Author Topic: New Contender Barrel for Hogs (Read 2310 times)

kynardsj · « **on:** December 23, 2009, 11:09:04 AM »

Sorry about the mix up. I put this in the wrong forum. I'm working with my Contender rifle. I know a single shot rifle isn't the best idea for hogs but it's what I shoot. I do carry my 357 revolver on my side loaded hot just for a little extra. I thinking of getting another body slam, DRT barrel just for hogs and wanted to hear from yall about my ideas. The calibers that come to mind that the Contender frame will handle is the 45-70, 375 JDJ and maybe the 35 Remington. I reload so whatever I get will be OK.

Dezynco · « **Reply #1 on:** December 23, 2009, 01:19:41 PM »

I just got a 375 Winchester barrel that's awsome! Very accurate and it's a real bad dude! I've shot accurately out to 300 yards with it. Brass can be made from 30-30's in a pinch. I'm sure it would be a good hog buster.

hunt4570 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 23, 2009, 02:07:28 PM »

I've shot many a hog with my 14" 30/30..it works fine although my 45/70 in the same length stops em a bit quicker..
I just aquired a 375JDJ in a 23" barrel and am looking forward to trying it out.

David D. · « **Reply #3 on:** December 23, 2009, 02:31:01 PM »

You might consider the 30-30IMP. and the 357MAX. And check this post on what Bobby does with his 6.5X30-30AI

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,192289.0.html

kynardsj · « **Reply #4 on:** December 23, 2009, 02:39:09 PM »

A 357 max had crossed my mind. I already load for the 357 mag so backing off the dies a little would be easy.

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 23, 2009, 04:00:27 PM »

I have had a couple of 14" 35 remington barrels, alwasy really impressed with them.

kynardsj · « **Reply #6 on:** December 23, 2009, 04:32:10 PM »

After reading the post above from Dezynco I researched the 375 Winchester. Seems they shoot well in the Contender barrels especially with the 220 grain bullets. May have to give this one some more thought.

hunt4570 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 23, 2009, 05:45:22 PM »

Quote from: kynardsj on December 23, 2009, 04:32:10 PM

After reading the post above from Dezynco I researched the 375 Winchester. Seems they shoot well in the Contender barrels especially with the 220 grain bullets. May have to give this one some more thought.

I think there are a couple of those for sale or trade up in the classifieds..

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 24, 2009, 02:59:52 AM »

Been on exactly one wild pig hunt...last summer in South Carolina. I carried my 14" .375Win. Nope...didn't shoot any pigs, but I sure did look good carrying it!

Walt
Seriously: My 375 shoots very accurately with the 220's and I was very confident it would have done the deed, given the opportunity.

kynardsj · « **Reply #9 on:** December 24, 2009, 03:17:56 AM »

I'm liking what I read more and more about the 375 Winchester. Hadn't thought of it before as there are just some calibers I don't know much about. I like reloading a more straight wall style case as opposed to a bottleneck such as the 375 JDJ and the 35 Remington. That has me thinking more about the 375 Winchester and the 45-70. I know the 45-70 can be loaded with big mack daddy bullets but the trajectory is like a rainbow. Midway had some nice choices for different bullets for the 375 in the 200-220 range. Gonna dwell on it some more and maybe buy myself another Christmas present.

Dezynco · « **Reply #10 on:** December 24, 2009, 04:39:54 PM »

I'm getting nice 1-hole groups at 100 yards with a Lyman cast lead 260grain over 30 grains of Reloader 7. The 220 grain Hornady's work great over BLC-2. I shot a nice doe with mine around Thanksgiving using the 220's. She was facing me with her head down a bit, so I went for a head shot. I missed a little to the right and the bullet went into her neck and went all the way through, coming out the rear end.

Needless to say, it did the job. The 375 Winchester is a pretty good bruiser, not as powerful as the 375 JDJ, but it's easier to load for sure. The more I use mine, the more I like it, so it's for sure a keeper for me.

hunt4570 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 24, 2009, 06:35:31 PM »

Quote from: Dezynco on December 24, 2009, 04:39:54 PM

I'm getting nice 1-hole groups at 100 yards with a Lyman cast lead 260grain over 30 grains of Reloader 7. The 220 grain Hornady's work great over BLC-2. I shot a nice doe with mine around Thanksgiving using the 220's. She was facing me with her head down a bit, so I went for a head shot. I missed a little to the right and the bullet went into her neck and went all the way through, coming out the rear end.

Needless to say, it did the job. The 375 Winchester is a pretty good bruiser, not as powerful as the 375 JDJ, but it's easier to load for sure. The more I use mine, the more I like it, so it's for sure a keeper for me.

Just curious..I just got a 375JDJ (haven't messed with it yet) why is the 375W easier to load?

kynardsj · « **Reply #12 on:** December 25, 2009, 01:23:15 AM »

I'm gonna guess that it's beacuse it's a straight walled style case.

hunt4570 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 25, 2009, 03:29:23 AM »

I suppose,but bottlenecks are no big deal...I don't see much difference.

Dezynco · « **Reply #14 on:** December 25, 2009, 06:41:16 AM »

Bottle necks are not a big deal, but straight walled cases are a bit easier to work with, and they seem to last a little longer. Also, like I said, in a pinch you can use 30-30 brass to make cases for the 375 Winchester, and 30-30's are everywhere. Of course 444 brass is not hard to come by either, but it will cost you more than 30-30 brass. I'm just speculating upon the event that one were to completely run out of "headstamped" brass for either the 375 Winchester or the 375 JDJ.

