of it air gap?). I took 3 shots with this gun and the recoil drove the newly mounted scope back 3/4 inch so I quit.

Asking others on here is this normal for the brand? Too light?
 
Your scope probably wasn’t tightened enough. I have never had a scope move on me. Weaver #92A base and I grab a set of rings from my supplies. The Contender with wood grips firing full power loads is hard on the hands. If I put my 44 barrel on the frame I keep the Herrett grips on I stay with low loads. I keep two frames set up with Pachmyr grips. They reduce felt recoil a lot. I like using a max load of 2400 under the 245 Keith bullet. The wooden grips are even worse with the 375 Winchester. Sounds like you need new grips.
 
I was shooting .44 Mag in the Ruger SBH side by side with this T/C. The scope has a hella nice scratch on it now but while not pretty should be OK functionally. I have wood grips on the Contender but it has a rubber insert in the back. This is the first time I have had a scope walk back that much.

I wasn't totally forth-coming. I have Prohunter is 10mm, .454, .357 and .45ACP. I have yet to shoot these. These are heavy bbls. and 12 inch. So I really should get out there and try these other bbls. I did shoot the .357 bbl but only in .38 Special.

I guess I am just posting in case someone thinks there is damage to the .44Mag bbl. It appears clean, not leaded up etc. Maybe undersized bore?
 
So I looked into this a bit more. The bore on the bbl. is brilliant shiny all the way. The projectiles I am using are Cactus Plains lead 240 grain SWC and measure .429 inch tested with a caliper and on the container. Looks like I have 19 grains of 2400 powder behind these projectiles and little brass gas checks attached to the lead projectiles. According to my Lee reloading manual this load is at the lower end of the range, not the high end anyway. I have test weights and occasionally check my mechanical scale. I have not measured the bore of the bbl.
 
rustynut1 said:
So I looked into this a bit more. The bore on the bbl. is brilliant shiny all the way. The projectiles I am using are Cactus Plains lead 240 grain SWC and measure .429 inch tested with a caliper and on the container. Looks like I have 19 grains of 2400 powder behind these projectiles and little brass gas checks attached to the lead projectiles. According to my Lee reloading manual this load is at the lower end of the range, not the high end anyway. I have test weights and occasionally check my mechanical scale. I have not measured the bore of the bbl.
Click to expand...

Low power 44 magnum rounds i find are less comfortable to shoot than medium to full power loads. They tend to 'snap' a little more in my experience. A healthy load feels more like a push at a controlled rate.
 
Lee manual says .44 Special same projectile is 11-13 grains of 2400. I assume this is the Cowboy action load 700-800 FPS? Would you say the .44 Special kicks hard?
 
rustynut1 said:
Lee manual says .44 Special same projectile is 11-13 grains of 2400. I assume this is the Cowboy action load 700-800 FPS? Would you say the .44 Special kicks hard?
Click to expand...

From my experience in my contender and smith revolver, a 44 mag that is light loaded has more of a snap than a push recoil. loaded in the midrange they are more comfortable to shoot. My powder of choice being H110 might have something to do with it
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom