Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Loading the Contender

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Need some input guys. My son wants to use a 44 mag Thompson Center Contender as a back-up gun for moose. He will be bow hunting. Any suggestions on a premium handgun bullet. I am leaning towards a Nosler Partition 250 grainer. Anyone have any other ideas???? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Thanks in advance <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

On Moose you are going to need penetration. I like a 240 hard cast Keith over 10.0 grn of Bullseye, right at 1,250 fps out of my 5" model 29 should pick up another 100 fps at least out of a closed breech contender.

Using a handgun round even in a Contender for moose I wouldn't consider anything but a hard cast lead bullet 250g and up. CPBT, BearTooth, CorBon and others can supply the bullets and there are more than a few that can supply loaded hunting ammo for that .44RemMag.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />Thanks for your help, both of you. Let me run this by you. I found an article on the web about moose hunting with a S&W mod 629. 8 3/8" barrel. The guy used a 300 grain Nosler with 21 grains of W296. He stated a velocity in the 1300fps range. My son will be using a Contender with a 16" barrel. Should gain some on the velocity. I'll have to work that load up though. Probably reduce that by at least a couple of grains and put them through my chronograph. At least for the time being, with your help, I have talked him into giving the Contender a chance and not splitting his wallet for an Encore. At least, not quite yet. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> My deepest thanks for your in-put <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

My only advice from here is stick with solids IMHO. You need penetration.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I wish Barnes offered a solid copper in 44 cal. That is what I use in the '06. The Barnes 180 solid X bullet <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Featuring Barnes' patented X-Bullet� technology, all-copper XPB� bullets offer dramatically increased penetration over conventional jacketed lead-core bullets. These lead-free bullets provide superior expansion and weight retention. Energy transfer is unsurpassed, making them ideal for hunting or self-defense. Barnes' XPB bullets are also exceptionally accurate.







The Barnes� XPB� Lineup





Caliber Dia. Weight Description S.D. B.C. Cat. #



44 Cal. .429 200 gr. XPB Pistol .155 .172 42920

44 Cal. .429 225 gr. XPB Pistol .175 .195 42922



http://www.barnesbullets.com/prodxpb-pistol.php

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Sent you a PM <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'd use a hard cast 300 or 325 gr...

Mark

I killed the bull moose that attacked my wife. Used a hard-cast Keith bullet in my bobbed-barrel Blackhawk.

My sourdough pal Jack McPhee killed a bunch of 'em with the Keith bullet in his .44 Special, using the Keith load (18� grains of 2400 in the old balloon-head cases).

Thought I was one of the very few who likes Barnes X bullets. I sure wish they made a .41 caliber pistol X bullet. I�d sure use them.
About hard cast instead of jacketed. I started out in 1989 using a Sierra 210g Sports Master # 8520 Power Jacket/19.5/2400 in my first 657. I killed a ton of deer, hogs, goats, and just about anything it was set against that I could hit. The common thing with all these was that they were all �soft� and about 200lbs tops. About 1995 I started looking at bigger animals, pigs mostly and began to notice that the Sierra bullet wasn�t taking care of business as well on these big, tough, pigs. Had a very close call with a 318lbs feral sow. The sow was dead but just wouldn�t concede that fact and tried to impress that on me, came close. Got me to looking for something better and bigger. Well now at 5 years later I see that I didn�t really need a bigger .41 just a different load. I now use a 250g hard cast from CPBT or BearTooth for all my hunting. I�ll be the first to concede that my current hunting load is extreme for 90% of my hunting. I just find it convenient to not have to carry more than one loading on hunting trips and I don�t have to think twice about dancing with the BIG piggies or anything else for that matter.
Now to moose, some would say they are the largest game animals in NA. I would surely say they are at least number two being surpassed only by some of the bears in AK. Just the shear muscle mass will soak up lots of bullet energy. Bullets have to go a long ways to reach all the �stuff� that makes a moose go. Bones are large and hard. I have never hunted moose. I can only compare size to the five larges animals I have killed with a .41 caliber handgun. A 600+ lbs cow bison, and injured and very POed 1800+ lbs Angus bull, and three feral cattle 2x1400+ and a monster of over 2100lbs. All were killed with one shot, three from a.41RemMag, and two from a .41 Gary Reeder wildcat. All the bullets were 250g WFNGC from CPBT. All went through and were not recovered. I wouldn�t have attempted any of these shots if I had been loaded with the Sierra bullet. With an animal as big as a moose I want to be very sure that I can punch through all the front end muscle to break that beast down. I also want that hole to leak at both ends. The hard cast bullet out of a pistol has the best chance of doing that. Just my $.02 worth.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />Crawfish, Don't sell yourself short saying it's only my .02 worth. The time you took to convey your information was very much appreciated. Barnes has a very good thing going, but unfortunately they manufacture what sells the most, not neccessarily what some people want. It's funny you mention Sierra. I am taking my wife back to Anticosti this November and I was going to make up some handloads to take with us. I was going to load up some 170 grain flatnose for my .300 Savage. The only ones I had on hand were Sierras. I looked at them and pondered the thought. I am not really cranked on their performance so I set them aside and decided to go with Hornady 165 grain spire points. It sounds like you have had some fun with the pigs. Someday before I cash in my chips, I intend to go somewhere and take a crack at them. We have a small section in NH that has a small but healthy number of refugees from a game farm that escaped many years ago and have been increasing in numbers. There is no closed season on them. There just aren't "allot" of them. Thanks for your suggestions. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

