Author Topic: 10" bull barrel deer calibers? (Read 2694 times)

alan in ga · « **on:** July 09, 2003, 03:39:03 AM »

I wonder what you think the best chambering is for a 10" barrelled Contender is? I have had a Super 14" in 35 Remington that was great and super accurate [2X Leupold], but I did not like carrying the 14" barrel in the woods > figured I might as well tote one of my ultra lite rifles. I have always thought the 10" bull barrel might be THE barrel for this pistol being easier and less bulky,,but I'm not sure what caliber I would get it in for WHITETAIL DEER exclusively. I thought the 44 mag,,but what other would you suggest? I have reloaded since 1967 so that's an item to know if it's a custom cartridge.
You guys are gonna cost me some money,,I can tell!
Thanks, Alan in GA.

Questor · « **Reply #1 on:** July 09, 2003, 03:45:49 AM »

I've been happy with the 10" bull barrel with 44 magnum. It's a good combination. I typically get 200 - 300fps more from it than from a revolver. The only important thing about the 44 in the contender is that you really need Pachmayr grip and foreend to tame the recoil.

I understand that 300 whisper is a popular caliber for 10" barrels and deer hunting also, but I rather prefer the 44.

Sixgun · « **Reply #2 on:** July 09, 2003, 04:20:23 AM »

Since you are only shooting whitetail, I would say a 357 mag would do fine from a 10" barrel. I have killed several Mule Deer with a 4" 357 revolver and they didn't go anywhere. I never had to track them more than about 20 yards either. I would use a 180gr bullet at about 1350fps and it should be good for 100 yard shots at any whitetail. The recoil will be about 1/2 of what a 44 mag will do and I hear that a 44 mag really gets your attention from a 10" barrel.

If you think think that a 357 mag is too whimpy, go with 357 Max. I get about 1850fps from my 10" Max barrel useing 180gr bullets. I haven't tried 200 gr bullets yet but they would even be better. I have considered taking my Max Elk hunting. The only reason I have not is because since I got it I have been hunting in a Black Powder area.

Most guys don't think anything of tackling a big Bull Elk with a 50 cal round ball but would never dream of useing a 357 Mag on one. The 357 mag kills much better at farther ranges than the 50cal round ball.

Just my 2 cents,
Sixgun

Questor · « **Reply #3 on:** July 09, 2003, 04:31:31 AM »

Sixgun:

The 44 does get your attention in a 10" barrel unless you've got the pachmayrs on it.

What kind of bullets are you using for the 357? Are you sure you're only getting 1350fps from it? I get 1600fps from 240 grain 44 mags without using maximum loads. The same loads in a revolver give me about 1350.

I like the idea of a contender in 357 for deer. With the right bullet, I think it would be very effective.

Are 357 magnum barrels commonly available for the contender? I've never checked. Thanks for the idea. I think I'd still prefer the 44 for longer shots (more than 75 yards or so.)

Sixgun · « **Reply #4 on:** July 09, 2003, 05:09:34 AM »

Questor,

The 1350fps that I stated in my previous post was from my 4 inch revolver. I don't know what you could get out of a 10 inch contender barrel with one but I am sure you could work up a load that would get much more volicity. I don't own a 357 mag barrel but I did borrow one once to see if I wanted one for silhouette shooting. I don't remember what I loaded but I do remember that it got more volicity with the same loads that I had for my 4 inch revolver and the recoil was very light compared to the revolver.

The 180 gr bullets that I use in my Max are 180 XTPs, 180 Rem, and 180 Laser Cast. I'm not at home so I can't look up the exact loads or volicities, but they all got good accuracy and the volicity was all in the 1850 fps range. The Laser Cast leaded my barrel after just a few shots so I tried tumble lubing them with Lee Liquod Alox, in addition to the blue stuff that Laser Cast used and it reduced leading noticeably.

One thing that I have noticed about the 44mag. It dosen't matter how fast I start them out of the barrel, but after 100 yards they really fall fast. By 150 yards they are really dead. I don't know if this is true with a 357 cal bullet but it seems like it has a little better BC. It may do better but I don't know.

There are usually 357 mag barrels for sale on e-bay. I see them on Graybeard's Classifieds too. There are 2 357 max barrels on Graybeard's Classifieds right now.

