Lightweight rifle barrel? What do you recommend to hunt these critters?

[Lives2hunt]

So I'm looking for a short lightweight barrel for my older TC Contender so I need suggestions on caliber & suggested barrel length. 

I  have a .17 Rem 21" barrel. Pistol barrels in .44 Mag. & 7x30 Waters. Game that I'd hunt with it are deer, hogs, coyotes & bobcats.

BTW I own in other rifles a 30-06, 7x57, 7mm Mag.,  & 30-30. 

[Grumulkin]

You have a bunch of potential choices like 30/30 Win., 444 Marlin, 375 JDJ, etc.  If you're OK with a minimalist approach, you could also use a 222 or 223 Rem.  You already have chamberings that will do what you want to do but I take it you want to try something different.

[pastorp]

Since you already have a pistol barrel in 7/30 then you probably load for it. The obvious choice would be a carbine barrel in 7/30. This follows the old recommendation, KISS. Regards, Byron

[Ladobe]

You mean short and light like my "Stealth"? 

Super short and light weight, fast to swing, easy to carry all day and with the folding Choate stock it will fit in a tennis racket cover or day backpack.   I've changed the 4X12 scope since this picture was taken to a 3-9 sniper with illuminated ballistic plex that is half the size of this scope, making it even more compact.   Barrel is an 18" tapered Brown Precision in 6X47 that shoots like a laser.   So I wouldn't be afraid to use it on deer or hogs with good shot placement, and it is for sure a serious predator thumper with well over 100 coyote/fox under its belt.

[Lives2hunt]

Since you already have a pistol barrel in 7/30 then you probably load for it. The obvious choice would be a carbine barrel in 7/30. This follows the old recommendation, KISS. Regards, Byron

   

Byron after thinking about it I think you are right.I love how light my .17 Rem. is but where I hunt coyotes there are hogs and I want to be able to take one with the same rifle that I'm coyote hunting with. The 7x30 can do both & is the logical choice since I do reload for the pistol.

That Stealth rifle sounds too good to be true. I like the length of that premium barrel but not sure about that folding stock. Guess it just takes some getting used to. Definitely a well thought out and custom built coyote killing machine.
 
As my dad used to always say "Behind every great shot is a good shooter!"  Gonna list the .17 Rem for sale or trade for a 7x30 carbine if anyone is interested.

[superdown]

Ladobe ,what model of stock did you buy i went to their web site and could not one find for the contender i have an encore i would like a stock like that for . thanks ,superdown

[Ladobe]

Lives2hunt -

Understand.   When the stock first came in the mail I thought about the same thing and just sending it back.   Glad I mounted and tried it first.    It is actually very functional, solid and comfortable to use.   I didn't buy their synthetic forend that goes with it because I don't like the feel or the sound in the field of hollow plastic stocks/grips.   Why I put the Pachy forend on it even though it does add a small amount of extra weight.   Won't win any beauty contests next to my custom fancy wood sets for my Contenders for sure, but for what I built it for it works very well.



superdown -

Don't know where you went looking pard, but they most certainly do show both Original and G2 Contender as well as Encore folding stocks right on their web site (including current prices and model numbers).   Even have a shopping cart system so you can order on-line.