hunting grip question

[geronimo.tn]

I've acquired a 12" bull barrel in 45 Long Colt with 2X scope for my Contender.  Thinking about trying some deer hunting with this. 
My question is, what hand positions do you hunters grip your contender with?  Normally on all my revolvers and auto pistols I use the left hand wrapped around the right, but due to the longer heavy barrel on the Contender this position is somewhat muzzle heavy.  I've heard of people holding Contenders with their left hand under the fore end.  Any one on here use that style hand position?  if so, please describe exactly the hand position(s) you use.   

[Grumulkin]

I use my left hand under the forend and, when possible, steady my hand with a tree, shooting sticks, etc.  Don't rest the forend directly on a hard object or it will throw your shots off; always have something soft under the forend like your hand (that is if your hands are soft).

[Austin from NC]

I would recommend a good set of shooting sticks.

       Austin

[MePlat]

I shoot Contenders and Encores the same way I hold them in ONE hand and just cradle the trigger guard with my offhand.    I do  not try to hold on to the gun in anyway with my offhand.
I put two fingers under the trigger guard with my rear two fingers down on the grip out of the way of the spur on the guard.  I have shot that way for years and have never had any trouble.
Never use the wrap around hold with a Contender or Encore because eventually you will want a hard kicker and you will not like the results the spur can give on the wraparound hold.
I take the recoil of everyone of mine with one hand.  The off hand actually is left  behind or close to behind by the recoil most of the time.
Even though I don't care for Gary Reeders gun/porn site the description of his hold is similar to mine and it should be good too.  Might want to go to his forum and maybe he can answer it to you satisfaction.

[geronimo.tn]

OK, I appreciate the advise and is about what I suspected.  I do have some quality shooting sticks that I've used with rifles, good advise, I'll give the a try with my hand in the forks as a cushion.
One final question... Years ago when I shot some competitive slow fire and PPC,  I 'pushed' with the right hand and 'pulled' with the left hand in my grip.  Do you fellows do the same with the left hand supporting the fore arm?   
Used my PPC revolver to deer hunt with years ago, and this will be first season back with a handgun, which will be the Contender..
thanks
 

[MePlat]

I don't understand why one would hold on to the forend. Try that with hard kicker and see how close to you head it comes

[David D.]

I use several methods in the woods and field.
 Left hand on the side of a tree with the TC resting on my wrist.
Fallen tree, fanny or back pack as a rest.
Big rock, fanny or back pack as a rest.
Open field, prone using a fanny or back pack as a rest.

And my most used, shooting sticks while sitting with my back to a tree to help steady me. Almost as solid as a bench. I grip the sticks by the side to steady and make adjustments. I really see no need to have my hand in the V to rest the TC on and this would also hender me if I have to make an adjustment to get the shot.

[shot1]

I have tried many ways of shoot the Contender hunting and other than sitting in a stand with a shooting rail with sand bags on it this is the best thing I have found. Stoney Point PolCat ConvertaPod System midwayusa.com Product number 750-128 . It is a bipod with a third leg attached that makes a tripod. The third leg can be adjusted up and down the leg that it is attached to. I pre-adjust it to the height that I can use sitting or kneeling. I set the bipod legs out as a bipod and use the third leg extended longer raised up to rest on my shooting hand side to rest on top of my shoulder. I can wrap my shooting arm around this leg and rest my wrist on the leg while the forearm of the Contender lays in the V jaws of the bipod. This is very steady. I just carry the Convertapod in my left hand and my Contender either in my hand or in a bandoleer shoulder holster while hunting. This system is light and quick to get into position with a little practice. I don't care who you are it is very hard to shoot very accurately with a scoped Contender trying to just hold it like a conventional revolver or pistol. Rest it on something. By the way the 250 gr Hornady XTP around 1300 fps or so is awesome on deer.

[Lon371]

I don't understand why one would hold on to the forend. Try that with hard kicker and see how close to you head it comes

I am confused(always, its why I read) You stated in your other post "I do  not try to hold on to the gun in anyway with my offhand" Now if you only cradle the gun but not hold it with your off hand, how do you not kiss the barrel?
 
I use a Contender 14" heavy barrel in a factory .357 Max. I use the off hand to hold the forend, i also do the cradle method you spoke of if on a stand. Now it is not a big bore, but is loaded quite warm. The only barrel kissing I do is after a really good shot
 
Lonny

[MePlat]

LON371 
"I am confused(always, its why I read) You stated in your other post "I do  not try to hold on to the gun in anyway with my offhand" Now if you only cradle the gun but not hold it with your off hand, how do you not kiss the barrel?"
 
Who said anything about kissing the barrel?  What do you mean?  Why would I want to kiss the barrel?
If you will tell me what you are asking I will answer.

[Lon371]

 Was being , well trying to be funny. 
You said you dont hold on to the gun with your off hand. Then said
 "I don't understand why one would hold on to the forend. Try that with hard kicker and see how close to you head it comes"    I thought the gun would tend to come up and back if you didn't use both hands to help control the recoil.   Lonny

[Austin from NC]

When I first shot my encore 308 it nearly hit me in face(kiss). Limp wrist an auto and it will jam, limp wrist a contender or encore in a big bopper and you might get a little kiss if you hold it too close. The biggest handgun i'd shot before it was a 357mag ruger.

       Austin

[geronimo.tn]

Well guys interesting discussion and some good recommendations.  I need to load up some rounds and give them a try. 
thanks   

[MePlat]

Lon371
I realize you made a funny.  But,  holding an Encore or Contender in a caliber that isn't much of a kicker is a simple straight forward thing.  Do it any way one feels comfortable. 
But when one day one wants to venture into the calibers that may jar awake ones long deceased grandma a hold that will suffice with a piddling caliber can and probably get one hurt with one thats like holding onto a wild horses leg.
That being said I use a hold that I use no matter what caliber I shoot.  That way I dont have to change my hold,  see if the gun is far enough from my face etc..
This Taco hold and holding on the forearm deal puts the gun closer to you face.
Now I dont grip the Encore or Contender with my offhand I CRADLE the trigger guard in my offhand.   The recoil causes the gun to lift out of my offhand.  I only hold the gun with my fireing hand and let her go.  I have never been brained by my guns or even had my fingers mashed by the trigger guard spur.
But if one want to get the gun closer to their face okay by me.  If one wants to use a wraparound grip with their offhand wrapped around the fireing hand and get their fingers mashed that is okay by me too.  Myself,  i don't like it.
So have at it.