.44 Magnum in a "long" (= 16"+) barrel ???

[renaissance]

Not sure where to best post this but I'll start here,

I have a TC Contender in "Carbine" configuration
( Have the Pistol stock also but that's not where the question lies)

I am limited to shooting at an indoor range with a max 25 Yard range
and limited to "pistol" Calibers.

I want to shoot the TC Contender in carbine fashion
From a bench rest
For accuracy
With my own Handloaded Ammo.
Intend to use a "good" scope

Thought I might try to do this in .44 Rem Magnum
but
Looking at available ( used) "long = 16" plus)TC Barrels in 44 Magnum -
I can NOT find ANY.

Now I know I can order one new ( I can afford it) from TC - and others
BUT
The fact that I can find NONE out there, I'm starting to wonder if they are not around because it is a "bad idea".

Is .44 Magnum a poor choice for a > 16" plus Barrel to be used at 25 Yards ??

What ( "Pistol Calibers - mind you") might be a better choice ??

What would be a "Good - but reasonably priced" scope?
Mind you it needs to be adjustable to focus at 25 Yards ( I think this means an "Adjustable Objective")

 

[wanderinwalker]

There are plenty of long-barreled .44s out there. Mostly flying under the Marlin, Winchester and Ruger banners, but they exist, and it is NOT a bad idea.

My own Marlin 1894PG (20" .44 Magnum) can cut a single hole at 25 yards, offhand, pretty quickly. (Of course, 10 rounds of .44 making "one-hole" don't have to be too close together! ) I like to plink with 200gr RNFPs and Winchester 231 powder in small doses. It feeds quick, is accurate enough out to 50 yards and costs me $10 to load 100. What more do you want? Oh, and they're a hoot on 100-yard gongs, mostly due to the time of flight. Pop!Did I??CLANK!!

If cost is a concern, I might lean toward a .357/.38 Special. But I fail to see why a pistol-caliber carbine for indoor shooting is anything but a good idea.

And as a bonus, it makes a perfectly adequate 50-100 yard brush gun for whitetails too!

 

[CZ57]

renaissance: did some shooting near a guy at the range on Saturday who was shooting a 16" Contender. He was shooting at 50 yards and it is an outdoor range. I didn't ask what caliber (thought it was .44 magnum) and it was the weekend before deer season opens for everyone this weekend in Texas. The only negative I can see here is the limitation of the indoor range. You'd have more fun at an outdoor range, but may not have that option. You'll get the attention of other shooters for sure, firing a 16" barrelled .44 contender on a 25 yard range, but that's your call.

TC had a fire several years ago that really hampered production. Once they got back on track, production was focused on new guns, with barrel options taking a back seat for awhile. Don't know how things stand today, but that could explain some of the limitations in finding a 16" .44 Barrel. One other could be the poularity of the .44 Magnum chambering. It's probably one of the chamberings that Contender owners are more likely to keep their barrels. As WW pointed out, there are a number of carbines made to meet the market demand, several single-shots as well, along with the Ruger Deerfield autoloader. I bet you'll find a 16" barrel with a bit of persistence.

Ballistically, it is a sound approach to a short to medium range game-getter and this is the bailiwick of TC Contendors and Encores and such.