Author Topic: Suggetions Wanted (Read 887 times)

VATChunter · « **on:** June 23, 2004, 11:32:00 AM »

I am just getting started into the TC handgun hunting, I bought a Contender w/ the Super 14 barrel in .223, I have been shooting a good bit. I'm definitely hooked!

VA doesn't allow us to use the .223 for Deer, give me some suggestions. I don't reload at this time, shots will be at 75 yards or less, so what caliber and why do you suggest it. I look forward to your comments.

Thanks,

B_Koes · « **Reply #1 on:** June 23, 2004, 11:40:15 AM »

.44 mag...reason? Power! There may not be a better animal killer around that a big fat hard cast slug that penetrates completely. The only reason to select a faster round is to gain range, but under 100 yards there aren't many animals that can absorb a 240-300gr .430" slug and keep going (assuming you put it in the right spot).

Actually there are a lot of handgun rounds that are great for <100yards. The venerable .30-30 comes to mind as well as the 7-30 Waters. One of the really big hammers like .445 super mag, .444 Marlin, .45-70 will do the trick too! :grin:

New Hampshire · « **Reply #2 on:** June 23, 2004, 11:42:38 AM »

How bout the tride and true .44 MAG? Plenty of power in your stated range. Plenty of factory ammo available from powder puff to rip your arm off. Cast, jacketed, hollow points OH MY! :-D .

Of course if you are real crazy and have a death wish then: .30-06, 45/70, .308 and .454 Casull. But at 75 yards they will kill no quicker than the .44.
Brian M.

mkee · « **Reply #3 on:** June 23, 2004, 11:49:02 AM »

I have a 44 Mag, 7-30 Waters, and a 35 Remington, but of all, I'm probably going to try the 35 this deer season. Loaded with some Hornady XTP bullets, it's gonna be great.

KYODE · « **Reply #4 on:** June 23, 2004, 12:54:47 PM »

it'd be hard to beat a 30-30, or 44mag for shootin factory ammo. the 30-30 may give you a bit of added range, if you decide to stay with the handgun. above all.....practice, and be patient.

VATChunter · « **Reply #5 on:** June 23, 2004, 04:43:59 PM »

Thanks for the posts so far. I hear the strong vote is the .44 magnum, and I have been thinking about the 30-30 real hard, as Kyode suggested. Any opinions on the 45/ 410 barrel?

Thanks again!

Doc T · « **Reply #6 on:** June 23, 2004, 05:10:45 PM »

My favorite caliber is the 300 Whisper. You get .30-30 ballistics with a lot less recoil and muzzle blast. Ammo is available from Cor-Bon until you decide to reload for this round. My next favorite is the 44 mag, though. I also prefer the 10 inchers. The Super 14s are just too long for me. Stay away from the 45/410 barrels unless you want it primarily for the 410 capabilities. The 45 Colt bullets have to travel a long way before they hit rifling in those barrels. Accuracy really suffers.

Bullseye · « **Reply #7 on:** June 23, 2004, 05:34:47 PM »

41 Mag or 375 Win.

VATChunter · « **Reply #8 on:** June 23, 2004, 05:51:04 PM »

Appreciate the heads up on the 45/410 barrels, been watching ebay for used barrels.... any other places that might be good to check for used barrels. I have been to the forums here, handgunhunt.com and talked with Ed's TC's, may buy new if something doesn' t turn up soon.

sgtt · « **Reply #9 on:** June 23, 2004, 07:06:50 PM »

You can't go wrong dealing with Ed.

wheelgun · « **Reply #10 on:** June 24, 2004, 02:05:27 AM »

I agree with the majority on this one at that range the 44 mag is good choice.I have the 30-30 ,375win,7-30 among others but for factory ammo at short range the 44 is hard to beat.

