Author Topic: Contender for whitetail - (Read 1818 times)

Michiganiac · « **on:** September 16, 2009, 02:58:07 PM »

I hunt in southern Michigan in a shotgun zone for whitetails, but pistols are ok as long as they use straight walled cartridges of .35 caliber or greater. I already have a Ruger SBH hunter in .44, but was thinking of getting a contender, "just because". Any recommendations on caliber - stay with .44, or go bigger?

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #1 on:** September 16, 2009, 03:32:59 PM »

I always wanted a 45-70. No particular reason, I'd just like to have one.

If you reload maybe a 45 colt.

I usually hunt with the .44mag SRH.

kynardsj · « **Reply #2 on:** September 16, 2009, 03:45:32 PM »

If the 44 SBH has worked well for you then I would go with a 44 mag Contender. You'll pick up some speed without the cylinder gap and just need one caliber of ammo.

Noreaster · « **Reply #3 on:** September 17, 2009, 12:18:57 AM »

I live in a shotgun zone in NH. I just bought a 44mag G2, but in my state the calibers are spelled out; 357mag, 41rem, 44mag, 45long colt, 480 ruge, 50 mag. Since you already own a 44mag I would go for something else. It seems like your DNR rules and regs aren't as strick as NH. Are you limited to pistol calibers? Good luck, let us know what your pick up.

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 17, 2009, 12:46:03 AM »

Don't know what your state regs will allow....but you have lots of good choices....starting, lets say with the 357Mag(a little light by some, but rather formidable in a Contender) and up. I'm a great fan of the already mentioned 45-70 and, what I refer to as my little 45-70, the .375Winchester. There's lots more too and there ain't wrong with any of them. I don't hunt with the restrictions you've got, but my standard whitetail arsenal is a .45Colt Blackhawk(open sighted) in my hip holster and a scoped Contender slung on my shoulder. GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt

Tommyt · « **Reply #5 on:** September 17, 2009, 05:41:50 AM »

Would the 357 MAX be legal ? If so I'd say its well worth looking into
and for know other reason
Go buy a Contender,you'll be glad you did
They tend to make your pocket a bit lite after a while but they sure are
Likable

Tommyt

sk330lc · « **Reply #6 on:** September 17, 2009, 02:01:38 PM »

I hunt Ohio and Love the 357 MAX. Recoil is much more pleasant than a 44mag. Loaded with a 158gr Hornady Flat point, Or a 180gr SSP spitzer it will do the job.

Tommyt · « **Reply #7 on:** September 17, 2009, 05:32:19 PM »

Well there is the first
Yes to the Max

I had two 44 mags one in 12 one in 14
and I forgot too say that The Snap Snake bite Hits they deliver
Is just No Darn good
You could get a lot of others too as good or Better without the BITE

Tommyt

Michiganiac · « **Reply #8 on:** September 18, 2009, 06:48:30 AM »

Here are the regs from the DNR website:

All Firearm Deer Seasons - Shotgun Zone

A conventional (smokeless powder) handgun must be .35 caliber or larger and loaded with straight-walled cartridges and may be single- or multiple-shot but cannot exceed a maximum capacity of nine rounds in the barrel and magazine combined.

So what does that open up for me besides the usual suspects (357, 41, & 44 mags)?

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #9 on:** September 18, 2009, 07:28:47 AM »

+1 for 44 Mag
I have a S&W M 29 in 44 mag and one of my first T/C barrels, Yes I said first was 44 Mag.
For three reasons.
Already had reloading stuff for it to make fun plinking ammo
44 Mag kills deer and you get added speed with the t/c - no gas gap.
and finally already had ammo that the M29 can share and do not need to have added calibers to stock.

Later got a 45 Colt barrel. But also already had ammo for it. X3 (45 Schofield, 45 Colt, and 410) But it is for hunting in ID on horse back and trying to hit Grouse on the ride home for dinner.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #10 on:** September 18, 2009, 07:48:43 AM »

So what does that open up for me besides the usual suspects (357, 41, & 44 mags)?
[/quote]

375 Win, in an Encore. (Not sure of the BFR) www.magnumresearch.com
45-70, 444 Marlin, 450 Marlin, 480/ 475 linghbough All from the BFR or Encore Of all the BFR samples I shot the 450 Marlin scares me. I would shoot the 500 S&W one handed but for some reason shooting (basically) a cut down 458 Win Mag out of a handgun just did not seem fun.
45-70 from the Contender
460, 500 S&W from the X frame as well as the BFR
45 colt, and 454 Casull in most single action frames.
I forget is the Desert eagle in 50 AE holds more than 9 rounds total. But that in 50 or 44 mag could be an option. Same website as above.