Sixgun

KYODE · « **Reply #5 on:** July 09, 2003, 05:12:34 AM »

i don't have any 10" barrels. but if i was gonna pick one, i'd look at these closely. 357maximum, .300whisper,7tcu,30herret,357herrett, 44mag,etc. some will have recoil, some will require case forming, some will need fireformed. decide what exactly you want to get into. i think a 7.62 x39 with a .308 bore would be dandy to play with also, but would require a custom barrel. theres an article at handgunhunt.com on a 7-30waters in a 10" barrel. maybe not efficient as some, but worked nontheless.

Graycg · « **Reply #6 on:** July 09, 2003, 06:55:57 AM »

357 max all the way!!! I have 2 10 inchers and a 12 incher. I think that it's the best 10 inch caliber bar none for deer and pigs. I wouldn't have 3 if they didn't work for me. (All have different throats for different purposes!) I really like shorter barrels for woods hunting, and have a lovely 10 inch 44 mag VVCG barrel, but the max is faster, hits as hard and doesn't kick at all by comparison.

regards,
Graycg.

DanL · « **Reply #7 on:** July 09, 2003, 07:37:20 AM »

Don't overlook the 41 mag. I do not like shooting my 44 mag barrel on the TC, but the 10" 41 weighed down slightly with a 2x scope and loaded with 250 or 265 gr Cast Performance slugs is a joy to shoot.

That said, I'll also ditto the comments on the 357 Max, great fun and just as accurate as the 41, I've just never hunted with the Max so I can't comment there.

alan in ga · « **Reply #8 on:** July 09, 2003, 11:45:31 AM »

I would imagine the 375 Win would be overbore in the 10". I have never had one even in the 21" barrel to try much less a shorter barrel. I HAVE had the chance to shoot Doc's 357 MAX in a 12" before and I think it just might be ok in a 10". I am not one who likes to shoot overbore rounds in short barrels. That is why I bought the 35 Rem in a 14", but as I said,,the longer barrel and larger wood forend made it a bit too much for my tastes.
The 35 Rem in a 14" barrel was much easier in recoil than the 44 Mag in the same barrel length in my opinion. I think the 44Mag is really efficient in the 10" if you can deal with the recoil, but I like the 357 MAX suggestion and after all is said and done see what barrel/deal turns up first. I have counted right at 5,000 rounds of 44 Mag loads in my reload record book after owning 3 Super Blackhawks and one Redhawk since about 1976. I do NOT like the dog ears of flame and sonic crack that comes form the cylinder gap of all these spin cylinder guns, tho! Hence the 10" Contender now in the mindset.
As always,,thanks for all the input,,and add more if something comes to mind. I also really like the Carbines and after having a 30/30 and 223 barrels am thinking of 'this 10" pistol idea' [again!].
alan in ga.

Gregory · « **Reply #9 on:** July 09, 2003, 12:21:49 PM »

Alan
A 10" TC in 44 Mag was my deer gun for several seasons and accounted for a couple of bucks. I found the muzzle flip to be very sharp with this setup. I now have a 14" 44 Mag barrel.
I hunted with a 10" 300 Whisper last season and a 10" 357 Max (loaded with magnums to be IL legal) the season before that.
I'd have to pick the 357 Max as my favorite, it's accurate and flat shooting and recoil is not bad at all.

wheelgun · « **Reply #10 on:** July 09, 2003, 01:57:41 PM »

I like the 35's alot i have 5 or 6 of them i can't remember now.The 357 max and 357 herrett perform very good in my 10'' tubes.I would say the 357 max is easier because no case forming but i enjoy doing it.I guess my vote would be 357 max in 10" tube.Its real hard to pick just one i like them all..

41MAG · « **Reply #11 on:** July 09, 2003, 02:33:20 PM »

A 10" 41Mag is a good choice out to a 100yds the deer is history. Use a hand load or corbon ammo. A 375 win in a 14" barrel is also a good one.If you want a real heavy hitter a 12" 454 with winchester ammo will fill the bill. :lol:

bigbore442001 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 09, 2003, 02:46:36 PM »

What caliber revolvers do you load for? I would ask that question to myself at first. Say I had a 41 magnum revolver,then I'd get a 10" 41. If I had a 44 mag then a 10" 44 mag. That would be my rationale.

Gascheck · « **Reply #13 on:** July 09, 2003, 03:36:55 PM »

I picked up my Herret about 1 1/2 years ago. It was my first contender and I wanted a wildcat caliber. Being an old fan of Bob Milek's writing my choice led me to the .30 for whitetails here in PA. Did a fair amount of load development and found my barrel really like IMR 4198 for 125gr bullets. Where as with 150's the accuracy edge went to H4227. For hunting deer last fall used the 125gr Nosler BT with a max load of 27 grains of 4198. Took a quartering away shoot on a 12 point 168# field dressed and weighed buck. Bullet broke 2 ribs on way in and broke off side shoulder on way out. Bullet not recovered but exit wound was about the size of a tennis ball. Deer ran 10 feet and piled up.

