I've been hunting deer with one for 10 years now, and I realy like it a lot. Just finished loading some new loads with H4895 and BL-C (2). 37grs and 36.7grs both powders, and I'm using 20 with 125gr sierra spitzer and 20 with 130 hornady sp pistol. I'm going to the range next Monday to try them out. I'll let you all know how I made out.

Regards,

Robert

I didn't have the 30-30 but I had a 30 herret. Which is the 30-30 shortened about 1/2 inch then renecked. It had ballistics equal to the 30-30 with less powder and muzzle blast. I only loaded the 125 grain Nosler Ballistic tip but out to 200 yards it worked well on Mule deer. I also had the 35 herret and best of all the 35 Remington barrel. I loved hunting with the Ciontender. I also had a 44 Mag barrel, a357 Maximum barrel and a match 22 rimfire barrel. I had a 44 Mag and 223 Carbine barrels for the setup as well. I am now out of the Contender business and into the Encores.

Hi James,

Do you like the encore better than the contendor, and do you see any diffrences in them as far as handleing and how they feel when shooting. Please let me know.

Regards,

Robert

Not the 30-30 but I have taken a few deer with the Contender in 7-30 Waters. Without looking at my log book, I don't know my load off hand. I do know that I shoot Hornady 120 gr. Single Shot Pistol bullets out of it though and they shoot great.
I would stick with the SSP bullets out of the 15" barrel. They have a thinner jacket and expand better than the standard "rifle" bullet.
I think if i was to get another barrel now for my contender it probably would be the .375 JDJ. T/C is listing them as a stock item now.

Never tried the Contender in 30-30 but I love my 7-30 barrels.The Waters has slightly better ballistics over the 30-30 I beleive, but on deer size game it doesnt much matter. Both do a great job when using 120-125 grain bullets, I prefer the Nosler Ballistic Tip.

I have had a 14" 375 JDJ and a 16" 358 JDJ for many years, both are incredible performers. The 375 is in a handgun configuration while the 16" 358 is made up to a SS carbine.



doubleA

Never had any problems with the Contender. I went to the Encore just because of the wider variety of options. It is still new to me so far but I will do some reporting on it as I go along. I want a 7mm-08 or 260 pistol barrel. And a 223 and 260 Rifle barrel. For starters that is.

I used to hunt with the Contender in 30-30 using factory ammo Eldorado Starfires in 150gr. After the Encore came out, I went with it because of the higher pressure catridges for it. I still have a couple of Contender barrels in 223 and 45-70 and have Encore barrels in 22-250 for varimints and .308win for deer. It depends on where I hunt as to what I carry. If the shot is not over 150yds, I'll usually carry the 45-70, but if its over that, the 308 Encore will be riding with me. I've taken deer at over 200yds with the .308 and woudn't hessitate to take another shot at that distance with the proper rest.

I have taken a doe with the 30-30. I don't handload so I use Win 170gr, my barrel didn't like any 150gr loads. The 170gr load were half the size of any the 150gr loads.