Contender pistols

What cartridge and barrel length is your automatic go to when the T/C Contender pistol comes out for deer/big game hunting?

Personally, I cannot just pick one.

12 inch 357 Max gets the nod in heavy timber with 190 grain Ranch Dog cast bullet with gas check.

15 inch 30-30 Ackley gets the nod for open country with 160 grain Hornady Lever Evolution bullet.

Been wanting to try some Hornady 140 GMX designed for 30-30.

Factory:
.45/.410 (10in)
.445 super Mag (10in)
.44 Mag Hunter Model (12in)

MGM:
.223 Rem (13in)
.357 Mag (10in)
.30-30 AI (13in)
.35 Rem (14in)

The .30-30 AI is probably my most practical Deer/Pig option. But, I really like the .445 Super Mag. Just depends on the terrain.

When i was deer hunting i used my 14? 35rem rimmed the most because its such a powerhouse.
I love the 14? 30-30AI and i could do just fine with it. It actually makes a better overall hunting gun for the area imo. Not too big.....not too little.

Also have 357max contender and 7-08 encore which are great. I still used the 35rem most.

I like my 44 mag sweet 14 for woods hunting and early and late but my 30 30 sweet 14 for around fields.

14" .309 JDJ, 3-12 Burris BPlex, 150 BT for deer. 165 BT ,165X for bigger stuff.

KYODE

I have a 15? Bullberry barrel in 357 Herrett. Anything out to 200 yards usually doesn?t go very far after being thumped by a 200 grain bullet.

Ive killed deer with a little of everything, but that 35 just impressed me lol.

FACTORY: 30-30.

WILDCAT: If I had to pick just one it would be the .309 JDJ; if I could choose two they would be 6.5 JDJ and .375 JDJ. No "need" for anything else! lol

WITH CONTENDERS, I HAVE KILLED DEER WITH A 10 INCH 300 WHISPER, A 14 INCH 6.5JDJ AND A 12 INCH 357 MAX, AND, IN A PRM XL 15 INCHER IN 375JDJ, THE LATTER I RECHAMBERED TO 376 STEYR. FOR DEER, WITH WHAT I HAVE IN CONTENDER CALIBERS, A VERY EASY CHOICE: 6.5JDJ.

For deer and similar size game, my choice is the .257 JDJ with 100 gr. bullets. For the largest game, a .375 JDJ is my choice.

I have a drawer full of contender barrels, but if I had to choose, I would take my .30-30 AI. I run the discontinued 130gr Hornady SSP in it, but I've also had good luck with Sierra 150gr spire point.

.358 jdj 14 in, 35 Rem 14 in,30-30 10 in,45-70 12 in Sometimes it just comes down to which one I have [proper hunting ammo] loaded for or which stand I will hunt that day. My favorite barrel will always be the 30-30 had it the longest and it was my competition barrel for IHMSA.

The 358 JDJ has been my go to big game Contender since 1981. Deadly on just about anything out to 200 yards.

This one 357 Max for Short Range:


Or This one 6.5 BB IMP for LONG Range:


Safe shooting
Doug

My G-2 barrels are 14"

Ernie what?s your go to cartridge(?s) in your Contender?

22lr and 7x30 Waters