TC Pistols & Rifles

There's been recent discussions about TC firearms and I think it deserves it's own thread. So let's discuss TC Pistols, Rifles, or what ever you think is right. With all the caliber choices, barrel lengths, optics, loads.....endless.
Anyone agree or disagree? I'm getting the TC bug again after a several year cooling off period. Have at it guys......

So I guess I'll start with how I got into a TC Pistol in the first place. Can't remember the year but I found a TC frame along with a SSK 45-70 barrel and a TC 30-30 barrel. I never thought much about the 30-30 barrel and neither did many folks at the time. Many were converted to 30 Herrett, only to be overshadowed by the 357 Herrett. Buddy of mine back in the day had a 10" barrel rechambered in .357 Herett. Bullets at the time were made for pistol velocities so on went the search and he found a smoking whitetail load.
I unfortunately don't know why I parted with a .223 barrel that had a really nice 2-7 Burris IER scope "but" wish I had that one back.
So at the moment I still have my original. 45-70 barrel and a 35 Rem.
Still "hunting"

Let's have some fun with this thread.

Note to Mods. With all the topics associated with TC's, can this be a Sticky?

I have the following TC Encore rifles: 22-250, 243, 7mm-08, 30-06 and 50 cal black powder. Love them.

Pap

Mike Bellm did my trigger work and no one knows TC like Bellm, IMHO.

Pap

Warren,

Mine is a 15" Bull-barrel.308 flat shooting round.

Tom Flynn

I have an old T/C Contender. Had a bunch of barrels for it but now just a 14" 22lr match with Burris scope,a 21" 22lr bbl and a 14" 410/45LC barrel.

It never has failed me once and with the 14" 22lr barrel,from a rest can shoot 1/2" groups at 50yds all day long.

Wayne

Oh that is sweeet Tom. Who's barrel?

Wayne,

I have an older frame too. I'm looking to add a .22 barrel if I can get a good used piece.
Does your frame have the first generation trigger guard pivot forward? At some point TC moved the pivot point back to make it a one handed open. They offered the conversion for $85 when I sent my frame back to have a broken hammer replaced. I can't recall if they even charged me for the repair.

Warren,

Can't remember, somewhere in Utah.

Tom Flynn

Warren,

It operates with one hand to open.

Tom Flynn

I don't have a T/C but know of these guys in Hurricane Utah
Good chance the barrel came from them
https://www.bullberry.com/

Peter

Sometimes you need both hands to break mine open. I probably should have gotten the conversion. Better yet I like that G2 frame alot. More caliber choices too.

Warren,
Mine is the old frame. Pretty much need two hands to open it.

What 22 LR bbl are you looking for? The 14 inch or 21 inch???

Subscribe to ONE GOOD SHOT which is the magazine of the T/C assn. They have a number of ads in the back of the magazine who have members looking for or wanting to sell stuff.

Wayne

Wayne

While I would like the 21" barrel, it would be just my luck to get snagged with a barrel longer than 16" in this crazy state of NY.
Thanks for the heads-up on the magazine.

BTW , Mike Bellm has a new web site,
It is www.1gunshop.com

Pap

Warren,
If you want to try my 21" T/C bbl,PM me and I will send it to you to try one out for a while.

In my state,you can hunt small game with a handgun but no larger caliber than 22 LR/Mag. So that pretty well says no to my T/C 410 with 14"bbl. If I put a shoulder stock on it,then it becomes NFA and I have to get a $200. tax stamp.

Wayne

Very generous offer Wayne. In NY, 16" and longer is a no go and a tax stamp is not an option. Meanwhile I can drive 30 minutes to nearby PA, where sensible gun laws exist. I'm close to homing in on another barrel or two. Thanks again for the support.

Warren,
Dumb question about the law. 16" and longer bbl not legal? Even if you have a shoulder stock???
If you want,I could also ship a shoulder stock as well so you would be within the law.

Now here is a funny one. In this stae,the Mossberg Shockwave is a no-no. But their class 3 shotguns,no problem as long as you have the tax stamp!!!!

Don't try to figure out this stuff.

Wayne

16" and longer for rifles only. I should have clarified that.

Warren,
OK,so if you out the shoulder stock on the T/C and the 21" bbl,you are legal then?

