Straight Walled Pistol Cartridge?

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oxnam

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Idaho changed their short-range weapons restriction (muzzleloader, archery, and crossbow) to include "a pistol using straight-walled cartridges not originally developed for rifles." I have a Contender and plan to just pick up a new 14" barrel. I will be using it to hunt mule deer. Which would be the best long range cartridge out of the straight-walls designed for pistols? The 357 Maximum seemed like a decent option.
 
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Does the law include a length to the case of a pistol cartridge?? I have seen a couple of guys ask this before in a couple of different states. One of the states limited the length of the casing. If you are not limited to case length then the 357 maximum would be a dandy. Tom.
 
No, all it says is "a pistol using straight-walled cartridges not originally developed for rifles." No length restrictions. From what I have seen the 357 Maximum should do well but wanted to know if I was overlooking a better option.
 
The .357 Max will work but if you want to be more effective against larger game, I'd suggest you consider the .460 S&W Mag. That will run considerably higher velocities than the .357 using much heavier slugs. A far better round for game larger than deer. Don
 
Originally Posted By: DonDThe .357 Max will work but if you want to be more effective against larger game, I'd suggest you consider the .460 S&W Mag. That will run considerably higher velocities than the .357 using much heavier slugs. A far better round for game larger than deer. Don

Can't be done on a Contender platform. I agree .357 max is a shooter in a 'tender.
 
I have a 14" 357max barrel also a 14" 445 supermag I would look at the 44 supermag I have used both on whitetails and prefer the supermag with a hard cast LBT style bullet or one of the new Hornady FTX bullets.
 
Originally Posted By: skb2706
DonD said:
Can't be done on a Contender platform. I agree .357 max is a shooter in a 'tender.

Sorry about that, was thinking of Encore, writing about Contender. Surprisingly, the TC website shows Encore barrels for the .500 S&W but not the .460. A .460 is certainly feasible. Don
Click to expand...
 
I agree with cracker, go with the 44 mag. I have taken everything from yotes to black bear with it and never had a problem. You just need to learn your limitations.
 
No doubt the 44 magnum would make a great choice also. Along with the other cartridges listed. However do not under rate the 357 max with a longer barrel. Especially if you go with a Super 14 or 16 barrel. The 357 max can push 30-30 velocities in the longer barrels. A friend has one in the Encore rifle barrel, and it is a dandy. I have a 357 Max. Ruger BlackHawk, and have collected alot of brass over the years. So we decided to use up this brass, so he had a short length barrel built for his Encore for woods hunting. It is a dandy.

Here is a really good article about the 357 Max. in the Contender. And it is written by a guy who knows what he is talking about. It is a good read. Tom.

http://www.bellmtcs.com/store/index.php?cid=121
 
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well, the one nice thing about the max is that you can shoot .38spl mag and max, pretty handy if you just want to go out and plink a bit or do some small game hunting as well.

Dave
 
I had the 44 Mag in a 10" barrel and I hated shooting it. It is a large enough caliber that there was just not enough barrel left. That thing was not fun to shoot at all. A 14" barrel might be a lot better. Now the S&W 629 Mountain Gun (44 Mag) is a pleasure to shoot but not nearly as easy to shoot longer ranges as the contender.

kal52 - I didn't realize that you can shoot all of the other calibers out of it. That would be pretty handy.
 
I think that you will like the Max. Mine is the most accurate contender barrel I have ever owned. Do you reload? you might check for availability of ammo if you don't. I have never looked for it, the maximum is accurate with eveything I have put through it 110gr-180gr bullets. Cast, plated, HP, SP, it don't matter they have all shot really well over H-110 for me.
 
The .357 max is great in a Contender, have one 23" carbine length. You can in fact shoot 38 sp., .357 mag and .357 max out of it. But if you shoot shorter rounds out of it you need to clean it up to make sure the longer rounds chamber correctly.

185 gr. hard cast gas check Beartooth Bullet ahead of a max dose of AA1680 makes for a decent hammer.
 
Ohio has the same law allowing straight walled pistol cartridges so I had SSK ind. rechamber my 14 inch 44 mag Contender barrel for 444 Marlin. It has at 100 yds what the 44 mag has at the muzzle. Shot 180 grainers at over 2000 fps. Shot my first whitetail at 96 yds and dropped him in his tracks.
Tarey
 
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