Okay Fall and the hunting seasons are finally here. After a full Spring and Summer of barrel buying, trading, modifying, load development, etc. what is everybody going to use to hunt with this year?
For my primary deer tag this year I will be carrying a 14" .308 Bellm that Mike rechambered from a 30/30 for me this summer. Time permitting I would also like to take a second deer with a 14" 45-70 factory that I traded for. Both allow me to shoot better than I ever imagined I could. For coyotes and cats I'm planning on a "new to me" 14" factory .22 Hornet early, and may switch to a 14" factory .223 later in the season if longer shots start being required. (all above are on a Contender)
This is the first year that I have full intentions of hunting ONLY with a handgun. It will be interesting to see if I have the willpower to carry that thought through.
Mike

Mike,
I will be using my two trusty XP-100's in 284 Win. and 7.82 Patriot. No elk hunting for me this year with my new job, so it will be whitetail only. My 13 year old will be using an MOA in 260 Remington. I will get it back this week or next. This a new handgun for us. Load development is with 120 grain Nosler BT's. I had a muzzle brake put on it since it had a little bite to it. She will wear hearing protection while stand hunting anyway, so the the brake is an advantage to me in this situation.
xphunter

Mike
Here in Illinois I have to use a shotgun or muzzleloader for the regular firearms season, so I got my TC Thunderhawk sighted in yesterday as well as my smoothbore 12 ga 870 slug barrel (backup gun).
For the January handgun season (antlerless only )I plan to use my new 30 Bellm 13" Virgin Valley Encore barrel, and a 14" TC Armour Alloy Contender in 44Mag. is the backup for the winter season.
Still working up loads for the 30 Bellm with 125 gr. Nosler BT bullets.
Thanks for asking.
Greg

[ 10-27-2002, 23:47: Message edited by: Greg K ]

Hi mbk,
In regards to hunting, 250 Imp.in Contender and or the 260 Rem. Striker. I may go with the 41Mag if deer are traveling the heavy bush after the first few days. You should get a good response here.

Mbk,

I will be using mainly my new 338 WSM wildcat chambered in the XP-100. I will use this for most of my big game hunting at longer ranges as well as my Encore in 7mm RUM.

For stand hunting on the river bottoms here in central Montana, my Encore will either be wearing its 15", 50 A.E. barrel with a 1.5-4x Burris or a 12" 454 Casull barrel with open sights. My open sighted 480 Ruger SRH may get a shot in the field as well.

Good Hunting!!!

50

im going to be using my encore in 257jdj. ilike to use a different barrel or handgun.ive got my striker in 243 for backup witch is what i got my deer with last year. jason

I'll be toting a minty Remington Custom Shop centergrip XP in 7mm08 that I just picked up off a fella back east few weeks ago.

After having a trigger job done and pet loading it with 41.0grs of Varget and Sierra 130gr SSP's the accuracy is just down right unbelieveable.

Our gun season opens here in Okla. the weekend before Thanksgiving, I can hardly wait.

I will be using my 15" encore barrel in 264 win mag with iron sights. Opener is next weekend here in Maine.

I'll start with a 15" Van Horn Contender barrel in 7 TCU but will also be using a 20" Bullberry carbine barrel in 7m Bullberry. I just ordered a 27" full bull for the Encore in 6.5x55 from Van Horn but doubt I'll get any deer hunting in with it (I'll chase a few hogs, though...)

For an antlerless only hunt in December, I'll probably use my 15" 6x45 VVCG Contender barrel. These Texas Hill Country does are small, and the Sierra 80 grain SSP at 2700 fps offers more than ample power.

Of course, this leaves out some of my favorites, so I may just change my mind on what I'll be using...

