Here's a factory rifle for you! I call him Stumpy, he has a 15" threaded barrel and a muzzle break that brings the OAL to 17" https://i.postimg.cc/15H598f9/204-Ruger-Stumpy-II.jpg I only wish the barrel were thinner as that small deficit created by the 20 caliber bore leaves a lot of weight.

nice!

Thanks for the sage advice, both of you guys.
I'm still learning.

Bugholes with 32 gr. VMax + 23 gr. H380 using sm rifle magnum primer
23" Bbl on Contender w/BSA 8-32X40mm scope

It is my most accurate setup!
I can literally hit a dime at 100 yds.
I need to shoot at a variety of ranges that I can get a feel of it's trajectory
I look forward to that learning curve
Jimmy

Thanks, skipper, I've dressed her up and she shoots like a laser!

zombie life!

Thanks, Bill
I appreciate your compliments
I'm presently embroiled in a few Encore forearms
Here's one on a 357/44 Bain & Davis (still needs some TLC)

Actually, wood working makes my irons look good and feel happy

Rick in OR I rec'd the 14" SSK Bbl with the front 9" turned down to .55" and wanted to use the barrel with a forearm designed to enclose the barrel's deficit. As a single shot the heat buildup within the forearm is minimal. It is free-floated internally and has no contact to the wood ...

Mine is 14" Bbl from SSK and 1:10" twist
Had to build some remedial woodwork on this one
Powder of choice IMR 8208 with 62 gr. bullets = shoots lights out

204 Ruger in 23" SS contender w/custom furniture
She likes 32 gr. pills

30 Raptor by Gary Reeder uses 204 Ruger brass necked to .308

A great peformer

I shoot contenders exclusively so I can't really speak to the 'heating up of barrels' but I have quite a range of small bore chambers. They range from 17HMR, .204 Ruger, .222 Rem, .223 Rem, and .222 Rem Mag Imp all rifle barrels and the one that I have the highest confidence in to drill a fly at 100...

Best deal now is Hornady @ .40 ea.+ship
http://www.selwayarmory.com/hornady-rel ... of-50.html
popular stuff
cheaper stuff unavailable

I'm sold on the light and steady TC contender. My favorite barrel for whitetail is the 6.5 Grendel.
But shown here wearing a .308 Bellm barrel which is just as effective.