Hi everyone. I am new to the forum but have been reading for awhile now. I have a question about I will say hand shock but not sure of the right term. I have a Contender and have a 10" 357 mag on it. I do have access to a 35 Remington also. The 35 has alot of shock and the 357 does not really. I am wanting to try another caliber. I want something like the 357 recoil but with more energy. I am thinking a 7-30 maybe? Also would like to stay with 10" barrel length. I do not want to get into reloading at this time but in the future I am very interested in doing it. Any help would be appreciated.

Patrick

If your not reloading then look at the 308, 7-08, 7-30 waters, etc. I would lean toward the 308 or 7-08 as they have a wide selection of factory loaded ammunition.

The contender will not handle the .308 or 7-08; you would have to buy an encore for those calibers. A 30/30 win may be an option to look at and I just so happen to have a 10" for sale.

You won't get worthwhile performance with a 7-30 Waters in a 10" barrel. I know because I had one. The muzzle flip was also impressive. If you want to go down that road you will need at least 13" of barrel length. The 357 Max does well in a 10"er but recoil can be snappy, but with a muzzle brake it would be similar to your 357 mag.

Ok. Something to think about. Thanks guys. I thought about the 30-30 just because of the amount of factory loads available. I am only deer hunting with it and will not shoot much past 100 yards if even that far.

I wondered about the 30-30 though with recoil. I would think since it is a rifle cartridge per say it would kick pretty good.

There are a lot of variables that effect felt recoil, but generally if you use a larger caliber and the same weight bullet you can achieve that same velocity with less pressure. This will often result in less felt recoil depending on how fast the powder burns. A fast burning powder develops pressure quickly and accelerates the bullet fast when the same job could be done with less pressure over a longer period of time. Also it is said the higher pressure gas exiting the barrel can effect recoil. Think of hitting something with a hammer to move it or pushing it up to speed.

Since you are only interested in less than 100 yds I would stick with a pistol caliber with a larger bore. Of course my choice would be .45 Colt, but maybe 41 mag would be a good choice. The rifle calibers generally are only needed for longer ranges.

Just my two cents worth.

Being that he doesn't reload, 45 colt and 41 mag would be very limited on factory availability....then again, all ammo and components are pretty slim pickings now.

It's true that no cartridge will perform to its potential in a handgun; it's just nature of the beast. The only way to get full potential from a cartridge is to use a longer (rifle) barrel. A 7-30 or 30/30 will not perform from a handgun as they will from a rifle, but both of those calibers will out perform a 357 mag out of the same barrel length. If you want more performance from the 10" barrel, either or those cartridges will get you there. If your wanting more efficiency from the cartridges, you'll have to go longer on barrel. Just my 2 cents.

Good info. I have used a 41 mag before and it was ok but I just do not like the 14 inch barrel. It shot great and the recoil was not bad but just did not like the length. My dad uses it now and he likes it. I have very little experience with the pistol but have killed one deer with the 357. Would a 180 grain bullet in it be better than the 158 or maybe even the new hornady leverevolution bullets? I think they are only 140 grain though. I hav eplenty of time to decide but I am getting bored with the long guns and am wanting to get into handgun hunting a little more and possibly traditonal muzzleloading.

What's wrong with going with the 44mag? I've got one in a 12 inch and it will push a 240 gr. 1600 plus fps and easily do 1/2 inch groups at 25 yards. I would think that you would still get great performance out of a 10" tube.

Then perhaps .44 Mag then he would also have the option of .44 Special. I would think Hornady's 225 gr FTX loading would be great for deer out to 100 yds or more in a 10" barrel.

I agree it would but how is the recoil? I have only saw one being shot and have not shot one myself.

It is amazing how much knowledge can be gained by just asking a simple question.I am already liking this site. Thanks guys.

How about a compromise, 12"? You won't find many factory barrels in that length, but custom barrels from MGM cost no more than factory new and you get to choose your length. Those 2 inches can make all the difference in efficiency with smaller bores, and yet handle much like a 10.

The recoil from a Contender 10" barrel in 44 magnum can be stout, somewhat like a 14" 35 Rem, but a muzzle brake would ease that a good bit.

The recoil doesn't bother me any,but I'm shooting a 454 Cassull and 475 Lin out of my FA's so I might not be the guy to ask about recoil. You might want to ask Whit I hear he is real sensitive about recoil. LOL

I have a 7-30 with factory muzzle tamer. not much recoil but muzzle blast. also a 7mm-08 not bad, but the 308 has a ton of recoil.

Mark

the most economical fix would be have your 357mag barrel rechambered to 357 Max. The max shines in the Contender platform and if you want some real good info on that cartridge get hold of Mike Bellm. He has done extensive work with it over the past few years. Mike is a friend of mine and easy to talk to but be prepared for alot of big words ;). The guys mind is a computer. He can also do the rechamber for you and his chambers are a cut above. I was doing them but for now I'm out of the fight while I deal with a back surgery and some other issues.

Cougariii, if you reloaded, your options would be unlimited! Due to you being at the mercy of factory ammo; your choice are very limited. You could actually load you 357 mag to better performance levels in the contender, but you can't buy that same performance of the shelf. As far a recoil, most any step up in performance (velocity or weight) your gonna have a trade off; usually more recoil. The only way to compensate for that is either; some type of muzzle brake or a heavier weapon. I don't know your situation, but taking up reloading my be you best option...just something to think about.