For casual woods walk steel target games we have in our area I've been using the Seirra 150gr flat base spire point in front of 21.5 grains of h4227. Great accuraccy but the jacket is a little to stiff for reliable expansion. So for a heavier bullet hunting load I've been working with the Hornady 150gr sxt. Accuracy again has been excellent. I wrote Hornady about expansion at herret velocities and the say the will expand if range does not exceed 150 yards. Should be a great black bear load.

Both loads are fun to shoot without a lot of muzzle blast or recoil. I have been reloading for years and I find the case making kinda fun. Have some cases that have been fired 7-8 times now without failure with the 150g bullet load.

Hope this helps

alan in ga · « **Reply #14 on:** July 09, 2003, 03:46:44 PM »

Quote from: bigbore442001

What caliber revolvers do you load for? I would ask that question to myself at first. Say I had a 41 magnum revolver,then I'd get a 10" 41. If I had a 44 mag then a 10" 44 mag. That would be my rationale.

I like to figure caliber by what the situation calls for,,not what dies I have. I've been loading since 1968 and dies are all over the shop. Dies are cheap. Your point is good if only a few dies are at hand, tho.
I don't even have a Contender at the moment as I sold mine. Doc is a friend and he is fired up again with Contenders so I figure I might as well "get back in" with one.
I had a 2x Leupold on my 35 Rem Super 14,,,might go with the 4X this time. Thinking more about that.
alan in ga.

Bullseye · « **Reply #15 on:** July 09, 2003, 05:48:43 PM »

357 Max, 41 Mag, 44 Mag. Got 10"s in all these calibers and they all shoot great. They all kill deer very effeciently, but they usually go about 100 yards with the 357 Max and expire much quicker with the other two. Which one do I use the most for deer hunting, 357 Max. Next choice 41 Mag. Nothing against the 44 Mag, don't think the recoil is that bad, I am just a big fan of the 357 Max and 41 Mag.

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 10, 2003, 01:11:50 AM »

The .30 Herrett...been on the job for 30 years now....took on all challengers....357Max,41,44,45C,300Whisper(all in 10")...back to the .30 Herrett...ain't broke-don't want to fiz it. All that fer .02$.
GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt

alan in ga · « **Reply #17 on:** July 10, 2003, 01:40:28 AM »

Quote from: Hopalong7

The .30 Herrett...been on the job for 30 years now....took on all challengers....357Max,41,44,45C,300Whisper(all in 10")...back to the .30 Herrett...ain't broke-don't want to fiz it. All that fer .02$.
GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt

What is your favorite 30 cal bullet for deer? thanks, alan in ga :shock:

knitepoet · « **Reply #18 on:** July 11, 2003, 04:13:13 AM »

Alan,
I'm partial to my 10" 7tcu barrel. I get 2100fps+ muzzle vel with 120 ballistic tips. According to Nosler, I should get good expansion out past the max range I'd ever use it.
Paul

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 11, 2003, 05:44:08 AM »

alan in ga, 125 Nosler BT followed closely by 130Hor SSP. Walt

Gregory · « **Reply #20 on:** July 11, 2003, 07:09:17 AM »

Quote from: Hopalong7

alan in ga, 125 Nosler BT followed closely by 130Hor SSP. Walt

These are my top two bullets choices in my 300 Whisper also. The Remington 125 gr PSP is a good low cost varmint/practice bullet too.

Hopalong I've always shied away from the 30 Herret because of the case forming chores. Can you buy already formed cases now?

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 12, 2003, 03:43:40 AM »

Yes, brass is often available on ebay. Also, somebody(maybe Corbon) is loading ammo. E A Brown also has brass (I think fairly resonable). Never checked too much because I've always made my own. If you do, I reccomend Win or Fed 30-30. Some have used .375Win, claiming better case life...never tried it...case life not being a problem for me. I think the secret to case life(and a lot of other things) is proper head space, which is good reason for custom making your own brass for your own barrel. Didn't mean to get into an essay. GOOD SHOOTIN', wALT

PJ · « **Reply #22 on:** July 12, 2003, 05:26:23 AM »

My 10" pick would be 30Herrett,357Max,44Mag,and 30Bellm.

alan in ga · « **Reply #23 on:** July 12, 2003, 10:47:06 AM »

:-D
a 357 Magnum and 22 LR Match SS. Should I leave the Magnum as is,,,or use one of two reamers I have access to: 357 MAXimum,,and 357 Bain Davis?
life CAN be made complicated!
alan in ga.
PS-also have a 4XEER Leupold coming for $125,,,good day!

