Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Thinking of getting a Contender. Few questions, please...

Go with the 7-30 Waters on the Contender or G2. A couple years ago my father and I were on a guided hunt in Monterey County, I took a large black boar with my Marlin GG 45-70 and he took a 170 lb sow at 50 yards with his T/C Contender 7-30 Waters. Both were taken with my handloads and both were cleanly killed with one shot. The killing power of the big bore was predictable, but the damage done by that 7-30 was quite amazing. At 50 yards with a broadside shot through both lungs the 150 gr. Nosler partition at 2,180fps passed completely through leaving a 3/4" exit hole. While gutting out that hog the lungs came out in about six very damaged pieces. I have a new found respect for this small yet effective cartridge.
Here is that handload.
Bullet=150 gr Nosler Partition
Case=Federal 7-30 Waters
Primer=Federal 210 match rifle
Powder=34.0 gr. Hodgdon Varget (2,180 fps)
COAL=2.850"

I just traded for an Encore yesterday with a 15" compensated barrel. I was interested in the frame, not the barrel - but they came together. My first T/C.

I'm thinking of trading the barrel for a lighter cartridge but I'm a handloader and I'm sure there must be a reasonable load out there somewhere...

Reading this thread raises some interesting questions.

I have about a 100 rounds of .45/70 loaded at "Marlin" pressures.

Would they be safe to shoot in that frame? I doubt they would be pleasant by any means, but I thought compensated they might be managable. I'd rather shoot them a few at a time than pull them all to reload.

What is the pressure limit? What are your thoughts?

TIA