Wayne

Wayne,

Shoulder stock on that barrel length is fine. It's a rifle then, no permit required.

OK,so if you want,I can send you the stock and barrel to give it a try.

Wayne

I'll let you know Wayne. Again many thanks for the offer.

A friend of mine is thinking of getting a T/C Encore Katahdin in 460 caliber.
Sounds interesting,but I feel that it might walk smartly to the rear when touched off.

Fortunately he can load 45LC rounds into it for practice.

Wayne

It should also handle the shorter .454 Casull.

I've been collecting Thompson Center Contenders sine the late 1980's. I gravitate to some of the weird calibers. The barrel labeled 270 REN is not a typo.

http://blog.westernpowders.com/2016/02/looking-at-obscure-cartridges-the-270-r-e-n/

Thanks for the call today Warren.

You bet Tom, it was great speaking with you and glad to hear you're out of the hurricanes path. That's an impressive collection of barrels. How far do you have those .22 & .218 Bee barrels dialed in?

Warren, the small caliber barrels are collectors.

My first handgun (12 years old) was a Colt Official Police in 32-20 Win. It belonged to and came from my grandfather's hardware store. The store burned down in 1938 so that puts a date range on it.

It was his carry gun back when you didn't need a permit. I still have it today. It will go about 90% cosmetically but I would not sell it for anything except crazy money. I also have a Winchester model 43 rifle in 218 Bee and a Savage 23 rifle in 32-20. They are what I call "hardware store rifles". I think one came from Western Auto years ago.

That being said I have always liked the cartridges based on the 32-20 (25-20 & 218 Bee). That lead me to collect the small caliber Contender barrels but I don't fire them except a couple of time just to say I did.

Story from the heart Tom. Thanks for the history on those. This is the stuff that has my ass burning again for TC's. I had a fun range session today myself. Got to test a used .223 barrel and I will tell you it's a great shooter. Love my 35 Rem; it's a 100 yd tack driver.

TTB,
That is a real nice collection of T/Cs and bbls.

Wayne

Anyone have experience with 204 Ruger in TC barrel? Looks interesting and blistering fast.

Wish list:

10" 300 Whisper with a a suppressor.

Next month I will be going to GA on a quail hunt. Besides the Darne 12 ga side by side,I plan on taking my T/C Contender with the 14" 410 bbl to see how that does.

It patterns best with #6 shot,3" Winchester shells.

Tomthebomb,
Does SSK Industries make a 10" 300 Whisper with a threaded bbl??
That should be a nice piece.

Wayne

I went to the Syracuse gun show this past weekend and found a 10" 22 Hornet barrel. Bore was exceptionally clean and well cared for. I topped it with a Leopold 4X EIR and shot it Sunday. Nice shooting barrel. I found a bunch of stock ammo at the show as well. It seems to like 35grain Winchester and Hornady varmit ammo the best. The 45 grain Remington stuff was a no go. I've got this sighted 2" high at 100 and it groups nice for a pistol.

Sounds sweet. Good coyote caliber.

Pap

Think so too. Would have been a chuck killer until the neighbor's kid trapped and killed them all.

When I went to Alaska back in '74, I talked with an old trapper,gold miner,hunter,etc, that lived in Wiseman. We talked about moose hunting and what he used as a rifle. He told me he always waited until the bears were hibernating before he went moose hunting. He used his trapping rifle which was a Winchester Model 92 in 25-20. I was shocked. He said he would shoot the moose just behind the last rib, up high, to get the liver. He said most times the moose would not even move. After a few minutes, the moose would fall over from blood loss. The only thing it hurt was some of the liver. He said the 25-20 was his favorite winter gun. During bear season, he had a sawed off 12 ga. Winchester 97 with slugs. I owned a Model 92 in 25-20 and shot many Idaho ground squirrels with it.

Pap

Always said Pappy was the man. He can back it up.

Pappy19,
I guess that it is bullet placement that counts. Obviously the trapper was very wise and waited until the bears were in hibernation before venturing forth with a 25-20.

I have a Winchester 92 take down that was originally in 32-20 and in '64 had P.O Ackley rebarrel it to 357 mag and had the bbl and magazine to a 16" length.