I can deal with the recoil but if I can get performance without I am going to. I think it is more the fact I want to stay with 10" barrel than anything really. I think with that length barel any of them are going to jump so to say because of the shortness of it. I shoot the 35 Rem without any problem but the 14 inch barrel I don't like. I have experienced some misfires with it also. I have not actually shot my pistol in probably 10 years maybe. I am not really sure. Maybe I was a whimp back then and just need to start shooting it more often. I live in an area though that the nearest range is almost 45 minutes away or so. Its hard to justify going to the range very much.

Coug,

Another tip for the shooting is to wear foam plugs and muffs, especially if your shooting place has a covered bench position. Sometimes separating the blast from the recoil can be a real eye-opener. There can be a difference between obnoxious and painful.

Craig

Yeah I agree. For me the blast does not bother me. It is how the gun reacts after I pull the trigger. Maybe I am not shooting correct form or something. I am gonna work on it as soon as it warms up some. I have to take my CCW class here in Michigan first. Wish I still lived in Indiana. It was much easier to get permit there. Oh well. Thanks again guys for the info. I plan to use it wisely.

You have to have a carry permit to shoot a Contender?

You seem to have very limited experience with handguns that recoil much.THIS IS IN NO WAY A BASH AT YOU AS ALL OF US HAVE DIFFERENT AMOUNTS OF EXPERENCE AND TOLLERENCES and some of us have been doing this for a long while and some are new.Any step up from .357 will get you more recoil .
I have a 10 in .30-30 and with factory loads it is comparable with the .35 Rem. A set of Pachmayr grips are a necessary addition to your contender. Muzzle brakes are a worthwhile addition to any barrel you choose for recoil reduction but add noise, you may look into a set of shooting gloves also.Never shoot any gun without good ear protection even when hunting.Noise does play a big part in the preceived feel of the gun.Shoot what you are comfortable with and shoot the best .When you step up to bigger calibers shoot a few rounds at a time ,not
a box full.On range trips take several guns especially a .22 and shoot a few with this and a few with that to break up the sessions. Welcome to the big wide world of handgun hunting!!!!!!!!!

Yes I have little experience but am wanting more. I am finding with my inline muzzleloader it is more shooting than hunting deer. I am wanting some more challenge and I think the pistol will do that. It will make me get closer like I am bowhunting. I do want something that will do that job effectively. I know any caliber will if put in right place but we don't always make the best shots. I have not lost a deer in a long time but it has happened. I know with a bigger caliber or more energy caliber I will be able to rely on it if I make a marginal shot. If the 30-30 is like the 35 then I may just bite the bullet and use the 35 albeit with the long barrel as I already have it. Who knows. Until I shoot them some I am just assuming right now.

I don't think so but I am hunting in Indiana and you have to have a permit for a pistol so I figure why not get my CCW and then I can carry any one I want. The permits are recognized by either state.

The misfire you talk about is most likely a headspace issue. If it's doing it with handloads you need to check and probably adjust your headspace. If it's doing it with factory loads you would need to confirm headspace is off and by how much and you can use Bellm headspace shims. Another issue if headspace is fine could be the hammer spring if it is an old model contender frame. They don't use a coil spring like the G2 and the spring loses tension faster.

This year I took two does with a 12" muzzle broke 30-30 win out my kitchen window. Used Hornady 160 gr. lever-revolution factory loads. First doe was at 139 yds and dropped. Second came out into pasture looking confused and stopped at 109 yards and she dropped right there. It is a little loud due to the brake but recoil is very manageable. Always wear hearing protection, you'll be glad you did in your later years. Welcome to the addiction!!!

Wapitirod,

I have had the gun since I was 18. I am almost 40 now so it is an old frame for sure. What can I do to fix this? I have only used factory loads so who knows. It even misfired with the 357 on a deer. They were cheap CCI loads though with non reloadable cases. I thought it was the shells.

Failure to fire in the 35 Remington contender with factory loads is somewhat common. It is the knock on the old 35 in a contender. However, IMHO the common 35 Remeington headspace issue should not translate into an issue with a 357 round. If you are experiencing this issue with the same frame & two different barrels, it is time to have it looked at by a competent gunsmith or send it back to TC. It can likely be fixed.

Really? Well guess I will need to have it looked at. The 35 is known for misfires huh? All that time I thought it was just the cheap rounds.

The hammer spring issue is just a matter of replacing the spring which is a pain, especially if it's your first one. Bellm has a heavy duty one or if you send it to T/C then they will replace it and go through the frame. If you get that done and there is still a problem with misfires then it's possible you have some frame stretch, worn firing pin or both barrels have had the chambers cut to deep. The 357 cartridge rim should be level with the end of the barrel, if its recessed then it basicly has a headspace issue too. My guess is the hammer spring and possibly a new firing pin will fix the problem but if not the shims I talked about are a cheap and easy way to keep the frame running, even if the frame is stretched.

Well after talking to my dad he has a 41 mag that I can use. He is gonna try the 35 remington but he is scared of it I guess you could say. How is the 41 mag for whitetail? 100 yards or less I would say. I am sure the 35 would be better though. If he does not like it then I think I may try it and just go with the 14 inch barrel and not have to spend any money on a new barrel and just buy a better scope.

A 41 mag is sufficient for deer at that range. I have used 41 revolvers on several hunts for deer sized exotics and have had no issue with it. In fact, it is my favorite revolver cartridge for general use and fun plinking.