[kitchen]

I used to frequent a shop long ago where the 'smith made Contender barrels in .458 American. That's a straight taper H&H case cut off at 2" length. The only ballistic info I have is for a 24 inch barrel and claims a 405 grain bullet at 2100 fps for about 4,000 fp ME. Sort of a +P+ .45/70. Of course the contender barrels were 8 and 10 inches so some experimenting with powders would be required. I thought the guy was nuts, but over the years I've kicked myself for not grabbing one. Jeez, today you can't even find a .454 Casull barrel for the Contender.

[Myrddin]

I still want a Contender frame. I'd be tickled with a barrel for .223 and one for .308 or 7.62X51 NATO. Midway just offered .204 Ruger barrels recently. I'm more interested in commonly available calibers when it comes to shooting a Contender. Military surplus if possible.