It seems many of you use the 30-30 Win in your Contenders and Encore's, so I was wondering what it was like? It would seem to be a real cannon out of a short barrel handgun compared to something like a 44 mag. Is it noticeably more difficult to control?

Also, it seems like I see 30-30 more often in the T/C handguns, as opposed to other 30 cal's, etc. Is there any reason for its popularity other than the same reason its so popular in lever action rifles?

Thanks

IC

Callahan,

One of the reasons that it is a common chambering in the T/C is the popularity of the round itself, being around for approx. 120 years. Additionally, it is commonly found in most parts of the world. It has a rimmed case that allows positive function in a single shot gun. Its power and recoil are tolerable to most shooters, components are available and inexpensive. It not the most efficient round in a handgun length barrel, note the 30 Herrett formed from the 30-30 performs as well or better with less powder. All that being said, it possesses enough power for most thin skinned game in the CONUS.

Doc

I agree with Doc.....hard to go wrong with the 30-30. Have one and love it.

The 30-30 is perfect in a 14" Contender. IMHO. Handloading is the way to go and there is many good bullet choices. I really like the way 125 gr Noslers perform on whitetail. I use a load of H4895 with CCI BR primers and it consistently groups under an 1" at 100 yds. I did not list the load because it is over book MAX but no ill affects in my contender and I have great case life. The last deer I shot with this combo was a straight on frontal shot at a measured 128 yds. I watched this deer for over 25 minutes and it would not turn broadside. It was feeding towards me and had no idea I was there. My nerves finally got to me and I decided to wait till the deer put it's head down and aim through the back of the neck between the front shoulders. On the shot that sounded like a bat hitting a tree, the deer jumped up, did a half turn in the air and lay still motionless. The shot broke the spine at the bottom of the neck and entered the chest cavity. [DRT} If hogs are on my list I load Barnes 130 gr TSX with the same powder primer combo with gratifying results and so far complete penetration.

I have been shooting a Super 14 .30-30 since 1978, and have found it to be an excellent combination. In a 14" barrel, it definitely is not an overbore cartridge, and I certainly would not trade it for a .30 Herrett, although that cartridge's volume is better suited for a 10" barrel.
I have found the accuracy to be excellent. I first used it as an IHMSA "Unlimited" gun in 1978-79 with 150 gr. bullets and 748, then scoped it in 1980 as a groundhog and deer hunting gun using 125 gr. bullets with 748.
I think the recoil is approximately the equivalent of a .44 Mag., depending upon how each is loaded.
When the game is larger than whitetail, or the distances are longer than those encountered here, I prefer the .309 JDJ, but the .30-30 is a fine choice in a 14" T/C for most 100-150 yard hunters.

I'd say the 30-30 is a pussycat compared to the 44 mag in the Contender. I shoot the 7-30 Waters, which is based on the 30-30 case but with more capacity and I use a r-r-rifle scope on it. I wouldn't even think of doing so with the 44 mag.

I agree with Ken. I used the 14" 30/30 contender for many years and I never felt I was lacking. I used the 150gr NBT over a max charge of W748 and it was a hammer on whitetails. When my son was 10 years old, I started him out on big game with the 30/30 contender using 125gr NBT over Varget. It also was a whitetails nightmare. I feel like the 30/30 is very manageable on recoil; especially if you have the Pacmyer grips and forearm installed.

you can do a heck of lot worse and most shelves are still stocked with 30-30!

Thanks gents for all of the fabulous information! This IS the place!

A lot of what I hear reaffirms my own knowledge of the 30-30, in that it is a hugely popular deer round here in the woods of Pennsylvania. When I used to sell guns, I always said that the 30-30 in a lever action could possibly account for the most deer on the table than any other caliber, at least in this region. It certainty should be in the top three.

I was probably initially interested just due to the nostalgia factor of the round and that it's WIDELY available, and that its not a "burn the house down" high pressure rifle round (aka overkill) I just did not know what a round like that might be like out of a short barrel 14" gun. I only have a .223 10" Contender, and a heavy barrel 12" 44 mag Encore as a basis for comparison. The .223 has a surprising muzzle blast for such a tiny bullet, and the 44 is just plain sweet shooting.

I also forgot about the 7-30 Waters, which might also be a great option, but I'd imagine you can flip a coin between the two for a deer cartridge.

For those that enjoy either caliber in a 14" gun, do you utilize a muzzle brake?

Trying to post an image of the Encore 44Mag..

[img]http://images5a.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp63272%3Enu%3D3879%3E%3B9%3A%3E25%3A%3EWSNRCG%3D328%3B%3B%3B%3A49%3B34%3Bnu0mrj[/img]

Thanks!!!!
IC

By all means do not forget about the 7-30 Waters. If you are a handloader and have a Hornady reloading handbook go the handgun section. Compare the 7-30 and the 30-30 and by comparison the 7-30 is pushing same weight bullets between 100-150 fps faster. The 30-30 is a good round but Ken Waters developed the 7-30 to get everything possible out of the 30-30 case and does. True the 30 Herrett was developed for the 10 inch barrel but they still perform better in a 14 inch. I have 30 H and love shooting it as well but the 7-30 Waters is my favorite and bc's are better with the 7mm bullets. Have fun deciding. If you do go with the 7-30 Waters the only loaded ammo I know of is from Federal.

Super 14 in 30-30 with Remingtons' Accelerator load in 30-30 makes a great prairie dog killer.. That 55gr bullet @ 3000 fps really does a job

And I guess that is the BIGGEST difference between the two, is factory ammo availability. I do reload, but like having factory ammo available if I need it. I will have to look more into the data on these two.

I used to sell guns back in the early 90's and I thought I remembered more manufacturer's offering 7-30 at the time. I know we did stock it and I thought it was a standard Winchester load, but it looks like Federal is the only mfgr now.

IC

No need for a brake.

Insp,

My son took his first two handgun'd deer with the 14" T/C Contender in 30/30W when he was 10 years old......




He was shoot'n a 125gr NBT over a max charge of Varget. He had no problem with recoil, so I think you'd be fine. If you think the 44mag is sweet; you'll love the 30/30W. In my opinion, the 44mag is a good bit worse in the recoil department.

Wow! Great pictures, nice T/C, and a very accomplished hunter!

Yes, I have a very limited basis of comparison with these guns so it seems I may be over thinking the recoil on a 30-30, since 44 mag is something I shoot regularly in both wheelguns and also a 12" TC Encore.

I also have been reading that another reason the 30-30 is so popular is that it's pressure is compatible with the Contenders strength. Since I have an Encore, it seems I have many more options, however I still want a very shootable package and 30-30 seems to be that ticket, and I'd likely get an aftermarket barrel of 14 inches.

IC

Even better would be the 30-30 AI. A little more pop with out much more kick.

The 14" Contender in 30-30 is a great deer round. I had one for several years and shot the 125 ballistic tip on deer and coyotes. After a few years and some reloading I traded the 30-30 barrel to my hunting buddie and purchased a TC 12" Hunter 7-30 Waters. I have been shooting it since 1997 and would not take for it. I have shot 120grn sierra pro hunters, nosler ballistic tips and 139grn Hornady SST's on deer. All work great on whitetail.
I will one day have a 7-30 Waters carbine barrel.
Mike