1st pistol barrel for contender

[huntinhick]

Hello all,

I have used my g2 rifle to take a bit of game now I want to get a pistol barrel for my flatside contender for hunting.  I am thinking about a 10" 357 max (bullberry is having a special right now and with my military discount I can get it for $150) or a 12"-14" 30/30  I have a chance to by a 10" 30/30 with a brake for 100$ but I have heard that you need at least 12" to get good accuracy and consistency.  I plan to use it on game up to deer and blackbear 100-300 lbs average, in washington state.  I have dies for the 30/30 but if the best bullet is a 125 I am thinking maybe the heavier bullets from the max would be better?  anyway opions wanted.  also anyone shooting a 10" with a 2 inch break for and overal 12" how are they?

thanks
carl

[Hopalong7]

First of all, I would reccomend anyone getting their first Contender pistol barrel to get a .22 lr, just for fun and practice, practice, and then some more practice.  This is even more true if you're going to be a first time pistol scope user.  Now to your real question...The 10" Max would be a good place to start and from the sound of your application would be a better choice than the 30/30.  The 30/30 is also a great Contender choice, but I would MUCH prefer a 14" barrel w/o brake.  I don't care for breaks much at all and I just don't see a need for one on a 30/30.  If barrel length is shorter than 14", I would prefer a .30 Herret over the 30/30.  I would jump all over a BB 10" Max for that price and never look back!!!  GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt 

[Grumulkin]

The 357 Maximum would be a very good choice.

I would choose a 30/30 over a 30 Herrett any day.

I would recommend a brake especially if you're a new handgun shooter; it will make your shooting quite a bit more pleasant.  Be sure to wear ear protection always.

I think a 10 inch barrel with a 2 inch brake would be just fine.

[critter44]

I shoot a 30-30 super 14" a good bit. It has taken many deer and is VERY accurate and quite effective in the game field. I use 125 Nosler BT's over IMR 4198. The deer I hunt are not huge bodied, but mostly 150# or less.

For heavier bodied game, you may indeed want heavier bullets, but the above works great for me.

[Slowpoke Slim]

My 14" 30-30 likes the 150 gr BT's better than the 125 sierra's. I was surprised as I expected it to be the opposite. Mine does not have the brake, and the recoil is quite manageable. I've heard some guys have tried the new "Revolution" Hornady ammo out of theirs and like the results. I've only shot my own handloads though. I haven't shot any deer with mine, but the whitetails here (at least s. AZ) are very small, and I'm sure it would take one quite well with either the 125's or the 150's.

[Dezynco]

The old 30-30 is just hard to beat in a 12 - 14" Contender.  It's easy to handload for, and it shoots factory loads well also.  My 14" Super will stack them at 100 yards.  Like someone above said, practice, practice and some more practice will be needed with a handgun.  They're just not as forgiving as a rifle, so you just have to learn to be still with it - find a good rest quickly and place your shot quickly.  Hope you enjoy whatever pistol barrel you choose, it's very rewarding to shoot a 3/4" group at 100 yards with a pistol!

[superdown]

What is your rifle bbl chambered in ? that might help you decide what pistol bbl to get .

[huntinhick]

I had thought about getting a 10" 22mag to start with (I love the 22mag) but I would like to get something I could hunt with.  superdown I have a 30/30 rifle barrel and the dies to go with it.  I was kinda wanting something that would do well out of the shorter barrel so I could easily carry it in the rainforest around where I live.  I intend to get a 14" 30/30 later but I would like a shorter barrel with good performance to start with.  I already shoot pistols (S&W 625 45LC) but know that switching to a scope will be different.  I am kinda leaning towards the BB 10" 357 max,  Someone mentioned that you can shoot 357 mag and 38s out of it also, is that a good option for cheap practice. 

thanks
carl

[superdown]

  I live in federal way so i know about the wet stuff. I would get the 30-30 bbl 14in you allready have the dies and stuff you could always just shoot cowboy loads out of the 30-30 or duplicate these loads by handloading.http://www.ultramaxammunition.com/cowboy.phpNot a bad idea on the 22mag bbl though so you can pop some rabbits and grouse to get the hang of shooting a scoped handgun.