If I was using a Contender as backup, I'd pick a revolver. At the point you are using the Contender with a bow, you are in self-defense, not hunting mode! Having said that, one good bullet should do the job. I'd use Garret custom loads, since they seem to pack a lot of punch in my 7 1/2" Redhawk, but too much of a good thing in my lighter 5 1/2" Blackhawk. I am in favor of the multiple shot capability if you aren't going to switch from the bow to the handgun as primary weapon if the hunting situation seems to warrent the switch.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Just thought I give you all an update and see what you may or may not think. We shot a 300 grain Hornady XTP out of a 14" T/C Contender barrel. The load was Winchester case, CCI large pistol primer, 20.4 grains 296 Winchester ball powder. Through the chronograph we got 1461 FPS with a standard deviation of 9 FPS. I calculate this to be 1421 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle. I'm thinking that a 50 yards out to a maximum of 75 yards, this load will do a number on a moose. Am I nuts or am I making sense??? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Once again I'll have to preface this with I don't know from mooses. All I can picture is BIG and then add some more size to that. I load the Hornady .41/210 XTP and like it. I don�t see much difference between it and the .41/210 Sierra. That 300g bullet sure has the weight and you sure are pushing it fast at 1421 (funny isn�t it that 1400fps is fast for us handgun guys where as that speed for the long gun guys isn�t even considered). I�m sure it will kill a moose. All the numbers are in the right place my concern would be in how long it takes the moose to figure that out.
One suggestion is to practice speed loading the T/C for a quick follow on shot if the beast doesn�t fall in place. It is a pretty easy drill. All the double rifle guys do it. Two extra round between the fingers of the weak hand. Shoot, break the action, slip one in with the weak hand, close, and shoot.
Don�t think you are nuts at all. Seems like you are taking a very measured approach to this, using good load development practices and looking for all the info you can get. For me it would be a 265g CPBT or BearTooth nothing else would even be considered. You�ll go with what you have the most confidence in be it jacketed, or Barnes X, or hard cast and that is what it comes down to. I�ll sure be waiting to hear how this turns out, almost as good as having that tag, naa who am I kidding I�m green with envy. I�ve never hunted moose but one of my guns went on a moose hunt and had a great old time, killed a moose in Maine.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Once again, thanks for the reply. My wife and I just got back from a long weekend on Lake Ontario. Went fishing,,,caught nothing,,,,,,fish win. Thanks for your confidence and compliments. I think the load will work also. There has been a turn of events though than NOBODY planned on. Sunday afternoon, my son called my wife and I. He gave us some news I just DIDN'T want to hear. He is a Firefighter and EMT. He was on an ambulance call Saturday afternoon and the other attendent looked at him in a peculiar manner and said to him, "Ben, your right eye is not blinking." He had noticed himself that his eye was dry feeling. Later that day his face began to "tingle", then he lost feeling in it. He went to the emergency room and they gave him benedryl and thought it might be an allergic reaction. Not so. Sunday morning he was drooling in his sleep. He got up and looked at himself in the mirror. His right side of his face is paralyzed. He went back to the emergency room and was tested and diagnosed with Bells Palsy. The good news is that he was right on top of it and got fast diagnosis and treatment. There is an 80% chance he will have full recovery, but it may take up to 3 months. His attitude is good. He was fishing today and plans to try to shoot his bow Thursday night. I will keep you posted and thanks again for the reply. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I used to shoot a .445 SM 6" and I used the same combo you have with great results. never shot a moose BUT you should have plenty of power for what you want.

That 300 XTP is a good bullet

Mark <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />