You are dead on JamesB. The 30-30 is fantastic in Contender. All I can suggest is to open up to a 30-30 AI. About 150fps faster-possibly 200. Very inexpensive rechambering in a Contender barrel. It think it is well worth it. This may be a stupid question, but I never heard of a Mag tip bullet. Who makes it? I shoot the 135 grain single shot pistol bullet, put out by Sierra. Tom.