Author Topic: TC handgun for people who don't reload? (Read 1812 times)

Questor · « **on:** October 01, 2003, 12:28:01 PM »

What's a good choice in T/C handgun for a non-reloader who will be hunting primarily pronghorn antelope and mule deer? Recoil should not be stout because this is a beginning handgun hunter. Cartridges should be commonly available factory ammo. Thanks.

Bob C · « **Reply #1 on:** October 01, 2003, 12:42:47 PM »

My 14" 30/30 barrel has shown very good accuracy with factory ammo, particularly the 150 grain Remington loads which are available at Wal Mart for $9 or so.

Three shot groups normally stay under 1 1/2" at 100 yards off a rest, and with a 6x scope.

Blackhawk44 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 01, 2003, 01:40:59 PM »

7/30 Waters.

longwinters · « **Reply #3 on:** October 01, 2003, 02:53:32 PM »

I would also say the 7-30 waters. Is good for deer size game out to 200 yds.

long

ShootnStr8 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 01, 2003, 03:06:19 PM »

Questor,

As much as I love my 7-30 Waters barrel, I'm going to have to vote for the 30-30. I believe that the availability of ammo and variety of factory loads make it a good choice for the non-handloader. And, if Federal ever decided to drop the 7-30 from their offerings, then things may get kind of expensive for custom ammo.

Blessings!

ShootnStr8

flyfisher · « **Reply #5 on:** October 01, 2003, 03:23:32 PM »

Have to agree with ShootnStr8...both the 7-30 and 30-30 are excellent choices, but I would go with the 30-30, for the mere fact that ammo availability will be greater. Balistically, there should be little difference between the two, and both should suit for antelope and mule deer.

Happy Huntin'

coltfan · « **Reply #6 on:** October 01, 2003, 03:46:47 PM »

Right now my 7-30 Waters barrel is my only barrel, however, if I didn't handload I'd opt for the 30-30. As was noted before, Wal-Mart runs some pretty good sales on this caliber so you can stock up on practice ammo at some great prices. Remember, the key to being proficient with a handgun is lots of practice. Good shooting.

ShootnStr8 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 01, 2003, 04:12:47 PM »

Hey Coltfan!

Glad to know that there is another one barrel Contender owner out there. Sometimes I think I'm the only one. Since the 7-30 Waters covers the groundhog and whitetail hunting I do so well, I can't justify getting another barrel. A 22 LR barrel would be nice some day for squirrels.

Blessings!

ShootnStr8

bigdog270 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 01, 2003, 04:37:11 PM »

Ialso think the 7-30 is about as good as it gets....but if i were buying a gun and not reloading then i would say 30-30 win..ammo is cheap and you can buy it anywhere you may be.I have taken a few deer with 30-30 contender 150 gr bullets.would do it again without a second thought..good luck :-D

Bullseye · « **Reply #9 on:** October 01, 2003, 05:38:54 PM »

You said commonly available ammo, that only leaves the 30-30. The 7-30 is a great round but not commonly available.

Robert · « **Reply #10 on:** October 01, 2003, 06:12:06 PM »

7-30 ammo IS available, but not 'commonly'. I disagree with a previous post stating they are ballistically the same. The 7-30 waters is a lot flatter shooting and a lot faster, way more 'reach out and touch'. (in MY opinion). My 7TCU is more similar balistically to the 30-30 than my 7-30. In fact...my little 10 inch 7TCU could possibly be better than my 14 inch 30-30. Inside 100 yds the 30-30 is one damn fine gun. (My opinion)

markc · « **Reply #11 on:** October 02, 2003, 03:18:50 AM »

250 Savage? Factory ammo, flat shooting, good deer killer.
markc :-)

SingleShotShorty · « **Reply #12 on:** October 02, 2003, 03:22:48 AM »

My selection would be the 15" 308 Win Barrel. It has some recoil but not bad. I have let several first time shooters shoot mine at the range and they all shoot it faitly well and all want one because they found out it wasn't as bad as they thought it would be.

ghostZ · « **Reply #13 on:** October 02, 2003, 04:26:54 AM »

I went for the .35 rem. I guess since no one has mentioned it might not have been a very good choice. With the break the recoil isn't too bad.

securitysix · « **Reply #14 on:** October 02, 2003, 05:06:19 AM »

If you're talking a T/C Contender or G2, your only real option is the .30/30 based on your criteria. If you're willing to step up to the Encore, there are plenty more offerings that will do the job. Edited to add: Oops, no it's not. A .44 Magnum would do the job well, too, and a .357 Mag will work if you pick your shots. A 10" 10mm barrel may be the ticket here, too, though I wouldn't call the ammo "commonly" available.

With the Encore, you can get everything from .243 on up that will do the job you ask, though a .308 or .30-06 might be more in line with what you want. I have seen some Wal-Marts carry 7mm-08 ammo, and if your local gun shop doesn't carry it, they're messed up. .260 and .280 Remington would work well, as would the .270 Winchester.

