new contender barrel

Hello everyone,
I just got a new 30/30 contender barrel, well, used but new to me. Its a 10 inch octagon blued barrel. I would like to here some opinions on this set up for deer and varmints. Also if anyone has any experience handloading for one of these, I would be very interested in hearing from them.
Thanks everyone

hello joe2, I cannot speak for the octagon barrel, I have the 10" bull barrel 30-30 and realy love it. It is deadly on deer started out shooting 125gr. ballistic tips, went to 150s went back to then lighter bullets. Off a bench mine is minute of bowling pin accurate at 200 yds. Shoot and enjoy.

I had a 10" bull barrel at one time...think it was the loudest T/C I EVER owned!! Shot well though with AA2230 and 125gr Sierra FNHP. Not sure they make that bullet anymore...after loading them in that gun I never looked for more. They did shoot well though. Velocity was not that impressive so I went with the .30 Herrett in a 10" tube and left the 30-30 for a 14" barrel.