Fryboy, I'm with you. I have had a Contender almost since they were introduced, but I have never owned a Hornet barrel of either variety for it. I loaded for one bolt action hornet years ago but it was not mine and was traded/sold by its owner while I was still in load development with it. I did like it and was starting to really like it when it left. One of these days the right barrel will find me, too, preferably somewhere around 24", but if a shorter Custom shop barrel comes along first I'll snap it right up and I have a mould for it when it does. I already have one custom shop barrel that I love, a 16" .35rem. I wanted a 24" one and had been looking around but a friend called and told me to buy this one. I'm glad I did as it is MOA with its favorite bullets and as a Carbine with peep sights it is a joy to carry and hunt with. A matching KHornet carbine would be fun for small game and pests.