I?m interested in my first contender for hunting. Will be used for deer, antelope, hogs & coyotes. Tried a pistol scope yrs ago,didn?t do well, time to try again.planing on a quality 2X scope. Big question... which caliber, 44 mag or 30-30? Dont plan on shooting long range, (125-150 yards), just extending my range from a iron sighted 44 mag. Any opionions & why?
Thx

I like my sweet 14 30 30 contender. It has a 2.5 x 8 Weaver scope on it and shoots three shot groups under 0.50 inches at fifty yards with both factory and hand loads when I do my part.

I was lucky enough to kill two deer with it last year with Hornady's 160 gr LeverEverlutions.

This year I have worked up a hand load with the 110 grain Barnes Black Out bullet that looks very promising.

I also have a sweet 14 44 mag contender that shoots great also. It has a factory break. I do notice a little more recoil with the 44 mag but neither one has much.

For my first hunting handgun I would choose the 30 30 because it has more range but either will work at 100 yards.

As Michael says, either will work well at the given ranges. Do you re-load one or the other? want to consolidate the # of calibers in the house? I would say the 30-30 with factory loads is more pleasant to shoot then the 44 loads. There are some shorter and lighter 44 mag barrels around (typically 10" octagon style) that produce uncomfortable recoil.
As always, bullet selection is important.
I think reloading is needed to really unlock the full potential of the 30-30 in a contender.
There are more 44 mag options and a contender will give you a boost over revolver performance.

Yes , I do reload, and that?s one reason the 44 mag contender is an option.. I have dies, brass, primers, and bullets already, but I know a 30-30 would supply more range. If I?m going down the 30 cal rabbit hole, should I consider the 300 whisper/blackout? There?s also the 6.8 Rem, or the 7-30 waters.... I reloaded the 7-30 yrs ago... had fun doing it too. 7mm TCU maybe?
Lots of options.... 150 yard deer handgun, that?s the goal. What do the informed think?

I'd say 30-30. I picked up a 30-30 barrel last year and used it to take the deer in my avatar. I really like it and used plain old, cheap Rem 150 Cor-Lokt RN bullets. After learning about the 30-30 AI, I'll re-chamber to that if I want more power. It takes the platform to a whole new level and allows you to shoot the factory rounds as well. But, even in standard factory guise I believe the 30-30 is very hard to beat for most hunting.

.30-30, of the two you mention.

I WOULD GO WITH A 30-30 OVER THE 44 MAG. I WOULD ALSO RECOMMEND AGAINST THE 2X UNLESS YOU WILL SHOOT AT 75 YARDS AND UNDER. A FIXED 4X, OR BETTER, A GOOD VARIABLE 2X6 OR 2.5X8 OR SOMETHING SIMILAR.

Rabbit hole is a good description. They will all work with the right bullet. Just depends on what you want.

A 30-30 in a 14" contender will give you a good bit more velocity then listed on factory 300 ammo with the same bullet. 30-30 AI would be a boost beyond. but I would argue it isn't necessary for the ranges you are talking. 30 cal gives you a lot of great spitzer bullet options that grew out of the 300BO that function at lower velocity. The Barnes bullet Michael mentioned (the black tipped ones, 110 or 120gn) work great. They hold together (full weight retention) at velocities a well over 2500fps and open reliably down to 1400fps.

I use the 110gn barnes(or the 110gn vmax for cheaper plinking) and can launch them all day at 2500 fps with no discomfort. At that MV they don't drop below 1400fps until >400 yards. Well beyond my personal effective range. Michael launches them at ~2300 fps for a little less recoil, better accuracy and no real change in effective hunting range. I've shot several deer the load and it's a hammer. IMHO, it drops them faster then 12g slugs.

I played with a 7-30 waters for a while but returned to the 30-30 because of the barnes bullet.

If you do go 30-30, check out the lee collet die for neck sizing.
I now reload 30-30 much faster without using any lube and only one cleaning for powder residue.

I love the 30-30 ackley improved and would bet you would also. I have a factory super 14. Very accurate barrel!

This is what I use for midrange deer. I also don't care for magnified pistol scopes so I have a 3-9x rifle scope on my 13" MGM barrel. This scope does have generous eye relief so no need for a brake on the barrel. I am comfortable to 200 yards and some with this rig. Nothing wrong with the 30-30 either.

Thank you all. Sounds like the 30-30 is the hands down choice.

Super 14 30-30 barrel. Then have it rechambered to 30-30 AI. I killed a doll sheep in BC in the '80s with a contender carbine. For deer and antelope use 150gr. Nosler BT.

My brother has a 30-30 AI barrel. I am pretty impressed with it. I would go with the AI version reloading for it.

Bob R

45 Man (Rey) and I have been around long enough to know what works and is practical. Like he says, for your first handgun you can't go wrong with a .30-30. If you get a 2X scope you'll regret it after the first week. Versitility in handguns is the key to success. A 2-6 or 2-8 scope will please you much more in the long run.
Nice thing about the .30-30 is you always have the option of rechambering to a .309 JDJ which is a significant step up in power.

Don't handicap a good long range caliber with a 2X scope, get a good variable, You can keep it on the low end & then dial it up when you need it, and you will need it with the 30/30 or the Improved 30. The above guys have lots of experience, they are steering you in the right direction.

Dick

I say 30-30 for the caliber and ADD A BRAKE.
NO,, the 30-30 does not recoil so much that it is necessary, but with a brake you will enjoy the pistol much more. As far as a scope is concerned I would go with a Burris 3-12 X 32 handgun scope or even a rifle scope. But get a variable to get your longer distances. With a brake the recoil will be minimized to the degree that you can use a rifle scope and not get scope eye. (bruises or cuts) With a brake you may be able to see the hit and watch the action.
The scope and addition of a brake may be costly on the front end, but trust me you will regret later if you do not dig deep and pay up front.

Look at all the Factory ammo available in the 30-30 and then consider if you do start handloading. If you already handload then this will be a cinch and if you do not handload then strongly consider it because of the possibilities available.
Varmints season year round..... Yes if you want to handload and go with a cast or jacketed you will have a much better option with the 30-30. Consider a 125 jacketed speer or a Cast 115gr from Montana Bullet Works. The 115 drops at 120 grs and is great for small game and Varmints. The Speer 125 gr spitzer adds longer ranges. Speer also offers a 100gr RN for plinking that is a lot of fun.

IN LIEU OF A BRAKE, YOU MIGHT CONSIDER THE MNP "GEORGE FAERBER QUAD PORT" WORKS WONDERS ON CONTENDER, ENCORE AND XP BARRELS, AND ADDS NO LENGTH TO THE BARREL.

I'm all for the 30/30 AI and the variable power scope too. I have not owned one in a handgun configuration, but I did have a Marlin 336 re-chambered in that cartridge and it made for an awesome little handy rifle.