I'll start ML season next monday with a 205x50 Encore shooting saboted 240gr .44s. When gun season starts I'll switch to another Encore frame with a VVCG 13 3/4" 250 Savage Imp. My 14 year old son will do a juvenile hunt next weekend with a Contender carbine in a VVCG SS 21" bull 6TCU. Both rifles are using Luepold 3x9s and the Encore handgun will either wear a Burris 2x7 or a Bushnell Trophy 2x6, haven't decided yet. If I get desperate late in the season, I may swap the handgun for a rifle barrel in 260 Rem. We need a lot of venison around here.

good hunting everyone,
Rick

This year I'll be using a Super 14 Factory Contender in .30-30 WInchester. The load is a Commercial Reload from a local dealer that pushes a 125gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip to 2400 FPS, and is really printing nice tight groups from the bench at 100 yards. This barrel is topped with a 4x32mm Swift Handgun Scope set in 3 Millett Angle-Loc Scope Rings on a Weaver Base.

However after Deer Season the fun starts. For Coyotes this winter I will be using a new VVCG 15" Stainless-Steel 6mm T/CU with a 3x12x32mm Burris LER Plex-PA Handgun Scope sitting on top of it. As for the Bullet, haven't really decided yet, but am thinking I may try some Speer TNT-HP's to start with.

Larry

Well for me it will be the 308 Bellm which I've been working with for about 4 months. I just hope a deer will co operate with this project. The next is the 45 Colt Barrel by Bullberry which shoots very well for me. If for some very unusual reason I'm able to get that done,I will take out the 300 Whisper & try to get a longer shot than 15 yards this time.

Good luck to everyone this year!!!
I hope to see a lot of good reports & photos

Hey Bobby-- I just ordered a 27" full bull for the Encore in 6.5x55 from Van Horn but doubt I'll get any deer hunting in with it (I'll chase a few hogs, though...)

Think you can out do that pig in the picture that you've already taken ??!!

Rich Jake

[ 10-28-2002, 04:13: Message edited by: Rich Jake ]

Hey guys,
Good topic w/ interesting choices of weapons so far. I've got some new toys to play w/ this year for whitetail deer season:
Contenders-6X50R Bellm (w/ 80 gr Sierra SSP). This one will also see action coyote hunting after deer seaon's over.
7X30 Waters AA (w/ 130 gr Sierra SSP). Actually, I intend to introduce my cousin to Contender hunting using this barrel.
Encore-250 Savage (w/ 85 gr Nosler BT).

In the Contender "oldie" category, my VVCG 300/221 (w/ 130 gr Horndady SSP and 125 gr NBT) will see action. Depending on the outcome of a gun deal, my "gold standard," a 6.5 JDJ (w/ 120 NBT, Sierra sp, or Speer sp), or may not get any action this year.

My new Contender 50 cal ML barrel didn't make it in from Van Horn in time for the early ML season, will give it a go in the late ML season in late December.

I've also got a 308 Win Striker (w/ 150 gr Sierra sp or 150 gr Hornady SST)that I might use to hunt a large power line. I really need to get a kill w/ this barrel so we can "bond".... Gary T.

Rich-
I doubt I'll ever top that one -- but I will sure give it a try. The hunting had been slow until last week Sunday. Took one then, another on Tuesday and one on either Thursday or Friday. All were older boars. The largest went around 275-280 while one weighed around 160-170 and the other, which was actually the most impressive of the 3, went 225 or thereabouts. The 225 pounder had a very heavy Russian/Euro lineage, was really thick through the shoulders -- and had a thick gristle plate (app. 1-1.25"). I used the 6.5x55 on all three (big surprise there, right?) but did use the 140 grain SST bullet this time instead of the standard 140 grain Hornady SP. Got excellent performance on all 3, but the bullet did not exit on the 225 pounder (shot through both shoulders). I hope to get a photo of it and post it later on. The shot was app. 110 yards, and the starting velocity is just over 2800 fps with 46 grains Re-22. It shows perfect expansion with no break-up or core-jacket separation. I have not weighed it (need to clean the bullet off first!) but would guess it retained somewhere around 100-115 grains.

Thanks Bobby. I'm glad to hear your results with the SST's. Particularly with the core&jacket of that Bullet.
Rich Jake

Muzzleloading season opens Monday after next, will be carrying an Encore 209x50 shooting 90 gr. of Triple 7 FFG and a 295 gr. copper clad PowerBelt. Shot a group measuring .325" earlier today with this combination.

