Author Topic: Newbie Has a Question (Read 997 times)

GameHauler · « **on:** February 07, 2008, 01:23:39 PM »

First off, I have been doing some looking around the Site and have to say!
Wow, Seems to be a great amount of wisdom and and just great people here.
Sure glad I got turned on to this site.

Now my question.
I am starting to get into longer (Mid) range hunting.
I have a Rem 700 in 7Mag project that is just about to come together
and wanted to start getting things rounded up for my Contender.
I have been doing a lot of searching and the 7-30 Waters keeps looking good
but would like to get some more input from you fine folks here.

Here is what I want to do.
I live in Arizona which is prime Coues Whitetail country.
For you that do not know much about Coues, they are a smaller deer around 100# Max and stand about 30" at the shoulder.
Any way, I would like to set up my Contender to harvest one out to say, 200yds.

I at this time own 2 barrels that maybe could be used but I am looking for something a little better.
I have a 14" 30-30 and a supper 16, 223.
Let the-(Hey, you Dummy Fly)
Mike

Slowpoke Slim · « **Reply #1 on:** February 07, 2008, 02:09:03 PM »

I, too have chased the coues deer in S. AZ, and a 100 pounder would be HUGE!

You don't really say if you handload ammo or not? It may help with caliber suggestions if we knew you could "roll your own".

I think the 30-30 with a 150 gr ballistic tip would work pretty well. Nothing wrong with a 7-30 Waters either, but you're really looking at handloading either to take advantage of the single shot and shoot pointed bullets. If you're looking for something on the wildcat side, a 243, 257, or 264 cal based on the JDJ or TCU family would certainly work for the little critters.

I've kind of toyed with the idea of a 25-35 AI with a 100 grain Ballistic Tip myself...

I guess it depends on what you want?

GameHauler · « **Reply #2 on:** February 07, 2008, 02:53:17 PM »

Thanks Slim for the reply.
I am not handloading yet but want to start.
With my 7Mag project and my Girls 7MM-08
and now getting the Contender going
I want to get into it also
I wish I could do a 7MM-08 with my Contender along with the Girls gun but that does not look possible

Thanks,
Mike

Slowpoke Slim · « **Reply #3 on:** February 07, 2008, 03:16:06 PM »

Well, it WOULD be an excuse to pick up an Encore frame, to go along with the Contender frame...

Then you can go with 7-08....

Just trying to help....

GameHauler · « **Reply #4 on:** February 07, 2008, 04:06:34 PM »

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I'm a poor boy trying to play.
Mike

kennisondan · « **Reply #5 on:** February 07, 2008, 06:51:33 PM »

200 yards is a bit more than I can hit at but I am working on it... that is pretty far for a short gun.. but not impossible...just takes a lot of practice... handloads are a must..
any of the rounds discussed would do it... even the 223, in my opinion if the deer is below 100pounds... good bullet placement is mandatory.. the 3030 is probably a great choice for using the contender platform.. Taffin talks about shooting 200 yard silhouette with his... so ..that should be a good indication.. get some pointy bullets and ballistic tips.. and get to work...
let us know what you choose and why..
dk

Slowpoke Slim · « **Reply #6 on:** February 08, 2008, 04:23:22 AM »

I think your cheapest way out would be a set of 30-30 dies, press and reloading manual. Load your own 150 gr Ballistic Tips. Put a 2-7 (or so) pistol scope on it and practice extensively. 200 yards looks pretty far through a handgun scope.

GameHauler · « **Reply #7 on:** February 08, 2008, 06:15:11 AM »

I have never really been a fan of 30-30
but am basing that on rifles.
I do not mind spending $150.00 to Say $200.00
on a new barrel if I can get a round that will preform better.
I just bought a Burris 2.5X7-32 scope so I should be good there.
Thanks for the feed back, I'll look a little closer at the 30-30.
Mike

skarke · « **Reply #8 on:** February 08, 2008, 08:33:11 AM »

I started pistol hunting with a 30-30 contender, and it has always been a fabulous performer. I get about MOA groups with handloads off of a bower rest and a roberts forend using 748, BR primers winchester brass and federal BR primers.

A key consideration with the 30 30 handloads is that the cases stretch, which is a bad no no on break opens. If you get into reloading, post a request for info on how to for the contender and you'll be buried in the advice.

Bottom line, the 30-30 drops that size animal like a Mac truck, shoots straight with little discomfort, and ammo can be had anywhere.

GameHauler · « **Reply #9 on:** February 08, 2008, 09:40:04 AM »

Thanks Sharke.
What kind of effective range could I expect out of the 30-30
With what factory Load till I start loading
Mike

PS
Just got home and looked at my 30-30 barrel.
It is not drilled and taped for a scope.
I am sure any Good smith can do it
But is that money better spent towards a differant barrel?

