Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Contender pistol cartridge for out west

Hello Campfire friends. I have found myself in a position to buy a new barrel for my G2, wife okayed it and everything. Let me first say when I first got my G2, I was living in Pennsylvania, 100-150 yards shots max. I now live in Wyoming and have opportunities to hunt Wyoming and Colorado, meaning shots can be alot further. So my question is, what cartridge should I pursue for my next G2 pistol barrel for deer and antelope out west. I already have factory 7-30 barrel that with hand loads and a set of stick, I feel good to 150-200 yards if there is no wind. Is there a better choice, nothing too exotic, for thin skinned game at 200+ yards in the G2? Or do I just need my range time? Or do I need to up it to an encore? thanks for your thoughts.

My pops and his clan were from Evanston, not known as a BG mecca like other parts of WY.

If I was close enough, I'd offer to trade my Encore for your G2 - I'd even offer some boot if necessary.

In an Encore I'd recommend a .270, .280, or 7mm-08 if not an '06.

But in a G2, aren't you going to me limted to a .30-30, .308Marlin, .45-70 ..... for [western] rounds?

Of course you could go to BullBerry's custom works website for the Contenders and Encores. He's outta Hurricane, UT (huri-con). He lists all the cartridges he'll build for on his site.

Seems like you're okay fot the ranges you feel capable at. More power won't make you a better shot. That said, and in the spirit of encouraging other people to spend money, I'd recommend one of the 6.5 wildcats based on the .30/30 or .225 by JDJ or EABCO.

Personally, I decided that hand-rifles weren't for me, being more awkward for me to carry than a light rifle and decidedly harder to shoot well. But, that's just me.

Also, allow me to be the first to scold you for asking your wife for permission rather than forgiveness.

If you are wanting a little something more than a 7x30 I would recommend the 30\3) AI. Great cartridge for a step up from the 7x30.

Why not a 7-30AI? Or .25-35AI too?

I realize these rounds and the .3030AI all use the same "parent" case with a 40 degree blown out Ackley shoulder for more powder/power volume.

However I'd prefer to shoot them in a Contender carbine (if not Encore with more better choices).

I too am not a long distance pistoleer.

I'm going to go for more range time, just because it's pretty hard to beat a 7-30 in a handgun. And by "range time" I mean time on the "range where the deer and the antelope play." Get a .17 HMR barrel and shoot the poo out of sage rats, jack rabbits, white rocks and whatever else you have near your home, and capping deer with a 7-30 will seem pretty easy.

Pappy,

I understand the intent on the scolding, however; no question was asked on my part. My wife and I have an agreement. She shows Brittanys, so when she gets something for her hobby I get to get something for mine, and vise versa. That way no one b!tches and everyone is happy.

From what I know of "The Dog Life" you probably have a lot of points banked up. Rock on.

Friend has a 7MM Waters and killed a nice buck antelope in Wyoming at 250 yards..it is about as good as it gets, especially since factory is available.

If you want bigger and better, look at the .309 JDJ... .444 necked down to .308. I had one for several years but never hunted with it...real tack driver. Loading data is in the Hornady Manual.

Bob

Honestly I don't think given the constraints of the contender you really can't top on of the various 6.5 or 7mm's based on the .225 win or 30-30. They all more or less launch a 120 gr bullet @ 2400 fps from a 14" barrel and have taken tons of ungulates out to 200 yds and change.

IMHO you're going to need to jump up to something that can launch bullets 2700 fps to gain trajectory and you're not going to get that from a contender unless you switch to varmint bullets which is counter productive.

I did have a .308 encore for a brief period of time. My conclusion was if I was going to pack something with more bulk than the contender, it would be a rifle.

I am running a 125 grain Nosler BT @ 2600 from a 14" Contender in .30-30AI, I have shot it quite a bit on steel out to 250 and the numbers say it should be good out to at least 300 yards. My longest shot on game to date is 129 yards but the bullet performance suggests it will go much farther!

Gary Reader at Reader Custom Guns years ago produced a wildcat (7GNR) that comes close to the 7x57 Mauser. I have a 7GNR in a 25” barrel for one of my Contenders. Reloaded with 120 gr Nosler BTs, it is a great deer and hog killer. It shoots flat, no problem reaching out to 300 yards. Reader will chamber your barrel, including dies and include loading data for $250. Checkout his web site for more info. If you can’t find, PM me and I will PM you a link.

Good luck,

Richard