|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 15,931 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 15,931 Likes: 1 |
+1 here. Good choices. The 180's are good medicine in the Max.
There are 2 rules to success:
1. Never tell everything that you know.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,009
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,009 |
In the late 80's early 90's I had 21" Contender barrels in .223 ,7mm TCU, 7-30 Waters, 35 Remington, 357 Maximum and a 16" ported barrel in 45-70, they all killed deer and coyotes .
The 45.70 weighed less then 4.5 lbs with a peep sight. Was just the gun for those tight willow thickets.
I also had a Gonic .45 cal barrel that I could use for muzzle loader season.
F
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,168
Campfire Tracker
|
OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,168 |
I think I will start with the 180 XTPs, I have a couple of boxes speer 180's too.
Any body try the XPD 140's or will they just loose thier petals at 357max speeds
The collection of taxes which are not absolutely required, which do not beyond reasonable doubt contribute to public welfare, is only a species of legalized larceny. Under this Republic the rewards of industry belong to those who earn them. Coolidge
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,516
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,516 |
357 Max, 30-30, 7-30 would be my suggestions.
Some spelling errors can be corrected by a vowel movement. ~ MOLON LABE ~
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 19,825 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 19,825 Likes: 3 |
I set up a Contender in .30-30 a few months ago. I got a deal on a new TC barrel.
If it doesn't shoot I'll get a MGM. Have it reamed out to .30-40 Krag and shoot loads meant for 1894, i.e. < 40,000psi. Mine done like that is a very accurate, lightweight carbine.
Ed
I already have some of the 140's to load up when I get some brass emptied.
"Not in an open forum, where truth has less value than opinions, where all opinions are equally welcome regardless of their origins, rationale, inanity, or truth, where opinions are neither of equal value nor decisive." Ken Howell
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,728
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,728 |
Funny you say this, I have a Win 1885 in .30-40.
The TC barrels have that screwed-up chamber, with no throat, that works, or not.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,332
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,332 |
I would look at a 44 mag or 45 Colt barrel. MGM will make you a 444 Marlin barrel.
“Lighten up Francis”
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 10,877 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 10,877 Likes: 1 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 11,812 Likes: 2
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 11,812 Likes: 2 |
I have wanted one for a long time and Just pulled the trigger on a stainless G2 frame.
I am trying to decide what to do for a first barrel. My intention is use the carbine to hunt woods for deer with a very small chance of bear. Typical ranges would be 50 yds, but with a rare possibility of up to 125 yds or so.
I have been thinking of 30.30 35 rem or 357 Max, is there some other clambering I should consider?
I see there are a couple of companies making contender barrels is there any reason to prefer one over another? any to avoid? I had a 357 Max barrel made by MGM but it was a 14" handgun barrel. I shot one mule deer and one antelope with it. I lost interest and sold it. Both animals were shot at about 100 yards. I thought it was a very good cartridge but brass can get hard to find.
Last edited by dale06; 02/17/16.
NRA Patron
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,445
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,445 |
I just made the same choice and picked the .35 Remington in an MGM barrel. I will probably shoot the Hornady Leverevolution factory loads and reload the brass. New Hornady brass is available now at Midway. I like the EGW picatinny rail with aluminum TPS rings. Good luck with whatever choice you make.
Last edited by GrimJim; 02/17/16.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 211
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 211 |
The most common question of all. And the answer is the same one offered by all the sages. The 7-30 Waters! Granted, the only commercial loads available are Federal 120 gr. but I assure you that bullet will do everything the 30-30 ever dreamed of and at a heck of a lot further distance. Reloaders realize the full potential of this round. More people have been won over to the contender with this round than any other. The handgun that thinks it's a rifle... and in a carbine, it's precision can only be described as surgical.
...making America shoot straight again.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28,945 Likes: 23
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28,945 Likes: 23 |
EABCO makes brass, or used to, for the 7x30 from .30/30 by hydraulic pressure, I believe. Also .375 Win. Don't know how it compares with the real stuff, strength-wise.
At least with the Contender you aren't stuck filing the ends off Ballistic Tips.
What fresh Hell is this?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,178
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,178 |
I had a Contender back in the day with 14 inch barrel, 4 power TV Lobo scope in 35. Wish I had that one back. Now I still go for stuff a little different. I'd go with a 300 Savage. I knew guys long ago with 300'a in there Contenders. Ammo is still available at Bass Pro and on line. But, like most Savage rounds that can change any minute, Joe.
I'm not greedy, I just want one of each.
Remember Ira Hayes
JoeMartin
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,178
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,178 |
That was a T/C Lobo scope but my smart phone changed it, Joe.
I'm not greedy, I just want one of each.
Remember Ira Hayes
JoeMartin
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,168
Campfire Tracker
|
OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,168 |
I was pretty torn on the cartridge choice. In the end I choose 357 Maximum, but every day or so my mind would swing in a different direction.
One factor which I didn't bring up was Ohio and legal cartridges there. of my choices the 357Max was the only one that was Ohio legal.
I bought a couple of boxes of the Hornady 180 XTP to get started. I think the Hornday bullet is only rated to 1700 or 1800 fps, and I hope to see 2000fps or so in my 21" tube so I may give the 180 Swift a look as things develop. If I am lucky I can practice with the Hornady and hunt the swift. I also have some of the 180 speer FN, but they might be a little tough for the Maximum.
I am curious as to what the 140 XPB would do in the Max.
The collection of taxes which are not absolutely required, which do not beyond reasonable doubt contribute to public welfare, is only a species of legalized larceny. Under this Republic the rewards of industry belong to those who earn them. Coolidge
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,538
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,538 |
I would vote 7-30 waters, I have shot more then a couple of animals with it's ballistic twin the 7mmbr out of pistols and rifles and all were quite dead. The reduced velocity makes ballistic tips ( either 120 gr or 140 gr) perform like premium bullets. With all the new powders in the appropriate burn rate , this could be a fun experiment....
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,576
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,576 |
Over the last few years i've played around quite a bit with assorted custom barrels in .357max, .414supermag, and .445supermag. My .357max barrels are a 21" factory, and a 22" custom shop stainless tapered carbine, and both shoot fairly well with plinking loads (.38spl and .357mag).
i tried the Barnes XPB in my 357max barrels, but accuracy in my guns was not as good as i got with the hornady 180gr XTP, or the Speer 180 FNSP. Have shot a few deer with the speer 180 running close to 2000fps from the .357max, .357herrett, and .357B&D; had no issues and they performed well at around 2000fps.
If you can find the, also give the Hornady 180gr single shot pistol bullet a try; it has been suspended from production but i see them show up now and then.
============================================================
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 17,837
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 17,837 |
Super 16 in .35 Rem. Was not keen about the short bbl. Added weight to synth forend to help stabilize it. Worked great. Shoots good, and is paid for.......so am just gonna run it. 2 for 2 so far.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,532
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,532 |
Super 16 in .35 Rem. Was not keen about the short bbl. Added weight to synth forend to help stabilize it. Worked great. Shoots good, and is paid for.......so am just gonna run it. 2 for 2 so far. Nice setup. Factory rynite stock with a paint job?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 17,837
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 17,837 |
Factory stock. Had camo'd it, but changed my mind so stripped and redid in what I thought a kind of old school color. Kydex cheekriser, secured by Velcro. Works great. Forend hollows filled with epoxy and 7.5 shot. Easy to shoot offhand well.
|
|
|
|
550 members (1minute, 1234, 222Sako, 06hunter59, 163bc, 204guy, 62 invisible),
2,495
guests, and
1,214
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,193,788
Posts18,515,920
Members74,017
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|