General firearms season opens two weeks after that and I hope to be using my 15" 243 Win. I've got 3 weeks to get a scope on it and get it sighted in. If that falls thru I'll be using my Remington Model 7 in 7mm08.

My goal this year is 6 deer, I just hope I can come thru on that. If I do, I'll probably end up wearing my dehydrator out.

I just came back last week from my first ever prairie dog hunt, in a little town called Farmingtom New Mexico. I took my 18in. .22 mag contender barrel that I bought from Mike Bellm, and shoot a LOT OF DOGS! Man, that barrel can shoot! I spent 7 wonderful days hunting, fishing, and sight seeing with my family only to come home and find out that the Dept. of forestry closed our area mountians to all hunting and off road activity due to the extreme fire danger caused by the lack of rain this year. So much for Deer season, squirrel, coyotes etc. We have to have 2 in. of rain before they will open the mountians again (FAT CHANCE!) So you all enjoy your hunting this year, and dont feel sorry for me in San Diego, because I left behind a s#i% load of dead prairie dogs behind in N.M. this year, and I'm going back next year to due the same.

take care
Richard

[ 10-28-2002, 06:31: Message edited by: supermagforever ]

Doubt i go but if i was to......it will be my EA Brown 41mag in the Contender and/or 7TCU in the Competitor.

I've been one time so far and packed my 30-30 carbine 'cause I played musical scopes on my 14" bbls and didn't have one ready to go. Fri. I'm going to take My 38-55 it ought to be enuf for these little blacktails over here.
Wes

Greetings! Very interesting choices thus far!

This season, I am only taking out one gun for Deer hunting - My Contender and Bellm 44mag 8" barrel w/brake, topped with fiber optic sights.

Cor-Bon 330grn FP's, and also my own load of a Hornady 300grn XTP are the most accurate and will accompany me afield

Lots of choices for Fall & Winter varmints, but we will get into those later

I will start with my Bellm 12" 7 TCU and my 10" 30 Herrett for muzzle loader a Savage MLII 300gr Hornady 45 Cal. Bullet 45.5gr of N110 at 2303fps

The early muzzleloader is over here and my 209X50 with 100gr. clean shot and 240gr. nosler soft point produced a nice fat doe. I am now hunting with my vvgc 6.5X55 14inch encore. I have not caught up with anything yet but the season is long.
Rick

I be using pistol only this year as well. I hunt in the Ozarks of Missouri and a shot over 100yds. is rare. Here are the details.

DEER (High Power)
Barrel - 11" Encore VVG/Bellm 357Max
Brass - Remington 357Max
Bullet - Hornady 180gr. SSP
Powder - 24gr. W680
Primer - Winchester SR

DEER (Muzzleloader)
Barrel - 15" TC Encore 209X50
Bullet - Hornady 45cal. 300gr. SXSP w/Sabot
Powder - 70gr. CleanShot
Primer - Winchester 209

YOTES and ARMADILLOS
Barrel - 11" Encore VVG/Bellm 22DLH
Brass - Remington 357Max
Bullet - Sierra 50gr. BlitzKing
Powder - 20gr. H4198
Primer - Winchester SR

SQUIRREL
Barrel - 13" Encore VVG 22LR
Ammo - American Eagle

Missouri will now allow a person to kill up to 10 deer between gun and archery. Just got my first doe of the season with the bow and plan on using either 10" or 14" 7-30 waters on contender and 14" VV 50 cal muzzleloader on encore for my gun season.(Truth be told I will problably carry a marlin 1895 for some deer drives.)Should I actually get to limit out,(fat chance, only five missourians did it last year) I will use the 15" VV .223 barrel on my encore for some coyotes that have been pestering me during bow season. Good luck to all this season.

Vic L.

Dad will be shooting his 308 Encore. We haven't decided which handload yet. It is still a virgin pistol. Got to get something with it. (I'll be using my new 480 wheel gun. Sorry!)

