Anyone made their own Contender barrel?

[Striper Slayer]

I got an itch to make my own contender barrel. Has anyone done this? Have any advice you'd like to share?
Also, does anyone know where you can get lugs? I can find Encore lugs but not contender.
Thanks,
Bryant

 

[JSH]

I have seen several people over the years do a stub barrel. Get a barrel that is a turd. Then hop it to length, thread it and then thread your barrel with a shoulder.
One fellow I recall doing this made huge claims of over the top accuracy.
If you have knowledge and ability to thread and chamber. making a lug and welding it I don’t see as much more of a chore.

 

[Jonnyofalltrades]

Is PT&G the only game in town when it comes to lugs? I see E.A. Brown and SSK sell bolts, but no lugs.

 

[JayHHI6818]

Check with Pacific tool

Thompson Center Encore Barrel Lug - Pacific Tool and Gauge

Thompson Center Encore Barrel Lug at Pacific Tool and Gauge

pacifictoolandgauge.com

 

[Jesswil61]

I have seen several people over the years do a stub barrel. Get a barrel that is a turd. Then hop it to length, thread it and then thread your barrel with a shoulder.
One fellow I recall doing this made huge claims of over the top accuracy.
If you have knowledge and ability to thread and chamber. making a lug and welding it I don’t see as much more of a chore.

It would be interesting to see this setup for the ejector operation.

 

[Striper Slayer]

I saw the encore lug at PT&G, but I need a contender lug. They are not the same. The encore lug won't work with a contender frame. Been checking with some of the contender barrel makers to see if they will sell me just the lug.

 

[TaperPin]

When tig welding a lug, what is the acceptable weld thickness? I no longer have a Contender, but I’ve often thought about it over the years. I’ve heard guys like Jodie at weld.com talk about it not being uncommon for x rayed 4140 aerospace parts to be spec’ed out with mild steel filler rod to reduce cracking. I don’t know anything - just repeating what he said.

 

[X Count]

And do you do the welding before chambering to reduce distortion of the chamber?

 

[Jonnyofalltrades]

The Encore lugs as sold by PT&G don't have the pivot pin hole yet(for obvious reasons). So to do the job properly you will need a milling machine to locate and machine the hole.
If you have a mill, that lug would be a very simple project. Machine to dimensions, three holes, two slots. Nothing complicated at all. I don't own a Contender, but I can't see it being that much different.

 

[LVLAaron]

I've never seen one of these.... Anyone have a good photo of what's going on?

 

[Jonnyofalltrades]

I've never seen one of these.... Anyone have a good photo of what's going on?

 

[DShortt]

Thinking about doing something similar for an H&R Topper. 7-30 Waters.

Might try it, might not. Haven't decided yet.

 

[RCE1]

Vern Juenke of Verdi, NV used to make .17s out of Sako barrels and old TC breeches. This was prior to TC making .17cal barrels. He did a lot of cool stuff to Contenders. I have a couple he worked on.