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Offline barber

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Different hunting caliber
« on: January 14, 2010, 04:15:49 PM »
Is there a BETTER caliber than the .44 mag in the Contender for hunting deer and/or elk that won't recoil as bad as heavy .44's,
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Offline tc scout

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Re: Different hunting caliber
« Reply #1 on: January 14, 2010, 04:47:20 PM »
I chose 357 Maximum, bought my G2 with a 44 barrel, not for me.
Because we must hunt with straight walled cartridges in S. Mich., I didn't have a lot of choices.
I have never shot one, but some say the 41 mag is quite manageable.
Many do well with just a 357 Mag. in a contender. There are some nice factory loads for hunting if you don't reload.
If you reload it gets even better.

Now, I am not saying it is better, because it is not, the 44 is without a doubt the best caliber for hunting in a straight walled cartridge.
It was just too much recoil for me.
I can go to the range and shoot 50-75 rounds in my max and not come home with a sore hand.
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Offline Slowpoke Slim

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Re: Different hunting caliber
« Reply #2 on: January 14, 2010, 05:21:37 PM »
Well you don't say which 44 barrel you have now? If it's a short bbl 44, then how about either a 30-30 or a 35 Rem bbl 14" long for deer, and a 309 JDJ in a 14" bbl with a good brake on it for elk?

How far away are you gonna shoot them?
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Offline Madmark

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Re: Different hunting caliber
« Reply #3 on: January 14, 2010, 07:52:31 PM »
The 357 Herrett and the 7/30 Waters would be some other options, but you would need a fast twist barrel to stabilize the heavy 7mm bullets. Any caliber capable of taking Elk would require a good muzzle brake to get the recoil down. With a good enough brake, the 375 JDJ is yet another option
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Offline mbopp

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Re: Different hunting caliber
« Reply #4 on: January 15, 2010, 01:11:40 AM »
I hunt deer with a .357 Herrett. Off season practice loads are 158 gr cast bullets over some Unique powder after the necks were flared in a Lyman "M" die.
I've also got a box of dead-soft .44 bullets. 6 gr of 231 gives me a light, accurate practice load in the SBH.
I save the heavy loads for hunting.
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Offline wvjoetc

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Re: Different hunting caliber
« Reply #5 on: January 15, 2010, 01:44:16 AM »
A 30/30 or 7x30 waters should fill your needs, if you don't hand load Federal offers factory 7x30's.  Lots of options,
Joe
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Offline poncaguy

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Re: Different hunting caliber
« Reply #6 on: January 15, 2010, 08:30:57 AM »
I 2nd the 7x30 Waters.....
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Offline mcwoodduck

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Re: Different hunting caliber
« Reply #7 on: January 15, 2010, 09:17:08 AM »
I have a 14" 44 and 14" 30-30
I think the 44 kicks more.  both are a handful.  The 44 seems to kick worse with the same ammo than does my 6" Smith.  I know there is a lot more barrel and no forcing cone vent so velocity is a lot higher.
I am shooting the 150 and 170 grain bullets out of the 30-30.  the 125's will kick much less and will be effective on deer.
In the 44 mag I have tried the 180 grain JSP and the 240 JSP/ JHP factory loads  Even my 180 grain hot specials loads at 1,000 fps out of my revolver kick out of the 44 barrel.
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Offline David D.

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Re: Different hunting caliber
« Reply #8 on: January 15, 2010, 12:22:39 PM »
Quote from: barber on January 14, 2010, 04:15:49 PM
Is there a BETTER caliber than the .44 mag in the Contender for hunting deer and/or elk that won't recoil as bad as heavy .44's,

Not saying its better, but I would say the 357Max. is as good without the recoil. Not to say the Max. dosent recoil, its just not bad. If you can use bottle neck cases I would consider the 30-30IMP!
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Offline 45-70.gov

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Re: Different hunting caliber
« Reply #9 on: January 15, 2010, 01:00:01 PM »
did  you  try  or consider  down  loading your 44

other than  that  357 max.....that  caliber  seems to be coming  back

35  rem   has  been  a favorite  of  mine  but  it might  be more kick than  a 44
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Offline teamnelson

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Re: Different hunting caliber
« Reply #10 on: January 15, 2010, 01:14:51 PM »
I prefer 10" barrels as I don't shoot supported (sticks) or from a rest, and I like to walk. I have traded off all but my .357 Max and .32 H&R as there are a lot of options for a reloader in those two chambers. The Maxi shoots like a laser beam.

You might like a .41 Mag, less recoil in a short barrel than a .44, but still a .40 cal bullet. You may also just try using shooting .44 spl, hot load with a keith bullet would reduce your recoil some but give you plenty of oomph.
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Offline barber

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Re: Different hunting caliber
« Reply #11 on: January 16, 2010, 06:13:24 AM »
Thanks for all the replies, They give me something to think about.  I have the 10 and14 inch  .44 mag barrels and a 10 inch .357 max barrel.
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barber

Offline DANNY-L

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Re: Different hunting caliber
« Reply #12 on: January 16, 2010, 10:07:57 AM »
I add to the 7-30 waters,especially if you handload.
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Offline poncaguy

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Re: Different hunting caliber
« Reply #13 on: January 16, 2010, 11:25:42 AM »
45 Colt and 357 Max
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Offline DEACONLLB

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Re: Different hunting caliber
« Reply #14 on: January 16, 2010, 01:19:33 PM »
I would go with the 7x30 waters, I have one in rifle length that I shot two deer with this year both droped in their tracks. I just traded for a 35 rem. super 14 with brake and is less recoil than 44 mag I also have one of the fellows loading me some 44 mag down loaded so will see how they work, will be using a load and bullet that Bill recomended.
Deaconllb
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Offline fuzznutts

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Re: Different hunting caliber
« Reply #15 on: January 19, 2010, 12:59:32 AM »
here in indiana we are subject to select calibers,,,,,,i have 2 tenders as i hunt with one as my son hunts with the other, i have a 14'' 45 win mag a 14'' 35 rem, a 10'' 357 mag a 12'' 44 mag and a 10'' 41 mag,,,,i have shot all to compare, and what i have found is in all the barrels i like the 41 mag the best it doesnt need a shooting stick and packs good penatration at 100 yards,,i shoot the federal powershok in a 210 grain hollow point,,,,,,,41 is a good choice in my opinion,,,,
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Offline chiefs50

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Re: Different hunting caliber
« Reply #16 on: January 21, 2010, 08:19:19 AM »
.45 Colt or .30/30.

Mike
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Offline wallacem

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Re: Different hunting caliber
« Reply #17 on: January 24, 2010, 03:18:49 AM »
I have never found a reason to go past the simple 357 MAG, loaded stiff, for deer.  Wallacem in Ga
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Offline myronman3

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Re: Different hunting caliber
« Reply #18 on: January 26, 2010, 02:25:03 PM »
41 mag or if you can find it, 10mm ought to be potent out of a contender 10" barrel. 
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