I wouldn't mind having a big old 375JDJ! The 375 can take advantage of the heavier bullets because of the extra velocity. Of course with any gain like that, comes the extra punishment to the old shoulder, and for that matter, the pocket book. But like I've said, I've been eyeing me a 375JDJ also (after all, I already have a good bit of stuff to work with!). My old man has a bucketful of 444 brass that he's not using.

I'm just passing along my experiences with the 375 Winchester, and the experiences have been excellent.

Varmint Hunter · « **Reply #15 on:** December 26, 2009, 05:13:18 AM »

Whatever you do DON"T get a 45-70 barrel. Ask anyone who shoots one, once you start flinging those big chunks of lead everything else becomes boring and you'll have no use for the rest of your guns.

If you try the 45-70 just once you may get hooked so avoid it at all costs. Yeah - the 375 is a safer idea because if you get tired of it you can just sell it and not experience any withdrawl.

kynardsj · « **Reply #16 on:** December 26, 2009, 05:53:48 AM »

I've been down the 45-70 road before. Ruger #1, 14 inch Contender and an American Derringer Alaskan Survival model. They are fun. I have learned though that I need to keep my loads somewhat calm to keep from damaging my Contender frame. That just ain't no fun. Pressure on the 375 would be tough too. I can save some money and have a hard hitter too by having the 357 mag Super 16 barrel I own opened up to a 357 Max. Can almost get 35 Remington speed with the 180's and 200's. Not what I had in mind when I started this thread but I believe the safest for my frame and certainly the cheapest.

Tn Jim · « **Reply #17 on:** January 05, 2010, 06:34:05 AM »

Quote from: Varmint Hunter on December 26, 2009, 05:13:18 AM

Whatever you do DON"T get a 45-70 barrel. Ask anyone who shoots one, once you start flinging those big chunks of lead everything else becomes boring and you'll have no use for the rest of your guns.

If you try the 45-70 just once you may get hooked so avoid it at all costs. Yeah - the 375 is a safer idea because if you get tired of it you can just sell it and not experience any withdrawl.

Where were you when I was looking for a hog barrel Varmint Hunter?

I bought my 45-70 barrel for just that reason. I wouldn't even think of using anything else now. My two loads so far are a Hornady 350 jacketed flat point and a Cast Performance 405 grain flat point, both at about 1700 fps. Puts 'em down and keeps 'em that way. I'm too old to go crawling around in thickets looking for wounded hogs!

FredWT · « **Reply #18 on:** January 07, 2010, 06:29:19 PM »

kynardsj, I am proud to say that I am very biased toward the .375 Win. It is about as easy to reload as a .38 SPL, brass is usually available, 200 and 220 grain projectiles are available, 225 spires for the single shots. It will knock any pig senseless. I will be doing a hog hunt in Florida this next CHRISTmas. I will be using my Marlin M375. Here is a pic of a small doe I took last year with my 14 inch T/C in .375 Win.

This is M375 number 2 that I picked up at Cabela's (WV) just befor CHRISTmas. It will propably go to Fla. with me.

You have my vote for a .375 T/C. Check Ed's Contenders for your barrel. I think he has a new one listed. You can google him and his site comes right up.

mpiety · « **Reply #19 on:** February 06, 2010, 12:04:21 AM »

kynardsj, I have a 14" 375W with a 1-18" twist and JP muzzlebrake made up by EABCO many years ago. If I remember right, they called it 375WinHy, because of the 38-55 twist with 375 cases. I use 30-30 cases blown out, they give quite a bit more case capacity over the 375 brass. It shoots cloverleafs with 220's at 100yds when I do my part. Out of all my contender barrels, this one is BY FAR my favorite. The brake is tolerable without earplugs if I remember to keep my mouth open (equalizes pressure?)

Birddog 1 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 08, 2010, 04:34:12 PM »

My vote goes for a 338/06 185gr Barnes r @ss kickers,200,225,250gr bullet go anywhere do anything cheap brass, hog zilla look out

Nim

securitysix · « **Reply #21 on:** February 08, 2010, 07:45:22 PM »

Quote from: Nim on February 08, 2010, 04:34:12 PM

My vote goes for a 338/06 185gr Barnes r @ss kickers,200,225,250gr bullet go anywhere do anything cheap brass, hog zilla look out

Nim

I'm sure .338-06 is an excellent choice for hogs, but not out of a Contender. The Contender frame won't handle it. An Encore frame should, though.

Camp Cook · « **Reply #22 on:** February 12, 2010, 04:13:50 AM »

My choices from my barrel collection would be one of the following...

21" factory tapered was a 30-30 is now rechambered to a 308X444 = 444 Marlin brass necked down with 308 Win dies 150gr bullet of choice loaded to 2600fps

21" factory tapered was a 375 Win that I had SSK rechamber too 375JDJ 260gr Accubonds @ 2300fps

22" custom shop 45-70 I now only load 325gr Hornady FTX for it

hunt4570 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 12, 2010, 04:28:29 AM »

That 308x444 sounds pretty close or the same as a 309 JDJ, is that right?

Camp Cook · « **Reply #24 on:** February 12, 2010, 06:52:38 AM »

a 309JDJ will give you more case volume and appr 100fps faster with the same pressures.