Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Help me decide on my next handgun purchase #159016 05/17/2015 1:37 AM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 316
eastex Offline OP
enthusiast
OP Offline
enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 316
Hey all, I am needing help deciding on my next handgun purchase I will be using this gun for hunting white tail, hogs and I am wanting to go elk hunting next year. I currently have a 7 1/2" ruger redhawk in 44 mag that I hunt hogs with open sights. The two I am looking at right now is a S&W 460 and a TC contender probably start off with a 30-30 barrel. I will own both of these guns eventually I guess what I am trying to decide is which one do I need/ want right now? I will be mainly stand hunting so weight is not an issue but either gun I go with will be scoped. One reason I am wanting the 460 is I want to go nilgai hunting in the near future and I want to have plenty of gun for anything I want to hunt. A little about myself- I am a reloader and have been reloading for about 10 years now and I love taking a rifle and finding the perfect load for a gun and squeezing every ounce of accuracy I possibly can out of every gun I own so factory ammunition is no concern to me, I am not recoil shy as I have been shooting a 44 for years and I use to own a 454 casull I have shot a buddies 500 s&w quite a bit and is a handful but not unbearable for me. Sorry for the long post just trying to get some input to make my decision easier. Another thing I have been thinking if I'm going to buy a 460 would I be better off and just going ahead and getting a 500? I know both guns will be a big overkill for whitetail but having to much power isn't a concern of mine. Thanks for any and all advice y'all may be able to help with

Re: Help me decide on my next handgun purchase [Re: eastex] #159017 05/17/2015 1:53 AM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 316
eastex Offline OP
enthusiast
OP Offline
enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 316
I might add that my shots will be from 50 yds to close to 200 yds

Re: Help me decide on my next handgun purchase [Re: eastex] #159018 05/17/2015 1:58 AM
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,020
tradmark Offline
Shooting Expert
Offline
Shooting Expert
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,020
You cannot go wrong with a 460. No animal
Will know you shot it with a 460 instead of a 500. The only one that will know will be you. And in a good way. Great gun

Re: Help me decide on my next handgun purchase [Re: tradmark] #159019 05/17/2015 4:10 AM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155
Gregg Richter Offline
Distinguished Expert
Offline
Distinguished Expert
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155
For elk on the Contender platform the 30-30 is very anemic; consider going with a custom SSK barrel in 309 JDJ if elk is a primary animal you will be hunting.







Re: Help me decide on my next handgun purchase [Re: Gregg Richter] #159021 05/17/2015 6:16 AM
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,006
Zee Offline
Shooting Expert
Offline
Shooting Expert
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,006
My vote is to get a TC Encore action, then a 15 inch .460 S&W and .30-30 AI barrel from Match Grade Machine.

Easy peasy. Done deal.


"To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
Re: Help me decide on my next handgun purchase [Re: Zee] #159023 05/17/2015 11:19 AM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,512
Ernie Offline
Distinguished Master
Offline
Distinguished Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,512
If I went the Encore route, I would up the cartridge capacity on my 30 cal choice for elk with that being a possibility.


Ernie the Un-Tactical
Re: Help me decide on my next handgun purchase [Re: Ernie] #159025 05/17/2015 12:17 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 779
Okie Hunter Online Happy
old hand
Online Happy
old hand
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 779
I would go with the Encore also. Bigger selection of calibers than the Contender including the 460 S&W.


With God all things are possible. Matt.19:26
Re: Help me decide on my next handgun purchase [Re: Okie Hunter] #159030 05/17/2015 2:27 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,205
KYODE Offline
Shooting Expert
Offline
Shooting Expert
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,205
A G2 contender with a couple custom barrels would be awesome. A big wildcat for the big stuff, and a smaller one for varmint/target.

A couple ideas based on my likes......a 358JDJ and a 30-30 AI. Then add a 6x45 or .223 for varmints, predators and target......or a 22lr match for squirrel!

The contender is a smaller package than the encore. I like that, and its a reloaders dream as well.

I cant see a big contender cartridge giving up much to the 460. Especially the SSK JDJ s. ......or just get both😋


Kentucky….no place like home.
Re: Help me decide on my next handgun purchase [Re: KYODE] #159031 05/17/2015 2:57 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608
s4s4u Offline
Shootist
Offline
Shootist
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608
A Contender with barrels in 45/70, 357 Herrett, 7-30 Waters and 22LR would cover about all the bases, perhaps a 218 Bee, 22 Hornet or 223 for longer small game.


Rod, too.

Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
Re: Help me decide on my next handgun purchase [Re: s4s4u] #159036 05/17/2015 3:28 PM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 316
eastex Offline OP
enthusiast
OP Offline
enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 316
Thanks for all replies, I think I am going to get on gunbroker and see what I can find as far as contenders go. I am not picky on caliber but want 7mm or 30 cal thanks for the help hopefully in the nextomth I will be posting pics

Re: Help me decide on my next handgun purchase [Re: eastex] #159039 05/17/2015 3:44 PM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 316
eastex Offline OP
enthusiast
OP Offline
enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 316
For those of you who have a 460 revolver what barrel length do you like and why

Re: Help me decide on my next handgun purchase [Re: eastex] #159041 05/17/2015 4:01 PM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,757
cottonstalk Offline
Pooh-Bah
Offline
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,757
I can't believe no one has said it yet, so I will, BUY BOTH!!!!! Get you a 460 S&W revolver and some contender barrels, then you have both covered.


"If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence,try orderin' someone else's dog around" unknown cowboy
Re: Help me decide on my next handgun purchase [Re: cottonstalk] #159042 05/17/2015 4:11 PM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 316
eastex Offline OP
enthusiast
OP Offline
enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 316
That is eventually what I am going to do just trying decide which one first.

Re: Help me decide on my next handgun purchase [Re: eastex] #159045 05/17/2015 4:30 PM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,669
Chance Weldon Offline
Distinguished Expert
Offline
Distinguished Expert
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,669
I would also vote for the Encore with a 460 and 30-30 barrel. Talk to raptortrapper; he's got a 460 S&W barrel on his Encore and says it's a tack driver. Of course, if you want an X-frame, I can't fault you for it.


Formerly TN Lone Wolf

"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided." - J.K. Rowling
Re: Help me decide on my next handgun purchase [Re: Chance Weldon] #159054 05/17/2015 7:52 PM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 316
eastex Offline OP
enthusiast
OP Offline
enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 316
I guess for now I am going to go with a contender, do most of yall get your contenders on gunnroker or who has the best prices? I am probably going to buy used if I can find a good deal

Re: Help me decide on my next handgun purchase [Re: eastex] #159057 05/17/2015 8:35 PM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,669
Chance Weldon Offline
Distinguished Expert
Offline
Distinguished Expert
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,669
 Originally Posted By: eastex
For those of you who have a 460 revolver what barrel length do you like and why


I've got the standard 8 3/8" barrel on mine. If I had a choice, I probably would have taken one of the longer barreled models, but I'm not at all disappointed with mine. You may not get the level of performance out of the 8 3/8" compared to a 10", 12", 14" Performance Center, or especially a 15" Encore, but pushing a 240 grain bullet 2000 fps out of the 8 3/8" is still quite potent.


Formerly TN Lone Wolf

"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided." - J.K. Rowling
Re: Help me decide on my next handgun purchase [Re: eastex] #159063 05/17/2015 10:35 PM
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 210
muddydog Offline
enthusiast
Offline
enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 210
Encore 308 will work for any game in the U.S.

Re: Help me decide on my next handgun purchase [Re: muddydog] #159068 05/18/2015 12:09 AM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 316
eastex Offline OP
enthusiast
OP Offline
enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 316
^^^ didn't think about that plus I already have 308 dies

Re: Help me decide on my next handgun purchase [Re: eastex] #159069 05/18/2015 12:20 AM
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 156
csherrill Offline
member
Offline
member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 156
I owned a .308 in a factory TC barrel that shot unbelievable. I could make several of my rifle shooting buddies wish their rifle did that good. As it often happens with I opened my big mouth before really thinking and priced when asked. Regrets regrets.

Re: Help me decide on my next handgun purchase [Re: muddydog] #159071 05/18/2015 1:30 AM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608
s4s4u Offline
Shootist
Offline
Shootist
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608
 Originally Posted By: muddydog
Encore 308 will work for any game in the U.S.


True that, but the problem I have with the Encore is getting my hand around the handle.


Rod, too.

Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
Re: Help me decide on my next handgun purchase [Re: eastex] #159072 05/18/2015 1:48 AM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 920
billa Offline
old hand
Offline
old hand
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 920
My #1 Contender cartridge for big game is the 358JDJ. Deadly to 200+ yards. I have used it for many Whitetails, pronghorn and an African safari. Kudu full penetration on the shoulder at 190 yards. Check out my older posts. You can rechamber a stock 35 Rem contender barrel or buy a custom barrel. The 375 JDJ would be a great choice too.


"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,... "
Matthew 28:19

Handgun hunter since 1979 - haven't used a rifle since!
HHI member #992, NRA, SCI.

Moderated by  Chance Weldon, Gary, Gregg Richter 

Newest Members
Redhawk41, Striker243, Sxviper, RobbieD, IRONMAN
9668 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
Who's Online Now
1 registered members (Okie Hunter), 23 guests, and 2 spiders.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3