Hello all,
I'm just getting started with my T/C Contender 14" in 35 Rem and plan on using it for deer in Indiana this year. I'm a long time reloader but I haven't messed with this one yet and I'm getting mixed answers on the best way to go. I have a friend who's been using this combination for years with great success using a Speer 158gr soft point .357 over a charge of IMR 3031. He's got five one-shot kills with this including two at nearly 200yds (I saw him do it!) He initially tried Hornady's 180gr single shot pistol bullet and claims to have shot clean through a large doe at about 120yds with very little expansion and has not used them since.
I question the use of a .357" bullet through a .358" bore and would appreciate any input or past experiences from you good folks...
Thanks in advance,
KC

kc,

Most 35 cal Contender barrels actually slug at under .357" so you will be fine with the pistol bullets.

I could believe expansion problems with the 358 SSSP bullet especially when its launched near 2000 FPS or under and a hit over 100 yds on game.

If you are feeling your way you could try the 158 Soft points like the Hornady XTP FP not HP and possibly the Hornady 180 gr. XTP HP. For a short range basher say up to 50 yds. you could also try the Rem factory 200 gr RN in component form in handloads.

The Rem is loaded quite anemic from the factories in deference to the old semi-autos it was originally chambered in. The loading manual loads tend to be on the lighter side too except the Hodgdon #25. Just take it easy as the cases are not overly heavy drawn and the Contender is no bolt action XP 100.

Pay attention to the shoulder position and headspacing on new or factory cases using the secondary shoulder technique if needed. Your buddy can assist you with the idiosyncracies of this round in the TC too, fortunately.

Have Fun and welcome to the board!

Regards

[ 10-15-2002, 06:25: Message edited by: Headstamp ]

Thanks for the input, I'll give it a try & hopefully give you some good results...
Thanks too for the welcome...I'm into some oddball chamberings so maybe I can be of assistance to some of you in the future.
KC

First, I don't understand how the orginal post says the 180 SSP shoots clear through a deer and then the second poster is not surprised due to high velocity. Too high a velocity for the bullet design should have caused the bullet to "blow up" not penetrate. This particular bullet is pretty "soft" and expands well at lower velocities, even from the .357 Max.

I have 2 .35 Rems and a .357 Max. I find this bullet good when starting from 1500 to 2000 fps. If it doesn't suit you switch to the 180 grain Speer FP or Hornady 200 grain RN. A high tech bullet is not needed at these velocities. I've found H322 to be the best powder with the Speer FP for this cartridge (.35 Rem) giving 2300 fps from my 21" barrel (I didn't chronograph it from the 14" after seeing this).

That said, I may be switching back to the 200 grain RN just to simplify logistics. I also have a .35 Rem Remington Model 8 rifle and it won't feed without a RN bullet in the case.

[ 10-15-2002, 16:38: Message edited by: Hobie ]

I filled a 200 gr Hornady RN in half and the jacket closed up the front to a tiny opening. I did this test after I shot a small, unaware buck in the ribs with my .358 Win at short range and this was the only deer that ever ran from a hit with that caliber in dozens of instances.

Now we use the Speer 180 gr flat nose with outstanding results out to 240 yards. Of course this is out of a rifle at 2700 fps MV.

I don''t think imr 3031 is the right powder for a .35 Rem and 158 or 180 gr bullets. I would try imr 4198.

Hobie,

If you read my reply, I inferred that by the time the bullet reached 100 yds the velocity could have possibly dropped off enough to cause expansion problems. If it was launched at under 2000 at the muzzle it's possible there wasn't enough velocity, which is about 1700, at 100 yds for reliable expansion in some instances.

I agree, one circumstance of this happening is not enough to condemn a bullet or it's performance but evidently it concerned the above poster so I made other bullet suggestions that he might try to boost his confidence in his newly aquired barrel.

Regards

I like to use the 150gr. Rem. core lokt soft point (spire)in the 35 Rem. pistol. They are out of production, but you may still find some somewhere if you look. When I heard they were going to stop making them I bought 2,000 of them so I wouldn't run out. Accurate and really deadly on deer from the 14" Contender.
TDLefty

I have used the Hornady 180 gr.ssp in the 35 Rem and was not impressed with the expantion either. I have also heard other hunters say they work great. I wounder if they had some quility control problems? Some hard , some soft? Lone Hunter