Author Topic: 30-30 AI in a Contender (Read 1306 times)

handirifle · « **on:** March 06, 2006, 03:37:50 PM »

First I assume that a Contender can handle the 30-30 AI. Assuming this is correct, what velocity could one expect with a top charge under a 150gr bullet from a 14" barrel? I was looking at Midway and the 150gr Amax with boattail looks like it would deliver enough punch, retain energy well, and still expand at pistol velocities.

will get my first TC this summer and am deciding if I NEED and encore or be best served with a contender. Rounds like the 30-30 AI would most likely serve me well for any "long range" handgunning I might attempt.

Other than that it will be short range like the 44 mag or maybe the 375 Win.

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 06, 2006, 11:58:14 PM »

My 14" 30-30AI shoots 150gr BT's right at 2400fps with good acccuracy. It has become my favorite bambi barrel. GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt

handirifle · « **Reply #2 on:** March 07, 2006, 05:25:05 AM »

Well it looks like I might need a Contender more than an Encore.
Thanks

Gavinator · « **Reply #3 on:** March 07, 2006, 08:28:20 AM »

Glad to see one more pair of eyes opened.
The 30-30 AI are the only barrels I have that meet and some loads can exceed published velocities.
Go to this web-page and check this article,

http://www.reloadingroom.com/page47.html

My thanks to Larry Sand for helping us all out.
If you have considered a custom barrel for your Contender, this is an excellent choice, my second 30-30 AI was a 15" Bullberry, after the rechambered T/C barrel worked out so well. I treid some 165gr A-Max bullets that reached velocities that made the recoil uncomfortable, I had reached a point that I needed a muzzle brake.
I think it's amazing how this cartridge suits the Contender, can drive heavy bullets from a short barrel, and gets the powder to burn clean.

handirifle · « **Reply #4 on:** March 07, 2006, 08:44:20 AM »

What twist rates do the 30 cal contender barrels use, normally?

I don't own either gun yet but hopefully will this summer.

Gavinator · « **Reply #5 on:** March 07, 2006, 12:30:49 PM »

Most are now 1 in 10", early barrels were 1 in 14".

handirifle · « **Reply #6 on:** March 07, 2006, 07:16:47 PM »

Thanks, I noticed the guy in the referenced link preferred the 1-14 over the faster rate, for pressure control.

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 08, 2006, 01:28:53 AM »

My barrel is one of the newer Midway barrels with the one in 10" twist. A couple of years ago several of us ( including Larry Sands ) compared velocities with both 125's and 150's in both twist rates and found very little difference. As far as I know, none of us pushed the pressure limits too far. I have backed off my original loads just a wee bit, but I hadn't seen any signs of pressure trouble. The old 14" twist barrel are hard to find, especially in 14" length. Of course you can go the custom barrel route and probably get any twist that you want.
GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt :grin:

old coach · « **Reply #8 on:** March 10, 2006, 02:21:38 PM »

I have a newer 14" 30-30 AI contender bbl that will shoot 125gr Nosler balastic tips @ 2600 fps. It will group 1 1/2 at 100 yds. Great deer slayer.
Recoil very manageable

handirifle · « **Reply #9 on:** March 10, 2006, 07:06:20 PM »

Cool, thanks. Look like it might just be the best (for me) out west handgun deer round.

Now to save for the G2 :grin:

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 11, 2006, 03:57:55 AM »

I really think that its about as good as it gets on a Contender sized frame.
FWIW I also have 6.5JDJ and 309 JDJ. The 6.5 has a slight advantage at the longest of ranges when compared to the 30-30AI w/ 125's and the 309JDJ has a little advantage with bullets heavier than 150gr, but for all around deer hunting the30-30AI hangs right in there with them.
GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt :grin:

Moe · « **Reply #11 on:** March 11, 2006, 04:42:30 AM »

I have one of the Midway barrels and am very impressed with the caliber. Used to have a 7-30 Waters that I was impressed with also. But this is a neat round, cool looking, shoots everything pretty well so far. Really haven't worked on the loads to much. Bought Lee dies for $25. Shoot 30-30 to form the brass and Bam! you're ready to go...

handirifle · « **Reply #12 on:** March 11, 2006, 09:49:32 AM »

Moe
That's pretty much how I'd figured it might go. The ammo is cheap and the dies have been around long enough to not cost a fortune.

As for the 30-30 AI vs the 7-waters, I doubt there is a big difference one way or the other, BUT 30-30 ammo can be had anywhere!

Not so with the waters.

Moe · « **Reply #13 on:** March 12, 2006, 01:38:41 PM »

Seems to me that 30 cal bullets can be had a lot cheeper than 7mm. Bigger selection also.

nomosendero · « **Reply #14 on:** March 12, 2006, 02:20:57 PM »

Handirifle, my experience seems to mirror that of Hopalong7. I am getting
about 2,450FPS with the 150 Nos. BT. I took an Antelope at 187 yards &
other game from that distance down to about 60 yards. The terminal
performance of the Bal. Tip leave nothing to be desired. I think that this
velocity & the Bal. Tip is a perfect match & the A-Max should work as well, though I haven't tried it.
I looked at the Encore & hotter rounds & they are great, but the 30-30AI
gives me the power for the limit that I put on myself for a handgun (300yds. under absolutely perfect conditions) & the physical size of the
Contender is the upper limit that I want personally for a handgun, no problem with those that use the Encore Handguns, this is just a personal opinion & I sure like the Encore rifle. I finally figured out that I could do all of my Handgun Hunting with my Revolvers & the Contender in 223, 30-30AI & 375JDJ & 45-70.

handirifle · « **Reply #15 on:** March 12, 2006, 03:16:45 PM »

nomo
That is what I've kinda figured out. I've never hunted with a handgun before and I doubt I could ever get past a successful shot longer than the 30-30 AI is capable of being effective.

I did some serious thinking on the caliber issue. I mainly wanted one to use in Ohio, on occassion, with my brothers during gun season where a pistol with straight wall case is legal.

I wanted, originally, an Encore (I thought) with 44 Mag barrel, then maybe move up to a 7-08 for out west.

The more I read, the more I realized it might just be overkill for what I AM CAPABLE of. I think the 30-30 AI sounds like a perfect round for a 14" barrel. In my mind, any more powder is most likely getting a high percentage of waste. I might be wrong, but I am not a big fan of heavy recoiling handguns anyway.

Now to save my pennies for a G2. No real hurry as long as the state doesn't change the law back too soon. This years Ohio hunt is archery anyway, at least for me.

I now have a Winchester BB in 375 Win and a Trapper in 44 Mag. Gonna see which rifle I like the best and that may be the pistol caliber I hunt Ohio with. Of course the 44 Mag, will undoubtedly have less recoil than the 375 Win.

Curious,
I get a hair over 2100fps from the Win 375 with 250gr bullets. What would a 240gr do from the 14" Contender barrel?