T/C Grendel

[Estacado]

Here is my T/C Contender with 6.5 Grendel SSK barrel. The scope is a Swift 2x6 and the SSK TSOB mounts. Shot the Hornady A-Max and AA 115gr Bergers. The A-Max is the preferred load for this weapon. Some muzzle flash and recoil half of my 44 mag which I shot at the same time. The gunsmith at SSK it is OK to shoot factory loads in the T/C, otherwise he wouldn't chamber it. Any hand loads will be kept under factory pressures. Sure don't want to spring the frame. The two groups are for illustration purposes, one 3 shot and one 4 shot group with the two different loads.

Estacado

[JohnOD]

Sweet Contender Estacado... Have you had a chance to chronograph that A-Max load? Years ago I was into the Contenders and one of the barrels was a 14" 6.5 JDJ. I had the TSOB as well with a 4x Leoupold scope. It was good for ~2,500 fps with 120 Ballistic Tips. I managed to kill one buck with it as well as a few coyotes and a bunch of jack rabbits . Do you hunt with it?

[Estacado]

Just got it and my Chrono is in Texas, I m in NC until next month. I expect it won't quite keep up with the JDJ, expect 2300 or so with the factory loads. I plan on using it on hogs, deer, and coyotes. I have two AR's, one with a 16" and the other with an 18" barrel. Both of them are good for 1 MOA with the same factory loads. The Contender has a 14" barrel, it shoots like my 257 JDJ did. I still have that barrel and a 7mm JDJ. Just don't like forming cases, ergo the Grendel.

Estacado

[JohnOD]

Don't know if they still use em but my 6.5 SSK had a Shilen barrel... man it would shoot! I would sandbag it similar to your photo. Pretty sure the 257 JDJ is based on the 225 winchester parent case like the 6.5 is. One of my buddies has a 375 JDJ... that baby is a hammer. Just seeing your pic makes me want another TC.

[Estacado]

Yep, the 257 JDJ and the 7MM JDJ are both based on the 225 Win case. I had a horde of Contenders in the 70's and sold them. I started again in the mid 80's. Love the versatility and of course the accuracy. I never warmed to the G2 Contender or the Encore. Like the old style with the Puma on the frame. Have one easy open and one non-converted hard opener. Love 'em both. I have a 223, 44mag, 44Hotshot, and the two JDJ barrels besides the Grendel. Factory barrels are getting harder to get, but there are many custom barrels out there. Then the SSK's, which I think still use Shilen barrels, are still the best in my estimation. Both of my JDJ's are rechambered by SSK. They shoot well at any rate.

Estacado

[fanofflyn]

Last year I took an Audad, Addax, and two sheep wit my TC Grendel, 100gr TTSX, H335. wonderful gun. this year I'm hunting with my 6.5 Creemoor Encore for Mouflon. I'll take the Grendel for backup since It's so good, but my next shot will likely be 300+ yards. I love these calibres in handguns. Lots of fun and efficiency.