First deer hunting handgun - Advice please.

Hi folks, Grouse here again.

OK, I've been doing quite a bit of reading on the Contender and I'm looking for one for white-tail deer hunting. I would also like to carry it in the truck when we pheasant hunt because we often see coyote that are out of shotgun range.

I think I've narrowed my choices down, but I'd like to get your opinions. I'm not real keen on getting into the .30-.30 and the other "heavy" stuff as my first purchase because I'm not keen on heavy recoil, having only shot a .22 handgun with the occasional practice with a .32 and a .44.

OK, what do you guys think of:

- 7-30 Waters - Seems like a good option. Factory loads are available and seems very versatile. I'm not sure how much recoil this option will produce compard to other options.

- .44 Magnum - Widely available ammo, but not sure how it stacks up against my other options. Also, in general it's hard for me to picture the .44 to be very potent beyond 150 yards. Yah, you could, but should you?

- .30 Herriet - Seems to come up a lot, but I don't think factor ammo is available?

- .357 Max? Need more info on this option. Is it a heavy 357 magnum or something different?

Thanks for any info.

Grouse

I'm by no means a contender expert but I own a couple of frames and a few barrels. I like the 7-30, it is low recoiling fairly flat out to couple hundred yards and very accurate, I handload with 120gr nosler ballistic tips and this will be my first year deer hunting with it but everything I've read and heard from the guys here on the forum is it is a very lethal deer round. if you want a challenge shooting coyotes take a look at my picture on the bragging board with my coyote, although I must admit it was alot more luck than skill

Ditto on the 7x30 Waters

Another vote for the 7x30.

Greetings once again The 7-30 Waters is an excellent choice. I have a TCA 12" Octagonal 7-30 barrel I use as an open sighted three stand pistol, and performance is exceptional. Even the 120 Gr. Sierra BTSP-FP Federal factory ammo Chronographs at 2300 fps out of this barrel, and handloading improves upon this in terms of a long range bullet for scoped pistol use, both in bullet selection for performance and for retained velocity at long range with spitzers.

I would not, however, overlook the 357 Maximum, which has been enjoying a bit of a resurgence lately. This is sure to evoke some negative responses, but I am simply sharing my personal experiences with the Max: With the 180 Gr. jacketed pistol bullets in suitable conender barrels [not comparing cast; I still give the edge to the 44mag in cast bullet performance] it can do everything the 44mag can do on whitetail deer with 240 Gr. bullets with a bit less recoil and a bit further range and flatter trajectory.

With the now defunct 150 Gr. Remington JSP spitzer it really comes into it's own in terms of extended range, and there is "rumor" that Hornady may develope a similar bullet to replace the Remington one, though that is just a rumor.

I am still searching for a currently produced valid replacement spitzer bullet for the Max.

of what choices you put up go with the 7-30 waters
if you donot reload it is the best choice.
larry

My advise follows suit with Sean...the Waters is awesome. I've taken deer to 225 yards with it and handloads are DEADLY!! Never fired a factory load from my barrel though.

The .357 Maximum is merely a longer .357 Magnum...with a lot more oomph!! Recoil is not that bad either. My pet load with a 180gr jacketed bullet goes 1800fps (10" barrel)and shoots under 2" at 100 yards with a 2-6X Bushnell scope.

The link below goes to a .357 Maximum article I wrote a few years ago...it should tell you all you want to know...or raise more questions...not sure which!

357 Maximum Article

the 7-30 waters would be dandy, but i wouldn't shuffle the 30-30, or even better yet(in my eyes) the 30-30AI to the side.
the recoil with either of the 30-30's would not be considered heavy at all imo. similar to a 44magnum, if not less.

all good choices that will easily take deer. there is gonna be a little personal preference to influence your final pick.

357max is just an extended 357magnum case. much as a 445 super mag is an extended 44mag, or 414 supermag is an extended 41mag.

Well now you have done it, you have asked for opinions from the biggest group of opinions on the internet, fortunately for you. you will find they are by far the most honest group that I have met. Don't discount the 30-30 win. I have a 14inch, and it shoots factory fodder just fine. The best barrel that you can get is whatever you can find that fits your budget, and if you don't reload, either start, or find a buddy that you trust and con him into showing you how its done and buy your own equipment as soon as you can. However in the mean time, find a 22lr barrel and practice with that. As to range, my thought for first timers, think of handgunning more in the realm of archery type hunting. You are no longer in the spray and pray rank, think of it in terms of having one good shot, be patient and make it count. It is unbelievable how close the deer come if you give them the chance.- and by the way, my thirty thirty, is far more comfortable to shoot than a forty four in a contender- turns out in the handgunning world thinking about it never seems to be the same as doing it. Its nice to make your acquaintence hope we see more of your writing- and post a picture of that first one.

Hi guys. Thanks for all the comments so far.

The 7-30 seems like the way to go in the long term, but used guns or barrels seem to be few and far between. I've seen a few, but the prices were pretty unrealistic compared to Contender frames with more common barrels.

To answer the question, no I don't reload. For the near term, I think it would be wise to stick to a caliber that has some factory ammo available. That was one of the reasons I was thinking of the .44, at least I could buy cheaper ammo and it's widely available.

Point taken about the .22. A great way to practice on the cheap.

Thanks and more comments welcome.

Grouse

all are fine choices, have used them all with good sucess
the caliber choice is also dependent on the type of area range needed wooded short range, open long range
you dont reload, that drops it down a little
44 good choice (try to keep the shots under 150 yds)
for barrels watch ebay, its about the best deal going

Grouse,

While the 44 will kill nearly as well as the 7-30 it won't carry that energy nearly as far. Plus you'll get a lot more felt recoil from the 44 which can ruin your fun.

The 7-30 Waters cartridge is quite simply the optimum deer hunting cartridge for the Contender even if you DO reload. There are several wildcats that require a fair amount of case forming and work (not to mention die and brass expense)that are just as good but my point is... Why make it hard for a hunting gun?

Get it in either 12" or 14" configuration. The 10" will get the job done but muzzle blast can be a bit intimidating...

Note: You won't necessarily get better accuracy out of longer barrels... Just more velocity. For your intended use, I'd recommend a "Super 14" TC made barrel and a 2-6 Bushnell Trophy handgun scope.

If you want supreme accuracy and have a generous budget get a 7mmTCU barrel and send it to Mike Bellm for rechambering and accurizing. That would be the cat's meow...

I'm not sure the 7mmTCU chamber is a candidate for rechambering to 7-30 Waters but I'm sure someone will chime in here and let us know.

$bob$

Oh... And the reason the barrels chambered in 7-30 Waters are so hard to find is because they're so popular. That should tell you something...

$bob$

Hey Grouse, welcome aboard. Fine folks around these parts. I thought I'd stick my two cents in. I read that you don't reload and that makes the 7-30 a great choice. If you ever come to the point of reloading, the 357 max is sure hard to top. I like mine and it is very easy to reload with good results.

Anyway, keep us in-the-loop, and good luck in the field.

7-30 waters.
My first handgun deer kill was with my 7-30.I did have two of them but I traded on for a 30-30 barrel last year.