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Thompson Contender Pistol in 7-30 Waters #7313061 10/13/18 02:45 PM
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skinnerback Offline OP
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I bought one not long ago, but haven't used it yet. Been pistol hunting for a long time but always open sights, never used a scoped pistol. I'm getting ready to put a scope on it and looking for recommendations on the size/type of scope (fixed power or no). I was thinking of just putting a 3x9x40 on it with a 50 yrd zero. Would like some input on pistol scopes, thanks fellas.


This gun will be primarily used for shooting pigs/javalina/deer/yotes from a buggy at fairly close distances in the brush country, but may need to reach out to 100 yrds or so at times. Will need to get on target quick, that's why I was thinking a fixed power scope.

Re: Thompson Contender Pistol in 7-30 Waters [Re: skinnerback] #7313098 10/13/18 03:35 PM
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on pistols i like a fixed 2.5 cause it helps keep weight down, or if i want more power a 2-7. On pistols i find less power is generally more however cause the wobbles start to look bad quick at higher powers. Bushnell trophy is a good budget line, burris and leupold are nice too. Those are all i have used. I recommend staying away from fixed higher powers (in this case 4 is considered higher power) as it cuts down on your field of view too much and the previously mentioned shakes. good luck and i think you will like that waters

Re: Thompson Contender Pistol in 7-30 Waters [Re: RJH1] #7313099 10/13/18 03:37 PM
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Thank you.

Re: Thompson Contender Pistol in 7-30 Waters [Re: skinnerback] #7313105 10/13/18 03:40 PM
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I agree that the 2/2.5 is best all-around. The 3-9x and 3-12x are too much of a good thing unless you've got a dedicated varmint rig. It's really easy to turn a pistol into a very heavy and clumsy club. With a 50 yard zero, I wouldn't go over 4x, unless I had a really good reason.


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Re: Thompson Contender Pistol in 7-30 Waters [Re: syncerus] #7313110 10/13/18 03:45 PM
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skinnerback Offline OP
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Appreciate the input.

Re: Thompson Contender Pistol in 7-30 Waters [Re: skinnerback] #7313175 10/13/18 05:26 PM
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I put a Burris 2-7x32 on my .300 Whisper Encore pistol. Really like this magnification range for cartridges that can reach out there to 100+ yards.

Re: Thompson Contender Pistol in 7-30 Waters [Re: skinnerback] #7313180 10/13/18 05:30 PM
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Friend of mine has one chambered in 7mm-08. His wears a long eye relief 2-7X. I can't imagine using more than 7X, and that much is a maybe.


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Re: Thompson Contender Pistol in 7-30 Waters [Re: skinnerback] #7313199 10/13/18 05:48 PM
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My friend has a contender in 357 Herrett with a 4x scope, long eye relief. Deadly up to 100 yards. I believe 2-7 would be about as high as I would go.....

Re: Thompson Contender Pistol in 7-30 Waters [Re: skinnerback] #7313226 10/13/18 06:28 PM
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Mine had a 2-7 and it worked well but usually kept it at 2 or 3 power unless shooting off of a monopod or bipod.
As mentioned above Long Eye Relief is a REQUIREMENT.

Re: Thompson Contender Pistol in 7-30 Waters [Re: skinnerback] #7313229 10/13/18 06:29 PM
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skinnerback Offline OP
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Thanks for all the input guys.

Re: Thompson Contender Pistol in 7-30 Waters [Re: skinnerback] #7313236 10/13/18 06:39 PM
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I had a 2-7 Burris on my S&W 460XVR. Anything above 4x meant I had to bend my arms into an unnatural shooting position. 7x and the scope was about 6 inches from my face, so much for long eye relief. I swapped it for a Burris FF2 and it’s been great, easily keeps a 4-6 inch group at 100.


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Re: Thompson Contender Pistol in 7-30 Waters [Re: skinnerback] #7313247 10/13/18 06:55 PM
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Either something in 1-4 or 2-7 power with as much eye relief as possible



Re: Thompson Contender Pistol in 7-30 Waters [Re: skinnerback] #7313257 10/13/18 07:08 PM
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I shot contenders for years, both for just fun and competition. If I were to set up one again for something like you are doing, I would set it up with a fixed power Leupold, in not more than 2x. The higher powers are harder to work with on a pistol as they make the crosshair look like it is bouncing around everywhere. Use a quality base and rings as well...something like Redfield maybe. You picked a nice caliber for your intended purpose...

Re: Thompson Contender Pistol in 7-30 Waters [Re: skinnerback] #7313360 10/13/18 08:48 PM
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I have a 14 inch barreled Contender in 7-30 waters that is atill wearing the same Bushnell Trophy I put on it in 92 when i bought it. Still on and still accurate and it has killed quite a few deer and hogs from 10 yards to 220 yards. My favorite bullet for it is the 120gr Ballistic tip and went to Varget when it came out and haven't looked back.

I like the Burris handgun scopes as well and for that round would definately go variable 2-6 or 2-8 power. Most of the time hunting it is on 2X but occasionally I crank it up and cranking it up comes in handy for load workup.

You can easily attach a sling to the pistol by putting in screw in Uncle mikes swivel studs one in the base of the grip and one for a forearm screw. The forearm stud screw will have to be cut off to propper length though. Makes for a handy way to carry it hunting and to use the sling to steady shots in some shooting positions.

Reloading for that round in the Contender makes for better ammo than the factory ammo from Federal, which generally has soft brass and only lasts a few shots. there are some good signs for pressure to look for and if it ever is difficult to open then you are over pressure but there are other indicators to look for, let me knoe if you want them posted.


lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true
Mainstream news might be fun to watch
Re: Thompson Contender Pistol in 7-30 Waters [Re: skinnerback] #7313362 10/13/18 08:48 PM
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Oh Brass is easy to make from 30-30 brass, resize and one time fireform then trim and you are there with 7-30 brass


lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true
Mainstream news might be fun to watch
Re: Thompson Contender Pistol in 7-30 Waters [Re: kmon11] #7313370 10/13/18 08:56 PM
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Good stuff, great info. up I've been looking at holsters but thinking now that a sling would be my best bet.

Re: Thompson Contender Pistol in 7-30 Waters [Re: skinnerback] #7313527 10/13/18 11:42 PM
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Have you thought about a red dot?


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Re: Thompson Contender Pistol in 7-30 Waters [Re: skinnerback] #7313528 10/13/18 11:46 PM
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never mind, I see you'll be going out to 100, thought it was 50 and in.


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Re: Thompson Contender Pistol in 7-30 Waters [Re: skinnerback] #7313668 10/14/18 02:20 AM
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Originally Posted By: skinnerback
Good stuff, great info. up I've been looking at holsters but thinking now that a sling would be my best bet.


I have a shoulder holster made for it but only use it when I take it along as a secondary firearm when hunting, otherwise use the sling


lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true
Mainstream news might be fun to watch
Re: Thompson Contender Pistol in 7-30 Waters [Re: Payne] #7313674 10/14/18 02:31 AM
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Originally Posted By: Payne
Have you thought about a red dot?


Actually still thinking about it Sir.

Re: Thompson Contender Pistol in 7-30 Waters [Re: skinnerback] #7314231 10/14/18 07:59 PM
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Originally Posted By: skinnerback
Originally Posted By: Payne
Have you thought about a red dot?


Actually still thinking about it Sir.


Red Dot is very easy & quick. May also look into a Trijicon MRO.


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