I currently have a 14" contender G2 chambered in 30-30. I love the versatility of these guns but I shoot revolvers much better. I sold my 44 mag a few years ago and now have the opportunity to trade a friend my 30-30 for his Ruger Super Redhawk chambered in 454 and 45LC. I wouldn't use the 454 much but definately the 45LC. I need help on this, don't know much about the 45LC??

You can handload the 45LC to surpass the 44 magnum in performance, but I would rather load 454 brass down to hot 45LC levels in that gun to fill the holes. I love my SRH, although mine is in 480R. Make the deal you won't be disappointed. The 30-30 has a little more range, but the 45 packs a helluva punch out to 100 yards or so.

i dont handload yet. how expensive is to set up to load.

should also state the primary reason for this firearm is deer hunting in Indiana. My range is up close to around 130 yds max. i have never been able to shoot the 30-30 well. the gun is bulky in my hands and barrel is long. i'm only 5'5 and have small hands. is the 45lc factory loads hard to find.

For one caliber... 100 to 150 with a Lee hand loader!

That is for the first 100, the second 100 is MUCH cheaper!

There are not many factory 45LC hunting loads. Most are loaded light so they can be shot safely in older Colt single actions. There are a few custom ammo outfits that load hot 45LC, but for the cost of a few boxes you could get set up with a Lee reloading kit. I suggest Reed's if you need to buy hunting ammo.

http://shop.reedsammo.com/category.sc?categoryId=72

In my humble opinion reloading is the only way to go with a hunting revolver other than a 44 Magnum. You can find factory 44 Magnum ammo that will not break the bank. Hunting Loads for most anything else is way overpriced.
You do not need anything exotic to reload handgun ammo. Most any standard press that uses 7/8-14 dies will work. You will need a Shell Holder and a 454 Carbide Die Set. If the reloader is not set up to prime the case you will need a hand priming tool such as a Lee. Then you need a powder scale.
Get a can of (EDIT after looking at the Lyman Manual Unique powder for Cast bullets would work for me as I would not load a 454 to full power for Whitetail), 454 Brass, (EDIT Small Rifle Magnum Primers), and some (Edit Lead Bullets probably 255GC to start with, and heavier later), and you are in business.

NEXT I would locate someone in your area to help set it all up, and get you started. Then Reload Happily Ever After at a fraction of the cost of loaded factory ammo.

If I were buying new, I would spend a little more than dirt cheap on a reloading press and get a LEE Cast Iron Classic, Midway # 317-831 app $80. It is stout, well made, and is set up to prime the case. I have one set up in the shop, and it works well. I have mostly RCBS Dies, with some Redding, and Dillon thrown in, however LEE Dies will probably get the job done just fine Midway # 722-889 $27. Powder Scale by Lee, Midway # 712-102 app $22.
Shell Holder # 11 Midway Part # 781-305 $3.50
I would probably spend another $15 and get a powder funnel and a reloading block to hold the shell cases while I was making the order. Both items will make reloading much easier.

I have 3 Super Redhawks, (2 of them in 480, and a 44 Magnum) and I have never fired a factory round in any of them. Why would I ever want to. I can custom tailor my loads from Mild to Wild. I can load lead bullets, or Speer, or Hornady, or what ever else I might fancy, at a fraction of the cost of factory ammo.

Just my 2 cents

If you want to shoot enough, you need to hand load. It has gotten more expensive but will always be the best way. A friend priced a box of .357 ammo at $57 the other day?????
Cast your own boolits and shoot much more.

X 2

Look for yard sales if you want to get into reloading. I just bought a whole reloading outfit RCBS Rockchucker, uniflow powder measure, RCBS Electronic scale new in box, powder trickler, and various small things all for $100.00!!! I already have a set but bought it to put away for the kids in the future.

sixgunner,

how can you sleep at night?

