Thompson
I have the chance of a 223 thompson center lever action single shot. As they are quite rare here, i was wondering are all the barrels interchangeable with pistol & rifle cals ? & how accurate are they to 150/200 yards. Thanks for your replies
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Mond, it depends on weather you have a Contender or an Encore, the barrels do not interchange between the two models. But in saying that, all Encore barrels, be they rifle, pistol, shotgun or muzzle loader will fit on a Encore frame. The same goes for the Contender frame guns.
Both the Encore and Contender are renowned for their accuracy and are used extensively for silhouette matches. The Contender has a better trigger than the Encore, but the Encore can handle higher pressure cartridges than the Contender.
Ether way you have a great little handgun that can become anything you can ever dream of.0 -
Mond,
What Mk 19 said about the barrels. Encore will fit Encore frames and Contender will fit Contender/G2 barrels. There is no difference old and new with barrels going from old style to G2. With the frame there is a difference.
As far as accuracy, these pistols are quite often used in silhouette shooting out to 500 yds. My personal 7mm TCU has hit numerous sub MOA groups out to 300 yds. Off of a bench/bag of course. But, the point is the pistol is that accurate.
Also, it's a break action. Even though a lever is what opens the action. No big deal just thought I'd add that.0 -
quote:Originally posted by mond
I have the chance of a 223 thompson center lever action single shot. As they are quite rare here, i was wondering are all the barrels interchangeable with pistol & rifle cals ? & how accurate are they to 150/200 yards. Thanks for your replies
You'll need to find out if the gun is an old model Contender, G2 Contender or Encore. Barrels for the older model Contender (typically an etched Couger/Catamount is on the frame sides) interchange with the G2 Contender. Encore barrels fit Encore only.
Regarding barrel fit, although there is the interchangeability every once in a while you'll run across a barrel that closes but does not allow the hammer to be cocked. Typically that is due to the locking bolts not engaging the action fully. It's not a big deal, if it happens slight dressing down of the top of the locking bolts is the fix - easy to do if you're gentle with a stone, not a big deal.
While trigger pull on the old Contender is best, the G2 Contender has the same trigger pull as the Encore. They're all pretty good.
Mike Bellm of Bellm T/Cs can be a great help online.
If you want to get additional barrels (after determining Contender or Encore) these guys are great:
http://www.matchgrademachine.com/gunshop/Order-Barrels/
A 25.35 Winchester and a 6X47-222 Rem Mag are about the most accurate barrels they've made for me, each is "5 shots one hole" at 100 yds. Good 223 ammo should give you similar results.
If you have an Encore, check out Bergara Barrels (some for sale on GB) and they're usually about $160.00 or so, great deal and very good quality.0 -
Nice one guys, many thanks.The break barrel single shot dont worry me , as every shot counts. I will use this & the many caliber barrels i hope to get for general competition use & hunting thru Europe, on fox to pig. (22H - 308)I just gotta strike the deal [:0]. I love anything diffrent & i know these Thompsons are like rocking horse do do here [:)]
The appeal is the easily available barrels, & configs to rifle or pistol.
Looks like the Encore0 -
quote:Originally posted by mond
Nice one guys, many thanks.The break barrel single shot dont worry me , as every shot counts. I will use this & the many caliber barrels i hope to get for general competition use & hunting thru Europe, on fox to pig. (22H - 308)I just gotta strike the deal [:0]. I love anything diffrent & i know these Thompsons are like rocking horse do do here [:)]
The appeal is the easily available barrels, & configs to rifle or pistol.
Looks like the Encore
Nice lookin' rifle Mond! I meant to say the buttstocks/pistol grips are what is different between the old style Contender and the G2 Contender. All contender barrels fit them.
Except, .308 is too big for the contender frame. Typically the frame can handle up to about a .30-30 sized cases that has been improved in some way (6.8 SPC too). That would include the same sized PPC and Grendel cases. But, once you move up to the BR sized cases that hold about 5 gr. more powder it's considered too stiff of a load for the Contender. Those are now chambered in the Encore. .308 based cases definitely need to go in an Encore.
Edit:
That looks like a G2 frame.0 -
I've been kicking my self for ever selling the one I had.
It shot very tight groups with handloads.0
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