Still to this day,the go to gun for the Alaska bush is a 12 ga pump with slugs and 00 Buck in the magazine.

Take a look a the Brenneke slug website and you will see the power of their 12 ga 3" slugs. I don't know which it would hurt more,the bear or the shooter!!!!

Wayne

Are the barrels the same for the G1 and G2? Been thinking about getting a different caliber barrel for my G1 pistol and was wondering if I need to make sure to get a G1 barrel or whether any T/C pistol barrel will work. The 45/410 barrel I have makes for a great snake gun but I'm wanting something that would be better for target shooting. Thanks.

Hi Wayne,
Call SSK and you'll most likely get to talk with J.D. Jones re: whatever 300 Whisper you'd like him to make & send to you. He frequently answers the phone. I have a 300 Whisper and a 309 JDJ from his shop and love them both.

Jim,
All the Contender barrels will fit either and only the G1 or G2 frames and Encore barrels only fit Encore frames.

Thank you sir!

Duke,
Some years back I got a SSK 444 Marlin 16" bbl to use with a shoulder stock. Worked quite well but did walk smartly to the rear with full power loads in a very light rifle!!!

Right now I am working with my 410 14" bbl to try out on a GA quail hunt next month. I will probably take it out for one afternoon to see how it does. I will be usually useing my 12 ga Side by Side
Wayne

Funny.....felt recoil, " the kick" is always an individual experience, although as arthritis has become much more my friend, my own "hand-cannons" are less pleasant to shoot groups on the range; not true for my one shot kills in the wilds, whether rifles or handguns. I've been hand loading for everything I shoot (not double deuce) for 25+ years, including my 309 JDJ in a 10" ported barrell.....the 444 Marlin necked down for a 165gr. 30 cal. round. I truly don't know it's accuracy limit on game as I live where average shots while still hunting (always walking) in mountains is 75 yards, but I did take one whitetail at 229 steps with it. It is a tack driver but took several range rounds to find the best load.
Enjoy your quail hunt with your 410. I am envious. Hunted them for years...years ago on my own farm & so exciting to hunt behind your own good dog's quivering point...."Hold.......Hold.....BAM...BAM!" Great memories and incredibly sweet delicacy.

Duke,
Recoil is not much of a thing for me as I had fired (just once) the 444 Marin out of a 10 inch T/C . You know for sure that the bull really did it in the buckwheat when you touched that off.!!!

I hunted quail for the first time three years ago and it was quite different from grouse or pheasant.

I usually use the Darne 12 ga but will try,at least for one afternoon with the T/C 410.

With the exception of 22lr,22 mag and shotshells I have loaded my own since '58. Cast my own bullets as well.

Wayne

Duke,

I've only shot factory 45-70 loads out of my SSK barrel. It's 4 port magnaported and it makes no never mind. I think JDJ himself once said, "Like holding a tiger by the tail" After 6 shots at the range, you're done, cause you know what's coming. If my first 2 are good, I'm done. I can say with certainty, any deer I ever hit with this round was toasted. One taken at 15yds was impressive.
I'm dialing back a bit with the 35Rem. It's a great shooter and mild compared to the 45-70. Nice 200 grain pill for a great woods round.

Did I mention an Alaskan used a 25-20 for moose? But then, you all must run with the Elmer Keith crowd. The more, the better. One of my most "take back moments", was in 1972, I was driving through Salmon, Idaho, and Elmer was standing on the Main Street corner waiting to cross( no one could mistake Elmer's Stetson and cigar), I should have stopped and got his autograph. Darn!

Pap

Pappy is the man hands down. Love u brother!

While I got no problems with Elmer's 44 mag loads and truly haven't needed anything else in my own 6 shooters, levers or autos ( love shooting the same load in my 44s......most times), Pappy my good friend, I have also never had anything against any small caliber, dead-on rounds. I am absolutely certain that a .22 Mag placed carefully behind & just under a whitetail's ear will drop them in their tracks every time. And I gotta' say my long gun with the most notches is the Savage O/U
.222/20 gauge. BUT, grandpa's words were burned early in my brain, "ain't nothing more deadly than a slow-moving, large chunk of lead."

