New to Contenders. Best 30 Cal option?

[WL44]

Hi,

Somehow it seems I messed up a post… thought I posted this yesterday.

Anyway, I’m totally new to Contenders; been revolver hunting for a few years and picked up a Contender at an auction on the weekend (serial number post 195 000 thanks for the info found here) with 22LR, 357 Mag and 357 Max barrels.

Any input on your favourite the 30 cal alternatives such as the, .309 JDJ other .30's on 444 Marlin etc.? I’d be hunting game from smaller antelope to Kudu and Wildebeest (say up to elk size), so I think the 30-30 is possibly not enough? And I'd like to be able to get to 250 yards or so in a pinch.

Also, any recommendations on where to get a custom barrel? I know about SSK, but any recommendations are great. I’ll e-mail the sponsor Ed’s as well.

I’m in South Africa and licensing takes forever here so I’d like to order my new barrel now already when I apply for a license for the frame so that the applications can run concurrently (it could take a year; or more). I suspect importing will be a long (and possibly frustrating) process.

Thanks for any pointers.

WL

[WL44]

Deleted. Seems there's some history I'm not aware of... saw "censored word" and "banned site" in some other posts. So ammended initial post to exclude that caliber and party's name.

[Hopalong7]

From the sound of your intended usage, the .309JDJ would be THE ".30" of choice and you already know where to get it...SSK.  I've had one for years and it shoots great.  My only problem is I've only shot it at stumps, cans, pumpkins, watermelons and etc.  I bought it long ago with the dream of an out west elk hunt and somehow it just hasn't materialized.  I do shoot deer with a .30Herret and a 30-30AI and they do great but with the heavier bullets the .309JDJ is far superior.  BTW, If I was in South Africa I would be looking real hard at a .375JDJ.  GOOD SHOOTIN',  Walt 

[Grumulkin]

Of the cartridges you mention in .308 caliber, I would go with the 309 JDJ and I would get it from SSK Industries.  The censored one takes a LONG time to fill orders and I believe you would be a bit frustrated with that.  In my experience, SSK Industries does excellent work in an expeditious fashion.  I also think SSK Industries would also be more experienced in shipping firearms/parts to foreign destinations than other barrel makers.

Your 357 Maximum barrel with the right bullet (i.e., heavy and well constructed) should be sufficient for both Kudu and Wildebeest but the trajectory is such that I doubt you would like using it at 250 yards; up to 100 yards or just a bit over would be OK though.  I took a couple of small antelope and a Black Wildebeest with a 357 Herrett in RSA in 2005.  The 357 Herrett has similar ballistics to the 357 Maximum.  I used 158 gr. Hornady XTP bullets; they worked fine but I hadn't been intending to take a Wildebeest with it and probably would have been better off with a heavier bullet.

If you're going to shoot at 250 yards, I presume you're going to want your barrel scoped.  I use SSK Industries 6 hole, 4 ring T'SOB base on my heavy recoiling T/C handguns.

[Minnesota1]

I would go with the 309 JDJ.  It's a great caliber and JD says with the 165 gr Ballistic tip it will kill out to 300 yards with great expansion.  I also own a 358 JDJ and love it! I personally feel that the larger caliber JDJ's have some issues with velocities and bullets not expanding well because they are magnum rifle bullets, meaning the bullets are a little harder and thus need a little more velocity to expand.  Just my opinion.  I love the 358 and the 309 JDJ's so good luck and have fun with all the red tape.

[Graybeard]

You did post it yesterday. I'm not sure on which forum but I responded to that one.

Your first was on the TC Rifles Forum and this one is on the TC Handguns Forum. Are you looking for rifle or handgun barrel?

Here is the other:

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,154909.msg1098666761.html#msg1098666761

[WL44]

Oops... it's been a looooong week.  Thanks Graybeard and thanks for the reply there too.

Thank you for all of the input. This is exactly the type of information I was looking for. I'll get hold of SSK.

WL