Doc

Jmho but I think I would try a different barrel and caliber for the tc a 44mag in a ten inch barrel maybe shooting 44spc loads the ammo is easier to find and the difference in recoil I think you will find to be significant and you have the versatility to shoot magnums or reload them lighter if you choose and you still have your 30-30 to maybe trade, sell or keep for later

quote=Bob R]In my humble opinion reloading is the only way to go with a hunting revolver other than a 44 Magnum. You can find factory 44 Magnum ammo that will not break the bank. Hunting Loads for most anything else is way overpriced.
You do not need anything exotic to reload handgun ammo. Most any standard press that uses 7/8-14 dies will work. You will need a Shell Holder and a 454 Carbide Die Set. If the reloader is not set up to prime the case you will need a hand priming tool such as a Lee.Then you need a powder scale.
[/color]Get a can of H110, 454 Brass, Large Pistol Magnum Primers, and some Bullets, and you are in business.





NEXT I would locate someone in your area to help set it all up, and get you started. Then Reload Happily Ever After at a fraction of the cost of loaded factory ammo.

If I were buying new, I would spend a little more than dirt cheap on a reloading press and get a LEE Cast Iron Classic, Midway # 317-831 app $80. It is stout, well made, and is set up to prime the case. I have one set up in the shop, and it works well. I have mostly RCBS Dies, with some Redding, and Dillon thrown in, however LEE Dies will probably get the job done just fine Midway # 722-889 $27. Powder Scale by Lee, Midway # 712-102 app $22.
Shell Holder # 11 Midway Part # 781-305 $3.50
I would probably spend another $15 and get a powder funnel and a reloading block to hold the shell cases while I was making the order. Both items will make reloading much easier.

I have 3 Super Redhawks, and I have never fired a factory round in any of them. Why would I ever want to. I can custom taylor my loads from Mild to Wild. I can load lead bullets, or Speer, or Hornady, or what ever else I might fancy, at a fraction of the cost of factory ammo.

Just my 2 cents
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454 uses small rifle mag primers. If you don't want the full house loads stay away from h110, it only works well with near max loads. Alliant 2400 is a very good powder for the 454. You can get set to reload for about 300-400. It may seem alot to get started, but will pay for itself in no time if you are going to shoot alot.

The 454/45LC is a GREAT round for all around hunting. It is enough gun. It sounds like the grip frame of the Thompson is to big for you hands. I also dont have large enough hands according to my friends. I have found that the grip frame on the SRH is to big so I shoot a SBH. The 44mag will do anything I need it to and I dont have to reload for it. Of course I do but I dont have to. You might want to look into shooting the SRH before you make the deal.

the .45c would be an excellent round for deer and if you get started in reloading you can save a ton of money compared to factory rounds plus taylor a load for your particular gun.

sorry, late on the uptake, and i feel like somebody is baiting me, but...figure out a way to buy without selling. the 3030 is a good deer cartridge, not my favorite , but a good cartridge. My favorite cartridges cost more to shoot and recoil becomes annoying much quicker. At the ranges that you say are available to you, the 30-30 will easily handle the business. First thing is to practice. Lots and even more. Get a big piece of steel plate and a safe place and hang that plate out at a realistic distance and practice bang clang. Steel beats paper six ways from Sunday. What are you using for shooting positions? Shoot with a rest- use shooting sticks or fence posts or trees. Simulate what your field confditions will be. I have lots of revolvers and shoot them regularly, but my go-to gun for Whitetail deer season is my Contender in 35Rem with a 4x redfield

I agree with Hogghunter I love my 30-30 in the contender I dont know what kind of grips you have but maybe a grip change would help, pachmayers are good. If you do purchase another barrel you can have the versatility of switching back later if you like or staying with whatever caliber you choose but if you swap for the revolver and find its not what you need, you have lost the ability to change without buying a whole new gun. I find good prices for barrels online all the time I know you can find what you need and keep the versatility of the contender unless its just something you are not interested in then I say get what you want so you can Hunt and enjoy the outdoors