[rec.guns] Hunter silhouette

brian@swdev.waterloo.NCR.COM (Brian W. Gamble) (06/06/91)

In article <35197@mimsy.umd.edu> Jim writes:
#All this gun control stuff is beginning to bug me.  One sure cure
#is to purchase some new firearms and accessories.  I was wondering if
#anyone has shot hunter pistol, and do you think a .357 Magnum would have
#sufficient knock-down power, or would you go with a .41 or .44.  I am
#leaning toward the .357 (I have a Thompson/Center Contender).  Also, I
#have heard that Shotgun News is a good place to purchase T/C barrels...
#
#  Jim

My EMail reply to Jim bounces, so here it is on the net. The offer of load 
info is open to all, but remember, ALWAYS work up loads starting with a 
reduced powder charge, and change only one specification at a time.

Yo Jim

The more I hear about hunter silhouette, the more I wonder what it really is.
At our club (in Ontario, Canada) the hunter match is four banks of targets
at 25, 50, 75, 100 meters. At those ranges, the .357 is more than powerful
enough. (I shoot a Ruger GP-100 in that caliber.)

The guys with the .44 Mag seem to use one or two loads; I find that I need 
three or four loads to keep the sights on the targets at the different
distances. But I don't do well on a hold under or over. I find that I need
an aim point that is on the target somewhere before I can be consistant.

The .357 in a Contender will spit out a 180 gr bullet at a very healty rate,
which may lessen sighting problems. Reloading the single shot will force you
to take a break between shots, which won't hurt your scores. I've only seen
one at our club and never got a chance to fire it.

Drop EMail with questions about .357 loads. I'll dig up my load notes and
share any data I have that fits your needs.

If all else fails, the hunter matches are a lot of fun!


--
 Brian W. Gamble,                               Brian.Gamble@Waterloo.NCR.COM
 NCR Canada Ltd.
 E&M Waterloo                    Charter Member -- The ShoeString Racing Team