Caliber choice for Contender (not G2) carbine

[meister-jaeger]

I'm in the market for a new Contender carbine barrel and need to select a caliber.  Let me set up the parameters.  I already have a .375 Win and a 7x30.  I have an Encore but want to set up another Contender.  I don't really want to go the custom route because it is too expensive.  I need something to take deer sized game and would prefer a common cartridge since I am not currently in a position to reload.  The 30-30 seems like it might be a logical choice but is borderline legal where I am now.  What are your suggestions?

[Messer]

Well - you already have a couple of the best rounds available from the factory already.

At what ranges are looking to try and hit your target?

Without reloading, not many of the factory rounds get up to their potential. I'd vote for 7x30 Waters, 30-30, 45/70, 44 Mag. and 357 MAX - depending on range. (but they all do better when reloaded for best results in the Contender)

Take care,
Bob S.

[spinafish]

if you are looking for something smaller than the 7 x 30, then I would recommend the 6.8 SPC..but if the 30-30 is borderline it might not work..

[EdK]

The 30-30 seems like it might be a logical choice but is borderline legal where I am now.  

Really? Never heard about a 30-30 being underpowered - only overpowered in shotgun only territory. Where are you located? 

[meister-jaeger]

Thank-you for the replies.

I am located in Germany and the law here requires at least 2,000 joules of energy at 100 meters for anything bigger than Roe deer.  That translates to roughly 1475 ftlbs at 100 meters by my calculations.  So, if I shoot only factory loads right now, my .375 Winchester makes the cut but the 30/30 doesn't.  I am intrigued by the feedback on the 6.8mm though.  I am thinking it would make for a dynamite Roe deer tool.

[jw4570]

Meister-Jaeger,

I checked Remington's website for 35 Remington, 6.8, and 30-30:

http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/ballistics/comparative_ballistics_results.aspx?data=R35R2*PRC68R4*R30301*R30302

I choose them in that order, the last two are both 30-30 loads.

All come up short of 1475 at 100 yards, which surprised me, especially for the 35 Remington.

That's all with 24 inch test barrels, so your quest for something in the Contender may be difficult.

I guess buying an Encore is out of the question?  An Encore in 7x57 Mauser would be sweet in my opinion, especially in Europe, unless you are not allowed to have a "military" caliber, don't know if they make it in that caliber though.

[Cowboybart]

The 6.8 SPC is balisticly equivelant to the 7-30.  With the 7-30 you have better bullets.

[scrounger]

Not to offend any TC people, how about a HandiRifle in .270. 7/08, .308, .30-06, or one of several other calibers that qualify? Not much more than the cost of a new TC barrel. I like Contenders better but I do have both.