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T/C Contender For Black Bear and More
valudude
Member Posts: 66 ✭✭
I'm considering getting a Contender for those awkward times when I run into bears while carrying nothing but a .22 rifle. I have a couple of questions regarding suitable calibers.
I know a .44 Mag will take a black bear, but what is the longest range acceptable for a double lung shot on a bear with this caliber?
What about a 30-30? I can also see myself deer hunting with this pistol.
Is the .45 Colt suitable for bear? I'm intrigued by the concept of the .45/.410 barrel, because I also encounter grouse pretty frequently while squirrel hunting. It would be nice to know that a change of cartridge would permit the taking of a bear when the opportunity presents itself. Does the choke need to be removed when firing the .45 Colt?
I know a .44 Mag will take a black bear, but what is the longest range acceptable for a double lung shot on a bear with this caliber?
What about a 30-30? I can also see myself deer hunting with this pistol.
Is the .45 Colt suitable for bear? I'm intrigued by the concept of the .45/.410 barrel, because I also encounter grouse pretty frequently while squirrel hunting. It would be nice to know that a change of cartridge would permit the taking of a bear when the opportunity presents itself. Does the choke need to be removed when firing the .45 Colt?
Comments
OK here goes.
Other than being highly accurate, the strength of the Contender platform is its' utility. With just one frame you can acquire and utilize a wide range of barrels for different shooting needs.
Next let's get a safety question out of the way. YES, if using a 45/410 barrel you MUST have the choke out before you fire 45 colt in it!!!!
Now while we are on the 45/410 those barrels, when firing 45 Colt are not as accurate as barrels chambered in only 45 Colt. The reason for this is that the chamber is the length of the 410 shell so the 45 has to jump a good distance before the bullet encounters the rifling and this has a negative impact on accuracy.
Next the 45 Colt round for bear or other large/tough beasts. Yes they will work fine with the appropiate ammo loads where heavy weight solids are employed. Maximum recommended distance would be no more than 75 yards, preferably closer to 50.
Now we come to what may be a better round for Bear. Yes the 44 mag. has the power at 50 yards and under, again using heavy for caliber solids. Remember this is basically a revolver cartridge so it is not a long range cartridge. So my suggestions would be 375, 375 JDJ, 444 Marlin. Again you need appropriate ammo and there are a number of good bullets out there that are partitioned, bonded, solid, etc.
these calibers will take large game out to 200+ yards if the shooter does their part. However my personal preference is 100 or less.
Deer hunting ... 30-30 barrel would do the trick, but I don't recommend it for Bear, sur a lot of bear and other large critters have fallen to the round, but I prefer something with a little more punch. 45 Colt and 44 Mag will handle deer you just may want to change your bullet type so you don't completely blast through the critter.
Squirrel hunting ... 22 rifle and TC setup for 410 that way you can use either rifle of TC on squirrel and if the Grouse opportunity arises you have the 410.
There I think I hit all of the points you raised.
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!
I'm thinking Contender, not Encore, so the heavy rifle calibers are out. Are you suggesting the the .45 colt loaded with the proper bullet is a better hunting cartridge than the 30-30 at close range?
How much does the accuracy of the .45 suffer by firing through the longer .410 chamber? Enough to take the poi out of the vitals of a bear at 50 yards?
Believe it or not, I have encountered as many bears while squirrel hunting as I have grouse. This is why the .45/.410 is such an interesting option for me.
And yes, the interchangeable barrels make the Contender a very versatile and I'll bet fun, gun to own. [:)]
What are the upsides and downsides to the Armour Alloy model Contenders?
Former Member U.S. Navy Shooting Team
Former NSSA All American
Navy Distinguished Pistol Shot
MO, CT, VA.
The chamberings I mentioned in the Contender as well as the Encore.
Armor Alloy ... stay away from them all the rest of the contender barrels, including various custom shops ... will not fit the darn things.
Great finish idea, but they screwed up on compatibility.
Accuracy shift in 45/410 shouldn't be that far off for well aimed 50 yard shot, but groupings that would normall be within an inch +/- with std. chamber 45 colt bbl. can get to 2-3 inches with the combo barrels and like most any other gun it varries from one to the other.
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!
C.M.- In T/C's '04 catalog, I see the 375 JDJ in a 15" Encore barrel, but not in the Contender line. Are you referring to aftermarket barrels? If so, where can I see them on line?
Of course, if I decide to go with a specific "bear caliber" barrel, I'd likely buy one in .45/70. There's no doubt that will put a bear down, I'd rather have something with more versatility though. During last fall's encounter, I briefly considered an eye socket shot with the .22 lr, at ten yards. Very briefly...
Former Member U.S. Navy Shooting Team
Former NSSA All American
Navy Distinguished Pistol Shot
MO, CT, VA.
Ray
bobski- I hear what you're saying and yes it could get exciting with a poorly placed shot. Fortunately, I'm no longer concerned about being found dead AND wearing soiled drawers. They'll earn their money when they clean me up and put my dark gray suit on me.
The bottom line is that I don't want to buy a large caliber revolver, I want to buy a Contender. [:D]
Former Member U.S. Navy Shooting Team
Former NSSA All American
Navy Distinguished Pistol Shot
MO, CT, VA.