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Thread: Which break action handgun are you using this deer season?

  1. #1
    Basic Member BT's Avatar
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    Which break action handgun are you using this deer season?


    Missouri’s general firearms deer season begins tomorrow. Some of you have already started. What are you carrying this year?

    I’ve selected a Contender in 30/30 AI, that is a rechamber by SSK, which has always been reliable and one of my favorites. The G2 6.8 SPC by Coyote Custom Guns will also see activity later on and I’ve begun load development for a recently acquired TC Custom Shop Contender in 7mm TCU, so hopefully that one will at least be ready for the December antlerless season.

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    Team Savage J A XSP's Avatar
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    Assuming that I have another chance to put a few rounds through my new 25-45 Contender rig to nail down and sight in a working load, I'd like to take that out thus year.
    Failing that, it'll be carbine for me, either my go0to 30-30 AI or the 6.8 SPC. :)

  3. #3
    Basic Member Slowpoke Slim's Avatar
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    Well other than having to sit out this year due to health issues, I would be taking either my 14" 30-30 barrel, or my 12" 35 Rem barrel.

    If I was taking a carbine, it would be my trusty 23" 7-30 Waters barrel.

    Maybe next year.
    12F, McGowen 6.5x284 1-8&quot; twist, Nightforce 12-42x BR<br />BVSS, McGowen barrel, 22-250 1-9&quot; twist, Nikon 6-18x<br />16 FHLSS Weather Warrior, Sinarms 257 Roberts, Pentax 3-9<br />Stevens 200, 223 bone-factory-stock, Nikon 3-9x<br />Scratch-built BVSS, LW 243 1-8&quot; twist, Viper 6.5-20x50 mil-dot

  4. #4
    Team Savage Mjshell's Avatar
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    I’ve got my XP in 260 rem.this morning.will switch to contender 357 max if I score with the XP

  5. #5
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    SOMEBODY (ahem, me) did not shoot his 10" Contender in 30 Herrett, EVEN THO HE HAS a bunch of 130gr Speer HP and lbs of Reloder 7, NOT TO MENTION a pile of 30 Herrett brass made from Starline 30-30 cases.

    i'll take a TC Encore in 23" MGM barrel in 444 Marlin, Winchester m94 in 35/30-30, Husqvarna m46 in 9.3x57 and i'll take my son's rifle a '16 Spanish Mauser with Numrich sporter barrel in 6.5x55.

    DUMMKOPF!!!!

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    I'll be taking my Encore with 12" Magna-ported .44 mag barrel on it. I took a hog in September with it, but carrying it again after whitetails next Saturday

  7. #7
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    I'm carrying a 14 inch 44 mag for short range work up to 100 yards and a 14 inch 7-30 Waters for longer yardage shots both on original Contender frames. And yes if I'm in open woods I do carry both the 44 in an Uncle Mike's shoulder hostler and the 7-30 in my back pack.

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    If I carry the contender this year it will be with the 357 magnum barrel. It shoots great out to (and past)100 yards.

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    Well, I cannot post an image for some reason…..I got my 4x4 with a SSK customized 14” Contender in 30 Herrett.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails IMG_7831.jpg  

  10. #10
    Basic Member BT's Avatar
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    Congratulations on a fine muley! Awesome.

  11. #11
    Basic Member BT's Avatar
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    Yesterday evening at last light I got this buck with the Contender in 30/30 ai. I’ll verify sight-in now with the G2 6.8 SPC and carry it during the next outings.

    . Click image for larger version. 

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  12. #12
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    First year I didn't spend the day in my long range stand with the 15 inch 7x444 (Alpo) Encore. My first long range hand cannon was a 30 Alaskan built by Don Bower. Lots of memories and lots of long range deer. Kids made me stop climbing and the big guns hurt my arthritic hands.

