Gettin' back in the game

[Da-Law-Dawg]

Some years ago, I owned an early four digit S/N Contender. I was an avid handgun hunter and had the fortune of running several different caliber barrels in the field. I later got caught up in life in general & let the Contender go.

I was sick after I let go of her, but we all know how such things go.

As a full-time cop & part-time EMT, I pretty much have a full schedule as is. Throw a set of two-year old twins in the mix and free time is at a premium.

I still am an avid shooter (precision rifles) and work on firearms in my off-time. As much as I love my rifles, there's always been a void since I let go of that first T/C. I made a promise to myself, one day I'll get back into handgun hunting.

Recently, I fulfilled that promise to myself. I let go of one of my rifles & made room in the stable for another T/C. I wound up with another Contender with two barrels rigged out. One barrel is a 14" SSK barrel in 6.5 JDJ with a 5X Burris. It came with several loaded rounds and a scad of virgin .225 Win brass and dies. It'll be accompanying me in the deer stand this fall. Now I just have to get out and shoot it! LOL!!

The other barrel is a rigged .22 Hornet & more than likely, it'll find a new home. I'll be purchasing another 7-30 Waters in the near future. I fell in love with that cartridge years ago & vowed I'd own another one some day. However, I think the 6.5 is definitely gonna be a winner in the deer stand!

[martineta]

Sounds great.  If you should sell the Hornet, here's a good place to do it. I bought mine from a guy here and for plinking and popping big hares in Uruguay, its a great round.

[Keith L]

Welcome.  Glad you are back.
 
Shoot the Hornet some before you sell it.  It is a neat round in its own right.

[Slowpoke Slim]

Yes, try the Hornet before you sell it. Mine is one of my most accurate barrels.

[Da-Law-Dawg]

Thanks for the warm welcome to all.

Definitely looking forward to getting back into the T/C's again. Always enjoyed hunting with & shooting them in general. Will give the little Hornet a go, believe it'll be handy around the farm on the local groundhog population!

In the past, the .223 barrel I owned was absolute murder on many a groundhog & coyote. Really looking forward to working with the 6.5 JDJ. Always have had a warm spot for the mid-bores & the 6.5 pills bridge perfectly between the smaller calibers & the boomers.

[martineta]

Big welcome from Uruguay.  That hornet is an expensive round to buy but if you reload,, she's as cheap as they come.  I have tried all the different bullets and like the 45 gr, Bee the best.  I can't remember who makes that bullet, Maybe Sierra?  But it does have Bee on the package.  It shoots better than my Nosler and Hornady bullets and both of those shoot great.  I have tried the 35's, 40's and that 45 gr Bee is the best.  Quiet, no recoil, and killing machine on our foxes and hares in Uruguay.  I liked the Hornet so much, I bought a rifle Encore barrel in Hornet.  I plan to use it on Turkeys when I get back to VA this fall.

[Da-Law-Dawg]

martineta,

You are correct my friend, the little Hornet is a slaying machine. It's often overlooked due to the cost of factory ammo,  much akin to the same with the .222.

I reload extensively for everything from .22 caliber centerfires up to the .338 Lapua Magnum. The Hornet is as cheap as they come for reloading as you stated and a pleasure to shoot. I've taken everything from groundhogs to some very large coyotes with a Hornet in the past. I'm sure I'll warm this one a bit as well. 

[7-30 Waters]

If your looking at 6.5's then how about a 6.5 Mannlicher Schoenauer?  Brass and dies are available from Graf & Sons.  I am considering this one myself.