Today I traded a 4" Springfield XD-40 w/ four mags for a 10" Contender in 7-30 waters with a 2x6 Redfield scope in T/C triple rings. Felt like a good trade to me! The T/C is minty with just a little wear in the spot where the forearm slides on the receiver. I was so excited I swung by the deer stand at last light but no doe was brave enough to poke her nose out.

I have been after a Contender forever and the 7-30 is a great cartridge for my uses. Eventually I'd like to get a .204 Ruger barrel.

Can't wait to try it out!

Congratulations! You will like the 7-30. I have been shooting two different contenders in 7-30 for about 10 yrs now. I like the 120grn Nosler BT best but have used the 139 Hornady SST also for bigger game like big deer and hogs.
I have taken 4 deer with the 120 grn bullets and they do well. They are easy to load also. 30-30 brass is plentiful.
Good luck on your venture for deer.

Mike

I agree, you will like the 7-30. I have a 14" stainless with a bushnell 2X6 and it is deadly on deer. They will usually go down in their tracks with the right shot placement.

I have always used the Sierra 130 SSP's but as they no longer are available, I will have to change bullets eventually but I have about 200 loaded rounds so I should be OK for a while.
Enjoy your new Toy!

Congrats and good luck with your new addition!
A buddy of mine has the 7-30 and just loves it!
Watched him through the view finder of the video cam
drop an old sow in her tracks last spring with it.