using the Contender this fall

[Bisbee]

I found out tonight that I'll be whitetail hunting come October. I have been practicing with my Contender, using a 6mm tcu barrel for the last year. I'm ready. 

[Crazymonkey]

Good luck on your hunt .I always get weird looks at the range when shooting my contender .People haven't seen one and are usually asking what it is .I've got a scoped 357.harret and a 44 mag 

[Nitemann]

What bullet do you plan on using? The 6TCU is very accurate but a little border line for big game. I would keep the shots under 200 yds and be precise with your shot placement. FYI, I plan on using one of my Remington XP-100's for my sheep hunt. Good luck on your hunt.

 

Rick

[Bisbee]

I have and I'm planning on using either 85 grain Sierra spitzers or Hornady 87 grain V-max. 

[thegunsmith2506]

10 hours ago, Bisbee said:

I have and I'm planning on using either 85 grain Sierra spitzers or Hornady 87 grain V-max. 

I have shot a few deer with a .243AI. I had bad luck with the 85gr spitzers. The 85gr Game Kings worked great. My buddy in Texas shot 2 deer with the V-max and the bullets blew up on the shoulder. Good luck on your hunt!

[firstcoueswas80]

Bisbee, not to be crucial of your bullet choice, but keep in mind the Vmax is a varmint bullet.

I have had great success with the 85 BTHP from Sierra. It is mot great for LR, but has been accurate and lethal. 

[Nitemann]

Just a little info for those of you who are not familiar with the 6tcu it is a 223 rem necked up to 6mm at around 2700 fps or less. I think the 80gr b tip would work well. I would also stay away from the v max . If you can find the discontinued hornady or seirra 80 gr single shot pistol bullet you would be set.

[Bisbee]

 I used the 7mm v-max on a mulie buck with a 7mm TCU and it was a complete pass through. He didn't take another step. Many pistols have significantly less velocity than rifles, making thin jacketed bullets expand like a heavier jacket would at a higher velocity. I would experiment with the 87 grain to see how they hold together at my velocities rather than experimenting on live game.

What would Bob Milek do?

[thegunsmith2506]

1 hour ago, Bisbee said:

 I used the 7mm v-max on a mulie buck with a 7mm TCU and it was a complete pass through. He didn't take another step. Many pistols have significantly less velocity than rifles, making thin jacketed bullets expand like a heavier jacket would at a higher velocity. I would experiment with the 87 grain to see how they hold together at my velocities rather than experimenting on live game.

What would Bob Milek do?

That's a good point. 

[Nitemann]

This is what Bob Milek would do and did.

[RETRO] .223 and 6mm-223 Load Data for Long-Range Handgunnin - Guns and Ammo

I forgot about the 85 grain Sierra's which is also a great choice. How long is your contender barrel? I use the 70 gr B-tips in my 6tcu but only up to javelina sized critters.

[Bisbee]

Thanks Nitemann that was a great article.

I have both of Bob's handgun hunting, special magazines that Guns and Ammo put out in the early eighties. This article was in the second magazine. When I bought my contender frame 32 years ago, I tried to obtain a 10" 6 TCU but they had been discontinued and suppliers only had Super 14s left in stock. Like a fool, I bought a 10" 223 Rem barrel instead. Last year I accidently bumped into a 14" 6mmTCU barrel with a Burris 3-12 and dies on Gunbroker. It is now my barrel, but I wish I hadn't waited so long! I have a gong set up at 200 yards and have alot of fun ringing it, I was given a bunch of 65-70 grain hp benchrest bullets (Shilen and Bruno) and have been having fun with them over 28 grains of BLC-2. I know that some are using 70 grain bullets for feral hogs and deer it just seems a little light for animals of that size, but it is hard to argue with sucess. I know that at 200 yds the 70 grain 6mm bullets crater my gong more than a 68 grain HP Hornady out of a 223 rifle.

Thank you to all who responded!

Bisbee

[Bisbee]

Success!

It was only a spike, but with a handgun they are all trophies to me. There are very few bucks to be found this year.

I wonder what became of the four multi pointed bucks that I spotted on Columbus day?

[AzRaised08]

On 10/24/2022 at 10:00 AM, Bisbee said:

Success!

It was only a spike, but with a handgun they are all trophies to me. There are very few bucks to be found this year.

I wonder what became of the four multi pointed bucks that I spotted on Columbus day?

That’s awesome! Congratulations on tagging out. Have any photos of the hunt?

[Bisbee]

My niece sent a photo to my work e-mail. I will see if I can post it come Monday evening.