Load data For G2 Contender 209 X 45 Cal

[Cattledog]

Hi Group,

Wanted to share some more data. I bought an unfired blued G2 contender 209 .45 cal muzzleloader a couple of weeks ago. I was looking to make this my 200 - 250 yard powerline deer muzzleloader. Prior to shooting I shimmed the barrel to the frame using several 0.005 shim washers due to side to side play between the barrel and frame when it was closed. The shimming worked like a charm to tighten the action when closed. I also found and bought 6 spare breech plugs.

Load One -200 grain SST .40 cal

Temperature 53 F
Pressure 30.22 in Hg
Primer 209 CCI Mag
Powder 100 gains by volume Blackhorn 209
Sabot & Bullet Hornady 0.45 cal 200 Grain SST sabot and bullet box, Part number 67132

Shot #1 2018 FPS (clean, Cold Bore)
Shot #2 2088 FPS
Shot #3 2112 FPS

Notes: Recoil is fine, I like this Muzzleloader!

Load Two - 200 grain SST .40 cal

Temperature 53 F
Pressure 30.22 in Hg
Primer 209 CCI Mag
Powder 120 gains by volume Blackhorn 209
Sabot & Bullet Hornady 0.45 cal 200 Grain SST sabot and bullet box, Part number 67132

Shot #1 2313 FPS
Shot #2 2361 FPS
Shot #3 2112 FPS

Notes: Recoil is fine, Looks like time to buy another scope!

I have a soft spot for short barreled muzzleloaders. The G2 .45 cal was on my want list for about 3 years, it was worth the wait. The down side is that the G2 is almost too pretty for my style of hunting. This rifle will stay out of the salt marshes....

 

[Underclocked]

Group size? I got about 1 1/2" 3 shot groups typically with mine. My major issue with the rifle was the location of the firing pin retaining screw.

 

[Cattledog]

No grouping yet. I need to pick a scope for the Contender. I have a Nikon Monarch 2 X 8 32mm that may find a home on the rifle. I have not had any issue with the firing pin retaining screw yet. I will keep an eye on it, thank you for the information. I did remove the extractor to make cleaning easier.

 

[Underclocked]

B-Square used to make a nice mount base for the Contender. Don't know if they still do or if you could find one of the old ones. Gave more mounting flexibility. http://eabco.com/cssmts.html those keylok mount bases might be just as good or better. Or the mount he calls Extended Eye Relief Scope Base should be a good choice. Warne QD rings and that base might be the cat's meow.

 

[nhmikel]

Should I get as many primer plugs also? I have a 50 cal sst setup.

 

[Cattledog]

Should I get as many primer plugs also? I have a 50 cal sst setup.

I would buy at least a few breech plugs if possible. The contender 209 .50 cal muzzleloader barrel breech plug is very difficult to find and tends to be expensive. I would call TC and see if they are still in production. If not still in production you might want to try calling https://www.prbullet.com/hornet.htm and see if they can make a custom breech plug.

Someone here may have a better suggestion or if it is possible to install a vent liner to your current plug. Good Luck!

 

[PD Anson]

Are you sure that in both test loads (load 1 and Load 2) the #3 shots were equal (2112 FPS)?

 

[Cattledog]

Are you sure that in both test loads (load 1 and Load 2) the #3 shots were equal (2112 FPS)?

Yes, at that time I was weighing the powder and it was all from the same lot. I don't recall the BH209 lot number. I understand there was a drop in the FPS, but that was the collected data from the chronograph at the time. BTW, I will not shoot that rifle with 120 grains of BH209 any longer. recoil was "strong". The rifle is just too light.

Did you buy a g2 contender muzzleloader? I have been looking for an all stainless one or even just the stainless .45 muzzleloader barrel.

 

[Dougs136Schwartz]

I had a chance to buy one of those rifles last fall . I have kicked myself over and over for not buying the rifle . In fact the very next week I decided to buy the gun and lost the guys phone number ! Grrrrrrr.

Very nice purchase . I look forward to some range reports . I think it would make a AWSOME carry gun or kids gun . I'm envious . If you ever decide to sell give me a pm . I would definitley be interested

 

[edmehlig]

Hmmm never thought of converting my 22LR Match TC G2 to a 45 ML. I’ll have to look to see if you can still get the bbl and stock for it.

 

[PD Anson]

I have been shooting G2 Contender 209x45 with .25ACP breech plug for about 15 years. Right now I am thinking about switching from Triple Seven to BH209. I will be testing BH209 with two breech plugs, .25 ACP and standard T/C 209 breech plug to see which one will work better for me. Since you don’t shoot the 120 grains of BH209, what load you shoot now?

 

[Cattledog]

The G2 has become a safe queen. I have though about selling the barrel and breech plugs a few times. The ml barrels on ebay and gunbroker bring excellent money, any price below $400 for the barrel alone is a good price.

I now shoot a Knight Ultalight. The G2 is very nice, but the trigger, stock and recoil pad are better on the Ultralight.

On the TC 209 breech plug, I drilled one out to accept a vent liner. TC is no longer supporting that breech plug. The ventliner made it into a life time plug.

What load are you shooting out of the G2?

 

[PD Anson]

I am shooting 100 grain of Triple Seven behind 195 grain Barnes. For practice and load development I use .40 cal 200 gr pistol bullets with sabot. My trigger is pretty good. Had Mike Bellm to work on it years back. While I can tolerate the recoil the walnut butt stock can't. It started cracking.

 

[Cattledog]

Try calling TC about the stock cracking. My bet is they send you one for free. Their customer service is improving.

Any issue with the 195 grain barnes not expanding?

 

[PD Anson]

Thanks for the advice, will try to call them. So far I had no problem with Barnes 195. I also have Hornady 200 grain SST and will use them after I run out of Barness.