Keith L · « **Reply #10 on:** February 08, 2008, 12:30:45 PM »

"Just got home and looked at my 30-30 barrel.
It is not drilled and taped for a scope.
I am sure any Good smith can do it
But is that money better spent towards a differant barrel?"

If it is a TC factory barrel the scope mount replaces the rear sight. All the holes you will need for a 30-30 are under the sight.

GameHauler · « **Reply #11 on:** February 09, 2008, 03:55:24 AM »

Quote from: Keith L on February 08, 2008, 12:30:45 PM

"Just got home and looked at my 30-30 barrel.
It is not drilled and taped for a scope.
I am sure any Good smith can do it
But is that money better spent towards a differant barrel?"

If it is a TC factory barrel the scope mount replaces the rear sight. All the holes you will need for a 30-30 are under the sight.

Maybe but the site does not look big enough to cove all the scope holes.
Someone tried to tap out the site pin before and it is all screwed up.
I am going to have to grind the head down so I can tap it out.
Mike

Keith L · « **Reply #12 on:** February 09, 2008, 04:24:38 AM »

If you have a factory barrel, and the mount you have is the standard four hole mount, then the sight covers all the holes you need.

What pin are you talking about? The pin that the front of the site pivots on should press out from either side after you remove the adjusting screw and spring. On many of the sites you don't even have to do that, the sight just swings up and out of the way.

GameHauler · « **Reply #13 on:** February 09, 2008, 04:43:16 AM »

Yes the front pivot.
This site will not flip up like the one on my 223 barrel did.
Somebody buggered up the pin on both sides so I need to
clean it up before i can get it out.
Mike

jhalcott · « **Reply #14 on:** February 09, 2008, 08:11:45 AM »

Federal makes a 125 grain load for the 30-30.It is on sale at midway right now. I don't see the need for the 150 and heavier bullets in the 14" 30-30 barrel. Especially for the Coues deer. I would NOT shoot at any range that I could not hit a small paper plate from a good rest though! I do agree on the 2x7 burris scope as being about IDEAL for your needs.The 2x8 Leupold is marginally better. I have a friend who claims the .223 in a carbine is more than adequate for the Coues and Key deer.

irold · « **Reply #15 on:** February 10, 2008, 03:01:19 AM »

I once hunted with a 30/30 in the Contender , perhaps 20-25 yrs ago. I lost a lot of deer because the bullets were not expanding, mine was a 10" octagon barrel. Now before everyone starts to yell at me , I realize a lot has changed since then , bullet design for starters , factory loads for another , longer barrels , and I suppose the list goes on . Point is, it put a bad taste in my mouth, I don't like to lose my quarry. I personally believe your overlooking " your " best choice. For the game your talking about, that 223 should perform nicely, as long as you do your part. AND you already have it ! At least for the first few years....try it. Maybe you'll decide handgunning for deer isn't for you. You haven't lost anything, also the availability of .223 ammo is abundant...and in all kinds of different flavors. OMO

GameHauler · « **Reply #16 on:** February 12, 2008, 02:53:00 PM »

First, I Would like to thank 7-30 waters for the PMs
And everyone for their input.
I really think I want something with a little more umph
than a 223 and am just having a problem with a 30-30 (bad taste in rifle)
NEED new barrel.
Lay it on me.
What do I need??
Lets not go crazy with wildcats.
I have never handloaded but will in the futher
Thanks,
Mike

Slowpoke Slim · « **Reply #17 on:** February 12, 2008, 03:27:13 PM »

Well, OK,

If no crazy wildcats, then there really isn't a whole lot to choose from in contender barrels. You could find a 25-35 bbl, and shoot it "stock" with handloaded pointed bullets, or have it "blown out" to Ackley Improved. Or 7-30 Waters bbl and handload pointed bullets. Or, 375 Win, 444 Marlin, 45-70 will get you more "oomph", but the trajectory will suffer, and recoil will make practicing a chore instead of fun. Or ?

If you get into the wildcats from SSK or JDJ, then you can really get ahold of something that'll give you better long range performance.

skarke · « **Reply #18 on:** February 18, 2008, 04:24:12 PM »

Sorry it took so long for me to answer your question. 125 out of a pistol is about my max from a blind on a little sandbag with the 30 30. Lots of guys on this site can do a lot better, but alas, I am merely mortal.

Practice makes perfect, and fix your heavy trigger if you have one.

skarke · « **Reply #19 on:** February 18, 2008, 04:27:00 PM »

BTW, I like the 125 bullets in the factory load. At contender speeds, they blow nice would channels, and humanely harvest that size animal.