I have a contender with a 10" 44 mag barrel. It is very light due to the large caliber hole in the barrel. The deer don't go very far with it, no matter what bullet you use. Have you considered trading for a different caliber that would be better suited for the 10" barrel? A 30/30 in that short of a barrel must have a terrible muzzle blast, does it not? And I'm sure the recoil is as bad or worse than a 44 mag.