I am thinking about getting a contender in .22 for small game, plinking and dispatching downed animals. I understand that onto the contenders' frame I can fit any other of their barrels, so I figure I could also get a 2nd barrel in something hefty for the pigs up close.
In a pistol what would perform better; the 45/70gvt or .30-30win? Clearly the 45/70 has more punch, but would it be as accurate as the .30-30 at say 100meters?
Thanks for any help I can get.

BTW I finally got the .454casul, but am yet to use it on any game. Great gun though!

I've got that.

Seriously, get a 10" .22 LR "Match" barrel. For your second barrel, I'd suggest another 10" (NOT .45-70 or .30-30) in .44 Rem Mag. Seriously. No, this combo is not "sexy" but it works.

Not that you'll only have the 2 barrels. Nobody I know can have just 2 (I'm up to 19, I think, no maybe its 20...). Most are now carbine barrels since even the 10" are just too bulky for me to have fun with in the woods.

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Hobie you listed exactly the combo I have!!

The .44 in a 10" barrel with heavy cast bullets is all most people want to hold onto, you better know which shoulder you are going to direct it over when shooting off the bench!!

Mike

Have a 14in Match .22lr, a 14inch 45/70, and a 10 inch .44RemMag. I seldom shoot the .44 or 45/70 because I don't like the muzzel blast and recoil. I much prefer one of my .41's or even the 7X30Waters. I also have the 30-30 but fine it very choosey in what it likes to shoot. I worked with that barrel for over 3 years before I found the load it really likes, sort of soured me on it though so it isn't the one I think of as my first choice to hunt with.
Don't know how "into" handgun hunting you are but there are many better suited Contender calibers to hunt deer and pigs than the 45/70 and the .44RemMag. They will do the job there is no question about that. It is just IMHO that with a shooting platform like the Contender and with with so many after market barrel makers you can do MUCH better than those two (.44RM and 45/70).