[tncowboy]

Like some said a 22lr or 22mag is good to start with, you can do allot of practice with a brick of 22lr ammo, also good for tree rat's, for deer I like the  7-30 waters with a 14" barrel, recoil is very lite and will take deer out to 200 yards and beyond, you have a 30-30 so you have brass all you need is 7-30-dies to form your cases
Shoot em Up

[mcwoodduck]

I'm going to follow suit and say 22LR if you are new to handguns.  Lots of fun and cheap practice.
I have a 14" 30-30 and a 14" 44mag.  For big game.  have not shot the 30-30 yet as I just turned it in to a rifle for an upcomming hunt and do not want to screw with the accuracy by swaping stuff around.
But 44 mag is cheaper to shoot with factory loads and if your shooting 100 yards and under either will work as a big game (deer, black bear, and pig) gun.  The wider heavier bullet could not hurt either.

[huntinhick]

I have been thinking that the 44mag might not be a bad start either,  I have heard the 10" 44mags are heavy one the recoil though so I have kinda been worried about it.  I do like that the 44mag would be good for close range elk also.   so many choices .  if I get a good enough deal on parts I might go ahead and get a 22mag and one centerfire.

[ourway77]

357 Max is a very good choice, I have one I like the 14" better  . Little more veocity, that may be needed for a longer shot. I have a 22 Mag Bullberry, I just sold it as I have 2. They are both fine shooters and it was hard to decide which to sell. If this be your choice go for the 22 mag match.  All bullberry's shoot well. Lou

[irold]

Perhaps I'm wrong , cause no one else has mentioned it......but you said you presently have a rifle barrel on your contender How is it classified ...as a rifle or a handgun ?  I believe if it was bought as a rifle , it would be illegal to put a barrel less than 16" on it ??   If I'm thinking right , you can put a rifle barrel on a handgun frame , but not a short barrel on a rifle frame ??         maybe some one with a better understanding will chime in ......Good luck    Oh and by the way , I had a 357 Max , 10" barrel....you'd be hard pressed for a better barrel for what you want to do with it.   ----  regards ----

[huntinhick]

I have a g2 in rifle and 2 flatsides in pistol

[irold]

AH , after rereading your post...I understand..Sorry      Good luck

[snowbelt45]

I agree with several of the other posters that a good caliber to start with is the .22LR.  Contenders aim, point and shoot differently than other pistols.  I am presently "trying" to adjust to shooting a 1911 .45 acp, and it's a whole different world for me!  For hunting calibers, you can't go wrong with the 7X30 Waters or the .357 Reminington Max.  I have shot both for 20+ years, and enjoy them both, but have a fondness for the 7X30 due to mild recoil and extended ranges on deer like game.  Whatever you end up with, you'll be hooked for life like all other Contender owners!

[muffindrvr]

welcome to the wonderful world of contender hunting .the sickness has just begun. you cant have just a couple of barrels they are just like potato chips.i have a 14 inch 357 max barrel and a 14 inch 30-30 with a brake on it + 24 other barrels in different calibers .i love my 30-30 and my max barrel eiether barrel should suit you just fine .and yes i shoot 38,357 and 357 max out of my max barrel without any problems all are accurate. good luck with your decision and have fun .if you get a good deal on contender barrels buy them just to add to your collection just my 2 cents worth dave.........

[hunterspistol]

 Hi huntinhick,
     The guys are right about using the little 22s for hunting, I like mine. I have a 22 Hornet that I reload for and, if you're already a shooter, this one isn't bad if you can reload for it.  The 357 Max in a 10" barrel might be a handful, I've shot a 357 mag with factory ammo and not particularly liked it. In handgun formation, jacketed kicks up and lead pushes straight back to you (hard, sometimes).  They say a 30-30 is pretty decent for a 14 or 15" barrel. One thing about trading barrels is that if you don't like it, someone else will.