35 Rem Contender Bullets

[MarkS]

had a range day with the 35 Rem Contender Friday. It seem to like IMR 4198 powder over H322. I shot the Hornaday 158 XTP and 180 XTP. Both running around 1.5" at 100 yds. I could do better, but my old eyes just can't make it with the low powder scopes. What bullets are you using for deer size game? And bigger? My max range for game will be 100 yds, most less than 50 yds.

Mark Schronce

 

[2506]

I would stick with the 180 XTP. I don't have a 35 Rem but I have shot a few deer with my Contender in 357 mag and the 180 XTP does a much better job out to 107 yards which is as far as I have taken a deer with it than the 158 gr. The 158 gr especially at the velocity you get out of your 35 opens up too quickly and will come apart much more readily than the 180 XTP especially if you hit bone. If you ever get the chance to get a hold of a 14" or so 30-30AI barrel for your Contender GRAB IT. Best deer killing caliber I have ever used in a Contender pistol and it has a point blank range out to 250 yards that does not rise or fall below 4" with 125 Nosler ballistic tips and just hammers deer. I get 2670 fps with my MGM made 14" SS barrel. I know what you mean about old eyes and low power scopes. I have found that the Weaver 2.5 - 8 X 28 is a really good scope for $200. I have been using three of them for a few years now. I keep them set on 2.5 power while hunting for that pop out of the ground on top of you shot deer sometimes manage to give you. At longer ranges I most always have time to turn up to 8 power that really helps you see and shoot well. When my rich uncle gets out of the poor house I would like to try one of the Burris 3-12X32

 

[cooperve]

I have a .357 maximum in 10" barrel. I called and asked Hornady the best bullet for Ohio deer and they recommended the Interlock 180 gr. 35 caliber single shot pistol (ssp) bullet #3505 over the XTP. Hornady said it was designed for deer. I killed a medium size buck and large doe. Both exited with an ~3/4 inch hole only running 25 to 50 yard to dropping.

 

[H2OBUG]

JMHO--the 180SSPB is the only way to go--I use it in my 356 Wincester Encore and it is a great bullet
Look at the hole in this one
http://www.handgunhunt.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2342

Here is another
http://www.handgunhunt.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=3472

Second choice would be the 180 Speer FP--only because they do not make the 225 NBT any more

 

[Link]

Yup the 180gr Spire point SSPB is well worth the visit.

Shot .75 moa in my TC 15 " hunter out to 200 yds. Unbelieveable.

Link

 

[H2OBUG]

Like Link said it will shoot like a house on fire--

http://www.handgunhunt.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=3590&limit=recent

 

[sdneil]

MARK --- my .35 Rem Super 14 does excellent with IMR 4198--I have shot tons of .357 pistol bullets thru it and all shoot pretty good, some killer , its amazing how accurate the TC is, and loads of fun to shoot, any good bullet will do a good job, I am not really a deer hunter, Neil

 

[BBTC48]

I have a 15" w/brake from Foxridge. Good accurate tube. The 200gr RN are always available in store for emergency on a hunting trip but the 180s are really the bullet of choice for us handloaders. Accurate and not overly heavy to get some expansion. My choice for best accuracy is now the 200gr Barnes TSX. A real beauty, but 35Rem doesn't really have enough horsepower to get the best expansion unless you're very close, but soooo accurate. It most likely would be a pass-through wound with little mushrooming. I'm guessing this bullet would take a 350Rem Mag or 35Whelen to get it to work well. I shot a doe with the 180SSPB at around 85yds...bang-flop. 35cal in...1" out. I have very few left and I'm told these are now very hard or maybe impossible to find now. True ????