Which caliber for contender carbine for elk?

[hunt4570]

  I recently aquired a rifle stock set for my G1 contender (also have G2 but no rifle stock for it) and want to set up a carbine for elk here in colorado. I'm wondering what a good caliber would be without braking the bank? I want to steer clear of a 30/30 or 45/70 because I have both in the super 14 pistol and just wanted to do something different. Thanks..also any pet loads on your suggestions?

[pkarr]

I've got a 30-30 AI that I've killed a few elk with it's a contender with a 22' barrel.

[hunt4570]

I've got a 30-30 AI that I've killed a few elk with it's a contender with a 22' barrel.

  I was actually thinking I'd like to have a 30/30 AI, wasn't sure it would be big enough for elk...what load do you use??

[manofthe45]

309 jdj and  375 jdj would be my two elk choices

[hunt4570]

309 jdj and  375 jdj would be my two elk choices

  I'd love one of those if I thought I could find one at a reasonable price...

[manofthe45]

good luck on the 309 but the 375 can be found readily made and a good price.  T/C is even making ammo for it

[45-70.gov]

35 remington........since the 45-70gov  is  out

375 jdj   probly the best

[hunt4570]

  I guess I'm going to have to look up ballistics and such on the 375JDJ...I'm not real familiar with it..what is the parent cartridge??

[Ladobe]

The 309JDJ is great for deer, but the 375JDJ is the best for elk (or even the 338#2 or 358 JDJ's).    Parent cartridge for all is the 444 Marlin.

  I'd love one of those if I thought I could find one at a reasonable price...

Prices are reasonable for the SSK JDJ barrels - they are worth every penny they cost.   

Since TC jumped on the 375JDJ bandwagon though with their factory barrels chambered for it you can go cheaper from them.    SSK probably still has the best deal on dies.

What the hello is a G1?   Never heard that term in over 30 years of shooting Contenders until sometime soon after the G2 came out in 2K.   IMB there are Contenders and there are G2's (or G2 Contenders).   

[hunt4570]

The 309JDJ is great for deer, but the 375JDJ is the best for elk (or even the 338#2 or 358 JDJ's).    Parent cartridge for all is the 444 Marlin.

  I'd love one of those if I thought I could find one at a reasonable price...

Prices are reasonable for the SSK JDJ barrels - they are worth every penny they cost.   

Since TC jumped on the 375JDJ bandwagon though with their factory barrels chambered for it you can go cheaper from them.    SSK probably still has the best deal on dies.

What the hello is a G1?   Never heard that term in over 30 years of shooting Contenders until sometime soon after the G2 came out in 2K.   IMB there are Contenders and there are G2's (or G2 Contenders).   

   Well if G2 stands for the 2nd Generation contender Why not G1 for the 1st generation contender?? Makes sense to me..In all actuallity though, I have both..One I call the contender and the other the G2..or really both are just contenders..what difference does it make anyway??
   And for the first 30 years there was only the contender..no generations so no reason to call it anything else...

[Drugstore Cowboy]

I've just received a 30/40 Krag barrel from MGM for a G2, 21 in. In the factory offering of 180 grains the effective range is 200 yards.

 
 
R30402 Remington® Express® 180 Pointed Soft Point Core-Lokt® 9 1/2 0.383

 
Velocity (ft/sec)
Cartridge Type Bullet                  Muzzle 100  200   300   400   500
Remington® Express® 180 PSP CL 2430 2213 2007 1813 1632 1468

 
Energy (ft-lbs)
Cartridge Type Bullet                 Muzzle 100   200   300   400  500
Remington® Express® 180 PSP CL 2360 1957 1610 1314 1064 861
 

[hunt4570]

I've just received a 30/40 Krag barrel from MGM for a G2, 21 in. In the factory offering of 180 grains the effective range is 200 yards.

 
 
R30402 Remington® Express® 180 Pointed Soft Point Core-Lokt® 9 1/2 0.383

 
Velocity (ft/sec)
Cartridge Type Bullet                  Muzzle 100  200   300   400   500
Remington® Express® 180 PSP CL 2430 2213 2007 1813 1632 1468

 
Energy (ft-lbs)
Cartridge Type Bullet                 Muzzle 100   200   300   400  500
Remington® Express® 180 PSP CL 2360 1957 1610 1314 1064 861
 

  Oh..now thats very interesting. That would no doubt get the job done...Thanks..

[Keith L]

I didn't think you could get a Contender barrel in 30 40 Kraig.  Is that one of the G2 only barrels?

[banjoman]

You can get a 30-40 craig barrel for either G1 or G2 contender you just need to use your head if you load for it. I personally would go with either the .338JDJ#2, .358JDJ or the.375JDJ   (if you reload) if not the good ole 45/70 would do nicely.

[manofthe45]

there is currently a complete g2 carbine on gunbroker for 405 dollars ends in 1 day.  Appears t/c stopped manu of the rounds so you would be bac to rolling your own

[Ladobe]

   Well if G2 stands for the 2nd Generation contender Why not G1 for the 1st generation contender?? Makes sense to me..In all actuallity though, I have both..One I call the contender and the other the G2..or really both are just contenders..what difference does it make anyway??
   And for the first 30 years there was only the contender..no generations so no reason to call it anything else...

Make sense to you maybe because you were not a Contender user the 32+ years that model was made.   Contender's were never called G1's from day one right up to being discontinued.   So G1 means nothing - just mistakenly being used by folks who weren't Contender users all those years.   BTW, there was generations of the orginal Contenders (mostly because of upgrades or improvements to the original design) whereas the G2 is a completely redesigned firearm from the ground up. 
HTH

[hunt4570]

   Well if G2 stands for the 2nd Generation contender Why not G1 for the 1st generation contender?? Makes sense to me..In all actuallity though, I have both..One I call the contender and the other the G2..or really both are just contenders..what difference does it make anyway??
   And for the first 30 years there was only the contender..no generations so no reason to call it anything else...

Make sense to you maybe because you were not a Contender user the 32+ years that model was made.   Contender's were never called G1's from day one right up to being discontinued.   So G1 means nothing - just mistakenly being used by folks who weren't Contender users all those years.   BTW, there was generations of the orginal Contenders (mostly because of upgrades or improvements to the original design) whereas the G2 is a completely redesigned firearm from the ground up. 
HTH

  Yep ,been shooting them a long time...way before the G2 (generation 2) came out..and no, they wouldnt call it a generation 1 if there was no such thing as a generation 2..so the name wouldn't have showed up till the G2 did..