How much would I gain?

[rybo]

Ok, my current hunting rig is a SBH Hunter w/Weaver 2x scope in 44 mag. Kills deer fine. I love this gun.

BUT sometimes you need something new.
What would I gain if I picked up a 12" Contender also in 44 mag & topped it with a 2-7 scope? Worth the upgrade?

[shot1]

If I knew what a SBH was I might could answer your question.   If it is some kind of revolver then yes you would pick up quite a bit by going to a 12" closed breach Contender, around 250 fps with a 240 gr bullet. If I were going to go with a Contender I would go with a a little better caliber than the 44 mag. Something like the 30-30 Win or the 30-30AI in 14" barrel. You can kill deer really effectively out to 200 yards without any change in sight picture hold if you sight in 2" high at 100 yards and drive a 125 gr Nosler ballistic tip 2500 fps. At 200 yards you will be only 2" low. Just hold in the center of a deers shoulder from point blank out to 200 yards and squeeze the trigger.

[Keith1]

Rybo,
  My SBH produces 1421 FPS with a 240 grain Hornady and my 10 inch Contender produces 1437 FPS with a 320 grain cast. Both readings were 3 shot averages and both used 296 powder.

 Another round to think about in the Contender is the 7x30 Waters. It is very accurate and has a longer range potential than the 44.

  Regards, Keith

[pab1]

I love my .44 mag revolvers, but they don't come close to the accuracy (not to mention increased velocity) I get from my .44 mag Contender/Encore barrels. If you want to stick with a .44 mag I would not hesitate to pick one up. IMO its worth the upgrade. So far I have a 12" Encore, two 10" (one scoped, one open sighted) Contender and a 16" Contender barrel. I really like the .44 mag in a single shot. They all shoot Speer 270 gr  GDSPs very well. One thing I like about the Contender with a 10" barrel is that its about the same size as a 7.5" revolver, making it a little easier to pack than a 14" barrel.

[SHOOTALL]

you would gain vel. and a flater shooting gun . But you give up faster second shot if you need it .

[Lloyd Smale]

either will kill a deer at the distances a 44 mag is effective. I dont see you gaing much.

[DANNY-L]

If you deside to get one,you can always p/u different caliber barrels there is nothing wrong with a collection of them. Myself I have a super 14 in 223, and also a 14" 7-30 waters both had taken deer effectively its all a matter of placement & practice.

[tguil]

Ok, my current hunting rig is a SBH Hunter w/Weaver 2x scope in 44 mag. Kills deer fine. I love this gun.

Keep what you have.  That's a darn cool "hunting rig" and it seems to "git-r'-done" for you just fine.  (Oh, I'm a revolver guy. )

[teamnelson]

What would I gain

Cool points mostly 

[irold]

I just recently got rid / traded / sold my single shots.  I had a SS Encore with a 12", 44 topped with a trophey red dot.  Nice rig.......shot great , looked great.   Two years ago I made a bad hit on a monster buck ,  yea , it was my fault.  But since we're all humans here.......its gonna happen.  Point is , the buck stood around for at least another 30 to 40 seconds while I was digging for another cartridge ( long story ).  By the time I found one , he was in the next county with a hole tween his gut and his vitals.......not good , i lost him. 

I replaced the Encore with a Bisley Blackhawk Hunter....with a 2X Leo.  Now I have that quick second shot , if I need it.  My Contenders were replaced with a SRH in 454.  Theres a lot of what-ifs and ya shud'ves ,  but bottom line , I lost a deer, it won't happen again if I can help it.   BTW , that Bisley rig scored its first kill last season , one shot through the heart and lungs.....went about 20 yards.

Its a tough decision...good luck

regards , irold

[pab1]

Point is , the buck stood around for at least another 30 to 40 seconds while I was digging for another cartridge ( long story ). 

Sorry to hear about that Irold. I wear a cartridge holder, made for rifle stocks, on my wrist. I can reload almost as fast as a bolt action with this set-up.

[SHOOTALL]

TC makes one for your wrist or froe end that holds 2 rounds . nither placement gives a second shot as fast as a revolver which is why i sold a super 14 in 44 mag and use a Redhawk , which has a faster second shot than a SA.

[irold]

Sorry to hear about that Irold. I wear a cartridge holder, made for rifle stocks, on my wrist. I can reload almost as fast as a bolt action with this set-up.
[/quote]

I shud've had something like that......instead I was carrying my extras in a coat pocket. ( a finger tip type coat)  When I was shooting I was on my knees , my coat was kinda folded up , couldn't find my pocket , and watch the deer at the same time...I ended up rooting in the wrong pocket....it was a disaster.  Finally with all that moving around on my part, digging for ammo, Mr. Buck decided it was time to leave.  Major lesson learned !

[rybo]

Thanks for all the opinions and replies.

I do enjoy getting new "stuff" but I usually have to justify it to myself before buying something like that. It was a bit of a mixed review here. Guess I have some more pondering to do....Not that that is a bad thing.

[jhalcott]

  I don't see a great improvement going from .44 to .44. A 7tcu or 7-30 waters, 30-30/AI ,ETC. will give you a much improved range and accuracy. A second shot is a rarity IF you do YOUR part. (YES, I know it happens!) IMO the .44 is good for about 125-150 yards(I ain't E. Keith), the rounds I mentioned are good for 200 yards PLUS. I've lost a few deer and other game in my 65 years. I admit that they ALL seemed like good hits at the time. A couple were shot at extreme range and "recovered " by other "hunters" before I could get to them. I also do NOT like 2x scopes. They seem to make the target SMALLER. I use a variable or a straight 4x on single shots . I have a red dot on MY Ruger Super Black Hawk .44 mag.