Questor · « **Reply #15 on:** October 02, 2003, 07:26:25 AM »

I was hoping to get a little more input on the Encore. I don't feel comfortable recommending a .308 to a new handgun hunter because of the recoil. I don't like the factory cartridge selection for 30-30 or 7-30 as a round for the Contender.

ShootnStr8 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 02, 2003, 08:45:48 AM »

Questor,

If you are talking Encore, then I would second Securitysix's suggestions of the .260 or 7-08. Either would be excellent.

I would be interested in hearing other's opinions of the .243. I've heard stories of a number of deer being lost to it but the good shooters I know who use it swear by it. Shot placement, of course, is everything.

Blessings!

Shootnstr8

boneguru · « **Reply #17 on:** October 02, 2003, 10:40:23 AM »

I don't own one but alot of people are using them here in Az. I would probably get it for the encore these days, but I do think that it shows up on the fox ridge list for contender/g2.
I personally echo the 30-30. it was my first centerfire and what I learned reloading for, not as much variety as I thought the rifle could handle.

xphunter · « **Reply #18 on:** October 02, 2003, 03:22:32 PM »

243 Win., 260 Rem., or 7mm-08 for the Encore and 7x30 Waters or 30-30 for the Contender/G-2. The 260 Rem. & the 7x30 Waters being my top choices.
Ernie

chez48 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 03, 2003, 01:43:26 PM »

I have a 14 inch Bullberry 7-30 and a 10 inch TC 30-30
I just sighted the 30-30 in with a red dot to get three shots touching at 50 yards and a three shot 1.5 inch triangle at 100 yards.

The factory shells for the 7-30 were $18 pre box the 30-30 were $10.50 and can be had anywhere. I have to really ask around to find the 7-30s but I have a good supply loaded up now. Now that I have the 30-30 I will take it as a back up barrel in case anything happens to the other one on a trip.

I'd go with the 30-30 for my first barrel.

dakotashooter2 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 08, 2003, 05:47:32 AM »

I'd like to second ghostz's choice of the 35 rem except that ammo is becoming harder to find in many areas. I had a 35 rem barrel and used it successfully on deer and antelope. I am of fairly light build and did not feel the recoil was bad at all. I replaced it with a 308 hoping to get flatter trajectory, which I did but am not nearly as happy with the 308.

o2bhvnbnd · « **Reply #21 on:** October 09, 2003, 04:13:01 AM »

Go with a .308. Since you don't reload, you can shoot surplus ammo for practice at a great cost savings. I went through the same situation last year and that was my conclusion, even bought .308 barrels in pistol and rifle.
Of course, if ammo pricing is no concern go with what you feel comfortable with.

SD Handgunner · « **Reply #22 on:** October 09, 2003, 04:32:23 AM »

That is a tough question to answer.

However if considering the Encore and Factory Barrels I would have to agree with the recommendation of the .260 Remington, or 7mm-08 Remington. With the proper load, and shot placement the .243 WInchester could also be added to the list and would produce the least amount of recoil of the 3. I have had good results out of a 14" .243 Savage Striker with the 80gr. Federal Classic HiShok ammo that uses the Sierra Game King Bullet. If Custom Barrels are an option then I would add the .250 Savage to the list.

In the Contender it is a little more complicated, but again if a Custom Barrel is an option then again the .250 Savage (with Factory Loads) would be an excellent choice. In the SSK 14" .250 Savage Contender Barrel that I had, the 100gr. Remington PSP Factory Ammo shot 1" 5 shot groups quite consistantly at a velocity of 2450FPS. However if Factory Barrels are the choice, considering Factory Ammo I would opt for the 7-30 Waters as it offers better ballistics than the .30-30 Winchester with Factory Ammo.

Larry

RLSMITH · « **Reply #23 on:** October 15, 2003, 05:54:10 PM »

The 7-08 has my vote. Been shooting them for years in all types of rifles and handguns. I currently am shooting it in an Encore pistol for deer with the 120gr. balistic tip(handloaded) to 2600fps. but since you are not handloading you can pick up several factory offerings from your local gun shop. Our wally world has them also. I am shooting a factory 15" brl cut down to 12" by my local "smith". Slight muzzle blast, but very tolerable and recoil is also very managable( alot less than my .308 ). Hope this helps..........

Best,
Randy

MnMike · « **Reply #24 on:** October 20, 2003, 03:32:43 PM »

I have an embarrased. I have been trying for 2 years to get a good group out of my 7-30 Waters 14" barrel. I ran across a deal on the factory ammo (Federal Premium 120 gr) an bought some mostly for the brass. I tried it. Best group I ever shot with that barrel. It was .5" at 100 yds. I had been doing about 1.5" with reloads. I am not a total moron with reloading. My 223 and 45 Win mag do best with reloads.

Mike