10" Barrel Contender caliber

Well after shooting a couple different barrels this weekend I am convinced I want to stay with a 10" barrel. It is easier to manuever and I just plain like it better. With that being said I only had 357 Mag in that length. I am not a fan of it for deer hunting so I think I am going to get another barrel. I know I will get lots of opinions but I am going to ask anyway. What do you think would be the best one to get with the shortage of componets right now? I can reload and am wanting to start doing it.

I really like my 10" 357 max. I've also got a 9" 41 mag that I like a lot. The 357 mag also yields some impressive velocities in the contender. My 7.5"er spits out 158's at 1700 fps iirc. Combine that velocity with a good partition or a-frame and it should be a deer hammer. The 44 mag is also a good choice for a 10" barrel as is the 30 Herrett. So many choices and none of them are "wrong". Have fun deciding!

I thought about the 357 Max but am worried I cannot get brass for it. I have a ton of 41 mag brass already plus the dies for it.How is the recoil with the 41 in 10" versus the 357? I know its more but is it substantial?

Cougar, I'm struggling with how to answer your question regarding recoil comparison between the two guns. It has been awhile since I've shot either gun and I don't know that I've ever shot them side by side. IMHO recoil isn't an issue with either cartridge though. Hope that helps.

The 41 would be a good choice since you already have brass and dies. My 9" gun shoots 210's just shy of 1600 fps iirc. I've had good luck with xtps and Remington jsps.

Here's a few 41 mag deer...it works!

Darrel,

Thank you. My dad shoots the 14" contender so makes a 10" a good choice for me as well since we can both shoot the same ammo. I may try to find a 41 mag barrel. Nice deer by the way. Only one doe for me with the pistol but more to come I am sure.

Ditto. I feel the Max is about the best chambering available in a 10. They do runs of brass at certain times of the year. The 41 Mag in a Contender is nothing to sneeze at either.

How about a 7MM TCU? There is one of them on EBAY right now in 10"

The smaller bores are greatly affected by barrel length. The 41 Mag would fare better from a 10 than any of the TCU's if you plan on hunting deer.

OK good info to know.

My 357 7" bullberry is a tack driver with my 158 cast loads.most fun caliber to shoot and cheap.41 would be nice if you can find one.how about the 357 herret in a ten?

I have a 10" - 44 Mag, 32 H&R, .41 Mag, 22 Mag, and .45/410. All of these are left with open sights. My two favorite barrels are actually 12" in .22 LR Match and .357. They are scoped and accurate as all get out.

Bbybee

The 357 Max will run right with it in a 10, with less powder and without having to form cases.

I looked at Buffalo Bore ammo and they have a load for the 357 that has a 158 grain bullet and about 1800 fps. What do you think about this load? I can save buying a barrel if this load will work. They say it will be fine for whitetail within moderate ranges 100 yards or under

It's movin' right along, but I'd prefer a hot 41.

i like my 30 Herret with 130 grain Speer HP work great on deer and you can get 30-30 brass anywhere or even the 300 Whisper / Blackout would be excellent in a 10 inch

The Max all the way,next is the 44 mag, my buddy has a 10" 10 mm, now that is fun.

What about a 6.8 Remington SPC?

Another vote for the the .41 in a 10" gun. My brother's consistently sent 210gr noslers out the end of the barrel at 1730fps. reflex264

Are those handloads or factory? 1730 is pretty good. i am liking the .41 even more.

Very similar to the 7-30 Waters and 10" of barrel just won't do it justice.

I figured that seeing how it is a rifle cartridge. I was just thinkin gof it maybe for a low recoil option.

That was a hand load. I will dig up the data tonight. reflex264

Awesome. Thank you.

22.0grs 296 with a 7M111F primer under a 210gr Nosler JHP. Since you can no longer get those primers (the best pistol primer ever and I aint parting with my little stash) I would try a 155 Federal. reflex264

Well I found a 10 inch 41 mag on Ebay a few minutes and pulled the trigger so to say and bought it. It was $200 with shipping so not to bad of a deal really I did not think. Now to get it and start shooting. I have a 2.5X20 Thompson center scope right now but don't like it. I am thinking of a red dot instead. What do you guys think I should get.I only have about a $100 to spend on a scope so I know I am limited.

You can get an UltraDot for about $150 new, for less used.

Cougariii, excellent choice. I am nothing but pleased with my 10" .41 mag barrel, dont discount that 2.5 power scope to much, crosshairs are crosshairs. My rig has. 2.5x20 leopold, when I hunt with it I use binoculars for spotting and the crosshairs just to deliver the round. It did take some getting used to but it keeps me from overstepping my personal shooting boundries. I certainly wouldn't suffer from a nice variable scope, i have them on other barrels, I just can't think of an actual time when the 2.5 didn't cut the mustard. Spend the $100 on some lightwieght binoculars and a few ex tra rounds to get used to that little TC tube, at least with it you can trust your adjustments and expect good clarity from edge to edge, hard things to get in a $100 scope.

I have a 10" 41 Mag that wears a 2X Leupold and is very accurate with 16.0gr 2400, Fed 150, and a Rem 200 JHP. This load is not a screamer but performed well in my expansion testing. It completely penetrated two, one gallon jugs, filled with water at 50 yards. Bullet expanded nicely to about 5/8 inch, which is what the gun/load groups at 50 yards. I think you're going to like it!

The 10" 41 mag barrel sounds like a winner. Are there any longer barrel lengths to consider in this caliber (Contender platform)?

I dont have a 41 mag TC but would think it should be excellent,seems like very good velocitys,Darrell those are some real fine bucks you should be smilin more in the picture.

In mho the 30-30 is the best choice for a standard round, but not in the 10" barrel. I have been shooting the 7tcu since the early 90's and it's great combo in the 10" barrel. The recoil is mild and the bullets and brass are still readily available. It's a wildcat, but one of the easiest i've worked. I started with Lee dies and i'm still using them, my favorite bullet in the 7tcu is without a doubt the Nosler 120BT. The best part is barrels are plentiful and are about the most affordable you can find. With all that said, i would'nt write off the 357 mag w/ out giving it a fair workout. The 357 in a contender is a lot more knockdown power than the same round in a revolver and more than enough to drop a whitetail. If you decide you really dont want the 357 drop me an email.

357 Herrett and you'll never run out of (30-30) brass. Put's 44 and 41's to shame beyond 150 yards.

Love my 10" .30 Herrett...it runs 130's at 2K fps. Topped with a 4X optic, it has taken several deer to 100yds w/ no issue. But a 10" .41 would alsos rock!

Out of a 10, the 357 Max will run right with the Herrett. The 357 Herrett really begins to shine in a 14"er.