Should I try the TC Contender again?

[Lefty Red]

Have another chance at a TC Contender. Any reason I should give it another try for deer hunting? Over a Blackhawk?
Its for deer hunting.
Jerry

[jimb16]

I have both a Blackhawk and a Contender. I usually just take the Contender since I figure I'm only gonna get one shot anyway, and I find it to be more accurate at longer distances.

[Beerd]

What caliber?
Scoped or irons?
..

[Zim]

nope - handles different. You would have to learn how to shoot it. If you are good with the blackhawk, leave good enough alone.

;)

[Lefty Red]

I guess it was a childhood dream. I always wanted a TC Tender. But they were too expensive for a teen delivering pizza and cleaning hog pens.

I have one and I was like I finally got a Tender. I shot it, it shot great. But I was like, oh I just banged the prom queen....now what.
I am not really into getting allot of different calibers for it. I like the 357 and a 45LC. I already have 357 BH that I really like. And I do shoot it really good.

Jerry

[str8wal]

I used to have all kinds of barrels for the Contender, but the switching was a pain. I kept the Waters and the Bee but the others are gone. I prefer my Bisley for the short stuff. I say go for it if you wanna stretch your legs a bit well beyond a hundred yards.

[JSH]

I won't push you one way or the other. I have both and hunt with both, just depends on where, what and when. If I am crunched for time and distance could be an issue the wheel gun stays at home. If I have time and 100 yards or under I take a wheel gun.
I have a stick and string. I find it quite enjoyable to shoot and gives me a lot of satisfaction when I am on my game. I figure a good revolver is my style of bow hunting so to speak, packs easier too lol.
Jeff

[contender1]

Well, you can see by my name,, I have a fondness for the Contenders. I started handgun hunting a bit over 30 years ago with a Redhawk & a Blackhawk. Then after a few years, I tried a Contender in 7x30 Waters. Wow. I've bagged over 100 whitetails with mine and an elk. Accurate, deadly, & easier to hit smaller targets at longer ranges. I say give it a try. But,, in a different caliber than what you have in your Blackhawk.
Just my humble opinion.

[TCLouis]

Contender.

357Mag, Max or 44 Maggie.

45 LC IF you can find a true LC barrel.

7X30 Waters

Trusty ol 30-30 14"


IF you want to form, and load 30 or 357 Herrett barrel.

One of those choices ought to fill your needs.

[Nicholas]

I vote for the TC with 14 in bbl and 2x pistol scope. Good deer medicine.

[SSGOldfart]

I vote for the TC with 14 in bbl and 2x pistol scope. Good deer medicine.

I'll second that but I shoot the T/C Encore in 243 223and now in 22-250 all 15inch barrels

[LUCKYDAWG13]

I"ll 3rd that 14" 44mag barrel and a 2X scope
and a 14" 22lr 2x7 scope and your set in IL

[bobthenailer]

i have a contender , rpm xl and a xp100 in calibers large enough to deer hunt with! but prefer to use a revolver in 454 Casull .

[Nicholas]

Just have to add that I prefer the 30-30 in my TC C. However, compare ballistics of the 357 out of a 10 in bbl to a 4 in revolver 357. The TC is much more potent. The short bbl and cylinder gap penalize revolver ballistics.

[upnorthwis]

Back when they were selling deer tags in Wisconsin for $3 I used to see how many different calibers I could shoot them with. Used 7TCU, .30 Herrett, .30-30, .32-20, .256 Win Mag, .357 Mag. They all left tracking jobs. When I used the .44 Mag, they went straight down. I'm now a fan of "frontal area" in boolits.

[historicfirearms]

Ive tried Contenders twice, wanted to really like them but found them kind of boring. Figured if I was going to hunt with a handgun, I'd rather have a proper revolver rather than half a rifle. Buying new barrels also didn't give me much satisfaction, not like getting a new gun anyway, and you still had to gear up with dies, brass, etc.

[Hickok]

If you can find a 14" 35 Remington barrel , buy it!

It drops deer and hogs like a hammer.

I also second the motion on the .44 mag.

[Lefty Red]

If I go with a 40ish caliber, it will be a 41 mag. I just like that step child of a caliber. Or a true 45LC.
Speaking of the 45LC barrels. The one I am looking to has the 45/410 barrel on it. I load up Lee 200-RFs in it and it will clover leaf them at 50 yards! Yeah its off a rest but I was impressed. Every other 45/410 barrel I have seen or heard about patterns instead of groups.

Most of the shots will be =/<100 yards. I am a believer in the 357 mag. I know it will drop an animal with a good JHP when the bullet is placed where it should be.

And like someone said, I found the TC to be boring. But maybe I was in a different mind set a few months ago. And its not that I find my beat up BH exciting. Both will have an Ultra Dot or a Fast Fire put on it. So either will be bulky.

Jerry

[John Allen]

Lefty, I think after talking to me you know my addiction to contenders. I really like the 357 maximum, the 30/30AI and the TCU barrels.

