Want a 223 Varminting handgun

[Nomo4me]

I'd like to get into a scoped 15" bbl handgun in 223 for PD shooting off a bench.

Anyone here have experience with both the Encore and MOA Maximum? I don't do any other hunting so caliber changeout isn't a strong selling point for me. I have 3 nice varminting long guns and just want a change of pace from the bench.

If I were to go with an encore I'd do some custom upgrades such as found here: http://www.strattoncustom.com/home.php

Will the encore take pressures to the 55,000 psi range? I'm sitting on 400 rounds of 223 ammo that I'd like to be able to run through the pistol when done. I assume the falling block MOA would be a stronger action.

Thanks!

 

[bheadboy]

a lot of folks use the xp100 with great success, check gunbroker,

handgun sil has a lot of the various ones in use however for the money the xp seem to be the best deal

Bob

 

[JohnMill]

If you get an encore you will have to tune the action (per Mike Bellm www.bellmtcs.com ) for best results. I liked the contender better and you can get custom barrels from J D Jones that are more accurate than factory Don't know anything about MOA except they were pretty accurate.
Orrrr you could get an XP100 in 221 fireball (10 inch bbl) and have it rebarreled to 15 in the same caliber or 223 or 17fireball. 300yds and maybe a little more will be easy for one such as yourself.

John

 

[ollie]

I had a t/c contender in 223 with a 14in barrel. Shot well but was the loudest gun i ever had. Had a brake and even with muffs wow.

 

[Klong]

I have a NIB XP-100R $900 plus shipping. Long4@charter.net

 

[twoodard]

check out handgunhunter magazine forums.

the MOA is really nice. lots of guys use them. XP and Strikers are bolt guns that work very well. I just finished my 6BRX striker up. trouble is they are addicting.

 

[sdneil]

No Mo-- Contender super 14 in .223 they are extremely accurate, great triggers! or xp 100 . I have both scoped both are excellent! let the fun begin

 

[JohnMill]

Twood,
Yes they are. We have 5 Contenders with a doz barrels, 3JDJ calibers and one from him in 7TCU, my most accurate sil gun. 4 XPs-2 7BRs, a rechamber to 7 08 (done the right way), an encore rifle in 223 (it is the only one I do not like).
We broke the addiction by going to NBRSA BR competition (point blank) and now 1000 yard BR and Fclass.

John

 

[Nomo4me]

SD in the contender do you have to load down the 223 a bit?

I've let myself be talked into selling a nice varmint rifle - for which I still have 450 rounds of 223 ammo loaded up to Hogden book max loads. I want to use up this ammo in a handgun so am a bit leery of hooking up with the contender/encor frame.
I know these will be safe in a rem factory chamber but I can't say I like the thought of switching the gun in my hand each time the bolt is cycled.
I'm working on a caliber conversion on a Savage Striker presently so am familiar with that one. But after having it broken down to the smallest bits I am kind of put off by the construction.

Thanks

Mike

No Mo-- Contender super 14 in .223 they are extremely accurate, great triggers! or xp 100 . I have both scoped both are excellent! let the fun begin

 

[twoodard]

what do you not like about the striker?

 

[KevinL]

I Have 3 contenders and 1 encore. Love them all the contender will take all 223 factory loads without any trouble

 

[Nomo4me]

Just don't care for the engineering. Trigger is kind of a rube goldberg affair.

what do you not like about the striker?

 

[twoodard]

every think of making it a rear grip?

if your every looking to get rid of it keep me in mind

 

[MrMajestic]

I witnessed a fellow club member shoot a 3 shot 1/2 MOA group@100 yards with his H-S Precision Pro-Series 2000 bolt action handgun. He was somewhat disappointed and stated it can shoot better with the right load! I apologize but I can't remember the caliber but am leaning toward .308 Winchester or 7mm/08. They can be had in many calibers and I am sure .223 Remington would be one of them. Warning-Beware of sticker shock!

 

[Nomo4me]

That looks cool but beyond my present budget. I'm headed to Rapid City this week. I'll have to stop in and see their showroom. First Stop is always a must see there as well.

I can do a XP-100r or look to get into the contenders.

Maybe a G2 instead of Encore as it would fit my smallish hand better and offer a bit more strength than the Contender?

 

[twoodard]

Encores with pac grips will fit your hand. im about 5'7" and have short arms and smaller hands. I changed mine over from the factory walnuts and it is a much better fit. and if you step up the caliber some day they help with recoil also. the Encores can have a great trigger if you put a bellum spring kit and follow his polishing instructions. done two and they are really nice now. only think with a break open is they dont reset on the bags like a bolt gun in any form. if your going to shoot a pod and rear bag it wont be to bad. check out this guy for grips and forends
http://www.tonysforendsandgrips.net/4.html
he has some really nice stuff and will build to fit your hand if the pac is not what you want. good luck and let us know what you end up with

 

[bheadboy]

NoMo4me,

I have had a number of xp100, used them for Ihmsa, i have sold all but one, and am thinking of selling ti,

McMillan stk, bond 7oz trigger, trued action, Hart 15" bbl factory contour, 7br. shoots .5s of bench at 100 with luep
2.5-8x, and 130Sierra hpbt, - work done by RW HArt, Nescopeck Pa

I not longer shoot competetively Ihmsa so dont need the pistol, Have a lot of unfired rem 7br brass and some loaded.

I would be a good starter then later re bbl to 22 or 6 Br all other work done, no smithing needed.

Bob

Sold, no longer available
Bob

 

[sscoyote]

Here's to the most fun firearm ever made--the specialty pistol--

17 Fireball XP--

22 BR--

Sav. Tgt. Action225 Win/8-twist McGowen/Unertl BV-20--

Ruger Charger--

 

[rich44]

Nomo
The old style Contender is plenty strong and the trigger is adjustable and much better than the G2

 

[Nomo4me]

I do value a really nice trigger pull. Would a factory stock Contender Super 14 in .223 be a good way for a guy to wet his beak in this varmint handgun thing or is it better to spend 2x the $$ and order a frame, MGM bbl and pachmyer grip set?

Do the earlier (sn around 250,000) contenders have overtravel screws installed at the factory?

Thanks for the help!