Gregory · « **Reply #11 on:** June 24, 2004, 11:54:57 AM »

I have taken deer with 357 Mag, 357 Max, 300 Whisper, and 44 Mag. All 10" TC Contenders. All worked. My current favorite is the 357 Max. But since you don't reload, the 44 Mag would be your best bet. The deer pictured in my avatar was taken with my 44 TC and a Nosler 200 gr JHP bullet at a distance of about 60 yds.

flatlander · « **Reply #12 on:** June 25, 2004, 04:55:04 AM »

I'll throw in my 2 cents. I like the good ol' 30-30. The recoil is mild, range is good, ammo is cheap, and as noted above, if you start reloading, you can really extend your effective range quite a bit. Plus it is a lot of fun to shoot. I do have a 44 mag also, and it is a great round, but the recoil is a bit more than the 30-30. So if that is a factor for you, you might go with a 30-30. But at 75 yards or less, your choices are pretty numerous.

dakotashooter2 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 25, 2004, 06:46:35 AM »

Just wanted to throw in that NH got a little carried away. Since you have the contender frame (not Encore) you can't get the 308 or 30-06. I used the 35 rem for many years and was quite satisfied. The one I had was particularly accurate. I should note however that the best loads were handloaded 130 gr hornady single shot pistol bullets but factory 150s got the job done too. My brother dropped many a deer with his in 30-30.

New Hampshire · « **Reply #14 on:** June 25, 2004, 07:13:38 AM »

Quote from: dakotashooter2

Just wanted to throw in that NH got a little carried away. Since you have the contender frame (not Encore) you can't get the 308 or 30-06. I used the 35 rem for many years and was quite satisfied. The one I had was particularly accurate. I should note however that the best loads were handloaded 130 gr hornady single shot pistol bullets but factory 150s got the job done too. My brother dropped many a deer with his in 30-30.

Oops, just a minor oversight :grin: . Yeah Ill go wit what Dak said
Brian M.

Steve P · « **Reply #15 on:** June 25, 2004, 09:54:25 AM »

I like the 30-30 and 7x30 waters. Both very accurate in my contenders. You would be ready in case you do get a shot over 100 yards. Beyond 100, the 44 is dropping awefully fast.

Enjoy whatever you choose.

Steve

Bob C · « **Reply #16 on:** June 25, 2004, 02:19:56 PM »

In my humble opinion, the recoil of a 10" .44 Magnum in a Contender is disproportionally unpleasant. The 14" .44's settle don a bit, but still kick more than a 30/30.

My 14" 30/30 consistently did 1.5 to 2.0 MOA with factory ammo from Wal-Mart.

For use on medium game, with factory ammo, I suggest the 30/30 with a good (Leupold, Burris, or Bushnell) scope.

myronman3 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 25, 2004, 04:26:40 PM »

i will suggest the 44mag WITH A SET OF PACHMYER DECELLARATOR GRIPS! it makes a huge difference. and in a 10 inch barrel; 12 inches max. this combination is hard to beat.

Major · « **Reply #18 on:** June 25, 2004, 07:29:46 PM »

Both the .44 Mag and the .30-30 will do the job but if you look at the energy the slugs carry you will see that the .30-30 has about as much at 100 yards as the .44 has at the muzzle and it does it with less recoil. The .30-30 was my choice for that reason.

SD Handgunner · « **Reply #19 on:** June 25, 2004, 07:53:38 PM »

I'll throw in my vote for the .30-30 Winchester as well. I have tested a couple factory .30-30 Contender barrels over the years and all have been surprisingly accurate. However I should note that I was mainly shooting handloaded ammo with 125gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip Bullets.

The nice thing about the .30-30 is, if and when you start handloading there is a host of bullets available to serve the intended task, and extend the range some in the process.

SD Handgunner

xphunter · « **Reply #20 on:** June 29, 2004, 11:18:36 AM »

I would also go with the either the 30-30 or the 44Mag. 30-30 would be my first choice, and it will give you extra range if the situation offered itself.

Paladin · « **Reply #21 on:** June 29, 2004, 12:52:46 PM »

I guess that I need to know if there are any restrictions on what can be used in your state before I make any suggestion though I do believe the good members of this forum here have it covered. Good luck on what ever you decide.