[NVScouter]

YES!

I know your in IL and I'm not 100% on the new cartridge law. I'd use a 44mag or 45LC barrel in the 10-12" length for anything under 100y. Past that my 10" 357 Herrett barrel is hands down my favorite barrel, lives on it 99% of the time.

[NVScouter]

I love my T/C and the one I sold was even better. That being said I've had those two in super short to almost a rifle configuration. The 2-3gen grips on a standard Contender frame 10-12" medium or tapered barrel are the cat's meow. I carry a big pack and tuck the pistol in its band with my Burris 2X acting like a clip, feels great and fast!

My 14-16" barrels didnt shoot much better and really messed up the handgun feel. They are also a lot slower for point/aquire/shoot. I went with a 14"w/brake 7-30 waters on a pig hunt, what pain to haul around. My first one had the 30-30 light octagon barrel and 1st gen pencil grips...holy pistol dropper!


Ive tried Contenders twice, wanted to really like them but found them kind of boring. Figured if I was going to hunt with a handgun, I'd rather have a proper revolver rather than half a rifle. Buying new barrels also didn't give me much satisfaction, not like getting a new gun anyway, and you still had to gear up with dies, brass, etc.

[Lefty Red]

357 Herrett sounds like a thumper at both ends!
I like a straight wall pistol caliber because I like them for ease of reloading and I have yet to find one that won't kill a IL deer, even the big armored ones. :)

Jerry

[725]

Nobody can tell you what you'll like best. When I hunt, I like the simplicity and purity of a single shot, but that's just me. I often feel obligated to hunt harder & closer for that one shot. The very few deer/ bear / hog I've had to track were all shot with multi-shot guns. That really doesn't mean anything, but maybe I've gotten to be a better hunter over the years. +++1 for the .357 Herrett.

[shorty500M]

cant pretend to tell you what might work best for you, but keep this in mind- am 45 as of may26 and since was 18 have owned 8 frames and over 100barrels! have always kept a minimum of 2 frames if was on a 'tender cycle of life, and currently on 4 frames and maybe 40 barrels roughly

[brasshog]

I have owned both and thoroughly enjoyed them. The choice would depend on terrain and game distance. Honestly you can't go wrong with either.

[7br]

Make sure if you go the contender route to get a .22 hornet also. My first check would be the game laws. I would also shoot a couple of the straight walled pistol cases in the contender before I made a decision. The .30-30 felt great to me, but a full bore .44mag was painful. Just my .02 and your mileage may vary.

[Beerd]

the .357 Maximum will equal the 357 Herrett, plus you have the option of using carbide dies.
..

[Lefty Red]

I have crunched the numbers and weighed in on the wants and desires. I think I am just going to put my Fast Fire III on my BH and call it good. I could buy this other BH in 41 mag and still be about half under what it would be to build up a Tender like I would want (and have done and sold).

Jerry

[JSH]

357 max = 357 Herrett. ALL things being equal, yes. Pressures, bullet weight etc.
This has been hashed off and one for a long time. You can't replace cubic inches as in case capacity. Remember you can always load down, but a full case and that is it.
Jerry, if you don't grab the black hawk .41 for half the price of a tc I would sure be interested in it. TCs around here are running about $450 decent glass or red dot for another 1-150. A $350 blackhawk is a deal.
Jeff

[NVScouter]

the .357 Maximum will equal the 357 Herrett, plus you have the option of using carbide dies.
..

Not really. I've seen this argument many times by MAX shooters and they are 2nd place by a decent margin. The MAX is easier to reload, readily available brass, and LOTS of data!

My 357 Herrett shoots 125-225g very well, yes reloading is harder. It was also designed for a 10" barel and is milder to shoot than my 7-30Waters. Both are 30-30 modified cases. The 357H is trimmed down and blown out while the 7-30 is just blown out for more capacity and smaller bore. My hunting load is a NOE LFN 190g@2050fps in a 10" barrel Chrono'd at 4800ft elevation. Its a stout load but I made it for elk. I have a 125g plated HP load@2200fps thats a pop gun and heck on coyotes.

[cbriggs57]

I bought a Super 14 30/30 in 1979. Sold that barrel and went to a 10" 30 Herret. Miss the look of the Super 14, but the 30 Herret, in a shoulder holster, was the best deer gun I ever had. Gave it to my youngest son so I could see him use it while I was still alive. He killed a nice buck with it his first season. I may yet buy another one. Most accurate, deadly, carryable gun I've ever owned.

[Aunegl]

With my contender (81 vintage) and a couple of barrels (.22, 32-20, .44), I've punched holes through woodland creatures and knocked down steel plates in the shape of funny looking animals. The point of view in making each shot count appeals to me.

[Combat Diver]

I've got a TC with a 14" .41 Mag bbl and a 10" .357 Mag Hot Shot bbl (has choke to stop spin of shot cartridge, have taken several squirrels with it)

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/Contender.jpeg

Own several other .41s 4" Smith 58, 6.5" Ruger Blackhawk, and 20" Marlin 1894S. Love all my .41s, just haven't connect on big game with it (squrriels and grouse so far).


