I own a TC Contender with two handgun barrels 1)30-30/10"
2)45/410. What calibers would be available for deer to moose size
game that can be used on the old Contender frame??

375JDJ can handle anything in North America. You can load it down a little for deer and save the thumper loads for moose.

15" 357 Herrett would make a fine choice. I just purhcased a 15" Bullberry barrel for my older frame Contender. Should be able to get 2000 fps with a Remington 200 grain Round Nose. Plenty of medicine for deer out to 200 yards and moose out to 100 yards I would think.

I think the 35 Rem would be a better choice over the 35 Herrett. Just my .02 though. Several people make a 375X444 round that will more than adequate for elk or moose. The 375 JDJ had taken the most dangerous game on the face of the earth. Looking at Mr. Ed’s 45-70 on the bragging board, I would even think about it in brush with a shot under 100-150.

The 30-30 case is about the biggest bottle necked case one can use in the Contender. The 444 necked down to the 38, 35, and 375 do well for some reason. Some say they even kill on both ends.

Anther option is to go to the MGM or Bullberry web page and look at all the possible camberings that they will do. Cross that information with your reloading book and that should help.

James

With your wrist, I would highly recommend a muzzle break, like I really need to tell you that. I have been told that the 375X444 easily manageable with a good break by several people I know.

Duane

375 Winchester would be a good one too. Might not want to stretch it past 200 yards.

Good point. It isn't but 100-150 fps slower than the 375 JDJ and a lot more user friendly!

Duane

Don't forget the .44 Mag or .45 Colt also.

with big ol elk n moose on the list, i'd go 338 or 358 x444 aka JDJ. a brake may make it tolerable, if worried about heavy recoil.
30-30AI would be a nice coyote/deer round, and 35rem for deer.

19 elephant were taken in 1984 with the .375 JDJ. I use it on whitetail with the 220 grn. bullets. I've taken boar hogs with it, too. I wouldn't hesitate to take a 200 yard shot with it, either. T/C offers factory barrels and ammunition.

The .375 JDJ is superb.

Did some checking this morning, moose has a score number of 120 on the “Relative Stopping Power Scale.” The 30-30 Ak scored a 83. The 35 Rem scored a 95. The 375 Win scores a 110. The 375 JDJ scores a 121. The 45-70 scores a 145. These were all pistol scores. Hope this helps some.

The nice thing about the 375 and the 458 is that it they were made for penetration. I took my 375 H&H pig hunting before and shot a deer with it. I wasn’t going to nice buck just walk by. The 375 actually tore up less meat that my 7mm Rem Mag. I have found out that is not uncommon. The 375 punches a nice clean hole all the way threw and usually just knocks the animal off its feel. Granted my rifle has 4400 pounds of energy. My 7mm Mag usually tears up meat on the exit side of the animal. With the assumption that you don’t hit a bone.

Duane

45/70
375 Winny
445 SMAG
35x30-30