? For you single shot guys.

I'd like to extend my range a little from my current hunting handgun, which is a 44mag. I'm looking for recommendations on a single shot handgun to reach 150-175 yds accurately, and have sufficient energy left to harvest deer with a shorter barrel, using FACTORY loaded ammo. . I'm leaning toward a TC Encore, but don't know where to begin on caliber selection. What rifle cartridge wont lose too much from the short barrel? Are there any that tend to be inherently more accurate from a short barrel platform? Thanks in advance for any suggestions, as to caliber, or platform to build from.

Only single shot I have is a 460 built on a encore pro hunter frame, but I don't think it fits the bill for what you are wanting to do. There are many other guys here that will know what to recommend. My 460 will take milk jugs and larger critters easily out to 200+ yards, but its heavy and not made for hiking!

encore in 7mm-08 or 308 would do it no problem. I have a 7mm-08 and feels its a great deer round. a 243 would also be ok shooting heavier bullets 85gr plus

I am not sure what barrel length you are thinking about. If 15" isn't too long a 30-06 will get you in business. Mine is accurate and in a shoulder rig easy enough to carry. Ammo is everwhere. 300 yards with a rest isn't a problem. reflex264

I agree either a 7-08 or 308 and personally would choose the latter.

How short?

308 hands down for your purposes. Too many good ammo types over the counter.

Another vote for the 308 Win.

Factory is the key for me.

I would find a tender in 30-30 or 35 rem. 14" barrel

I would find a tender in 30-30 or 35 rem. 14" barrel

.308win. 14" barrel. You might take a look at the Savage Striker. Bolt action and holds 2 rounds in the mag.

Rupe

I've never owned a T/C, but from what I gather on their website, my options are the contender in 30-30 with a 14" barrel (read some decent reports of the hornady lever-e ammo in this gun), or an encore prohunter with a 15" barrel, and larger caliber options. The only rifles I have left are 30-30, so it'd be nice if the contender would do the job, but I wasnt sure about the ranges using 30-30 ammo from a 14" barrel. How is the recoil in a 15" encore shooting 308? Does it compare to hot 44mag? 454? 500s&w? All the power in the world won't do me any good if its not comfortable enough to put in alot of practice. That'll get some heat from the recoil junkies I know, but I aint a real big fella to begin with, and years of working on heavy equipment, have left me with a little arthritis in my hands.

yeah.....30-30 makes the most sense for you imo. the contender is a smaller gun also and may allow you an easier learning curve. i'd twice rather use the contender for deer hunting than the encore for size/weight reasons. I have both, and have used both. 30-30 rifle AND handgun....that's the clincher lol.

Kyode, has the 30-30 in the contender been effective for you out to 150yds or so? Any particular ammo that shines in your experience? I do like the fact that the contender is a smaller overall package, and would be easier to carry. I plan on topping it with a Bushnell elite 2-6, and think that combo would still be easily portable.

Boot, just to answer your question. My 308 shooting 150gr projectiles at 2600+ fps just about equals my 9.5in SRH shooting 240gr projectiles at 1400 fps.
The 308 shooting a 150 @ 2600 is more like a 450 yard med game round.

Some don't like the Encore, however I love mine. If you can, see if you have the opertunity to shoot an Encore and/or Contender. IMHO, the Encore is a more flexible platform than the Contender, particularly for those who do not reload.

Duane

One thing to look at if you are a smaller guy is that the Encore is wide, more so with wood grips, at the thumb knuckle area. With the heavy hitters (.270 & .454 for me) that can beat up the bone of the thumb, where a more narrow gun s/w or ruger .44 fits in the web of the thumb/hand better. Of the two, the .454 is more punishing in mine, but both are fun. And you can't beat the cost. I picked up my contender used, but just barely, with a scope already sited in, in .270win for $400 about 3 years back. The Casull barrel was $125 with iron sites. Hard to find, yes, but real bargins when you do. Haunt those little pawn shops and gun stores, and don't be afraid to offer well below his asking price. Guns are scarce, but so are costomers on these guns, so he may have sat on it awhile. Nothing worse that him jumping at your offer. That happend with the .454. He was asking 170, I offered 125. He said 'um, ok. Anything else?' 'ah, yea, guess I need some ammo now :-)'
I would lean towards the .30-30 since you already have that gun/round. I like doubleing up on ammo.

Happy and safe hunting,
Dogsbreath

Boot,

From your first post it sounded like you wanted a short, single shot. But it seems you were thinking short as in round in a gun shorter than a rifle. If you are fine with a 14 or 15 inch barrel, you will find either Encore or Contender can be tamed down a lot more than what you get with a revolver. If you are OK with a large scope and perhaps a bipod, you can get them to shoot pretty easy. Even my Contender in 375 JDJ was actually easier to shoot than my short barreled FA 454.

Even the forend can be selected to add weight. The Pachmyer forend/grip set adds a lot more weight to the gun, than the wooden sets. Especially up front. The gun can be a lot LESS handy to pack around than a revolver, but I do think the single shot is more easily customized.

Craig

The Encore is not what I consider to be a "carry" gun. The 30-30 will giterdun out to 150+ and can be had in a Contender. I prefer the 7-30 Waters and consider it to be a 200+ yard deer gun but factory ammo can be hard to find. The 35 Rem is another worth consideration. I tried an Encore once and couldn't get my paws around it. It is a big gun, but then your hands may be larger than mine. Best to try before you buy.

.308

I use a 14 inch Contender in 6.8 Remington SPC. That round was designed for a 16 inch barrel so a 14 inch barrel does not give much away. I am getting 2410 fps with Hornady 120 SST factory ammo. That gives me over 1000 ft-lbs out 225 yds., with 175 yd zero it is 2 inch PBR to 200 yds.

MOA 6.5x47 hardly any recoil and is a flat shooter

My favorite tender barrel is a 30 herrett. I also like shooting the 35 rem. Both will reach oit and smack deer at 150 yards. Dont reload? Then the 30-30 is great in the 14". With spire points, the 30 caliber is hard to beat. The 35 likes 180 grain hornys spire point made for the single shot. Right now, with the ammo, gun grab, bullets and brass maybe next to possible to find

You can buy that ammo where you live?

Haven't even looked, i ordered a good supply from Midwayusa. I plan on getting dies and start reloading soon.

I see that Midway is out of the 120 gr Hornady that I use, but you can get some here.

http://www.sgammo.com/catalog/rifle-ammunition/68-spc

X2. Perfect choice.

Boot, I would suggest a 14" 30-30 AI barrel on a G2 Contender frame. I prefer the G2 over all of the TC frames. You can shoot 30-30 factory ammo accurately in the barrel while fire forming the cases that you will use in the near future when I get you to start using that reloading press!

+ 1 on the MOA in 6.5 x 47.

I'd go Contender w/ a 30-30 barrel and shoot factory loaded 150's. Second choice would be an Encore .308. I like the .308 better for 150+ than the 30-30 but the Encore's are heavier though and I'm not a big fan of them. Before getting an Encore I'd go for an XP-100...but they are like hens teeth and are usually pricey. However, I have eight of them in my safe!