CD

[Lefty Red]

I shot s 357 Herrett a long time ago and really enjoyed it. I have to say its a great caliber and one that made the short list of barrels I was wanting.

[Lefty Red]

With my contender (81 vintage) and a couple of barrels (.22, 32-20, .44), I've punched holes through woodland creatures and knocked down steel plates in the shape of funny looking animals. The point of view in making each shot count appeals to me.

I was raised on single shots. I am not picking a BH over the Tender due to capacity. The Tender was something I wanted for a long time. I did get one and maybe I idolized it too much, but it wasn't what it was all cracked up to be. I shoot the BH better.
Jerry

[Lefty Red]

I've got a TC with a 14" .41 Mag bbl and a 10" .357 Mag Hot Shot bbl (has choke to stop spin of shot cartridge, have taken several squirrels with it)

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/Contender.jpeg


Own several other .41s 4" Smith 58, 6.5" Ruger Blackhawk, and 20" Marlin 1894S. Love all my .41s, just haven't connect on big game with it (squrriels and grouse so far).


CD

The 41 Magnum is a great caliber! It works great on feral hogs and deer.
Jerry

[2shot]

If your hunting deer in IL then the only legal bottleneck cartridge is the 300 Blackout because it meets the maximum case length. My 44 mag Contender w/Hunter 12" barrel has taken more deer in IL than any other handgun I can use in IL. Longest shot 120 yards and DRT.


2shot

[str8wal]

the .357 Maximum will equal the 357 Herrett

It will run right with it in a 10" barrel, but move up to a 12" or 14" and the Herrett pulls away. They began with a 10" barrel in the design of the 357 Herrett but quickly realized that length didn't do it justice. If going with a 10, the Max is the bomb. But the Herrett has much more potential with longer steel.

[Lefty Red]

If your hunting deer in IL then the only legal bottleneck cartridge is the 300 Blackout because it meets the maximum case length. My 44 mag Contender w/Hunter 12" barrel has taken more deer in IL than any other handgun I can use in IL. Longest shot 120 yards and DRT.


2shot

You might be right, but I hunt in SEMO as well. No need to limit myself to the legal restraints of IL dragoonish laws.
Jerry

[Geraldo]

I thought .30 Bellm was made for Illinois, but I could be wrong.

At any rate, you're either a Contender guy or you're not. I am, and it sounds like you're not, but here's the definitive test:

1. Do you think owning barrels in .357mag, .357BD, .357Herrett, and .35 Rem is redundant?
2. Would it bug you owning barrels in .17HMR and .17 Mach IV at the same time?
3. Do you see why having barrels in .221FB and .223 is a good idea?

If you answered: yes, yes, no, stick to other guns and leave the TC barrels for those of us who get it. :p

[nannyhammer]

I’m surprised that the 375 Winchester hasn’t been mentioned. I run 200 grain Sierra bullets with mine and get almost 2000fps. It almost looks like you threw a golf ball through the deer when you connect. Also the 30-30AI is good if it’s legal in your area. I get about 2450fps with 125 grain bullets and the recoil is easy to handle. Lots of pistol data rates these rounds faster but loads work for me and are plenty accurate enough for deer.

[Lefty Red]

I thought .30 Bellm was made for Illinois, but I could be wrong.

At any rate, you're either a Contender guy or you're not. I am, and it sounds like you're not, but here's the definitive test:

1. Do you think owning barrels in .357mag, .357BD, .357Herrett, and .35 Rem is redundant?
2. Would it bug you owning barrels in .17HMR and .17 Mach IV at the same time?
3. Do you see why having barrels in .221FB and .223 is a good idea?

If you answered: yes, yes, no, stick to other guns and leave the TC barrels for those of us who get it. :p

LOL, that's good!
Jerry

[fryboy]

ummm i love all my contenders and encores ....i havent shot deer with them all and i have no desire to do so , altho now in my state any centerfire cartridge is legal ( gee me lil 22Khornet would do it , after all proper shot placement trumps everything else ) limited to straight wall cartridges includes the 38-55,375 win,444,and even the 45-70, for just a wee bit of taper try a 32-40 etc ,i'm really fond of the various 375's ..keep debating a 375 ouch & ouch on a encore ....but mostly i shoot 375 win and jdj's ,oddly enough the 375 win pushes a 200 grain projectile just as fast as a 357 herret pushes the same weight , i honestly couldnt state if one umm hurt more on either end than the other [shrugz]
the only problem with having " 'tenderitus "is there's never enough barrels and frames , it's a affliction that has to have serious attention infused with a couple extra mortgages and a whole lotta handloadin' ;)

[cbriggs57]

Dagnabbit, just when I think I have enough guns and "spare time", I start listening to all you ne'erdowells and start wanting something new.