Looked outside just in time to see a medium-sized sow running the deer. I grabbed the 23" 25-35 Contender and hobbled out to the truck, where I had sand bags set up just in case anything decided to show on this drizzly, somewhat cooler evening. As I got set up, the sow came back into view -- but so did a 2nd one. The first stopped to feed, and the slightly larger sow was gaining on her position and seemed that she'd pass right behind the first. At this point I was really wishing I had grabbed one of the larger calibers in case I got a chance at a double. And while I knew it had the potential to penetrate quite well, that little 80 grain Barnes TTSX seemed mighty insignificant as I looked through the Conquest 3.5-10x50.

I knew I didn't have much time as darkness was upon us, but things luckily fell into place in a hurry. As the 2nd sow was passing behind the first, the timing seemed right, so I took the shot, taking the smaller sow through the front portion of the shoulders/upper-third of the lungs. The sound of impact was unmistakable, and the sow dropped in its tracks.

I was hoping the 80 grain TTSX would pass through and maybe have enough steam left to down the 2nd, and from the way she was laboring to run, I had a good feeling. I only saw her for about 10 yards before she disappeared into some tall grass, but she definitely was not moving well.

So I set the rifle down, grabbed a handful of sidearm power, cranked up the ancient 4-wheeler and drove down to check it out. As expected, the 1st was down and out, the 170 yard shot impacting just where I had hoped. I could clearly see the exit and also some blood splatter from the 2nd sow. With darkness setting it, I didn't try and follow the blood. I simply drove forward towards the nearest trail, but she didn't even make it that far. Thirty yards from where the Barnes tore through her vitals, she gave up the ghost. the bullet entering tight behind the shoulder and exiting low on the opposite side, taking out the center of the heart along the way.

In the photo, you can see the exit on the first sow (top) and the entry on the 2nd (bottom in photo). The exit on the 2nd was virtually the same size as the entrance.

The .25 cal, 80 grain TTSX is one of the sub-.30 caliber Barnes bullets that performs as advertised and indeed expands down to around 1800 fps. The 6.5s and 7mms shot extremely well for me, but I could never get the terminal performance I wanted as the bullets opened minimally at the speeds I was launching them at -- and certainly never gave the full depth of cavity expansion down to 1600 fps that Barnes once hyped (but no longer does). But I definitely like the 80 grain TTSX in the 25-35. I'm not so sure these 2 hogs do, though.

You just keep dropping the hammer on them Bobby!

Congrats again!

Another good job on the oinkers and a good report to match.

Bobby, did I sell you that 25-35 barrel?

I am pretty sure it came from a friend in Texarkana. But I could be wrong as the blood pressure meds I take are really rough on the short-term memory. (And him and I have traded enough that I don't recall all of the trades anymore )

I do know it came with an RCBS die set that included both full and a neck sizer and a ton of brass -- even some formed from 30-30.

Bobby, a box of ammo will get you 40 hogs, hunting that way :-)

Nicely done! I'd never have thought a 25/35 would do that. Of course mine is a little o/u that is not in the same class strength wise as that pretty, little Contender. I'm curious how many cups of what kind of powder you had under that bullet. Any idea how fast it scrabbles along coming out the muzzle?
Bfly

The pressures have to remain mild for the Contender, though it is backthrust against the frame that really dictates what is safe and what is not. That is why a .223 at 50,000 C.U.P. is OK but a .308 is not.

Anyway, I am using LVR, and that little bullet is just shy of 3,000 fps. LVR also gets the 100 grain BT going at 2660 fps, which is as fast of a 100 grain load as I have tried. Most other suitable powders top out in the 2525-2550 fps range.

That 100 grain BT makes a great pelt load, too. These cats were taken, if memory serves, at 270 and 274 yards. The first cat provided the recovered bullet. The 2nd had an exit, but it was quite small and did not hurt the value of the pelt at all.


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Outstanding!!!

Very nice looking cats and nice work on the hogs

Very glad to see you are keeping your hand in, Bobby!
No shortage of puerco in your freezer, I'm thinking.

Ive killed deer, hogs and elk with the 25-35 for years..Always get an exit hole from all but going away shots, but even those will make it to the heart and lungs every time..The little 117 gr. corelokt penetrates like the dickens and its slow enough to enhance penetration so that it usually gives and exit hole of about an inch or so on broadside shot elk, deer, antelope, and anything else within reason at about 100 to maybe 200 yards.

Its an amazing little caliber much like the 6.5x54 with its 160 gr. bullets that early Africans killed elephant and all DG with. A long bullet for caliber at slow velocity, something that has passed up todays modern hunters and gun experts.

I just ordered some 90 gr. GS Customs flat nose HVHPs from Gina, Gerards', daughter and US outlet for my 25-35 win. She says they were tested in 94 carbines both for accuracy and on game in RSA..That should be awesome as they can be pushed to maybe 2700 FPS is my guess..Also ordered some 180 gr. FNHVHPs in .348 win....These bullets are long for caliber and seem to be as long as the 117 gr. factory rounds and 250 gr. factory rounds. I expect then to shoot just fine.

Ive used the 80 gr. GSC HP bullets in my 250-3000 and its awesome on deer at about 3200 FPS and I would not hesitate to shoot elk broadside at upwards to 200 yards. Its an awesome bullet.

I also have a friend who shot many Mule deer with his Sako custom bolt action pistol that was a 223 necked up to 257. and a single shot break open pistol in 25-35 Win. with the 80 gr. GSC bullets.

I shoot the 75 gr. old Barnes X and the 80 gr. GSC bullets in my 18 inch barrel Sako rifle in 6x45 and have shot many hogs, javalina deer and antelope and culled PG in RSA with it..These bullets give the light calibers new life.