I am considering the purchase of my first contender. The choices of chamberings are exciting, because I like odd stuff. I will be using the gun for hunting deer and hogs. I am thinking of something in the 338 to 375 range. I want to keep my barrel to under 10". I am an avid reloader and making custom cartridges is no problem.

So what do you suggest?

Are you thinking rifle cartridge? If so the two cartridges you listed will need longer barrels to obtain performance they are designed for.

Well, maybe 357 max 357 harrett, or one of the jdj cartridges. I can go longer on the barrell, but don't want to be hauling around something that will be too much trouble.

The 357 Maximum would fit your criteria nicely. The 357 Herrett would like a little more barrel length to get the good from it.

The first thing that came to my mind was the 357 Herrett and 357 Max with a 10in (that would be 3 votes for the 357 Max if you are counting.)

If you were talking 14-15iners, I would also look at the 338 or 358 JDJ's.

Duane

For 10", get the Maximum. I've had both the Max and Herrett. The Max did 90% of the performance from the Herrett from a 10" barrel, my Herrett had a 15".

If 14" are possible, that opens up a WIDE selection.....338JDJ#2 (my fave!!), .35 Rem, .375 Winchester, etc, etc.

my thought is that with a 14-15", I might as well carry a rifle in the woods. The max looks good, just thought I might be missing another cartridge that will be fun to play with.

Look at some of the Gary reeder barrels

thanks, I have been looking at them. I have a 356gnr revolver and really like it.

Another 4" barrel hardly makes it a rifle!

Now does this look like a rifle? It is a rifle scope but....

13" was as short as I dared to go with the 7-30 for loss of performance. Unless you are going wheelgun, you really don't notice an inch or few here or there.

Get the Max, you will love it.

Here are two 16.5in TC Custom Shop barrels. The top one is a 270 Win and the bottom is a 308 Win





This is a 16.5in 35-06 JDJ by SSK.




Not trying to convert anyone, just showing a few "Long Tom's." They have their place just like the shorties do. LOL


Duane

Those are some good looking guns! To be honest, I have not come to grips with putting a scope on a gun. Now, I don't want to offend anyone, so please don't take offence to any of my statements, they are not intended that way. I just like the idea of being able to shoot off hand and with iron sights, I just don't like the long barrels and scopes for that. To be honest, custom single actions are my passion, I just wanted to try something new.

Off hand I don't have a problem, iron sights on the other hand...

Enjoy them while you can still see them ;-)

Lance, my friend, to each his own. It wasn't until I inherited two different 10 barrels that I learned to appreciate them fully. They each have there place.

Good form! I am still getting my feet wet with the revolvers. Short barreled, iron sighted monsters.

Duane

Those are gorgeous, TC !!

Im going to say .357 max as well. On the contender ther isn't a real big change in carrying a 10 inch versus 14 inch barrel. Either would carry nicely from a bandolier or shoulder rig but neither would be what I would consider a hip gun. I have no problem with open sights but can get all the range I need to shoot them from a much smaller gun.

You can never go wrong on smaller animals like deer and hogs with a 30 Herrett in 10" is awesome.