just found this site last night and really enjoy it so far. I'm new to the handgun scene but like other people on site I have taken my share of deer with my 94 win 30-30. My wife started hunting last year and has pretty much taken over my 30-30. So I started hunting with my first love primitive black powder me and my little 50 cal carbine are a deer worst nitemare out to 150 yards. I also squirrel hunt with a 32 cal muzzleloader. Just thought id say a little about myself before I started asking questions. This up and coming season I will use my newest firearm I have an 1858 bison wiyh a 12 inch barrel its a six shot cap and ball revolver in a 44 cal. Is there anyone else on tis site that hunts blackpowder pistols. I also would like some info on the t/c encore with a good mid range barrel. I hope to purchase one before next season. And once agian this site is great.

Whats the velocity of those things? I hunt w/a bow, & 50 cal T/C caplock as well my revolovers. My buddy has a Ruger Old Army thats very strong & I shoot it more than he does. But, I'd never try it on deer. I think your penetration will be lacking & thats what kills w/a handgun (hand rifles, Contenders, Strikers etc. not included). I'm sure it's been done though. Encore is a no brainer. Big strong & can handle just about any caliber you fancy.

Welcome to The site Mike!!!!

The 1858... what do you want to shoot in it? I use to load the cylinder up the top with FFF and put a 45 round ball on top of it. It would cloverleaf in mine at 25 yards. The cylinder will cut the 45 down to a 44 with out any problems with you load it. An old timer told me to try it and I don’t argue with what worked in mine! LOL As for a mid range round for your Encore, do you want a small bore or a big boar. A 308 would be a great round mid to long range’s for deer hunting if the person was willing to practice.

Duane

im no sure about velocity but im using 40 grains of powder and a .457" round ball I hope it work if not ill have my little 50 carbine with me

for the contender I was thinking about a 7-30 waters or the 270. All I have to hunt around here is whitetails and boar There is alot of small game around but nothing a 22 wont take. As far as practicing me, my wife, our kid whos name is pistol, and friends shot every weekendor more.

Mike, welcome to the site from another Tennessean.

Mike, the 7-30 in the Contender is a wonderful round! The 270 Win is an Encore round. I love mine but I wouldn’t get one without a break. That round can be punishing. The 6.8 Rem SPC (270) is a good round but it is basically a rimless 7-30… more or less. I think the 7-30 is a better round but that is just MHO. LOL.

TCman thats a nice look gun what length barrel is that. briarhopper what part of middle TN are you from im from overton

The barrel is 16.5 inches long. It is a TC “Custom Shop.” So far she is shooting ¾ groups with IMR 4831 and Hornady 130 SpBt’s.

that the old cotender aint it

Welcome to HH. You will not find a finer bunch, the guys and gals at HH are TOP NOTCH!!!!!!!!

Safe shooting
Doug

I have an 1858 Remington which is a blast to shoot but I'd never try to kill a deer with it. It isn't even legal to hunt with a C&B revolver here in MN. For BP hunting I prefer my Knight Hawkeye.

I've looked at the old style contender a few times my dad had one when he hunted several years ago, and he really liked it. Reason I was looking at the encore was becouse it had the longer pistol barrels. and was less expinsive than the G2 contender. But the old style is the only one with the 30-30 barrel, the 30-30 is my favorite round for some reason. Or does come encore.

is the hawkeye a good pistol. I live about a mile from a shooting range that has gun sales on site and they have one for $395 its used but looks to be in good shape.

That is an Encore

whats the 32 muzzleloader you use. i really wanted to get into that for squirrels before i got my buckmark pistol. but i couldnt find a 32 muzzleloader anywhere??

I think you can get it in the Encore in 30-30 as well. The Contender can sport 14in barrels and the Encore 15in. Not really much difference at all. If you like the look and feel of the Contender that is what I would stay with. The Encore feels much different. It is like the difference between the SRH and the SBH. As for the 30-30, have you considered the 30-30 AKL? It is a GREAT round and you can shoot 30-30 rounds out if it in a pinch.

I have a 32 cal t/c cherekee they quit making it about 15 years ago.But there is a davy crockett in the 32 cal I think its made buy traditions. The 32 is fun to hunt with and one heck of a challange.

I think im gonna try and find me an encore in the 308. The bad thing is here in middle TN I cant find any dealers that carry the t/c's of any style so I have to go pretty much buy word of mouth. TCman thanks for all your helpfull posts by the way.

WELCOME to HH mikefromTN!!!!!!

thanks for the warm welcomes from all of yall. This is the most responsive bunch on any of the forums I have visited. Thanks agian.

I should have mentioned the 7-30. I had 1 w/a 14" barrel cut from the original 21" carbine barrel. Never shoulda sold it.

It is stout and handles well. Shoots around an inch @ 50 yards. I paid $300 for mine, $395 is a bit steep. I know of one that's going for $325, if not sold already. If you're interested I can check on it.

Lamina, the Crockett is a nice rifle for the money. Here is a pic of mine I recently used on a squirrel hunt. Its fun shooting the pea sized (.310) patched round balls. Midsouth sells the Crockett rifle for around $340. Traditions also offers a pistol version of the Crockett I plan on picking up too. There was some info on it in one of the print copies of Handgun Hunter Magazine. Another option is a drop in barrel from Green Mountain if you already own a T/C Renegade or Hawken.

Welcome to the forum Mike!

Welcome to the forum Mike, I have the same problem here in GA. Cant find them anywhere to check the feel of them. they are all order only. Checked just about everywhere except Bass Pro Shops, will have to stop by and see if they have some that I can check out.
Vin

I'm half way between Nashvill and Jackson and about 15 miles south of I-40, little town called Lobelville.

Isn't Overton county the location of the city of Livingston? I lived in Livingston for a few months about 16 years ago, newly married and when my first child an infant. Thought we would starve to death. I worked at a Berkline Recliner factory for about 3 months before the factory mentality pushed me over the edge and I walked out.

Caught a Greyhound to Challis Idaho from there and started wrangling horses and mules for an elk hunting outfit. Don't know why my wife ever stuck with me through those years.

Checked Bass Pro Yesterday and the don't stock them either.

Welcome aboard mikefromTN, I'm SS308 from WY. You will really enjoy the people on this site, super friendly and super helpful!

You do know that you can get the Contender in a 16" barrel? I myself use a Contender Super 14, .30-30 for Whitetails in the U.P. Loaded with 125 or 150 grain Nosler BT's, it is very effective.

Mike