Johnly · « **Reply #24 on:** July 12, 2003, 06:09:16 PM »

Quote from: Bullseye

357 Max, 41 Mag, 44 Mag. Got 10"s in all these calibers and they all shoot great. They all kill deer very effeciently, but they usually go about 100 yards with the 357 Max and expire much quicker with the other two. Which one do I use the most for deer hunting, 357 Max. Next choice 41 Mag. Nothing against the 44 Mag, don't think the recoil is that bad, I am just a big fan of the 357 Max and 41 Mag.

357 Herrett would be what I would grab for first. I have a 10" bull wearing a 2X Leupold that I have dispatched several deer with at ranges up to 140 yards with the Speer 180 gr. FP pushed by 21.1 gr. of H4227. I traded off my 14" S-14 30 Herrett when I picked up a 10" tapered 30 Herrret. I have a 12" blued Hunter barrel in 357 Max that I can't deside if I should keep, sell, or rechamber. Such problems....

alan in ga · « **Reply #25 on:** July 13, 2003, 04:52:20 AM »

how is the muzzle flash and report on that 357 Herret 10" barrel?,,,,I said,,,HOW'S THE MUZZLE BLAST ON THAT 10" ,,,,,,HA!
I bet it would set the brush on fire in dry weather. I really liked the 35 Rem Super 14" I had,,but the combination of 14" of steel and heavier than standard wood forend made for a bit of muzzle heavyness to me. I DID like the way the 14" of barrel "put" the muzzle blast comfortably 'away' from me. I deer hunted with Super Blackhawks and a Redhawk but I DON'T like to use a tree for a rest as the side projection of the flame/crack coming from the cylinder gap would bounce of the near surface of the tree right back at my face and ears. Hence my interest in the Contender 10" once again.
I chose the Leupold 2X for my 35 Rem [about 15 years ago] figuring the 4X was just too hard to get any field of view. I have used scopes since 1965 and am very used to them,,so I'm going to try the 4X Leupold a friend has coming my way > possibly a mistake > we'll see.
As I said I do have the use of a 357 MAXimum reamer but I will give the standard 357 Magnum chamber a good while of testing to see 'what's what' with it. I looked into the chamber last nite and was VERY IMPRESSED with the smoothness of the throat and lead. I have chambered/barrelled a few rifles and also have access/use of a Hawkeye bore scope,,,and will take a "closer look" at this 357 Mag barrel!
Are you 10" Contender deer hunters using a holster?
Thank you for all the input,,,you DID cost me money yesterday!!!!
alan in ga. "Contenderitis" has flared up full force.

thomas · « **Reply #26 on:** July 13, 2003, 06:18:33 AM »

I like my 445 super mag. it has the power and range to cleanly kill about anything in the 10" tube.
Some years I have also hunted with my 10" tube in 357 Max
Tom

Johnly · « **Reply #27 on:** July 14, 2003, 06:04:12 AM »

Quote from: alan in ga

how is the muzzle flash and report on that 357 Herret 10" barrel?,,,,I said,,,HOW'S THE MUZZLE BLAST ON THAT 10" ,,,,,,HA!
I bet it would set the brush on fire in dry weather. .

With H4227 it's not bad at all. From the testing I did with WW680, I'd have to pack a 1A10BC extinguisher unless it was pouring rain for a week prior to opening day.

doc-and · « **Reply #28 on:** July 14, 2003, 09:45:10 AM »

My favorite barrel for deer hunting is the 7-30Waters with 120gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip bullet with Winchester W-748 powder. M.V. 2258 FPS out of my 10incher. Less recoil than 44mag. Works good for Utah deer.

doc-and :grin:

Dave2of5 · « **Reply #29 on:** July 15, 2003, 04:28:40 PM »

I like my .357 Herret in the 10". I prefer it over the 7TCU. In the 12", I really like the .375 Win.

If I had a 41, 44 Mag or a 45 Colt I think those cartridges would really be good in the Contender as well, But I REALLY like the .357 Herret.

Dave