What brands and types of bullets do you T/C and SP guys use in your rifle cartridge or JDJ cartridge chambered Encores, Contenders, and specialty pistols? Not target or practice bullets; the bullets you would actually hunt with. Does the lower velocity achieved with these guns compared to similarly chambered rifles affect your choice?

I've done a lifetime of study on this very subject. I've taken over 2200 deer and countless big game animals. Each one has had an autopsy recorded by me and published in Handgun Hunters International publication (The Sixgunner -see SSK Industries.com).
There is no set answer to your question. Each company has bullets that work better than others in handgun length barrels. Each type of handgun performs a little better with certain bullets.
I can't even start to think of how many bullets I've tested and done autopsies on each one. The bullet has to be matched to the game, the velocity possible in each type of gun.
In general, Hornadys-semi soft, fairly accurate, no excess pressures, average damage and exits.
Sierra-super soft, lots of damage, big exits, easy on guns, not real flat trajectories.
Speer-a mix between Sierra and Hornady, but usually poorer trajectory. Many of their bullets don't have the best profile for long range stuff.
Nosler- my #1 bullet in all my XPs. Super accurate, damage and exits from a lot (ballistic tips) to fairly good (Accubonds), great penetration (ABs and Partitions). They do good in Encores, but the bonded ones build up a little more pressure in Contenders.
I have bullets of all types pulled from animals. Most are decxent mushrooms, none are blown up (lower handgun velocities).
Before you guys get your panties in a wad, remember, I said the above info is in general. I can get very specific about most bullets/guns , but they are all different.

I also like the Noslers, especially the Ballistic Tip variety, as they generally expand well at the reduced velocities of shortguns. I also agree it depends on the caliber as well as case capacity and there is no real rule of thumb. When I had a 30-30 barrel it killed well with the same 150 grain soft point ammo I used in the lever gun, but then those bullets weren't going all that fast from the carbine either. In my 7-30 Waters I am using the discontinued Hornady 120 SSP bullets and they work similar to the Nosler BT. Most bullet makers list the velocity window of their offerings, but if they don't an email to their tech dept will usually yield those numbers.

In my .308 striker 165 gr Sierra s p b t . In the .358JDJ 180 gr Speer F P .30-30 Sierra or Speer 6.5 Rem Mag 129 gr Hornady SST. 45-70 300gr Hor. or Sierra HP. I don't have anywhere near the experience of Doc or some of the others but these have worked for me so far.

For what I hunt with bottleneck cartridges from pigs to deer to elk sized game, my go to bullet is the Hornady A-Max. Excellent accuracy and terminal performance.

In straight wall cartridges, I prefer Hornady XTP or cast.

I like the Nosler Ballistic Tips.

I use Nosler Ballistic Tips in the 7-30 Waters and .308 Winchester.

Limited to deer only with my contenders. A 14" 30-30 with 125gr @ 2250fps performs well with Hornady and Nosler. A 14" barrel I have is a 6.5/220. I shoot this with 129 Hornady SST and 120 Nosler BT at approx. 2300fps. Lastly, a 45-70 14" with 300gr HP from Hornady and Sierra at approx. 1800-1900 fps. The first two have more DRT's with Nosler Ballistic Tips but the Hornady bullet performs extremely well also. With the 45-70 the sierra expands faster than the Hornady. If there is an answer to bullet performance it has to be match the bullet weight/velocity to the gun and game being hunted until you get your desired results.

i have used-
120 b-tips in a 7mm-08 encore out to 300 yards with great results.
105 A-max in 6BRX striker t0 630 on chucks and 250ish on deer with great results.
95 berger VLD in same gun to 500 on a deer. it worked but placement was off- my fault.
140 VDL in 7 WSM striker to 340 on deer again great results.

Placement of the shot trumps bullet type in my opinion. a b-tip in the wrong spot might not get it down but a cup and core soft point in the right spot will every time.

I do tend to use lighter bullets in pistols than I would in a rifle in order to get the speed necessary to allow the bullets to "work" properly.

The information shared here is very good. WVhitman has an awesome library of data and photos. I know of no one that has taken more deer and varmints with a handgun than he has. Plus the CSI level of autopsy.
I suggest asking cartridge / gun specific questions. I am sure you will get specific answers you can bank on.

x2

Yeah, I know. I just wanted to see what all brands everyone was using in general. I'm not surprised a lot of you like Nosler Ballistic Tips. I used those in my 270 back before I started reloading, and they didn't disappoint when it came to accuracy and terminal performance. Just wish I could find some around here.

I have used Hornady bullets with good success for most of my handgun hunting over the years. My philosophy is lung / heart / shoulder and get full penetration if possible. I like heavy bullets that expand some but retain mass.

Penetration in the right place always kills.

i.e. Shot placement is everything.

DING DING DING!!!!! Winner winner chicken dinner!!

I use this exact set up myself!

I use 150gr ballistic tips in my 30-06 Encore. I loved the 150gr Hot Core but they are no longer made.

Great minds and all.

I found a couple boxes of 165gr Ballistic Tip bullets from way back. You know, back when there were actually 100 to a box. Best guess would be 80s because I found them in a barn in the early 90s. Then, misplaced them in my cave only to rediscover recently.

Regardless, I think I'll load them up for my '06 Encore Pistol. See how they do.

For science, ya Know.

Awwww......the good ole days.