When I first got to Idaho and worked for the Forest Service adjacent to Yellowstone, in 1968, the year before I got there, the Park shut off the garbage dumps to bears. You have to know that for 50 years, bears had learned to eat the Park garbage. So when they stopped, the bears naturally went looking for garbage. Most of the bears on the west side of the Park, came right to Island Park, Idaho, where I was working. Grizzly bears were everywhere. I asked an old rancher if he had ever killed a griz. He said the biggest griz he had ever seen and killed had eaten 30 of his sheep. He only had a Savage 250-3000, and shot it right in the throat. Dropped him. I have shot a few bears and the instant kill is a throat shot. No bone and no muscle, just skin and spine. Drops them every time.

Pap

I had an T/C Encore with 7mm/08 barrel and a Burris scope that I took more deer with than a rifle. Alas, I sold both my Contender and Encore rigs 7-8 years ago

That Encore sold me on the 7mm-08 round for Alabama dear.

I got my son a 7mm-08 Remington and a Redfield 2-7 Widefield scope. He killed a few deer with it and then went into the Marine Corps. After his discharge, I bought him a fancy 30-06, but he always takes that 7mm-08. I have a TC barrel in 7mm-08 and use it for deer as well. He has killed 2 elk with his.

Pap

Great caliber Pap. Mild to shoot with plenty of energy for deer, flat shooting too.

Finally got around to getting some pics of my TC barrels along with the Pelican Case. Sorry for the sub-standard photos. My Gallaxy S7 will have to do for now.
Top to bottom:
45-70 SSK full vent rib, 4 port Magnaported, topped with a Nikon 1.5-4.5
35 Rem stock TC barrel, Super 14, topped with a 2x32 Baush & Lomb.
22 Hornet TC Barrel, 10 Inch, topped with a 4X28 Leupold.
.223 Armalloy barrel Super14, topped with a Burris 1.5-4.

Wow, the ultimate arsenal. Very nice.

Pap

Thanks Pap, lots of fun to shoot.

Warren,

Great set-up! Shoot straight.

Tom Flynn

Will do, thanks Tom.

Warren,
Super nice!!!

When I come back from the quail hunt. I plan on using my Contender with the 14" 22lr bbl for squirrels.

I have a Burris 1.5 power scope on it. From a rest,I can shoot dime sized groups with it at 50 yds all day long.

Wayne

Thanks Wayne, nice shooting. Good luck on the quail hunt.

Warren,
My T/C frame has to be the older one as it is a bear to open. Forget about one hand.

I have a 22 lr match bbl (I think it is 21" long) for sale.
I probably put about 500 rounds through it,if that.

Wayne

Yes, mine is difficult too at times. Takes both hands to get it open.

Here 'ya go. Having horrible time with pics. right now.
-300 Whisper rifle
-45-70
-44 Mag Handcannon
-223
-300 Whisper (10" with TC scope)
-309 JDJ (6&1/2" with red dot)

Super collection Duke. When time permits for some handloading, I'm going to look into some of those JDJ wildcats.

Same here with all of my Contenders but better tight than loose, right?

Never complained Tom but I do agree a firm lockup is critical. After firing it becomes difficult on certain barrels.

You are right Warren. Each barrel frame combination is different. My first Contender was a 14" 35 Remington. It was difficult to open or close the action.
It also mis-fired about one third of the time (that's too much).
I still have the frame and it works fine with others barrels.

Thinking back maybe my first was a 30-30 Winchester. It's late and I'm old and tired so all bets are off.

Don't get the mis-fires and why on a rimmed cartridge if it locked up tight.
How tight is tight thinking back. You're asking that every barrel/frame combo is right. That's why guys like Mike Belm, JDJ, others earn their keep.

Remembering back in the mid 80's I was advised to head space the Win 30-30 on the shoulder, not the rim. That supposedly compensated for a loose lockup on the early Contenders.

You had to hand load your cartridges, of course, and back off the loading die a few twist until it worked. Too much work for a new hand loader (me) so I traded the 30-30 barrel for something else.

Somewhere in my collection of T/C stuff I have the first four or five years of the Thompson/Center association magazines. That's where we got all of our Contender scoop. This was before Al Gore invented the internet.

Now it's all on the web. Thanks Al.

Yeah, thanks AL.

Pap