TEXASBOARS.COM

Mike H · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 9:43 pm Post subject: The "Anti-AR"

This is my suppressed .44 magnum Thompson Contender carbine.

Started out with a stainless .44 mag 14" barrel, the titanium suppressor brings that to 20", overlaps back down over the barrel for 5-6". The carbine stock has an adjustable cheekpiece, so it works well with either the N/V scope or a "regular" scope. Weight with the N/V is 10 1/2 pounds. With sub sonic loads - 300 gr Nosler JHP's and universal powder, CCI 300 pistol primers - it isn't quite "BB-gun" quiet, but one heck of a lot more silent than a .44 mag with full charge and no suppressor. With the weight, recoil is mild, and accuracy is good so far, although I need to do some fine tuning.

When it stops raining and dries up just a bit (to months ago I couldn;t imagine saying that!) I'll be ready to shoot a hog or two to check the performance of my sub-sonic loads on game. Yes, it is a single shot, but that really doesn't bother me for the way I hunt.

Nicolas Corry · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 10:25 pm Post subject:

Nice looking rig. Do it yourself or farm out the suppressor work? Looks like a lot of titanium on the front of that thing.

I'll have to weigh my SRT 77/44 sometime. I think I've got the same scope that you do on mine (MK-410 or 390), so should be comparing apples to apples. I do envy your cheek piece- that looks like it'd be handy and like it works.

Ron Myers · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 10:46 pm Post subject:

Very nice rig!

Mike H · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 11:16 pm Post subject: post subject

The suppressor was done by Longview Class III Arms, of Longview, Texas (Jim Rodgers). I'll see if I can find where I got the cheekpiece, it does work well. Have a hammer extension from Belim Contenders that helps to BAN ME NOW it with the ATN 390 N/V in place, and since the picture was taken I have added a cocking lever extension I also got from Belim that makes it much easier to BAN ME NOW the Contender with one hand. I have a 23" .223 barrel for this gun, also a 20" 6 mm-.233 and a 16" .45 Long Colt/.410 barrel, both courtesy of Bill Winfrey. Changing barrels is a pretty simple and quick procedure, and with separate scopes on each barrel it makes a very versatile weapon. I also have 14" Contender barrels for a pistol frame in .223, .44 mag, and .30-30 that would fit this frame, but would require a SBR permit to use with the shoulder stock.

FrankT · Texasboars Legends Club Joined: 05 Jun 2011 Posts: 1754

Lots of parts for that sweet setup! and the decibel reading was??

Mike H · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 1:23 am Post subject: post subject

My cheap Chinese decibel meter was only showing 60 - 80 decibels, and I know that's too low. That was with a background noise level of around 48. Gonna check it again when it dries up a little.

TORO · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2012 12:02 am Post subject:

Nice!!
_________________
2012 Hog Totals=70
2013 Hog Totals=31
Fences fixed=1.9 miles
ATV Miles=338

Mike H · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2012 2:13 pm Post subject: post subject

Thanks. It's pretty much a one-of-a-kind, for my needs. Wouldn't suggest it for others with different likes or needs. I have always liked the Contender platform, bought this frame new back in the 70's. I grew up hunting with single shot shotguns, so I adapt to it well. Most of my shots on hogs are under 25 yards, and from a good rest, so a 300 gr .44 bullet in the right spot should do the job. The suppressor is mostly an experiment, and so far i like it a lot.

David K · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 5:48 am Post subject:

good looking gun...

yea your meter is reading wrong, I believe a quiet (supressed subsonic) gun is around 115db

Mike H · Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 6:44 pm Post subject: post subject

David, I had the meter about 20 feet away from the rifle when I was shooting, rather than right at the muzzle. That may have had something to do with the lower readings?

Mike H · Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 2:16 am Post subject: post reply

Some had asked about the adjustable cheekpiece on this gun. It is a Karsten. When I bought it I got it direct from Karsten, but he doesn't seem to sell that way now. I just ordered another, and they are available from Sniper Central and US Armorment, possibly others. Price is $60. It works well, can be set low for a good cheek weld with a "normal" scope, or set higher for use with a Night Vision optic. It can also be adjusted for different shooters.

hamourkiller · RESPECTED MEMBER Joined: 08 Jun 2007 Posts: 223

Mike, what type of powder are you using? Years ago I used to get some quiet loads out of my Marlin rifle using bullseye and keeping it subsonic. The longer barrel had almost no muzzle blast to speak of and the bullet whacking into targets was louder than the rifle. Might work for you with the can.

Also are lead bullets allowed with the suppressor? or will the lead and lubricant clog things up?

Nice rig.

Hank

Mike H · Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 12:01 am Post subject: post reply

I have been working to date with H110, Universal, and Trail Boss, but none of these has yet been "just right!". Trail Boss is the quietest, but can't get quite the velocity I want, H110 is a little loud, but the most accurate. Universal is sort of in the middle of those two. Bullseye is on the list of powders I intended to try, but just have not gotten around to yet. As of now, I'm ready to try bullet performance on actual hogs, and the H110 loads will probably be "up to bat" first. Bullets I am using are all 300 gr, .429" - a Sierra JSP, a Nosler JHP, and the Barnes all copper "Buster" flat nose, flat base. I like the accuracy of the Barnes, and expect it to "over penetrate", but also plan to use some hard cast 320 gr with the Trail Boss powder.

hamourkiller · RESPECTED MEMBER Joined: 08 Jun 2007 Posts: 223

Mike, on the sub sonic loads and lead bullets you might want to use a softer alloy. Hard Cast is for high pressure loads, medium hard alloys are for medium loads and soft alloy for low pressure loads. The lead bullet needs to compress slightly upon acceleration to seal the bore. If this does not happen the gas flows past the bullet causing leading in the bbl. 95% lead, 2.5 % antimony and 2.5 % tin should fill the bill.

Good luck and hunting

Mike H · Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 12:18 pm Post subject: post reply

But will I get the penetration I need at sub sonic speeds with soft lead?

s10goes10s · Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 1:31 pm Post subject:

Look at what Randy does
_________________
I shall not be in fringe

Burt · Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 4:00 pm Post subject: Re: post reply

Mike H · Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 5:03 pm Post subject: post reply

Randy and Gerald use the Hornady XTP, which is hard to get these days in 300 gr. The Sierra jacketed soft nose is very similar, and designed for the same uses - plus easier to get. Gerald uses H110 powder, and they have used it successfully for a long time now to kill LOT'S of hogs.