trying to decide contender or encore for kids

[huntinhick]

Hello,

  So here it the deal,  I am thinking of getting both my boys contenders but when I start trying to figure out what round for them to hunt elk with all I can think of is the 30/30AI (which I know people are going to say is to small) and the 309 JDJ this would be out of a 18-23 barrel depending on what I find our have made.  I know with the encore I could step it up to 7mm 08 or 308 but I like the weight and size of the contender for the boys.  So what do you guys think would one of those work for elk or am I going to have to go to the encore with the pound or more starting weight? Also any other sugestions what might work?  I have no problem getting them barrels with muzzle brakes because they will be wear plugs or muff like dad should have been at there age.  When they get older and bigger I will have 375 JDJ barrels for them to use.

thanks
carl

[DEACONLLB]

What about the old 45-70 in a G2 or contender I would think that the 7-30 waters would also work. To me and I have both Encore and contender the contender just feels better even with only a small weight difference. A well placed shot will more than make up the difference in cal.

Deaconllb

[huntinhick]

Deaconllb,

I pretty much have the same feeling with the well placed shot.  I think the 30/30 AI or 7/30 with a quality bullet and a well placed shot would do the trick.  I am serious leaning toward the 30/30 AI simply because I love 30cals and I am set to load both the 30/30 and the 30/30 AI so working up loads would be simple.  I have been shooting the 160 grain hornady through my 30/30 carbine and it is a monster on deer.  I am hoping to work up a load using it in the 30/30AI to see what it can do.  I also agree about the contender feeling better, since I got mine it is the only gun I have hunted with.  the only reason I mentioned the 309 JDJ is that I have heard it is a little faster and handles heavier bullets than the 30/30AI and is almost a dead ringer for the 308 win.  if that is the case and the recoil in a carbine is not to bad it may be a better another choice.  I might as well start them on barrel madness at a young age!!

carl

[I make oil]

How about the .35 Rem?  Or .44 Mag?

[hunt4570]

  I agree with the 35 rem, or even a 375 Winchester..you could even have it rechambered to that 375 JDJ at a later date..

[huntinhick]

SSK said maybe the 338 on the 444 case would work with a good break.  I was thinking about the 35 rem but i keep hearing that it is not all that good on elk sized game!  so I will have to do some more research.  I am going to get a 375 JDJ barrel for my self and if I can get that managable that might be the route.  I am still thinking that the encore may be the way to go due to the 7mm08 option even thought I like the contenders better

[Slowpoke Slim]

How old/big are the boys? How soon until they start hunting elk? Are they hunting/shooting now, and if so what calibers? You could always start them off with something smaller, and move up.

Like say 25-35AI bbl for deer, smaller game, then add a larger barrel as they get more proficient. I can't see you needing anything larger than a 30-30AI or 309 JDJ with a 165 to 180 gr bullet for elk.

My buddy's daughter just flattened a cow elk this week with my 308 Rem 700 and a 165 partition. That's close enough to what we're comparing to. She's not a young kid, 15-16 yrs old, and been shooting and hunting for a few years now.

[huntinhick]

Slowpoke slim, 

you bring up a couple good points and helped finalize the plan.  the boys are 9 and 7 so elk is a few years away.  I am setting things up now because I am about to retire from the navy and want to have it set up while I have a sure cash flow.    I do believe I am going to go with the bell and carlson stocks, a 223 bull cut down to 18" and a 30/30 rechambered for 30/30 AI cut down to 18"-20".  with the 30/30 AI I can load some reduced recoil rounds to get them started and reload 125 - 160s according to the load data I have found  the 150-160 grainers can be pushed out to around 2500 fps, like you said this is pretty close to the 308.  thank you everyone for the input.

carl

[Drugstore Cowboy]

Just a suggestion. Purchased a G2 last year and MGM made a barrel in 30/40 Krag. The guns shoots well and is comfortable to carry. You've mentioned you like 30 cal, take the time to review the Krag's performance.

Jon

[I make oil]

There is a good article on the 30/40 in this months Reloader magazine.  However I agree with Huntinhick on the 30/30AI since he reloads otherwise I would recommend the .35.