Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Contender carbine

As a radical departure from my interest in AR rifles, the contender carbine in 30-30 seems like a useful tool for me to hunt with. I don't need hair splitting accuracy, and 30-30 cartridges are always available. What do you guys think? I don't want expensive or heavy, just a simple light weight carbine.

You may get hair splitting accuracy whether you want it or not though.
Hasnt shot any critters yet with the 30-30 barrel but it is way more accurate than needed for deer. This one has the 21" tapered barrel, and I think I like the balance of the 23" bull barrel better, but not enough to get another one.




This is the 223 barrel which is a 23" bull and balances better for offhand shooting, for me anyway.
I should weigh them to see the difference between the 21" and 23" although a 30-30 23" should be lighter than this 223 anyway.

Contender Carbines don't shoot worth a hoot.



That's my big .22 pig whacker.

The .30-30 is a waste of time.





They are really slow to reload too.





My advice is don't go down that path. Save your money, find yourself an old J.C. Higgins or something.

Your Pal,

Dan

Had one exactly like that in .22 Hornet that shot very, very good. Killed more crows that West Nile ever will. Sold it in a weak moment, and have been kicking myself ever since. Great little walk around rifle.

I like your record keeping. I thought I was the only anal one that did it (other than gun writers). A lifetime of notes are invaluable me thinks.

I have found that remembering major events in life not so tough. Keeping track of the minutiae is another trick entirely.

My notes would make you go blind and Rick B. have a stroke if they were all posted here. Mule Deer understands.

D

thanks Dan, maybe your right...it looks like it could be another one of those "how many do you need things where the answer is always "one more than I have now". A Marlin lever would be cheaper as well...

If you can find one, the Bishop thumbhole stocks are to me the best deal on Contender carbines



and yes, this one is a .30-30 as well.

Man, don't I know it. Fact is I already have a couple of leverguns, and another barrel for the Contender on the way.

Maybe you saw this, I dunno, but if you have a levergun that will do this what's the point of having a single shot, hey?



Pray for me,

Dan

Contender rifles are about all I shoot anymore -- and I am quite picky about accuracy. As to stocks, my overall favorite is the Classic by Dr. Tony Gettell. This set by Tony is on a 24" 6.5x30-30 AI.

Once you try the Contender, you'll be hooked.

...and they work really well on hogs, too...