Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Contender calibers for deer

I'm going to get back into Contenders. What, in your opinion, would be the best caliber for open country deer out to 200 yards or so? I previously had a 14" in 7mm TCU that I was happy with. Is anything better out there?

I like the 6x45 but no idea if it 2ould do what you want. Maybe 6.8spc? 7x30 for sure

I really enjoyed the balance of power and shoot-ability of a 7x30Waters.

My hunting partner had no problem killing deer with his 7mm TCU though.

Let us know what you settle on!

I have no experience with a 7x30W. I'll do a bit of research.

If I was inclined to use the T/C G2 Contender i would have MGM make a 250 Savage barrel or a 6mm Creedmoor.

A 7TCU w/120 BTs would be hard to beat for performance, accuracy, and effectiveness. Had one....

If on the Encore, I would look at a Grendel or Creedmoor.

6.5mm JDJ 120 NBT 2400fps

6.5 JDJ is kinda well known for that kind of performance though I think 225 Win brass availability can be a bit spotty

Or if you want the availability of factory fodder 7X30.

Folks have been known to use the 30 and 357 Herretts, and heck even that under powered 30-30 with 125 NBTs

Bunch of others with the name of the barrel makes on them too.

7-08 or 308 in the Encore would fit too, but take the fun outa owning a Contender

I have both the 7x30 and 6.8 in Contenders and I prefer the 7x30.

MGM will make barrels for the G2 in 6.5 Grendel. There is a fair amount of factory ammo for that now, and Starline sells new brass for it.

MGM never made Contender barrels in .250-3000 (.250 Savage if you prefer). I'd go with the 7-30 Waters.

7x30 appears to have a noticeably higher velocity than 7TCU and there's factory ammo and brass available.

Nothing wrong with the JDJ above. They have a track record, IIRC w/120 Speers and NBTs.

I ran my TCU at 2400 w/120 Noz SBs...........fire-formed. Used commercial brass. The Waters is a nice round, ejects easy, no fireforming. Less efficient, but will do fine for deer. I had one....

If you can get a G2 in Grendel, that would eliminate any need for handloading for good ammo. The Encore is a heavier action as I recall.

Bobby Tomek - IIRC, uses a 6.5 on the 30-30 case, with good results - in a rifle. Many options but I'd take the easy route with a Grendel which would be hard to beat for a mild pistol round.

OK, I'll see what I can find. Thanks for the info, guys.

If you want to talk to someone who has taken a boat load of hogs and deer with T/C single shots, get in touch with Bobby Tomek, here on the fire. A great guy and one with lots of experience with T/C specific calibers.

my 7x30 waters has taken several deer over the last few years; kills nicely & shoots well with Barnes TTSX's, and that bullet makes good holes in critters.

I also shoot the 30/30Ackely, .25x30/30 Ackley, and 6.5x30/30 Ackley in contenders ; the .25 version pretty much duplicates .250savage power....The 6.5 version shoots 120's at around 2500/2600fps in my barrels.

deer vs TTSX, 7x30waters, 110gr TTSX :

I have fed a few Contenders over the years, and I have always had better luck with rimmed cartridges.

I load and shoot the 7-30 Waters quite a bit. Easy to form brass from 30-30. Low recoil, and fine ballistics for 200-250 yard shots at Whitetails.

I'm also a fan of the 7-30 waters. I think it offers the best bang for the buck in terms of money. Reloading dies are easier to find, brass is easy to find, and you can find a factory chambered barrel. Don't forget to look into the 30 herret

The OP said out to 200 yds. I'd go with my 375 Winchester. Bust the shoulders and drag em' out.

What's the recoil like with that .375W?