Hcliff

i'll be using a 15" 7-08 encore with 120gr balistic tip. also i'd like to use my 6br vv barrel to take some does. unlimited tags in ky. on does with a 16 day season. my 6tcu is not ready yet so it'll have to wait. my 44 redhawk could also see some use if i hunt in the brush.

.256 Ruger Hawkeye. I've been hunting varmints with this gun since it came out in 1961. It has a 2X Leupold long eye relief scope and is deadly with a 60 grain bullet moving 2400 fps.

I plan on using my 308 Striker for deer and hogs during deer season, then after that my NEF 50cal. for hogs during small game season. If the hunt won't allow me to use my Striker, I will use my 16" stainless T/C 7x30.

All or Any of these>>>
Contender
8" 44mag VVCG
14" 444 marlin Bellm
14"358JDJ
20" 358x444Van Horn
14" 309JDJ
12 1/2" 30-30win VVCG
20" 308Bellm
20" 6x45 VVCG
20" 250imp Bellm, VVCG...Maybe
Other>>
Rem 30-06 pump and bolt
Rem 1187 12ga. 00 buckshot
Benelli 3 1/2" 12ga. #1 buckshot
5" S&W 629 classic 44mag.....I don't go out without it.
6" S&W 357mag
7 1/2" Custom Ruger SRH 44mag
Knight LK93 50cal Muzzleloader

[ 10-29-2002, 05:20: Message edited by: Jules ]

Getting em all lined up now

Starting with:

45 cal Hawken with oversize Minie ball

50 cal Renegade round ball

54 Cal Green Mtn barrel on Renegade .535 round ball
Of course black powder, don't think I would shoot any of that other stuff do you?

Then gun season starts and it will be

10 and 14 " 6.5mm TCU 120 Rem Core Lockt or Nosler BTs

14" 6.5X50 Japanese (maybe) Most exaperating thing I ever spent money on (no, second, first is that stupid Ruger Super Blackhawk in 44 Mag)

10" 7 mm TCU 120 Hornady SSP

10 and 14" 30 Herrett 125 BTs or 130 Hornady SSP

14" 357 Max 160 XTP, 180 SSP

44 Mag wheel gun fromt the gun that WILL shoot well,(final load to be tested and determined Wednesday)

14" 45-70 with Rem. 300 grain Rem HP or 325 CGC

Winchester Mod 70 338 Mag with 200 CGC or Hornady Flat points loaded to 33 Winchester ballistics.

Hopefully that will get me thru season

LouisB

May break down and carry my 6.5X257 for nostalgia sake with trusty surplus 4831 and 129 grain Hornady Round Nose

[ 10-29-2002, 06:16: Message edited by: TCLouis ]

How do you carry all of those ??!!!
Rich Jake[/QB][/QUOTE]

I use my gang box from work Rich.

TCLouis, Just being nosey, but curious as to why the 6X50 Japanese has been so frustrating? What type of performance do you get? Gary T.

Gary T

The 6.5 Japanese has matched the performance so far of the 6.5 TCU.

Matched . . . Hell I had planned for it to meet the performance of the 6.5 JDJ.

It was so disappointing when I first got it, I put it away for over 2 years and had not done much with it. I have piddled with it some and though it is accurate, has not proven to be the high performer I expected of it.
Maybe if . . . IF . . . I could get my faith back I could find some loads that performed well and gave significant improvement over the TCU.
Mike B. and I have speculated about the taper of the case being part of the problem.

I guess I will keep piddling with it and see if I can get back in the groove with it enough to try harder to get performance out of it!
It has close to 15 grains of water, case capacity gain over the TCU so I was expecting great things.

MAYBE I LOST faith in it too soon and haven't given the barrel a chance to prove what it could really do!

Will let you know where it goes thru the TC section over the next few months!

LouisB

Louis
I've been considering doing one of these. Do you think that the poor performance is do case dimentions or Powder selection ? It should do better than 6 TCU easily. Any other Ideas that might be contributing to the poor performance?
Rich Jake