Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots T/C Contender for Deer in Illinois -?What Catridge

Thanks for the help with my other thread on a gunsmith. The reason I am wanting to fix up my Contender is so that I can talk it deer hunting in Illinois. Illinois has some weird rules about this.

Most people hunt with slug shotguns from stands. I do that as well, but I want to try something else. Rifles are not legal.

Pistols are legal if they are 30 caliber are greater and the brass length is less then 1.4 inches.

Given those limitations and the contender platform (an older one, not G2 if that makes a difference) I am thinking of getting a 10 or 12 inch barrel for my contender in 300 Blackout or 45 colt. I want to be good out to 100 yards. I will be putting a scope on it.

Any experience or thoughts about those two choices? Any other options you would suggest?

I like old school, so I am leaning toward the 45 colt, my hesitation is performance as it gets closer to 100 yards.

Look at Contender-level .45 Colt data in a loading manual. 100 yards will be no problem.

I would suggest the 357 Maximum but the brass may be too long.

300bo with the Barnes 110gr tac tx should be nice as well.

300BO is ideal in a shorter barrel. Supersonics are a lot like a 30-30 or 7.62x39.

A 44mag barrel at 10" would do the trick as well.

i think you're correct, it is 1.605"

Old School for me too- .45 Colt.

A classic cartridge and a big hole.

Hard to beat the 45 Colt.

In Illinois there is no length limit on a straight walled case. The 357 Max. would make for a great whitetail cartridge.
My 19 year old son took a nice buck this year with his TC G2 Contender with 14" SSK 45-70 barrel and Leupold 2.5x8 scope. Shot was right at 110 yards.

Good news if you're a fan of the 357 Max.

Nice buck, by the way. Congrats to your son.

Great information - thanks to everyone who responded. I will need to think about the 357 Max, though I'm still leaning toward the 45 Colt. I think the 45-70 would be to much a good thing in the contender for me

Someone suggested 357 maximum.
I had one and it is quite a powerful cartridge. If the length fits your state law, that would be a good choice. I do believe it is within your state law, but better check.

357 Max with 140, 180 or even 200 grainers is bad medicine for whitetails.

I recommend the 44mag. No need to reload as there are many good factory loads. Plenty of good used barrels in all lengths. If you are using a scope, I think 12" or 14" might be just the ticket. Once you add a scope, it not going to be a handy carry regardless of barrel length.

Rubber pachmyer grips will be kinder and gentler than any wood options.

If you are all set to load 45 colt and then sure. You dont have to ask. In factory ammo, the 45LC falls short of the 44mag. While I am sure it will kill deer, Not optimum unless you hand load. There are some poly-tip 200 gr and 225 hollow point that might work at longer ranges. I dont know, but you can find out what works. I dont necessarily trust light bullets. I honestly dont know.

The 44 is a lot smaller diameter than the name suggests and 200 grain 44 is a better bullet than a 200 45. For equal sectional density and BC, the 44 will be lighter and thus less recoil for faster speed = longer range.

I consider the 357max is unnecessarily exotic for deer. I know it has a following. It makes the special rules in some states. Yet, you would think the pushers would know it is too long with a 1.6 case. I could propose the super 14 in 30/30 as a great option, but; it does not make spec either.



If this is true, then the max is probably a viable lower recoil alternative to the 44 or hot loaded 45. I was going on the assumption the OP knew what he was asking for with the 1.4" case limit in the initial post. I would think the Max, might be better suited for a relaoder than easy off the shelf 44mag ammo. I know it has become popular for this legal loop hole. Usually popular works.

The 300 blackout is bottle neck, that wont make spec. if it did, you could use the superior 6.5 Grindel.

The 30 carbine probably legal but too small - IMHO.

The 450 bushmaster and 45/70 too much for deer - IMHO.

The 38/55 is straight wall. Pretty straight. Or the 375 Winchester. The maximum has this territory covered pretty well.

Again, I like the 44 for my 2c.

It occurs to me, 100 yards is a tough shot with a handgun. The target maybe moving too. It might be best to use a tree stand like the bow hunters (or shotgunnners you mention) and watch a trail or feeding spot withing 50 yards. In that case the super 14 is a great choice. The 45LC can be loaded milder. I imagine the 225 gr hp in 45LC factory load will be fine within 50 yards.

I can generally hold an inch off the bench at 25yards for cf handguns, but; anything like an improvised field position that is at least double and 50 yards is double again. That is a stationary target. If I cannot rest the gun, I am screwed. It does seem higher velocity lighter bullets in handguns are less sensitive to shift in poi due to change in hold. The big 45's spend more time in the barrel and the barrel moves more.

I shot 45LC last week and embarased myself at 40 yards, with a scope. I had a 5 shot group 1 inch wide and 6 inch tall. Due to variation in holding and that was off a bench rest. My super 14 in 223 will do an inch at that same target and little worry about my technique.

I shoot much better with a 223 super 14 than other bigger bores. That might tend to favor the 357max with a light & fast bullet. I see some suggest a 200 gr bullet? Might as well go with a 44 then.

I ramble on too much. ...

No clue where you hunt in IL, but some of the public land/special hunt areas I have hunted restrict the use of pistols. Just something to keep an eye on.

I can't add anything else caliber wise than what has already been said. My choice would be between the 357Max shooting the 180gr SSP or a 45LC shooting the 250XTP.

Matt

Good advice given here...

The 45 Colt is a no brainer.




Dave

Some posts are incorrect so to help clarify a few of them.
Taken from the IDNR web site:
For handguns, a bottleneck centerfire cartridge of .30 caliber or larger with a case length not exceeding 1.4 inches, or a straight-walled centerfire cartridge of .30 caliber or larger, both of which must be available as a factory load with the published ballistic tables of the manufacturer showing a capability of at least 500 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle. Note: There is no case length limit for straight-walled cartridges.

No difference in strength between your original Contender and the newer G2. Barrels that will fit one will fit the other. Some say the newer G2 is stronger because of the extra metal on the sides, but TC still lists it as the same pressure limit as the original Contender so I go with that. There are differences like the G2 doesn't have to have the action opened to re-cock the gun if the hammer is let down, etc.

Also fourbore stated above that the 300 Blackout is a bottle neck and won't make the cut. False...the 300 Whisper/Blackout has a case length of 1.368" with is under the required 1.4" length and is perfectly legal.

A 100 yards is easily doable with practice. Handgun scopes require a steady hand or you will lose your sight picture so practicing is paramount. I would suggest a quality field rest like a trigger stick/bog pod and a sling for your contender to help steady your shot. Practice, practice, practice it is the only way to build confidence in not only your gun but your ability to make the shot.

Get the 45 Colt since you are leaning in that direction as it will do what you want and can be hand loaded from mild to above 44 Mag performance. If you don't hand load then Buffalo Bore makes great hunting ammo that would fit your bill.

I have been a avid handgun hunter since the mid 80's and hunt with revolvers to Encore/Contenders to custom XP 100's.

Lastly join the Specialty Pistols forum, there are a great bunch of guys over there who shoot and hunt with Encore/Contenders, XP-100's, custom revolvers, etc.