Which direction to go?? (Updated)

[rybo]

I'm really getting into this handgun hunting thing. I use an open sighted 357 & a scoped 44.
I'm debating between ditching the 2x scope(I hate it) for a 2-7x to sit atop the 44 and keep the 357. So I have a long range & short range set up.

OR

Buy a TC Encore 308 or contender 44 mag w/ a 2-7 & take the scope off the 44 so I still have my short & long range set ups.
Any advice is appreciated, I can load for all calibers involved.


Well I came across a 14 barreled 44mag 1st gen contender topped w/ a bushnell 2-6. I'm pretty excited about it. With me doing my part, I am confident this can be a 100 yd deer gun.

[Tom W.]

The 2x is plenty for the .44

The Encore will appreciate the 2 x 7, should you get it, altho when I had my 30-06 encore barrel I used the 2x without any problems.

[skiforce75]

Since you already load for 357 why not get a 357 maximum.  That way you have about the same foot lbs as the 44 with superior BC numbers for long range.  I have a TC contender in 357 maximum with a 14" barrel and can hit the bottom of a can at 100 yards from a seated position off of shooting sticks.  The two deer that I smashed with hornady 200 grain round nose bullets last year were DRT.  Bang, flop.  Next year, since the gov has me stuck in Korea this year, I will be trying the Hornady 180gr hollow point bullets.  More velocity and a more expansive bullet.  I expect more of the same. What the maxi wants, the maxi gets.  Who needs a magnum when you can have a maximum!

[Ken ONeill]

I'd keep the .44, either scoped with the 2X or unscoped. as you wish. If buying a single shot like the Encore or Contender, I would not buy a straightwall chambering, but would go with a bottleneck like the .308, 7mm-08, etc. (Encore) or 7-30 Waters or one of the JDJ wildcats if I was getting a Contender. The bottlenecks will give you more range and most likely more accuracy. Something like a 2-7X scope would be a good size for the single shot.

[Noreaster]

I have a G2 44mag with a 2-7 scope for longer shots. I didn't like using it in heavy cover and mounted a red dot on it this summer. Got it sighted in and the red dot broke, (14 inch barrel w/Hornady flex tip 225grain.) I put the scope back on and used my GP100 with open sights for the close in stands. I'm looking into a reflex or another red dot for the G2. I find the 2-7 scope is great on the range but not usefull when hunting. Hope this helps.

[jhalcott]

 I have many 2x7,2x6 scopes on handguns. I think the 2x makes the target LOOK SMALLER, at least to MY eyes. I like a 2x7 on most of my T/C barrels, or the Leu 2.5x8. Depending on YOUR idea of long range the .308 is a dandy round. There are other Contender usable cartridges to consider also. I have taken deer and antelope at 200+ yards with the 6.5JDJ and the 7-30 Waters. I find the Encore grip a bit uncomfortable and larger than the Contender grip. Try shooting the Encore before you spend the $$ on it. I have a mental picture of you with a holster over one shoulder and a T/C slung over the other! Good luck!

[DANNY-L]

I've got the 2x7 burris on my 7-30 contender and I like it alot,on my blackhawk I have a 2x leupold.I did have a 4x leupold on it but prefered the 2x

[rybo]

Thanks for the input so far fellas. Keep it coming. The scope is coming off the 44 no matter what. Just depends if it get replace with a variable or not. I wish I'd have never bought a straight 2x, I find it useless. I can shoot just as well without it, and like someone said the deer look smaller in the scope. I'm leaning towards the 308 encore hunter package, but the only thing making me still consider a straight walled single shot is Ohio's hunting laws, the 44 single shot would be legal the 308 not.
And now I may have to look more into the 357 maximum...

[mcwoodduck]

The single shot, especally with a 14" barrel really jumps up the 44 Mag.  Ballistics are leaps and bounds above the revolver.
My 240 grain loads leave my revolver at 1200 fps and the 14" contender launch the same loads to 1425.
I have a Condender with in 30-30 and 44 mag 14" barrels.
The 30-30 is plenty for deer and pigs if you are looking for a bottle neck.
Both of mine are open sighted I do have a 2-7 on my 223 barrel and most of the time I have to keep it at 2X Trying to shoot small critters the 7X makes me nuts with every little movement has me almost off target and I take too long to shoot. 
The T/C is an addiction.  If you get one you will have about 4 to 6 barrels in short order.  Some will do the same thing as the one next to it.
Oh had a friend that kind of talked me into the T/C he had an Encore in 308 and the recoil had him trading the 308 for a 250 Savage where the recoil was more managable.

[skiforce75]

And now I may have to look more into the 357 maximum...

That's what I'm talking about!!  Illinois hunting laws are the reason I got into the MAX.  It is a great cartridge. 

Check it out:

http://357maximum.com/

[xphunter]

If, you are recoil sensitive, and you are not going to have a quality muzzle brake put on a Encore barrel for bottleneck cartridges, I would consider these cartridges over the 308:
243 Win., 250 Savage, 260 Rem., and the 7-08 using 120 NBT's.
If you reload and are comfortable with wildcats, then the list is longer.
Any of these will handle deer just fine, and at distances beyond many a hunter's comfort level with the right set-up.

[Catfish]

I also live in Oh. and hunt with a handgun most of the time when I hunt. I have .357 mag, .357 max, 41 mag., 44 mag, 45 colt, 454, 460 and 500 S&W to chose from. I have killed alot more deer with a 44 mag than any other handgun round and all with iron sights.  for a walk around gun the 44 with iron sights is still my choice. For a sit and wait gun I usually take a 357 max Encore with a 2 1/2 x 8 Leupold, but am thinking about taking it off and going to a straight 2 x Leupold. With a 2X scope on the 357 max. I can shoot sub moa groups at 100 yrds and the field of vision on handgun scopes gets small very fast makeing it hard to find a deer, especially if it`s moveing. I have taken several deer with the max. and all with the scope set on 2X. I live near Sidney so if you want to get together I`ll let you try a higher powered handgund scope befor you spend alot of money. PM me if you do. I can also put you on an Encore in 357 max and 460 S&W or a 500 Preformance center.

[tripper]

I have had the varie scopes and streight power on my TC's and have settled on nothing but streight 4 power scopes.  The reason being that most area's I hunt there just isn't time to be fiddling with power setting and found myself leaving my veries set at 4x. Now keep in mind I hunt heavy cover and the longest shot I have had was a little over 100 yrds. on deer.

[Jal5]

rybo- how have you done with the open sighted 357 mag?  I plan on using that gun this weekend for the extra Ohio deer season. I figure to 25 yds I am good to go so its like bow hunting range only with a handgun.

Joe

[rybo]

Jal5
I took a doe this year in PA with it at about 40-45 yds. It put the deer down in short order.(30 yds) I was shooting a Sierra 140JHP. 

[rybo]

Well I came across a 44mag 1st gen contender w/super 14"  barrel, topped w/ a bushnell 2-6. I'm pretty excited about it. With me doing my part, I am confident this can be a 100 yd deer gun.