  13. #13
    Team Savage Mjshell's Avatar
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    7x444 Alpo”

    I’d forgotten all about the Alpo cartridges. A little history to refresh my memory, please

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    It is simply a 444 Marlin case(rimmed) sized down to 7mm and Ackley Improved. Almost identical to the 284 Win. We also have a 30 Alpo. Sometimes have to turn the necks on the 7mm. Quit calling them Alpo because of the dog food and some kind of legality. I have taken deer at 400 yards with it, and it would be effective at 500, but I can't get a deer to pose for me at 500. I can't remember who developed it and how the name came about, Belm would probably remember. It was developed by one of the early Contender/Encore guys and they dropped the Alpo because of the dog food legality. The 444 Marlin case is strong and rimmed. I also have a 30 Alaskan Contender barrel, that's based on the 307 Win. IMHO the 7x444 is the best hotrod Encore chambering.

  15. #15
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    So far this year i've packed around a new-to-me 14" tender in 10mm, which i topped with a 2x Burris.

    I got it several months ago...back in April, i think it was...then didnt get to work with it much.

    I had some loads built for a 6" barrel in 10mm, and had hoped the super14 would like those...it was luke-warm about them. They were Hornady 180gr bullets, over 10gr of Blue Dot....this barrel decided those were pretty mild loads, and cases were a bit sooty, & only got pretty mediocre accuracy. At 50 yards, i'd get groups of about 3 inches for 3 shots. This one got packed to stands where that was typical shot ranges, but never saw anything i wanted to shoot at. So, as of yet, its killed nothing but paper.

    Going to see how it fares with some other powders, i have longshot, AA7 and AA9, and a couple of others suitable, will keep plugging away looking for the magic combo.

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    Quote Originally Posted by FyrepowrX View Post
    So far this year i've packed around a new-to-me 14" tender in 10mm, which i topped with a 2x Burris.

    I got it several months ago...back in April, i think it was...then didnt get to work with it much.

    I had some loads built for a 6" barrel in 10mm, and had hoped the super14 would like those...it was luke-warm about them. They were Hornady 180gr bullets, over 10gr of Blue Dot....this barrel decided those were pretty mild loads, and cases were a bit sooty, & only got pretty mediocre accuracy. At 50 yards, i'd get groups of about 3 inches for 3 shots. This one got packed to stands where that was typical shot ranges, but never saw anything i wanted to shoot at. So, as of yet, its killed nothing but paper.

    Going to see how it fares with some other powders, i have longshot, AA7 and AA9, and a couple of others suitable, will keep plugging away looking for the magic combo.
    I'm really wanting a 10mm barrel in the Contender, I think it would be so much fun!

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by cknight814 View Post
    I'm really wanting a 10mm barrel in the Contender, I think it would be so much fun!
    Pony up buddy boy... They only show up when you dont want or need one. Like the recent Encore barrel...... I even found a good stash of brass, No I did not go down the hole close it was though

  18. #18
    Team Savage BobT's Avatar
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    Depends on where I'm hunting but most likely either my XP100 6x45 or an original Contender in .357 Max.
    It's better to shoot for the moon and hit the fencepost than to shoot for the fencepost and hit the ground!

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    Quote Originally Posted by sunnysmarine View Post
    Pony up buddy boy... They only show up when you dont want or need one. Like the recent Encore barrel...... I even found a good stash of brass, No I did not go down the hole close it was though
    I know, I'm just going to have to put the custom order in for it

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    Heading out with TC Custom Shop 7 TCU barrel. Good shooter.Click image for larger version. 

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  21. #21
    Basic Member BT's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Normrep55 View Post
    Heading out with TC Custom Shop 7 TCU barrel. Good shooter.Click image for larger version. 

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    Nice ol Simmons and frame ya got there. Good luck!

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    Thanks. I admit being partial to the vintage stuff

  23. #23
    Basic Member BT's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Normrep55 View Post
    Thanks. I admit being partial to the vintage stuff
    I had a few of the Simmons scopes and they worked great. I too like vintage.

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