Pick a caliber - any caliber...

[Quadzillabill]

...for me to add to my newly expanded collection of T/C stuff.

I've got a 15" 30-06 set up on my Encore, plus an additional 15" .22-250 barrel.  The contender that I picked up has a 10" stainless 30-30 barrel on it.  Since I have several guns that I can take deer with, I'd like to ditch the 30-30 in favor of something a little different, I'd lean toward something that I can fire factory ammo - but would consider contender favorites for a try at reloading.  

No particular purpose for this gun, maybe just something fun to shoot.  I can see my daughters learning to shoot a handgun with it at some point.

To put it in perspective, I also have a Browning 1885 rifle in .243, and a Ruger SRH in .454 Casull, plus a couple of .22's.  That makes my caliber collection look like this:

.22
.22-250
.243
.30-06
.454

I'd love to hear your ideas on where the holes are, and how to plug them.

Thanks, Bill

[ShootnStr8]

Gosh, Bill, you are nicely set for hunting!  You don't need anything.  

However, if you are going to keep the Contender and want to use it for teaching your daughters to shoot a handgun, then a .22 LR barrel would be nice.  If you already have a .22 LR handgun, the .223 Rem in a Contender would be a nice a next step for them for targets and varmints.  Light recoil and cheap ammo.  

If they eventually want to pursue whitetail handgun hunting, the 7 TCU or 7-30 Waters would be excellent.  

Blessings!

ShootnStr8

[KYODE]

well i got a couple ideas  a super 14" 22lr match barrel for the contender. put a high power riflescope on it(4x12, 4x16). great to shoot from the bench for target fun, small game handgunning, and would be a great tool for the daughters to target shoot with. mine shoots consistent 1/2" 5 shot groups at 50 yards with a couple different ammo's.

also, a 14" 30-30AI, 7-30 waters, 6tcu, 7tcu would be great reloading fun, plus provide a mid range deer choice.
i say stick it out for at least two barrels for the contender. then you'd have two of each(contender, encore). factory 30-30 ammo can be fired in the 30-30AI with acceptable accuracy and forms the improved case at the same time, if you were to go that route. i have a 6tcu that is just a ball to reload and shoot. recoil would be light enough for the girls too. fireforming loads are really accurate, and it's just a simple neck up in the sizing die, of the .223 case.
dang! i could find holes in a 100 barrel collection

[bpjon]

You can't go wrong with 22lr or 38 Special.  Both are cheap to shoot for non-reloaders (the fools), in 10" the weight is easy for the youngsters to handle and handy for woods-loafing,  and recoil is nowhere near objectionable.  Put a low powered scope on either barrel and you have a fine squirrel rig.

[bobg]

I have more fun with my 25-35 than any of my other barrel. If i owned an Encore i sure would have a 250 Savage barrel.  Everyone needs a 25 caliber barrel for there TC.
 
             Just my opinion,
                  bobg

[boneguru]

THEN KEEP WATCHING FOR THE NEW 375 JDJ COMING OUT, THAT THEY WILL OFFER LOADED AMMO FOR AS WELL. IF YOU WANT TO STEP TO THE ENCORE TRY THE 405 WIN. THAT'LL CURE WHAT AILS YA, R

[Gregory]

You can't go wrong with 22lr or 38 Special.  Both are cheap to shoot for non-reloaders (the fools), in 10" the weight is easy for the youngsters to handle and handy for woods-loafing,  and recoil is nowhere near objectionable.  Put a low powered scope on either barrel and you have a fine squirrel rig.

I agree with the above but would make it a 357 Mag barrel.  Loaded with 38 specials for targets and to introduce those young shooters to the Contender.  And when loaded with 357 Mags, would be a great "backup" deer gun to your Encore.

[Catfish]

The new .204 Ruger is just what you need. It will shoot flatter than your .22-250 with less recoil. Reach out and touch them.  :grin: I`m going to get that round in a rifle and then maybe one of the .20 cal. wildcats. I got 3 different centerfire .17 rounds I shoot now and 2 .22 cal. rounds, but I need something to fill that big gap between the 2.  :roll:

[HAMMERHEAD]

How about a short barrel for the Contender (6-8") in a true handgun caliber? .357 mag, 10mm etc...?

[jschance]

I can't believe no one at this point has directed you to the obvious missing caliber, a .44 Mag.
 
For light shooting factory ammo, pick up a box of some 'cowboy' .44 Russian rounds, or .44 Special rounds.  

If you're wanting to hunt small game, the same rounds will work.  If'n you're looking to do some deer hunting, there's a bunch of .44 Mag loadings that will do just fine.

If you really want to rock, pick up some of the custom handloader's 300 grain loadings.

Finally, if you decide to reload, it's an easy round to work with.

That's my thoughts on the subject.

[Bug]

I agree, the .22lr (or match) would be a priority. Ain't nuthin cheaper, nor easier to shoot. Then, depending on your personal taste, a .357 Mag. (or MAX!), or the .44 Mag. (or .445 Super Mag). The ones in parenthesis will be more costly to shoot and reload for, but give a commensurate higher level of performance. And, all can be shot without a scope, but still have the range to use one, should you decide you need one, later on..........................Bug.