Does anyone else own one and use it for deer hunting? I have one and haven't hunted with it in a few years. I have used Nosler 140 gr. Ballistic Tips in them but they don't seem to perform as well as the 120 gr. Ballistic Tips. I'm guessing it's an expansion problem with the heavier ammo at slow velocity.

What do you use?

I guess I should have included the fact that I'm shooting the 7MM Bench Rest Caliber.

~sorry about that

OK, let's try this from another angle. Does anyone use a contender in 7x 30 waters? What is your favorite load for deer hunting?

I believe these 2 rounds are ballistically similiar

I picked up a contender with the 14" hunter/ ported barrel in 7-30 waters.
I put a 2-6 x32 scope on it and it shoots great with the factory 120gr. loads. Keeps tight groups out to 200 yards with a steady rest. Haven't killed anything with it but hopefully in a couple months it will happen.