tdoyka
New member
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2026
- Messages
- 3
I am just batting this idea around, but I want another TC Contender rifle in .257" caliber. I am going to hunt deer (60ish yards or less) and groundhogs (200 yards and less, 100 yards and less is more likely) and the pieces of viscous paper. On deer, viscous paper. bullet will be a behind the shoulder, about 1/3 of the way up. I will try not to smash into any shoulder bones. I also do not like any premium bullets, a 100-120gr deer cup and core bullet will be fine. I will even go 75-87gr cup and core deer bullet. Groundhogs and viscous paper targets are for cast boolits only. 
Normally, I would go with the 25-20 Win because my friend's late grandfather (he was a farmer) used to kill alot of deer and beef cows with his Winchester m92 in 25-20 with factory ammo. I had the chance to buy it after his funeral (35+ years ago), but Dummkopf (I) says no thank you. Dummkopf still shakes my head. I would shoot at deer, but 75-87gr jacketed bullets leaves me wondering why? I shot a doe in the head at 35ish yards with a 22-250AI (1 in 8" twist?) and 77gr Hornady BTSP and it was lights out on the doe. It was also my last time that I shot a deer in the head. Part of the reason why I don't use premium bullets (copper or plastic tipped bullets) is because of the 243 Win and the premium bullets failure on deer years ago. Yes, the premium bullet now is wonderful, but 30years ago it wasn't wonderful. Barnes X bullet and Nosler BT were a big part of not buying premium bullets fer me. Anyways, the 32-20 Win Starline brass can be necked down to 25-20. I think that Lee reloading dies are still there.
I could go with the 25-35 Winchester, which to me I think, seems like a better choice. I have 200 or so 30-30 Starline brass (I have 35/30-30, 30 & 357 Herrett and 30-30) and I could get more of the brass anytime. I can use a_120gr Speer Spitzer bullet for deer and for viscous paper, somewhere between 60 - 75gr FN or WFN cast boolit.
What do you think?
Normally, I would go with the 25-20 Win because my friend's late grandfather (he was a farmer) used to kill alot of deer and beef cows with his Winchester m92 in 25-20 with factory ammo. I had the chance to buy it after his funeral (35+ years ago), but Dummkopf (I) says no thank you. Dummkopf still shakes my head. I would shoot at deer, but 75-87gr jacketed bullets leaves me wondering why? I shot a doe in the head at 35ish yards with a 22-250AI (1 in 8" twist?) and 77gr Hornady BTSP and it was lights out on the doe. It was also my last time that I shot a deer in the head. Part of the reason why I don't use premium bullets (copper or plastic tipped bullets) is because of the 243 Win and the premium bullets failure on deer years ago. Yes, the premium bullet now is wonderful, but 30years ago it wasn't wonderful. Barnes X bullet and Nosler BT were a big part of not buying premium bullets fer me. Anyways, the 32-20 Win Starline brass can be necked down to 25-20. I think that Lee reloading dies are still there.
I could go with the 25-35 Winchester, which to me I think, seems like a better choice. I have 200 or so 30-30 Starline brass (I have 35/30-30, 30 & 357 Herrett and 30-30) and I could get more of the brass anytime. I can use a_120gr Speer Spitzer bullet for deer and for viscous paper, somewhere between 60 - 75gr FN or WFN cast boolit.
What do you think?