Sixgun · « **Reply #11 on:** September 18, 2009, 09:22:41 AM »

I would look at a 357 max. It shoots flatter than a 44 mag and recoil is much more manageable.

sixgun

Slowpoke Slim · « **Reply #12 on:** September 18, 2009, 03:18:47 PM »

Hmmm,

Well, since it has to be a straight wall case (pity), I would say either a 375 Win, or a 45-70. You didn't say whether or not you reload? If not, go with the 45-70, easier to get ammo. If you do reload, then I would pick the 375 Win over the 357 Max. But that's just my opinion.

David D. · « **Reply #13 on:** September 19, 2009, 03:17:31 PM »

If you reload, the 357Max and never look back. Get a custom from MGM! You will not be sorry!!!

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 20, 2009, 04:01:09 AM »

You can't go wrong with any of the choices mentioned

. I'm like Slowpoke Slim though, I really like the 45-70 and 375Win. Here for the last couple of years I've been carrying the .375, shooting the 220gr Hornady soft nose. I sometimes get into some contorted shooting positions when deer hunting and one needs to be cognizant of the recoil of the 45-70 when doing this and the 375 helps here...shoots a little flatter too. But, over the years, Ive killed more deer with the Max and one nobody mentioned, the orphaned .41Mag.

Michiganiac · « **Reply #15 on:** September 20, 2009, 08:39:29 AM »

Forgot to say that I don't reload, so I'm stuck with whatever is available from the factory. I spoke with a guy this afternoon that had a 357 max barrel for his contender that he sold recently... he really like it, but never used it for one reason or another.

Maybe it's time to get into reloading!

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #16 on:** September 20, 2009, 10:01:34 AM »

Quote from: Michiganiac on September 20, 2009, 08:39:29 AM

Forgot to say that I don't reload, so I'm stuck with whatever is available from the factory. I spoke with a guy this afternoon that had a 357 max barrel for his contender that he sold recently... he really like it, but never used it for one reason or another.

Maybe it's time to get into reloading!

There you go, another vice!

It's a good on though.

willys.450 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 21, 2009, 02:12:14 AM »

I have(for now) an encore in 450 marlin. With the Vais brake I had installed, it is a thrill to shoot and very manageable. I had a 44mag that recoiled more. I have shot deer with 250gr Barnes TSXs out past 200 yards.

old coach · « **Reply #18 on:** September 21, 2009, 10:54:33 PM »

357 Max bbl by MGM or the 41Mag

kirkwhitaker · « **Reply #19 on:** September 23, 2009, 03:27:19 AM »

I have a 357, 44 mag, 45 lc, and 375 win in contender...all will work fine...i have a 44 mag bh and it has more muzzle flip than my 44 mag contender. Contender does push harder...but if you can handle heavy 44 mag loads in your ruger...you should be able to handle it in the contender. Hardest kicker I have in the 45 colt ...is an old octagon 10"....no muzzle weight. With cowboy loads it is great..what goes 750fps out of my SA colt copy goes 900 out of the TC. I worked up a load that goes about 900fps out of the SAA clone. It goes 1150fps out of the TC...flips pretty hard. But a 255gr keith at 1150fps will kill a deer at 50yds...and it is pretty accurate to boot. Have not changed it yet..prob won't.
My fave..which you can't use there...is a 7-30 waters super 14"....neat round..perfect for the tc handgun.
k

Sixgun · « **Reply #20 on:** September 23, 2009, 04:51:21 AM »

I retired from Idaho Department of Fish & Game. They allow shotgun, muzzleloader, bow and crossbow for short range weapons areas. I tried to get them to allow handguns with straight wall cases and even though the guy who would have made the decision hunted with a Contender, he would never come around to my way of thinking. He just couldn't get around the thought that someone would be out there with a bottlenecked super round banging away around houses. I do wish they would do it though. I would much rather use a 357 max or a 44 mag on those river bottom mulies around Boise than tote a shotgun or mess with a muzzleloader.

The place I shot my deer last year is right on the Boise River and is about 5 square miles surrounded by houses, businesses, and heavily traveled roads. It is heavily wooded and there are more deer than you can shake a stick at, all big mule deer. There are also lots of coyotes, bobcats, and foxes there too. Since it isn't annexed into any of the surrounding cities, it is in the county and it is legal to shoot a rifle there to hunt any of the varmints but for deer you have to use a short range weapon.

Sixgun